1963

Class correspondent:
Bill Leicht
wcleicht07@gmail.com

Posted 6/26/19

We are sad to report that Joan Raidline Wetmore passed away on June 12, 2019.

Posted 1/30/19

We are sad to report that The Reverend Dr. William Pfeiffer, Sr. passed away on January 12, 2019.

Posted 12/18/18

We are sad to report that Marilyn Landrock passed away on December 4, 2018.
Hello everyone.  The class of 1963 celebrated its 55th anniversary this year, 2018.
Coordinated by Sylvia Muller Doyle ’14, Director of Corporate and Donor Relations, the Alumni Office staff, and led by Gary Sandercock, we set up a group to contact all 1963 Alums about the reunion in September.  Others in the group were Stanley Gilbert, Donald Vogel, Robert Preston and me.  Thank you Sylvia, Gary and the Alumni Office Staff!
Sorry to say the turnout was small but we were represented.  Gary Sandercock and his wife, Donna, and Stan Gilbert and his wife, Gwynne Grey Gilbert '64, attended Dr. Bryon L. Grigsby’s ’90 State of the College address and also the football game on Saturday.  They also toured the new Health Science Center and other buildings.  At the Alumni dinner Saturday night they were joined by Charles Stoltz and his wife, Bonnie, and Grove Stoddard, Esq. and his wife, Ann Woltjen Stoddard.
Here are correspondences from some of our contacts.  Donald Eichenhofer is retired and lives in upstate New York.  Don has two sons; one is a financial planner and the other is a sports writer.  Carl Houseman retired after 34 years with Federal Government Law Enforcement in Philadelphia, New York, and other locations.  Carl spends four months each year in Florida. Rev. Paul Zimmerman is retired and now living in Florida.  He was a Pastor for 22 years in Nazareth.  He met his wife in Africa.  I also had a nice chat with Jean Friedman, Ph.D. who is currently retired and living in Cincinnati.  I spoke with Irene Gillen who is living in Bethlehem.
We now look forward to our 60th...!!
We have also been in touch with Marty Garcia and his wife, Eileen, who live in Thousand Oaks, CA.  They live very close to the ravaging "Camp" fire that destroyed hundreds of homes during October and November.  They were warned that they might have to evacuate but fortunately were not forced to do so.
On a sad note we heard of the untimely death of Dallas Vogel ‘64.  Dallas is the younger brother of Don.  Dallas was my "Little Brother" in the OGO fraternity.
Carol and I look forward to having lunch with President Grigsby, his wife Lea, and  Patricia Price, Director of Planned Giving at Moravian, plus other Moravian Alumni living in Arizona on January 7, 2019.
I would love to hear from more 1963 alumni.  My email is wcleicht07@gmail.com.
Bill

Posted 6-1-18

We are sad to report that Sarah Morgan Orifice passed away on April 16, 2018.

Posted 1/29/18

We are sad to report that Sandra Walker Kreutzer passed away on December 29, 2017.
We are sad to report that Charles Bledsoe passed away on December 24, 2017.

Posted 11/29/17

It is early November already, hard to believe 2017 is nearing the end.  I received several email messages from Dr. John Shigo who now lives in retirement near Santa Roas, CA with his wife, Helen.  Their home survived the horrific wild fires that ravaged northern California in October.  We are happy that John and Helen are okay and the area is starting to rebuild.
I was happy to hear from Dave Howard (my OGO House roommate 50 years ago) who lives in New England.  Although retired, Dave is still writing and his short story “Captain Corn” was recently published in Literally Stories, an on-line magazine.  Congratulations, Dave.
My wife, Carol Rockovits Leicht ’64, and I just returned from a 15 day trip to China, an excursion I would certainly recommend to anyone.  We went from Shanghai to Beijing including two flights to three other cities.  We rode the “bullet” train and enjoyed a four day Yangtze River cruise.  We learned so much about Chinese history, culture, and current day living.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.  Would love to hear from you.
Bill Leicht.

Posted 9/29/17

We are sad to report that Patricia Donchez passed away on September 9, 2017.

We are sad to report that Jeanne Scott Foltan passed away on September 12, 2017.

Posted 2/23/17

We are sad to report that Rev. Charles Harberg passed away on January 6, 2017.

We are sad to report that Robert Dietrich passed away on February 24, 2017.


Hello everyone.  It's already been 4 years since our 50th class reunion.  WOW!  Time is passing way too quickly.
Received a very unexpected but welcomed telephone call from Jim Kelyman, Jr;  he and Carole are still residing in Sebastian, FL and enjoying retirement there.  He doesn't make it up north as often as he would like.  We reminisced about our days at Moravian, football, and the OGO brotherhood.  Other OGO brothers have since told me they talked to Jim as well.
Received a note and announcement from Dick Bedics.  He and Bonnie just returned to Florida from a California vacation.  They took a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards in Tumelcua.  He said they checked that off his "Bucket List"...Carol & I did that here in AZ for our 30th anniversary way back in 1994.
Dick sent me the quarterly issue of "View" a publication of WSRE, Pensacola State College.  Dick was highlighted, with his picture, and a nice article about his accomplishments.  He is a Pensacola State College retiree serving since 1974 and was named Dean of Instructional Services in 1978.  His duties included supervision of Library Services, In service Training, and WSRE-TV.  In 1984 he was named Pensacola Campus Provost.  He retired in 2002 having been recognized as Outstanding Administrator of Northwest Florida by Phi Delta Kappa and Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year. 
Post retirement he received the Benigna  Education Award from Moravian.  Congratulations, Dick on quite an exemplary career.
Don Vogel recently had a hip replacement and is rehabbing well in Ohio.  Probably can't cover short stop like he did in the '60s at Moravian.  Don enjoys watching his grandkids play sports and also making his own vintage wines.
Occasionally I hear (email) from Marty Garcia, Stan (Stosh) Gilbert, and Gary Sandercock.
I also receive emails from Sam Maczko ’61, Joe Castellano ’61 and T. Jeff Gannon ’61.
Saddened by the news of the death of Anthony "Monk" Morelli ’59 OGO brother.  He was an inspiration to all OGOs and significant supporter of Moravian.

We also mourn the recent passing of Robert (Bob) Dietrich. Bob was a stalwart Greyhound football player in the early 60’s and later did scouting for Coach Rocco Calvo.  I last saw Bob at our 50th class reunion in 2013.

Carol & I took our grandsons and daughters on a west coast cruise last year and plan to visit Washington, DC in June this year.  We have our sights set on a 15 day China trip in September.
I would love to hear from more 1963 alumni.  My email is wcleicht07@gmail.com.

Posted 11/30/16

We are sad to report that David Nause passed away on November 23, 2016.

Posted 5/28/15

Dr. John Shigo writes:  I am visiting my daughter, Dr. Monica Lawry, in Sonoma, California for the next three months.  Monica is a Surgical Cancer Dermatologist in Davis, California.  We are on a trip to San Francisco to visit the city sites, double decker bus tour.  I will be in Florida this winter with my daughter, Alexandra, a PA-C in Dermatology.  Ali lives in Winter Park, Florida and works in Orlando with a Dermatology group.  I visited my three other daughters in The Plains, VA and Charlotte, NC this spring and my eight grandchildren.  One at Virginia Tech in Engineering!  A great life with all my family traveling!

Posted 3/31/15

Hello everyone.  I have received a lot of 1963 alumni news that I want to share with everyone.  After many of us returned to campus in 2013 to celebrate our 50th graduating year, a lot of us have recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversaries and taking exciting trips.
Dick & Bonnie Bedics celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past year and went on an Alaskan Cruise with son Tom & wife Colleen and grandkids Carson 13, Cole 11 and Ty 5.  They enjoyed hiking at every port they visited.

Don and Joann Vogel also took an Alaskan Cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013.  While on the cruise, the ship lost one engine and the trip was aborted.  So for their 51st, they were given a free cruise in August 2014 which they loved.  Don also writes that he is quite a brew master turning out batches of homemade beer.  Joann had open heart surgery a couple years ago and is now doing very well.

James Meixell writes from St. Petersburg, FL where he and wife Judy have spent the past 11 winters.  They had a surprise dinner party in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary given by their two sons Tod and Scott.  It was a very happy and emotional event with about 35 friends and relatives attending.  They reflect back on the past 50 years with memories of dating and OGO parties.

Stan (Stosh) and Gwynne Grey (’64) Gilbert are now both retired and adjusting to the change.  Gwynne surprised the whole family in October 2014 by requiring treble heart by-pass surgery.  She is doing real well and recovering nicely.  The Gilberts are planning a trip to Belgium and the Netherlands in March.

Gary Sandercock and wife, Donna K moved to Texas a little more than 3 years ago and left the rest of the family back in California.  Over the past couple years both daughters joined them in Texas with the grandchildren.  They agree that people are busier after retirement than when working.  Donna K always says “Have bag, will travel” and they do.  The Sandercocks have a standing invitation: “Y’all come see us!”
Chuck and Bonnie Stoltz will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this fall but will be taking the family to Bermuda in July.  Both continue to play tennis and battle the snowfalls.  Chuck hosts a weekly ping pong gathering in their basement.  Their son is an IT guy for Sacred Heart Hospital and daughter is a gentle, dental hygienist in Allentown. They enjoy following Moravian basketball and haven’t missed a Vespers service since graduation.

Grove and Ann Woltjen Stoddard will celebrate 52 years of wedded bliss this May and are enjoying Grove’s recent retirement from 48 years with the same law firm in Bridgeport, CT.  A few years ago Ann sold her gift shop, “The Country Mouse” after 27 years.  They are missing the terrible northeast winter by renting in Venice, FL for February and March.  They spend time playing golf, bridge, jogging and traveling.  They will be off to Portugal this spring.  Greg has a little E-Bay business.  Two grandchildren live with Mom & Dad in Nantucket, MA and two other grown kids live in Connecticut and Washington State.

Carol Rockovits Leicht ’64 & I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in June 2014.  We took our daughter, Dianne and grandkids Blake 16 and Ty 11 (all from AZ) to New York City for 3 days to see the sights and a Broadway play.  Both Dianne and other daughter, Michelle, gave us a 50th brunch with about 50 friends and family at a country club in Montgomery County, PA where Michelle lives.  Then Dianne gave us another brunch here in AZ.  I am still selling real estate and probably will for a while.  I really enjoy it although I do referral business only now.  We both play golf and are very active in our church.  We are finally building a real Catholic church after 20 years in a temporary facility.  Carol and I were co-chairs for the capital campaign committee to raise the necessary funds.
We will be taking a Panama Canal cruise in April.  It begins in Lima, Peru with other stops in Peru and Ecuador, through the canal and then ports along the western Caribbean to Miami, Charleston and ending in NYC.

Carol and I met with Patricia Price, Moravian Director of Planned Giving, Dennis Bleam ’61 and Dr. Kim Ghali-Rao ’01 for lunch in Scottsdale, AZ in February.  It was to make preliminary plans for an Arizona alumni gathering with College President Bryon Grigsby ’90 in late 2015 or 2016.  We have helped with several AZ gatherings over the years.

Received an email from Mario Medici, a longtime friend of Patricia M. Donchez’63.  He was sad to report that Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2009 and is currently in an assisted-living facility.
I would love to hear from more 1963 alumni.  My email is wcleicht07@gmail.com.

John Shigo, MD received the honor of a 3 year American Medical Association – Physician Recognition Award for excellence in Medical Education – March 18, 2015 till March 18, 2018.  He is returning to the Active Practice of Medicine this year.  During his short retirement he traveled to Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Monte Carlo and experienced their life styles and medical care from the citizens point of view.

Posted 2/27/15

We are sad to report that William Fishel passed away on February 11, 2015.

Posted 1/29/15

We are sad to report that John Gross  passed away on January 8, 2015.

Posted 12/22/14

We are sad to report that Russell Miller passed away on December 2, 2014.

Posted 2/11/14

Lehigh Valley Arts Council presents Fashion Writer, Editor, and Exhibition Curator G. Bruce Boyer, in its first program in the Arts Alive 2014 series.  This first program is titled Curating Fashion.  Mr. Boyer will speak about his career in fashion as well as his upcoming exhibition, Elegance in an Age of Crisis: Fashions of the 1930’s, at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology from February 8-April 19, 2014.
We are sad to report the Joseph Csordas, Jr. passed away on January 17, 2014.

Posted 8/8/13

We are sad to report that Thomas Apjohn passed away on July 9, 2013.

Posted 6/24/13

From Bill:
WOW!! The class of 1963 celebrated a super successful 50th reunion on May 17th & 18th 2013.
Alum returned from CA, FL, AZ, NY, VA, TX, MD, CT, RI, OH, NJ and PA. 
Familiar conversations picked up quickly as though there was no span of 50 years since some of us had seen or talked to one another.
I did not get to talk to everyone but with the help of the Class Survey I can tell you a little about who attended.
Dick Bedics and his wife, Bonnie, came from their home in Pensacola, FL.  Dick is now retired from his Provost position at Pensacola College.  Genie Billiard Dooley and Harry (’64) from Macungie, PA and spend time in Juno Beach, FL.  Genie is a retired teacher from the Bethlehem School District.  Bob Dietrich and his wife, Stephanie, shared some stories.  Bob is retired from Bethlehem Steel.  Carol Horscroft Clarke was there with husband John.  I talked briefly with Steve Edraney who was there with wife, Jean.  Ron Freed was accompanied by wife Judith.  Also saw but did not talk to Jean Friedman.
Marty Garcia and his wife, Eileen, came in from CA.  Marty is retired from television network executive position at CBS in Los Angeles.  Carol & I visited the Garcias’ last year while on a vacation.  We toured the Reagan Museum and Library with them.
Stan (Stosh) Gilbert and Gwynne Grey Gilbert (’64) are still living in Clarks Summit, PA near Scranton.  Stosh is employed as a Juvenile Probation Officer for Lackawanna County.
Tom Grammes and his wife, Patricia, live in Bethlehem.  Tom is a retired teacher with the Whitehall-Coplay school district in Whitehall, PA.  Nancy Trach Harstine was there with husband Willard Harstine ’62.  Nancy is a retired library technician from the Bethlehem Area Public Library.
It took 50 years but David Howard finally returned to a Moravian reunion after much prodding by Gary Sandercock. Dave’s companion was Sandra Parker.  Dave, Gary, Russ DeVore and I were roommates at the OGO house in our senior year.  Dave has a Writing Well company that does editing and consulting in Rumford, RI.
It was good to see and reminisce with Judy Studwell MacDonald and husband, Jim MacDonald  who came down from Carmel, NY.  Judy is a substitute teacher in the Carmel Central School District.
Shirley Hart McBride and husband Gerald live in Bethlehem.  Shirley  has been a teacher of English, History and Music for 25 years with the Wilson Area (Easton) and Parsippany, NJ  schools.
Had some fun conversations with Ted Meixell and his wife, Judy.  They live in Bethlehem but for the last nine winters they reside in St. Petersburg, FL.  Ted is a retired teacher with the Bethlehem Area School District and retired sports writer for the Morning Call newspaper in Allentown, PA.
Janet Gleva Miller flew in from San Jose, CA.  Janet is a self-employed lawyer with no plans for retirement.
Russ Miller and Shirlee Ford Miller looked good.  They are back in the area living in Easton.  Russ is a retired quality manager with AT&T and Shirlee has been a school teacher with several school districts.
Bob Preston and wife, Jane Siegfried, live in North Chesterfield. VA.  Bob is a retired Scout Executive and Camp Consultant, President/CEO of the Boy Scouts of America.  Bill Pysher and his wife, Karen, live in Bethlehem.  Bill retired as a Chief Probation Officer with the County of Northampton and is currently a part-time Student Assistant Counselor with the Valley Youth House in Bethlehem.
We enjoyed our time at the reunion with Gary Sandercock and his wife, Donna. After selling his company, Cryotech International in CA they have retired and relocated to Georgetown, TX.  Gary was President and CEO of that company.
We missed talking to Dr. John Shigo and his guest Jan Reynolds.  John is a self-employed Family Physician in Gaithersburg, MD.  Neither did I get to see Dr.  John Steers ’61 and his guest Margaret Hoffman.
It was good talking to Grove Stoddard and his wife, Ann Woltjen Stoddard.   Grove is a partner in the law firm of Pullman & Comley, LLC in Bridgeport, CT.   Ann is a teacher and owner of The Country Mouse in Fairfield, CT.  Chuck Stoltz and his wife, Bonnie, live in Bethlehem.  Chuck is a 7th and 8th grade teacher in the Palisades School District, Bucks County, PA.  I regularly keep in touch with Chuck via email.
Always good to see Don Vogel and his wife, JoAnn.  They reside in Cincinnati, OH where Don retired as President/CEO of the American Lung Association of Southwestern Ohio.  The Vogels spend a lot of vacation time at their villa in Hilton Head Island, SC.
Saw but did not get a chance to talk with Winnie Hearn Zeller.

Posted 5/21/13

We are sad to report that Carl Sewald passed away on April 15. We also extend our sympathies in the death of Frederic “Fritz” Tew who passed away on February 19, 2013.

 

Posted 2/5/13

We are sad to report that Sally Deysher Reimer passed away on January 4.

Posted 10/25/12

From the Alumni Office:
We are sad to report that Joan E. Webber Jones passed away on October 2.
We are sad to report that Judy M. Freeman SantaMaria passed away on October,12.
We are sad to report that Peter Gill passed away on October 21.

Posted 6/27/12

From the Alumni House:
We are sad to report that Diana M. Eagan passed away on June 12, 2012.

Posted 4/3/12

From the Alumni House:
We are sad to report that Jutta S. Leheis passed away on March 10, 2012.

Posted 11/29/11

We are sad to report that on November 15, 2011 Bill Hino passed away.
We are sad to report that on November 25, 2011 Reverend Vincent Carmen Del Re passed way.

Posted 8/31/11

From Gary Straughan:
After retiring from full time ministry in the Moravian Church on Dec. 31, 2010, I have now accepted appointment to a part-time position as the pastor of the Daggett Moravian congregation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I began my duties on April 1, 2011. I continue to live in Green Bay, WI.

Posted 7/1/11

From the Alumni House:
We are sorry to report that Patricia Kuti Pavuk died on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

Posted 4/4/11

From the Alumni House:
We are sad to announce that Judith Weiland passed away on February 27, 2011.

Posted 2/28/11

From the Alumni House:
Chuck Harberg’s final Sunday at Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove Wisconsin is July 31st.  The day before, he turns 70 and felt that was a good excuse to retire.  He and Anne are heading back to Norway in August for Fjord cruising and family visits.
We are sad to report that Linda Tilley Smith passed away on February 12, 2011.

Posted 10/6/10

From the Alumni House:
          We are sad to announce that Charles Joseph Napravnik passed away on September 12, 2010.

Posted 6/2/10

From the Alumni House:
We regret to inform you that Barbara A. Johnson Keller passed away on April 25, 2010 and Kathleen K. Klammer Spears passed away on April 24, 2010.

Posted 9/1/09

From Bill:
I heard from Chuck Stoltz in May.  He had recent surgery, but is doing well now.  We continue to get emails from him so it sounds like he is back to normal.

Carol and I attended Carol’s 45th class reunion in May.  The turnout was ok, but we could only be there for the luncheon on Saturday.
It was good to see many of ’64 alums and I’m sure more will be written in the 1964 class notes.

Some of Carol’s classmates we saw were: Doug & Marge Wilkins ’64, Lynne Nafash Warnke ’64, Harry Dooley ’64, Gwynne Grey ’64 and Stan Gilbert, Kathy Zanelli Bednar ’64, Andrea Auf der Heyde ’64, Bruce Coull’64, Connie Latchaw Viglione ’64, Linda Garo Olson ’64, Pat Schillinger Hensinger ’64, Sue Miller Erb ’64, Molly Krater Dinneen ’64, Sue Jurman Beecher ’64, Karen Huff Osmun ’64, Judy Morecz Simpson ’64, Kat Cavanaugh ’64.
Everyone looked great and the class picture showed off a youthful group!

I, along with Stosh Gilbert, Harry Dooley and Doug Wilkins attended the OGO Alumni meeting and picture session. There was good representation from many classes.  The current brotherhood seems to be growing and becoming a highly recognized group on campus again.  The Alumni are very supportive.

I received an email note from Gary Sandercock in April.  He is still working.  He owns a company named Cryotech International with about 60 people; there are three domestic locations and one  international location.  He and his wife Donna K. just purchased a 2nd residence in Sun City Texas that is located in Georgetown, Texas.  They will use this home as a vacation get-a-way while Gary is still working.  They plan to relocate there when he retires and purchase a permanent home.  Gary and Don Vogel have agreed to share vacations spots.  The Vogels own a place in Hilton Head, SC.   Sounds like a good arrangement!

Posted 6/29/09

I’ve been hearing a lot from Don Vogel in Cincinnati lately. He and wife Joann have spent a lot of time at the doctors, having surgery and recuperating.

Don had leg surgery and was in a cast and brace for quite awhile. Then Joann found out she had a very high level of calcium in her blood. When she went through tests, they determined she had four major blocked arteries and had to have open heart surgery.

While Joann was on the mend, Don decided to have his calcium checked and found his levels were more than twice what Joann had. He thought for sure they would find block arteries and was readying himself for an operation similar to Joann’s. Fate was on his side when Don found that the calcium was distributed throughout his body and not concentrated in his arteries.

At this writing, Carol and I are planning a trip back east in May. We will attend out granddaughter’s high school graduation and also plan to attend Carol’s 45th reunion at Moravian. We look forward to meeting with alumni friends.

From the Alumni House:

Gary Straughan following his administrative terms as President of the Eastern District of the Moravian Church has returned to the pastorate and is serving the East Green Bay Moravian Church.  This will probably be his last assignment before retirement.