April 2012 - West Point Class of 1966

Fame will mix with '66Bob Steenlage Honored in IowaWrestling Hall of FameClassnotes #1966-4Class of 1966January 2012-April 2012Fifty years ago, Bob Steenlage becameIowa's first four-time State WrestlingChampion. Bob was also a Division-I All-American, Captain of West Point'swrestling team, and undefeated in dualmeets all 4 years. In 1993, Bob wasnamed Wrestling USA Man of the Yearand most classmates will remember hispersonal biography, Fighting Back, nowin its 6 th Bobbi and Bob Steenlage at Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fameprinting. Get your copy bycalling Bob. Bob and Bobbi live on 111 acres 30 minutes north of La Crosse, WI and havebeen married for over 45 years. Bobbi is a former Home Economics teacher at Britt, IowaHS. In late January, Bob was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.John Dubia's AFCEA,International HostsWounded Warrior EventJohn and Maureen DubiaJohn's association, AFCEAInternational, and the U.S. NavalInstitute hosted the WoundedWarrior Amputee Softball Team(WWAST) at PETCO Park in SanDiego in January 2012.John Boyd (1945-2012). John Hamilton Boyd III, 66 passed away Monday, February 13,2012 at his home in Kerrville, Texas. John was born on May 19, 1945 in El Campo, TX. Hisobituary is at http://www.timeformemory.com/fh_obituary.cfm?obitid=36424&fhid=370

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 2Joel Gartenberg's Son PromotedTo O-6Joel commissioned his son, Craig Houk in1984 and 28 years later attended hispromotion to O-6 in Cypress, CA at LosAlamitos Joint Force Training Base on 11February 2012. Craig is DeputyCommander of the USAR 11 th MPBrigade.BG Carpenter, Brigade Commander; Craig; Craig's wife,Bren; Joel GartenbergBill Bergman CelebratesFounders Day in BrusselsBill reported, “I attach for youramusement your OverseasClassmate directing the choir ofCroaking Frogs for the ritual ofAlma Mater songs, on the steps ofthe Royal Cavalry Club (1 st Reg't)”Bill Bergman, Choir Master at Brussels Founders DayDick Ecklund Still Positive about a “Cure” Despite Setback“100 years old and looking great. That was the case for historic Fenway Park on 20 April.Too bad the Red Sox played as if they were all 100 years old. Three strikes and you're out;that's the case with my attempts at curing my hepatitis-C. Shortly after our 45 th reunion Istarted a drug regimen that looked very promising. However, the drugs destroyed bonemarrow which led to a serious reduction in my red blood cell count. Consequently, I had todiscontinue the treatment. The FDA is expected to approve a new drug with very few sideeffects in about 18 months. So the plan is to start taking the new drug, once it is approved. Itwas great to see so many of my classmates at the reunion! Hats off to all who made ithappen. LIFE IS GOOD!”

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 3Gartenberg, Johnson, andAudibert in Long Beach(l-r): Reg Audibert, Ed Johnson, and Joel Gartenberg atJoe Jost's in Long Beach, 7 February 2012Bill Thomas Update on Seattle Mini-Reunion“I want to remind everyone of our upcoming Seattle Mini-Reunion on 5-8 September followedby the Alaska cruise on 8-15 September. Event details for the Seattle portion of the miniwere distributed the week of 23 April with sign up available in late June through the classwebsite.Come early and play a round of golf at one of the areas scenic golf courses, root for theMariners even if you are a Red Sox fan, then experience the Ducks, the Gates Foundation,the Monorail (now 50 years young and way ahead of its time), specially arranged shoppingopportunities at several uniquely Seattle institutions as well as a visit to where our aircraftindustry really got its start and much, much more. You and your significant other will havean absolute fab blast!We already have 58 rooms and 118 guests committed for the Sheraton in downtown Seattle.There are still a few good hotel rooms left but they are going fast. Please visit the classwebsite at www.westpoint66.org to make your reservation. We have over 50 classmatessigned up for the Alaska cruise so while you're making those hotel reservations, check outthe cruise details as well. There's still time to get the stateroom of your choice but we areonly 6 weeks from closing off the staterooms we have reserved for our group.”Steve Ohotnicky Welcomes New GrandchildSteve reported, “Son Pete, USAFA '92 had a tie breaker, seventh child! Previously, threeboys and three girls. New baby Andrew, born 10 April in Anchorage, AK. LTC PeteOhotnicky Dep C/S. We are going to visit this August.”

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 566 Golfing Grads Have Fun, ButWin No “Booty” at Outing(l-r): Ed Unruh, Matt Carlson (Ken's son), Ken Carlson, BradHartley, Jim Dickens, Dave Pearce, Al Lindseth, and MikeFullerKen Carlson reported, “We didn'twin much, but we had a great timeand saw Stretch and Joan Dunn,Ron and Vicki Bashant, and Boband Barbara Tarrant at the bestrestaurant in Opelika, AL, thanks toarrangements made by Bob'sdaughter.JJ Strapac CelebratesBG Pollin's 90 th Birthday inTuscon“We just celebrated BG Jack Pollin's90 th birthday here in Tucson. BGPollin was Head of the Math Dept.from '74-85, including two othertours as a Professor in the MathDept. He has two Masters Degreesin Electrical Engineering and Math,respectively, as well as a PhD inSystems Engineering.”(l-r): Ellen Strapac, BG Pollin, JJ Strapac, Karen BorekHank Wallace and “Coop” Wright Are POCs for Class of 2016 AffiliationHank reported, “We need volunteers for the first activities to mark our association with theClass of 2016. The first round of events is coming up this summer for our affiliation.The NEW Cadets enter on 2 July '12, the first Monday in July. The role of our Class is toprovide a reception and welcome the parents. This event will be in Eisenhower Hall fromabout 7-11 a.m. We need about 12-15 Classmates with spouses to cover the time period.Hank Wallace has agreed to be the coordinator for the event. (continued on next page)

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 6“Hank Wallace and “Coop” Wright Are POCs for Class of 2016 Affiliation,” continued from previouspage:If you are interested in participating, please contact Hank at .The second event of the summer is the Plebe March Back. We have over 20 Classmateswho have expressed an interest. Cooper Wright is coordinating the event and hopefully wewill be able to get everyone interested into one of the limited slots. If you are interested andhave not contacted Coop please do so soon. He can help with what you have to do to geton the list of interested grads. Coop is at .Jack Le Cuyer's DaughterMarries in Estes Park, Colorado(l-r): Nathan Sprague, Claire, Karen, and JackJack said, “This is a photo from mydaughter Claire's wedding lastsummer in Estes Park, CO. Groom isNathan Sprague, and Karen and I arethere as well. It was an amazing thing—an outdoor wedding in the Rockiesin mid-July, late in the afternoon.Ceremony ended just as the firstdrops of rain began to fall. And thenwe had the amazing spectacle of adouble rainbow that can be seen inthe background for the next 30minutes. A great omen of good luckfor Claire, Nate, and the rest of ourfamily!

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 7Hanaberry and Eklund Reunite(l-r): Dick Ecklund, Rusty Correia, Joe Bubriski, and JohnHanaberryJohn wrote, “Thanks for helping meconnect with Dick Ecklund. Wespent quite a bit of time on the phonegoing down memory lane. Hard tobelieve we haven't spoken in 45years. Dick arranged for a lunch at arestaurant at the NE Patriots' homefield in Foxboro, where Dick, JoeBubriski, Rusty Correia, and I gottogether. Rusty was visiting hismother in Rhode Island, and Joe isPresident of a printing company nearBoston. Since Rusty lives inCalifornia, I asked him if he ever runsinto my old First-Class roommate, EdJohnson. To my surprise, Rusty tellsme that Ed is his lawyer. Whileenjoying conversation with Joe andDick, Rusty hands me his cell. Ianswer it, and it is Eddie on the line.Great surprise, and it was greatspeaking to Eddie again as we lastsaw each other at the 20 th reunion.Bill and Katherine Gang at Tucson ConferenceBill and Katherine Gang; Marion and Jerry Cecil atTucson ConferenceBill and Katherine Gang Meet Jerry and Marion Cecil at Tucson Conference

...Classnotes 1966-4, page 8...continued from page 7:Bill and Katherine Gang Meet Jerry and Marion Cecil at Tucson ConferenceBill and Katherine Gang and Jerry and Marion Cecil attended the Civilian Aidesconference in Tucson and visited Ft. Huachuca for briefings. Civilian Aides tothe Secretary of the Army (CASA) are appointed from each state and representthe SA at military events in their home area.Charity Golf TournamentHonors Rich ThodenGrandchildRich Thoden, Duke Parker, MikeFellenz and Ken Carlson playedin the 5th annual charity golftournament in honor of Rich'sgrandchild, Kelley Thoden whopassed away at age nine of bonecancer. The May 11, 2012 eventwas in South Riding, VA to "raisemoney for two cancer wards(Cook County Hosp Ft Worth &Fairfax Inova Hosp VA - the childcancer wards). We are a 501 c (3)formal charity. Rusty Correia sentus the class WP Banner andclassmates donate over $2000each year." You can visit thewebsite: www.kelleythoden.com(l-r): Rich Thoden, Duke Parker, Mike Fellenz and KenCarlson. The girls are Washington Redskinscheerleaders