Tim's March 2018 Checkpoints Class News Article

HELLO ’68!! The “Dark Ages” are upon us with frigid weather and snow reported in all 50 states. In addition to watching the Eagles and the Pats going head-to-head in Super Bowl LII, please remember to make your travel plans to attend our 50th reunion from 4-7 October. Mike Parkinson and our reunion committee have prepared a fantastic itinerary for this momentous class gathering. Please do your part by joining us and celebrating our heritage and communion with one another. If you have any questions, go to our class website and click on 50th reunion.


"John and Marjie Morris’ 2017 Family Reunion"

HOLIDAY MAILBAG EXPLOSION: Many thanks to so many of you who included me in your holiday correspondence. The family updates you send to me during this special season sustains my Checkpoints column about ‘68ers’ comings and goings throughout the year.

I received a great photo and family newsletter from John and Marjie Morris. Highlights of their 2017 included a wide range of activities, house repairs, and travel to the Florida Keys, Australia, New Zealand, California, Indianapolis, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Keuka College (for Marjie’s 45th reunion), and Pennsylvania. They will be joining us for our 50th.

John and Joyce Longenecker, Joel and Lin Gordes, Dave and Jeanne Allen, Tony and Janet Eden, Charles Price and Kate Hollander, and Bill and Jody Begert checked in to send holiday greetings and to let me know they are looking forward to joining our gang in October.

Mike and Linda Cryer are living the good life in Tempe, Arizona. Mike remains active with the Tempe YMCA Board and the Kiwanis Club. Tuesday is his “Golf Day.” Linda still loves being “Nina” for grandson, Greyson (9 years old) and taking in well-rounded activities with him at the library, zoo, and science museum. They plan to join us for our 50th.

Gary and Nancy Vasek sent a quick note to tell of Gary’s successful fishing trip to Alaska and his elk hunt that put meat in the freezer. Nancy remains engaged with her quilting group and her Women’s Educational Association. We will be seeing them in October.

Mike and Theo Moffitt wrote that they are alive and well in South Carolina and continue to keep busy with golf, the yard, ancestry, banjo, their three cats, and yoga (Theo, not Mike!). Travel in 2017 was for “Beach Week” at Hilton Head and a family reunion in Tulsa.


"Tony Marshall with Granddaughter Elena"

Tony Marshall sent well-wishes for the holiday season, a note to say he is still standing upright and doing fine, and a great photo of him with his granddaughter #2, Elena. Tony said he is looking forward to seeing everyone at our reunion.

SABERS FOR 2018 LEGACY CLASS:
Darrel Knudsen is still looking for volunteers to support a Class project to pass along sabers from our class to members of the Class of 2018. Darrel is requesting that classmate-saber-donors provide a one-page biography of themselves that will be given to a graduate from 2018 with some history about his ’68 legacy officer. Darrel’s contact info: Cell: 505-600-9082; E-mail: darrelknutson@sandien.com; PO Box 16778, Albuquerque, NM 87191. Darrel noted that new sabers are available at the USAFA Gift Shop for $355 if you wish to participate but do not have your original saber.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We are deeply saddened by the loss of three of our classmates—Jerry Runnion, Bob Daley, and David Kapp.

Jerome Frederick Runnion was killed following a collision with a car while riding his motorcycle on the Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park on 27 October 2017. His wife Kathleen was also on the motorcycle when the accident occurred and was seriously injured. Condolences may be sent to Kathleen Runnion at 4220 Spar Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918-5419.


“Bob Daley Dining with Classmates and Friends” L-R: Bob Daley, Geo & Heidi Roberts, Judy Bargner, Rhip Worrell, and Mercy Daley.

Lt Col Robert Arnold Daley, Jr., USAFR (Ret) died on 25 December 2017 in a hospital in Dallas, Texas while battling a recurrent case of throat cancer. Bob grew up in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, graduated from the prestigious Boston Latin School in 1964, and was an Eagle Scout from St. Theresa’s Parish. While at the Academy, he was a member of Blackjack (21st Squadron). Upon graduation from USAFA, he went to pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas and flew C-130s out of Langley AFB. He transferred from active duty to the USAF Reserves, moved to Dallas, and was among the initial cadre of pilots for the nascent Southwest Airlines in the early 1970s. He served as a consummate font of knowledge about C-130 aircraft and could tell you the status, by tail number, of every Hercules ever built. He also kept track of his classmates from Blackjack and his pilot training class and was pivotal in providing essential contact information for a myriad of Blackjack and pilot training class reunions spanning a period of nearly 50 years. He was buried with military honors at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on 5 January 2018 with his wife, Mercedes, other family members, friends, and high school and USAFA classmates in attendance. A formal ceremony to place his memorial marker at the USAFA cemetery will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Mercy Daley at 5965 Royal Crest, Dallas, TX 75230.

David Lee Kapp was a member of CS-14 and passed away peacefully on 9 January 2018 surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with ALS. Dave grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a National Honor Society member at Central High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track, and formed many lifelong friendships. In addition to education at USAFA, he attended The Ohio State University where he earned his MBA. He served as an Air Force instructor pilot, served one tour in Vietnam, and later flew many humanitarian missions to Africa during the severe droughts of the mid-1970s. Upon leaving the Air Force, he began his business career, spending 12 years in various marketing positions at the J I Case Company. Dave loved time with his family, playing golf, cheering for Buckeye football, and traveling the world. He had a special place in his heart for Crystal Lake, Michigan, where he spent many happy days in his youth and then later as a dad with his kids. He had a great zest for life, loved people of all walks of life, and loved to laugh and make others laugh. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Beverly Kapp at 6405 Remington Parkway, Colleyville, TX 76034-7586.

In addition to the losses noted above, please pray for peace and comfort for Bill and Donna Sasz, whose son, Bryan, was taken from us much too soon in December 2017.

May God bless us, everyone.

THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ‘em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Ciao for now. Tim

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