Greetings 78ers…

I hope you guys are continuing to stay healthy. Two recurring themes this quarter seem to be age denial and meeting classmates just about anywhere.

Right out of the blocks is John “Pyro” Weida who is most definitely in the former. This past summer Pyro and his buddies below hiked the Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango. A “just a stretch ‘o the legs” 500 miles give or take! He said it was an “awesome experience! Harder than BCT but much more scenic” which seems an understatement. From right to left is Phil Gonseth (class of ‘75) Larry Farris (also ’75) Pyro, Greg Pryor (retired Sacramento fire chief who apparently escaped this once great state) and Chuck Mingoet (CAPT, USN Retired). Pyro and bride Bonnie still living the good life in the Springs and apparently staying quite busy…way to go Pyro!

Also heard from Ron Magnus who is also in the former. Ron has also been truly honoring our class with his significant accomplishments: Chairman of the Board for Kentegra Biotechnology in Kenya (they contract nearly 9500 farmers that help grow plants processed into organic insecticide) as well as Chairman of a resorts business in Indonesia. He also sits on boards in Maui (he and bride Sharon were there for two weeks in Dec), Singapore and several in the US…wow! The picture below of his family was taken at a recent family gathering at Wind River Ranch in Estes Park. Ron is the young kid second from right…the gang is set to grow by two more this year as well. Nicely done Ron!

SERE travel teammate Dr. Ken Kaylor and bride Karen (class of ‘80) definitely were in this quarter’s latter category when they were diving in Aruba back in October minding their own business when he ran into none other than Denny Danser (lives in Denver and was flying for American)! Denny was diving with his daughter who teaches on the island as well as running a non-profit specializing on reef conservation and rebuilding. Ken and Karen are both fully retired although he does some venture capital and consulting work when he feels like it…priority is enviably on traveling as much as they can. With all the ‘Rona craziness this year they had 6 cancelled cruises and a trip to the Maldives blown up by a broken vial from a COVID test. They have managed to escape for the aforementioned Aruba trip as well as one to Mexico. Karen’s 40^th was sadly cancelled but ’80 has a get together planned at USAFA during an away football game next fall but it overlaps with a Far East Cruise they have planned. Hmmm…that might put him in both categories come to think of it. Great to hear from you Ken.

Dr. Fred “ZZ” Zeitz has been doing double secret engineering stuff in Boston for BAE Systems for many years and has recently relocated. They found a great place in Council Bluffs Iowa across the river from Omaha NE (lower taxes in IA). They also bought 21 acres of investment property south in Glenwood IA for hiking/shooting. He’s still with BAE and tends to do quite a bit of traveling although as with everyone else it’s decreased quite a bit as of late. He’s looking to hang up the spurs in June but may be a “Legacy Fellow” with the company and essentially work at his leisure mentoring the next generation of engineers. That’ll leave more time to RV of course which he and bride Cheryl plan on emphasizing. 

Finally herd from Gordy Curphy who is definitely in both categories! He was doing that age denying thing by hiking in Sabino Canyon outside of Tucson after New Years and ran into none other than Bob Berger! Interestingly enough they spent some time chatting mostly about various maladies and injuries associated with aging. They did realize they had much to be thankful for given the good health of they and their wives and the ability to do mountain hiking. Bob and bride Diane have been living in San Antonio and are doing well. I have a great shot of Gordy and Bob on the trail but am out of room (3 pix and 900 words current restriction with all the class articles) and will include it next quarter. Gordy is quite the name in the leadership business with a thriving company and a book that is used at the Zoo (10^th edition about to be published). All told he’s published 23 books (sold 100,000 copies) on leadership and teams.

Finally, just about everyone should be getting messages (at least e-mail if the AOG has your latest address) on our 40^th reunion gift which is still in the process of collecting. It will support the new cyber building at USAFA. The cool news is that the building will be named the “Madera Cyber Innovation Center” after our own Paul and Joan Madera! Paul and Joan committed to one of the largest individual gifts in Academy history supporting the Center. Don Avery is leading the charge and you can contact him through the Academy Foundation (www.academyfoundation.org).

My thanks to this quarter’s contributors and please keep the info going this way. 

God Bless

78 is Great!