liam tried to contact Philip for several years,
but there was no answer. On Oct. 23, Billy
Moor who was a friend of Philip’s wrote a note
to William stating that Philip Knipple passed
away Sept. 10, 2013. Philip had lived in a complex in Novato, Calf., and, according to Billy,
was placed in an assisted living complex somewhere in Greerra, Calif., around the middle of
2012. My thanks and best wishes go out to you
William Benedick for passing on the information. The 4W7 class and our 4W8 class were
very close during our stay at school and I made
several good friends there.
Oct. 31: I was elated and surprised to receive
a letter from Marilyn Pearl. She wrote, “Congratulations! I enjoyed reading about your
life since 1948. Rowland (my roommate with
whom I spent three great, memorable years)
has been gone 15 years this month.” Marilyn
has 11 grandchildren, aged 12 to 30 (with two
sets of twins), and is looking forward to her
first great-grandchild in February. She is well
and living in a lovely continuing care village.
She enjoys reading the Class of 4W8 articles
which I write. She wishes good luck to Donna
and me.
Marilyn, it was so nice to hear from you. I
tried to call, but I have not been able to reach
you. I am sure that many of the class will enjoy reading about you. If you would send me
your phone number, I would love to call and
talk with you about my years with my roommate. Marilyn, Donna and I wish you the best
of health and a Happy New Year!
Nov. 7: An email from Ed and Carol Freno
stated they would be on a round trip from San
Diego to three ports in Mexico from 11/8 to
11/15, 2014.
Nov. 26: An email from Ed and Carol Freno.
“May the good things in life be yours in abundance throughout the coming year. Best wishes
from our family to yours.”
Dec. 12: A note from Dan and Joyce Surplus. “We keep you in our prayers and pray that
you are well and safe at this time of Christmas.
Thanks for being our dear friends all these
years through good times and bad, healthwise.
These two love birds will be celebrating their
65th wedding anniversary in January 2015,
Lord willing! Dan and Joyce, it couldn’t happen to a nicer couple. Keep counting! There
are many couples among my classmates whom
I consider dear friends and you folks are way
up on the list. I thank you and Susie for your
Healthy and Happy New Year’s wishes.
Dec. 25: Christmas was good with turkey
and all the trimmings. The get-together with
the family is my favorite time, and at my age,
“it’s just great to be here.”
Early in December we and our neurologist
decided to try a medication which might slow
down the pump in Donna’s head which would
reduce the amount of fluid produced thus
reducing the pressure in the brain. About 10
days later Donna became very confused which
was scary, so we stopped the medication and a
week later the confusion decreased and Donna
is back to where we were. We are hanging in
their, but we don’t see any miracles coming
down the pike. It now requires my son Rick
and I both to help her stand up. She cannot
turn anymore so we have to gently throw her
from one place to another. So far, no serious
damage has occurred! She continues to watch
TV, read the newspaper, and do word puzzles.
As you can imagine, it is difficult for either of
us to leave for very long. We thank the Lord we
are still able to do the things that we need to do.
Late December: I did not send cards this
year, but I have enjoyed the ones I received.
From Williamson, I received cards from Ed
and Carol Freno, Walter Mensch, Bob and
Ruth Rupert, Dave Sergeant, Wayne and Marie
Watson (they sent several old pictures of the
class which I really enjoyed), Mike and Mary
Nell Rounds, and Paul and Cheryl Reid. I thor-
oughly enjoyed hearing from each of you.
Jan 1: The New Year has arrived and is only a
few days old, soo my wish is that the youngster
matures quickly and all will be well in 2015.
Nuff said for now. Keep in touch, it’s later
than you think. Above all, be good to each
other.
Dick 4W8
49
W
Will “Pills” Eastlack
1408 Cherry Road
Blue Bell, PA 19422-1806
610-275-5594
[email protected]
Oct. 6: Received a phone call from Dick
Weaver. He inquired about our classmates and
requested some phone numbers. Dick told me
about his grandchildren’s college years that you
can read about below.
Dec. 9: Received a letter from Doris and
Amby Malenke. “It seems before we realize,
it is December. Time goes by so quickly. I like
the beauty of Christmas, the lights, decorated
trees, and the beautiful homes all lit up, but I’m
afraid that we are content with a much smaller
degree. We were sorry to hear of your wife’s
passing. We were involved in a car accident
around that time and our car was smashed up
badly and my right hand was badly cut on the
ribs of the seat belt. It took two months for it
to heal and I had to have some help around
the house. Amby is OK thank God. It is always
great to hear news. Amby really looks forward
to looking back. He worked all summer getting
a rental home ready for sale. It has been sold
but our health and strength are getting slower
and we are more tired.”
Dec. 9: Received a letter from Joe Petree:
“Today is not a good day for family’s that lost
loved ones from Pearl Harbor. My brother and
cousin were both in WW2 in the Pacific and,
thankfully, came home safe and sound. This
month is also deer season and my two sons,
grandson, and I all got deer this time, even
though they are scarce in some areas. Son Steve
had eight in his front yard last week, but houses
are too close for him to get one. My back is still
about the same, my doctor is working on pain
in my knee that I had replaced 2007. Mary is
doing well, her cat scans for cancer have been
clear. Mary and I are sorry for your loss Will;
life for you will be different now, stay well and
take care of yourself with God’s love. Regards
to all my classmates and Happy Holiday to all.”
Dec. 10: Received a letter from Howard
Fluck: “Received your note requesting class
notes. As usual, little to submit. Nothing new
here just the usual medical complaints of us
old folks. Had a pleasant surprise today, received a call from Dick Weaver. He seems to
be doing OK with his Hovaround it gets him
about quite nicely. Spent Thanksgiving with
children and grandchildren; expect to do the
same at