3220 Xanthus Lane N.
Plymouth,
MN 55447
(612)802-7484
As we close out another wonderful summer – though hopefully not too drought stricken where you are – I’m pleased to pass along some updates from our Brother Rats. I’m particularly pleased to hear from some folks we haven't heard from in a while!
I’m continually struck by the consistent themes in your correspondence to me as I prepare for these notes each quarter – commitment to our country and our communities; strong and wonderful families; and endearing respect and love for the Institute. It’s truly great to hear from you, so keep the cards, letters, emails and calls coming!
It's still true that we have many Brother Rats scattered around the world and we have a number who are in Afghanistan or recently returned. Paul Kricorian and his wife Mary Jo checked in to pass along that Paul recently deployed to Paktika, Afghanistan, with the Navy. Paul is doing well but will be away from us until next winter. Mary Joe and their sons are in Staunton, VA, and would welcome connecting with anyone in the area in the VMI family.
Ricky Kimmel recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan and has taken command of the 271st Brigade Support Battalion in Oklahoma. Weedon Gallagher also returned this summer from his third tour and is now in the War College. He and his family are doing well. Weedon’s son is a high school junior and he’s considering VMI among his college choices. Weedon also passed along that Larry Farrell recently retired from the Army and will be going to work for the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Kelly Musick also returned from Afghanistan recently and is at the Joint Advanced Warfare School in Norfolk for the next year. Lt. Col. Craig Price '93 is in his class and his roommate from Afghanistan is also going through the school with him. Kelly mentioned that Chris and Beth Schinstock recently added another girl to the Schinstock clan.
Tim Bosetti wrote from Shaw AFB. S.C. where he is with the 3rd Army/USARCENT. Tim was recently promoted to colonel and was selected for command. He is waiting on his full assignment but congratulations to Tim on the exciting milestone! Tim also connected me to Doug Harper, who recently retired from the Air Force after 22 years. Doug is relocating from San Antonio to Charlotte, where he will start a new career with an architecture company. He is looking forward to taking his sons up to VMI and returning to the east coast. Doug then connected me to Brian Albro. As you will recall, I reported, misreported and then reported again that Brian actually did retire from the Navy in July after 22 years. He’s living in the upper northwest and is networking across the VMI family as he begins his new career on the outside.
I also heard from Daren Payne, who is commanding the 1-345th Engineer Battalion at Camp Atterbury, IN. His group trains soldiers via exercises and pre-deployment programs. Darren also passed along that he recently stayed at a cabin between Lexington and Natural Bridges owned by Fred Minnigerode’s brother. He’s not passing along all of the secrets but suggests the place is bordered by a fantastic fishing stream. For you fishermen, Darren snagged a few small mouths, breams, red eyes and rainbows. Get in line for our next reunion.
Paul Hartigan recently hosted a mini-reunion for our Colorado-based BRs. Tim Haynie, Dave West, Scott Smith, and Mike Kimberly brought all or a portion of their families to the gathering. The kids were treated to VMI stories and hopefully they all got signed up with provisional appointments! Mike Lythgoe is also in Colorado but was unable to join. I understand Dave West may host a follow up over the holidays. Sounds like all of the families are enjoying Colorado.
I was pleased to hear from David Walsh who wrote from Arkansas. David is a lieutenant colonel in the Arkansas National Guard, where he teaches young officers how to fly C-l30s. David also runs his own real estate business on the side and his three boys (16, l2, and 8) keep him hopping. David is active in the local alumni chapter and it sounds like they have a great group in their area.
Damon Williams reports that Ramon Williams is now an assistant basketball coach with Virginia Tech. Ramon had an exciting season last year coaching with Ohio University who lost in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina in overtime.
As I was watching the Olympics and Usain Bolt, I was telling my kids about VMl‘s own Bolt - Greg Hatchett. And lo and behold, Greg dropped me an e-mail soon thereafter! Greg recently retired after 20 years with the federal government and is now with Applied Science and Technology. Greg is helping to form their new Nuclear Services Division.
Jeff Rawes recently connected with his roommate, David Gillette, this summer. David is working in Charlotte with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Jeff is with Hill PHOENIX near Richmond.
Thing are still going well for Paul Holland and his family in Atlanta. They recently joined up with John King and his family for a Memorial Day houseboat excursion. Paul also runs into Andy Sewell quite a bit at their church.
I also had the opportunity to connect with my roommate, Steve Linder, who is also in the Atlanta area. Steve is a software consultant and travels extensively supporting clients around the country. He is loving Atlanta and connects occasionally with some of our other BRs in the area. Chris Huff, another Room 112er, also checked in and continues to practice dentistry in Blacksburg.
Congratulations to Mike Herbaugh recently moved into a new home in Springfield, VA, with his wife Cheryl. They are expecting their first child, a boy, on Thanksgiving.
Mark Cumbee, who I’ve not heard from in awhile, reports that he and his family are doing quite well in Canton, GA, just outside Atlanta. Mark continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve.
Rick Neff and his wife Deb are now in Roanoke, VA, after moving there from Milwaukee. Rick is happy to be in the warmer climate and he continues to do a great job managing our 1990 website!
Karl Powers continues to run PaPa Bear Adventures in Alaska, where he flies folks on interesting trips around the most beautiful country in the world. Ask John King for a reference! He passed along some photos I’ll post on our Facebook site of a group of folks in the Wounded Warrior Project. Karl‘s company hosts four wounded warriors each summer for a fishing boat trip.
Andy Kvasnicka and his son recently went to the Richmond alumni picnic at Meade Spotts’ ‘79 home on the James River. Andy’s description is too good not to pass along: “Meade has hay rides for the kids behind his tractor. My son mentioned that a hay ride in a deuce and a half would be more appropriate. Well a friend of a friend was selling one so my son and I bought it last week. He’s been driving it around our house since. It‘s really cool to see the grin on a 12 year old’s face when he’s tooling around in a deuce!"
And finally, Dave Osborne checked into to say that not much is up with him other than “It’s football season!“ A great reminder to Go Keydets and to support the Keydet Club! Hopefully a number of BRs can connect at a game this year. If you do, pass along a photo!
Have a great fall and continued safety to our BRs serving in the military!
God bless,
Rob
Last Updated: April 16, 2013
Site Created by: Richard L. Neff II, '90 - Network Technologies Group