Class of 1949

February 2007

Dear ’49ers,

It’s over three months since my heart surgery and I’ve been making a good recovery. I’ve been most impressed with the medical care―from all of the testing equipment to all the people who care for you.

With all the opportunities for giving and the many worthy causes looking for financial help, I am certainly proud of the support our class continues to give to Gustavus. We continue to have over 60% participation and last year our class contributed over $13,000 in the year ending May 31, 2006. On behalf of Gustavus let me say “thank you.”

George Schultz is visitation pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Bandera, TX. He also serves on the board of Noah’s Ark. This is a day care center for children; infants to five years. This is a ministry of the congregation. Frances Quist Hedlund writes, “When you reach our age, you think back on old times. I’m doing well. I’ve had numerous health problems, but hopefully they’re resolved. I have six children spread around the United States and 13 grandchildren. So they keep me busy.”

Paul Edstrom reports that four of their five children live in Minnesota. One lives in North Carolina and we visit her once a year. Paul and his wife, Ruth, are fairly well.

Betty Andersen H’49 moved to Kirkwood, MO in October 2005 to be near her daughters and granddaughters.

Norman Nelson of St. Charles, IL married Darlene Miller of Rockford, IL on May 27, 2006. They live in St. Charles.

Don Conrad writes that his interest in Israeli-Palestine issues prompted a trip to the West Bank (five nights in Bethlehem). He also visited Egypt five months later.

Howard and Doris (Larson ’52) Fehr report their first great grandchild was born in August 2005. Howie has macular degeneration so he can no longer read or drive.

Because o many interesting connections I’m including this short letter from Dorothy Frederick Davis Hofstad. “In response to Pete Erickson’s class letter, I decided to share my news with those members of the class of ’49 who knew Howard Davis. After being a widow for 19 years, I married a year and a half ago! Wesley Hofstad is from my home town of Superior, WI where his father was a Methodist minister and I was a Luther Leaguer in Abner Arthur’s ’31 church, before marrying Howard and attending Gustavus with him. Wes had a younger brother, Ralph ’47,who attended Gustavus for two years. Howard Davis’ daughter, Janey ’69, married Ted Zimmerman ’69. Both are graduates of Gustavus and now serve as missionaries in Hong Kong. It’s a small loving world! Greetings to alumni, Dorothy Davis Hofstad.”

CAMPUS NEWS

Alumni Starring in The Cherry Orchard

The Department of Theatre and Dance is celebrating 75 years of theatre at Gustavus this year with two featured events: theatre reunion to be held May 11-12 and a gala performance of The Cherry Orchard followed by a cast party which was held on February 10. This was Professor Rob Gardner’s final directing work before retirement. A cast of professional theatre alumni will join the student actors for this very special production. The alumni cast included: Peter Breitmayer ’87, Karen Esbjornson ’80, Alisa Pritchett ’85, Kevin Kling ’79, Scott Novotny ’75, and Michael Glenn (Waldhauser) ’97. A sold-out performance was given for this unique celebration.

Lindau Symposium brings Richard John Neuhaus to campus

The Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, a well-known conservative Catholic intellectual, will address “Religion in American Public Life” at the inaugural Lindau Symposium at Gustavus on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall. A gift to the College from Phil ’58 and Nancy Lindau, given prior to Phil’s death last April, established the symposium at Gustavus that bears his name. Lindau, a commodities broker and executive who served Gustavus as a board member, campaign chair, and longtime volunteer leader, was passionate about the faith-life intersection and the church-relatedness of his alma mater. The symposium, which the Lindau family and College officials anticipate will be an annual event, aims to provide a forum in which diverse intellectual voices and mainstream beliefs and values can be brought together in a liberal arts environment.

Gustie Pages

Looking for a dentist, doctor, lawyer, pastor, Realtor, or other professional? Make it a Gustie! Look in the Gustie Pages, an online database of Gusties who have submitted information about their profession. Use the Gustavus network to meet your needs, or submit your professional information if you would like other Gusties to become your customers. Go to the Gustie Pages at the alumni website at: <gustavus.edu/alumni>.

Give Every Year to Gustavus?

Do you give to Gustavus every year and plan to give every year in the future? Then you should become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society. Members of the Cec Eckhoff Society simply make the public commitment that they plan to give financially to Gustavus every year. It does not matter how much you give and this is not a formal pledge for a certain amount of money. Cec Eckhoff ’56 led the alumni office from 1963-1994. Cec believed that part of being an alum of Gustavus was to give monetarily each year to the College. To become a member of the Cec Eckhoff Society, please call The Gustavus Fund office toll-free at 866/487-3863 or e-mail <gustavusfund@gustavus.edu>. Thank you for your support of Gustavus!

Summer Sport Camps at Gustavus

Gustavus’ strong athletic tradition is evident with numerous summer sports camps featuring knowledgeable coaching staffs, acclaimed athletic facilities, and quality dining service and housing accommodations. Camps offered this year include: golf, hockey, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, throwing, and swimming. For more information go to <gustavus.edu/athletics/camps/> or contact the Athletic Department at

507/933-7617.

Music Tours

This year nearly 300 students participated in music tours as members of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, Gustavus String Orchestra. The Gustavus Choir toured Spain and Portugal January 11-30. Performances were scheduled for Lisbon, Seville, Malaga, Grenada, and Madrid. The Wind Orchestra toured Minnesota, Madison and Milwaukee, WI and Chicago. The String Orchestra toured Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Naples/Marco Island Gustie Gathering – February 17

Tucson Gustie Gathering – March 16

Phoenix Gustie Gathering – March 17

Sun City Gustie Gathering – March 18

Celebrating 75 years of Theatre Reunion – May 11-12

The Alumni Fund helps support the college. It is also a small way to keep in touch with some of our college friends. Send me your notes of interest. It may be old news to you, but it comes as a surprise for many of us. Thanks for your continued support.

Sincerely yours,

Pete Erickson

1949 Class Agent