Page 41 - Alumni Horae: Vol. 94, No. 3 Spring 2014

als file their taxes. He is also a
volunteer naturalist, taking
under-privileged kids on hikes
in the mountains. The Watkins
have two grown daughters, one
living in Minnesota, the other
in England and as a result they
travel a lot. Having had a good
time at our 45th, Jim hopes to
bring Pat to our 50th reunion
and may make a week of it see-
ing friends back East, where
Jim grew up. We all remember
that JimLooby had an astound-
ingly sharp mind, especially as
to matters of strategy and sta-
tistics. One of the ways in which
Jimcontinues to demonstrate his
exceptional talents is at the game
of bridge. He is a platinum life
master, with more than 15,000
master points, whichmeans that
he is one of the top bridge play-
ers in the world. Much better to
have himas a partner than as an
opponent. Jim now lives in Las
Vegas and travels extensively to
play in tournaments.”
1969
Thomas J. Iglehart
tom@iglehart.net
www.sps.edu/1969
Form Director Tom Iglehart
submits this update: “Following
his ninth consecutive term in
the Pennsylvania House of Rep-
resentatives, Chris Ross has
announced that he will retire
from that office to pursue his
many other interests, includ-
ing writing and research. Chris
launched his career in public
service shortly after his gradu-
ation from Harvard in 1974,
beginning with work support-
ing the successful campaigns
of the late U.S. Sen. John Heinz
(1976) and former Gov. Dick
Thornburgh (1978). Before his
first election to the Legislature
in 1996, Chris was owner of Rox
Industries Inc. In his first term,
Chris sponsored legislation that
established the Self-Employ-
ment Assistance Act. Since then
he has led the way on numer-
ous legislative initiatives, such
as the Alternative Energy Act
(which mandates that 18 per-
cent of energy sold by electric
energy suppliers in Pennsylva-
nia be from alternative energy
sources such as wind power,
solar power, and cogeneration),
and many bills in support of the
preservation of open spaces and
creation of land trusts, more
effective medical diagnostics,
statewide electronics recycling,
streamlining of government
regulations and operations,
and farmland preservation and
conservation easements. Dur-
ing this time he has also served
as chairman and member of
numerous committees, rang-
ing from the House Commerce
Committee to the Council of
State Governments Eastern
Regional Conference Executive
Committee. In 2002, the po-
litical website PoliticsPA named
Chris to the list of ‘Smartest
Legislators.’ He and his wife,
Cecilia, also welcomed their
first grandchild into the world
two years ago. In contemplating
his retirement fromoffice, Chris
had this message to formmates:
“I didn’t really appreciate at
the time how lucky we were
to have Richard Nixon, Eugene
McCarthy, and George Romney
all speak to us in person in 1968.
It was also an eye-opener as
a former member of the John
Winant Society to read Citizens
of London and learn about
Winant’s incredible service.
The last 25 years in local and
state elective office have been
interesting and fun (mostly),
but after having my name on
the ballot 26 times in the last 25
years (counting primaries and
general elections), I am ready
to move on to the next chapter.”
1972
John Henry Low
jhl@knick.com
JohnHenry Low files this form
report: “Our on-going theme
of small get-togethers by two
formmates (or more) continues.
This quarter’s Form of 1972
highly coveted Most Gracious
Hospitality Award goes once
again to…Henry Laughlin and
his charming wife, Linda.”
Henry reports, “It has been a
great winter in here in Colorado,
and we have shared it with our
SPS buds. In mid-February,
MarkWheeler ’71 visited us in
Steamboat. Even though I was
recovering froma broken ankle,
we managed to snowmobile and
snowshoe. It was great catch-
ing up. Then in early March,
Oliver Wolcott along with his
14-year-old son, Oliver IV, flew
in from Boston for some fun in
the Rockies: tree skiing (without
me), snowmobiling and ice fish-
ing. Again it was fun had by all.
It has been a good but differ-
ent winter for me, given that I
broke my ankle January 15, but
on March 21 I have been given
clearance to go spring skiing.
Do look us up if your travels
bring you to Steamboat; there’s
always a warm bed, good food,
and plenty to do.”
Emilio (Lin) Giralt tells us,
“I am teaching part time at Rice
University’s MBA program
and put on an academic gown
again after 30+ years in civvies!
The hood hides the gray hairs!
Otherwise still consulting. Have
not seen any formmates around
Houston lately, so have to keep
up vicariously. Best to all and
I look forward to the next re-
union! Would love to connect
were any formmates to arrive
in the Republic of Texas.”
Larry (LT)Woody had a busy
winter and shared two great
items: First, a photo and You-
Tube link (youtu.be/HYg0W6f-
Zut0) of a performance of his
original songs at The Meeting-
house in Philadelphia on Feb-
ruary 20, 2014. Since you can’t
click on this page, an electronic
link will also be posted to our
form’s Yahoo Group. Second
was a photo at the March 21,
2014, Philadelphia screening of
the acclaimed documentary by
Maria Agui Carter ’81, Rebel:
Loreta Velazquez, American
Formmates from 1972 getting some air while trying out the Crashed Ice course, (l. to r.) Bob Stockman,
Mike Sweeney, Eric Carlson, and Chip Hagerty. 41