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From Rene A. Henry:
We recently celebrated the 65th reunion of our class. A highlight for me was the Celebration of Life Service for Gordon Cheesman Vliet who died in January 2019. Dr. Elizabeth “Lee” Wadkins Vliet ’68, M.Ed. ’71 planned the event in Wren Chapel where they were married 51 years earlier. Seats were reserved and all were taken. Classmates returning included Marshall Ries, Marg Huff Brown and me. Jack Brown ’81, Denys Grant ’58, Stephen J. Huebner ’76, Dr. Vliet and I were speakers and told how Gordon, with his diverse creativity, gave so much to our alma mater in the 16 years he served the Society of the Alumni (now the William & Mary Alumni Association) as executive vice president.
We all told of the multitude of Gordon’s contributions including the vision to not only buy what’s now the Alumni House today, but create the university’s first organized fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the building. He created the Olde Guarde, reunions and many of the traditions celebrated during homecoming and throughout the year. He also designed many articles of memorabilia which can be purchased today through the Alumni Association. And somehow, he still found time to do cartoons for the football program and football media guide covers.
Huebner, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, who was commander of the Queens’ Guard in 1975-76, told how Gordon saved the Queens’ Guard by finding new sources of revenue when it had been slashed from the president’s 1975-76 budget. The Queens’ Guard presented the Colors, led the Pledge of Allegiance and read the 1981 citation honoring Gordon as an Honorary Colonel.
Following the event, Dr. Vliet hosted a reception in the Great Hall. More people told how Gordon had touched their lives and all that he gave to William & Mary.
At the Olde Guarde luncheon, I sat with Luther Kiger and William J. “Bill” Strum ’52. I also saw Dr. John Marsh ’55, whose late wife Carol Butters Marsh had been our longtime class reporter. Unfortunately, age is taking a toll on our class and today, not many are able to return to campus for any event. And, age also is taking a toll on the lifestyle of many of our classmates.
One of the oldest alums returning was Richard G. “Snake” Drake ’49, M.Ed. ’53, who was invited by Pete Clawson, senior associate director of athletics. Drake was the volunteer official scorer and statistician for every W&M home football game for 54 consecutive years. Clawson arranged a photograph of Drake with him, Pete Kalison ’57 and me. The three of us were sports information directors for W&M who were assisted by Drake. Drake also was a graduate assistant track coach in 1952-53 and went on to be one of the nation’s greatest coaches of hurdlers, many of whom were Olympians and record holders. Now in his 90s, he still coaches the hurdlers at Virginia Wesleyan.
Our class needs a new reporter and I hope one of you out there’ll be willing to take on this assignment to keep us all in the news.