FALL 2007 Newsletter


Retired Faculty Committee

 The Fall Luncheon will be at the Wellington Grille in Beavercreek (at 2450 Dayton Xenia Road – OLD US 35 for old timers – between Factory and Beaver Valley Roads. The event will be on Saturday, October 20 at 11:30 AM .  Please call or email Wally Breuer      ( debreuer@gemair.com or 434-3691 ), Peter Torvik (torvik@att.net or 374-0521) or Bob Calico rcalico@woh.rr.com or 434-4078) by Wednesday, October 17 so we can give the restaurant an accurate count.

Dr. Marlin Oakes Thurston died on September 18, 2007 at the age of 89 and after an illness of one month. He obtained his BA and MSc degrees in Physics from the University of Colorado and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University. He was recruited by Ezra Kotcher in September, 1946, to be the first faculty member in Physics and Electrical Engineering.  He remained at AFIT until leaving for OSU in January of 1952 where he taught until retirement in 1982, serving as Chairman of Electrical Engineering for 12 years.  After this he became involved in cancer research and, until his last days, devoted full time to medical instrumentation.

 Dr. Thurston was President of Thurston-Bell Associates, Inc., of Columbus , Ohio , in the period 1982-92 and a Partner at Thurston, Bell & Olson. During this time he was also Director of Instrument Development for Columbus-based Neoprobe Corporation where he developed a gamma probe for interoperative use in the detection of colorectal cancer. He was a founder of BioCrystal, Ltd. (1996) and served as Secretary-Treasurer and Director of Engineering.   A holder or co-holder of 22 patents, his received honors include election as Fellow, IEEE (1969), designation (1991) by the Columbus Technical Council as "Technical Person of the Year," and the award by the College of Engineering , OSU, of the Benjamin G. Lamme Meritorious Achievement Medal for 1991.  He was also co-designee  as ‘Inventor of the Year Finalist’ (Washington, 1989, for the Cancer Detecting Probe) and was the co-recipient in 1991 of the Central Ohio Technical Achievement Award. 

A memorial service was October 11, 2007 , at the Riverside United Methodist Church , 2701 Zollinger Rd. in Upper Arlington .  A son is now living with and assisting his wife of 65 years, Helen. 

News from the Retired
 

Dave Barr has recovered sufficiently to return home from Oakcreeek Terrace.  

Clarence Edstrom is enjoying the opportunity to live on 15 acres near the small Indiana  town where he grew up (then 500, now 50,000), although his eyesight is very poor and he has some other health issues.  

Ann Ericksen became ill August 21 and was admitted to a hospital for ten days, after which she entered a skilled nursing facility. She has a private room with many of her own furniture pieces and her paintings.  Thanks to new medications, she is much improved, eating well, and enjoying the provided activities.  Although she can no longer write legibly, her writing is gradually improving, and she loves getting cards & letters. These may be sent to 1200 Mariedale Court , Kirkwood , MO 63122 . 

George Haritos is tied up in Akron this weekend preparing his school for an accreditation visit of seven programs.  

Dino Houpis reports that he is slowly getting adjusted to being a “batchelor” again after the death of his wife, Mary, on August 19 at the age of 75.  Jim Chrissis helped him with the drive to Naples , Fl, where he will be spending the winter.  Wally provided a golf outing to help him prepare for the Florida winter.  His contact information is 1635 Winding Oaks Way Unit 101. Naples , FL 34109 .  TEL: 239-254-8624, EMAIL: Houpisch@aol.com 

Matt and Barbara Kabrisky celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary with an open house on August 4.  Many of the AFIT crew joined in recognizing their achievement.

Frankie Myers writes that she had several interesting trips this year, including a trip to Jerusalem and visits to the Dead Sea , Masada , Caesaria and the Sea of Galilea .  She also traveled to Houston in August to meet the first great-grand child (girl), to Colorado , and to visit here son on Kauai .

Guy Risley reports that all is well in Florida .  Young, handsome, healthy, and feeling good (his words), he is off on another cruise and expecting another great grand child.  

Peter and Patricia Torvik suffered with their gardens and trees through the summer’s terrible drought.  In addition to fishing trips to Tennessee , Lake Erie , Canada and Michigan , Peter completed the 60 hours of instruction and the internship required to become an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist.  He also joined the Dayton Philharmonic chorus.  His consulting work led to publication of three archival papers this year, and another five  presented at technical conferences.  Pat is serving on four boards, as treasurer on an investment club, and is active in her church.  She is also walking 25 miles a week.  

 We have lost contact with Peggy Spenny, Dan Reynolds and Charles Richard.  If anyone can help with this, please contact Peter Torvik.  

This edition of the newsletter assembled by P. J. Torvik