Kevin Murphy ~ Class of 1971

Kevin Murphy ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 7/8/2008 ~ Heart Attack

 

 

 

This saddens me greatly. I recall his gentle quiet nature. We lived in the same apt complex in Bangkok. I recall Kevin and used to play Monopoly while cross legged on the floor listening to the latest records from the US. We were all at an age in Thailand trying to find our way in a foreign land we called home. He made me feel safe out on the streets of Bangkok when we all used to get crazy so late at night. It was fun reconnecting and seeing Kevin at our gatherings in the DC area. Kevin was so easy going, steady, kindhearted, a good listener, non judgmental and one that many can easily call a friend. My heart is very heavy today and my thoughts are with his family.

Marianne Bremseth 71′

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Michael Noss ~ Class of 1971

Michael Noss ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 03/16/2006 ~ Persistent brain tumor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hear Michael sitting in on bass with The Still Remains at the Dallas Reunion 1996

Michael died this evening at 9:45pm. I was with him, beginning another round of memories with his best friend Dave Elder and David Wilkerson, also from Bangkok days, and his sister Sarah, all of whom arrived in time to sit with him, and say goodbye, as his breathing became more labored. It was clear that it was that strong Noss heart pounding a few more minutes on the planet, and then, a slower pace of breathing, and then, as peaceful a transition as could be given. Just peaceful.

David Wilkerson got a bottle of red wine from the car, we toasted our Michael. he cell phoned a few of the ISB (International School of Bangkok friends). I called Patrick, who is with his friends tonight. My brother came with the file on the cremation policy. The friends and sister left, and I had some quiet time with this man who loved me, and was so damaged, and all the unmet dreams were left to also let go.

Tomorrow begins the details of disengagement, calls and coordination, and moving Patrick to his new place. I think it is good for him to move forward as much as he still can within the other workings, which are mostly mine to handle.

A sweet and pure soul, a kind and non-judgmental ease, a life with a persistent tumor that impacted his ability to win against his demons, but in the end, cleared away everything but that gentle nature.

I couldn’t save him, I could only keep him safe, and that I did, it was our journey, he taught me much, and gave me the chance to be the parent of Patrick.

So begins another day, another step, but as you know, and Susan Sarandon said so well in Bull Durham, Michael Also “Believed in the Church of Baseball”

Anne Noss

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Jeffrey “Jebre'” Lewis ~ Class of 1971

Jeff “Jebre'” Lewis ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 04/19/2004 ~ Complications related to a medical procedure

Obituary

Entered into eternal rest, April 19, 2004, Jeff Lewis, 50, beloved husband of Jane E. Anderson Lewis of Branford, brother and brother-in-law of Mark and Jennifer Lewis of Shirley, MA, Eric Lewis of Wallingford and Steve Lewis of Oakton, VA, uncle and Godfather of Josie Lewis of Oakton, VA, nephew of Reverend Richard and his wife, Margaret Wiborg, cousin of David and Chris Wiborg, Kim and Sue McIntyre and Robin Campbell and son-in-law of Betty Anderson of East Haven. Predeceased by his sister, Karen Lewis and a brother, Richard Lewis. Jeff was born in Little Falls, NY, Sept. 28, 1953 a son of the late Philip and Phyllis Wiborg Lewis. He graduated from the International School of Bangkok, Thailand in 1971 and Ohio Wesleyan University in 1975. Memorial service at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Sat., April 24 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 or to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 705 N. Mountain Rd., Newington, CT 06111.

Tribute to a Friend

by: David Wilkerson

I just arrived home from Branford, CT., where I attended Jeff “Kuhn Jebree” Lewis’s Memorial Service. There were five of us from Jeff’s extended ISB family in attendance, Bob Athearn, Mark Brandes, Diane Curtis-Bull, Deb Twing-Thomson and myself. It was of course a celebration of life but nonetheless a sad time as well.

Branford is a beautiful town just outside of New Heaven and the weather could not have been nicer. The flowers and trees were in full bloom, and the sun was shining with the temperature in the upper 60’s; it was a glorious day to pay tribute to our dearly departed friend.

Jeff had struggled with health problems over the past five years or so, but the unexpected and sudden departure last Monday afternoon came as shock to us all.

We met many of his local friends and of course his entire immediate family. In interacting with them we were able to share much of what we knew of Jeff and they with us. By all accounts he was loved by many and in talking with his closest friend and college roommate John Kingsbury, I learned that Jeff had talked of his ISB friends and experiences many times. In fact John said, “Dave I’ve heard all of your names so many, many times over the years. The stories of Thailand and ISB used to amaze me. Those first years in college, Jeff would go on and on with the stories of Thailand and ISB. I thought he would never stop and believe me he never did.”

His brothers, Mark, Eric and Steve said, “When Jeff found out about the ISB Network and attended his first reunion, he came home bouncing off of the walls. He just went on and on about the reunion and the people he saw there. Jeff was always excited about the prospects of every reunion. We never could fully understand his feelings but now after seeing you guys come all the way up here to honor him, meeting and talking with you, we think we now understand his strong connection with all of you.”

I think we all found comfort in Jeff’s uncle, Richard “Uncle Dick” Wiberg, a retired minister, whose stories of Jeff’s life mixed with the words of his faith were refreshingly appropriate.

His niece, Josie Lewis spoke of her love for her Uncle Jeff, revealing his love for children and the patience and limitless time he gave to them all. Josie’s words were those of someone far beyond her years.

His youngest cousin, David Wiberg, portrayed the yearly gatherings at the family cottage in New Hampshire. Jeff was the one who taught them all how to water ski and David took pride in being the last of the cousins that was taught to ski by Jeff. His words painted a very clear picture of who Jeff was.

As per Jeff’s wishes he was cremated and the family has asked that donations be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater CT. Chapter, 705 North Mountain Road, Suite G102, Newington, CT. 06111-1411.

His brothers, Mark, Eric and Steve; and his wife Jane, are all planning to attend the St. Petersburg reunion. We plan to toast his life at 12:00 Midnight on Friday, August 13th. I think it only appropriate that we do so on the beach, with bare feet in the sand.

There were many, many stories and anecdotes that were both funny and sad but unlike last week, the raining in my heart has slowed and the sun has begun to peek through the clouds.

To his sweet wife Jane, Jeff was blessed to have you and I feel very fortunate to call you my friend.

I hope all of you that were close to Jeff will find comfort in knowing that he loved his ISB friends and family but has gone on to greater rewards.

Until we meet again, Sawaddi old friend.

Pete Charpentier

pcharpe88 at gmail dot com
Nov 3, 2020, 11:51 AM

I’d been trying for years to find Jeff on the Internet, and was greatly saddened to learn he passed away in 2004. I came across an entry on the isbeings site, and so I thought I pass along a remembrance of Jeff. I worked with Jeff at the U.S. Forest Service during the 1970s. We both survived on temporary gigs with the Connecticut-based Northeastern Forest Experiment Station until we went our separate ways. It was a good time and place to be young, and I remember Jeff vividly. I recall him as intelligent, articulate, complex, rowdy and driven by an exceptionally strong moral center. He spoke often of his time in Bangkok. He was an incredibly precise driver with lightning reflexes, which – if I’m remembering this right – he attributed to having learned how to drive in Egypt. We were basically just kids but I knew he would become a good man. In those days his ambition was to become a writer, and that’s how I have always imagined him.

Not Forgotten

what do you do when you learn, there’s no tomorrow….you hold hands…..sing songs…….live life……till it’s gone…….but not forgotten

what you do when your sad……. and heavy laden, you reach deep……and beyond……give love….till your gone……. but not forgotten

those who went before…….why aren’t they remembered……..they held our hands……and sang a song…….they lived their lives…..but now they’re gone

not forgotten……..not forgotten

find your light and turn it on shine it down on everyone

find your light and turn it on shine it down on everyone

find your light………………….shine it down on everyone

Peter Frampton

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Paul Horgan ~ Class of 1971

Paul Horgan ~ Class of 1971

Departed 10/6/2003

 

 

 

 

 

Dear ’71 Alumni,
It saddens me to post this message, but unfortunately, we have lost another classmate, Paul Horgan from the class of 1971. His wife, Debra sent me a note on October 6, 2003 and asked me to pass on the following. Her note reads:

“Thank you for remembering my husband Paul Horgan each year by sending invitations to the reunion. I am sorry that we never made it to any of them.

I am writing you so that you can update your directory accordingly. I hope that this message could be relayed to any of his friends if possible. My husband, Paul John Horgan passed away on June 5, 2003 from his battle with Cystic Fibrosis. I’m sorry this is getting to you at such a late date. He went to be with the Lord. He was a minister of God and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He is now with his youngest brother Steve. He lived a good life up to the age of 50 years old.”

Sincerely,

Debra N. Horgan

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Michael Joseph Daly ~ Class of 1971

Michael Joseph Daly ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 11/01 ~ Details unknown

The Capitan of Fun!     All tuckered out!      Accolades as a class rep!

Tribute

For those of us that knew Michael Daly (’71), I’m sure you were as shocked as I was hearing of his sudden passing November 2001. I will always remember Mike’s strong sense of family and his devotion to his children who he was so proud of.  Mike was a charismatic, fun loving man, who lived everyday as if there would be no tomorrow.

Mike was an early pioneer in the Class Rep system, volunteering his time and boundless energy beginning in 1986. He was a key player in the organization and central to the success of the ’88 Boston reunion. Mike’s strong connection to ISB carried through in his efforts with the ISB Network. For Mike, there was no excuse great enough in his relentless quest to get people to attend a reunion. Michael loved the ISB Network and all it stood for. In fact, Mike never missed one single reunion in my 13 years. His desire to reconnect with ISBers, whether it was at a formal reunion, mini-reunion, or just passing through a city was contagious. On many occasions Mike would call to inform us that the data in his directory was incorrect, it seemed he had tried to call or email someone and the phone number or email was bad.

The first reunion I attended was Boston ’88. Mike was my classmate in Bangkok and the first person I saw when I arrived at the hotel in Boston. At all of our reunions he was the Captain of Fun, never a dull moment with Mike at the helm — and never a lack of Mekong. I can’t imagine not seeing Mike’s face at our future reunions and I know I speak for everyone in saying that a true friend of all ISBers has passed on and is greatly missed!

Presently my need to reconnect continues to grow stronger as I reflect on events such as September 11th, as well as my friend Michael’s sudden passing. I think it is important to remember how precious life is, and how valuable our friends are.

Many of you may feel that there will always be time for “the next reunion”– maybe it will be closer to home, etc. One thing I am sure of, and I know Mike would agree, we need not put off reconnecting one more minute because you just never know what card life will deal next and when.

I had planned on not attending the 2002 50th anniversary in Bangkok because of reasons that seemed so trivial to me now. I changed my mind and attended the 50th Homecoming in Bangkok with my 18-year-old son, and then the of course, the 2002 “Hot Fun in the Summer Sun” Phoenix reunion. I am fully registered for the 2004 Incredible Summer Bash Reunion in Florida and challenge you all to sign up as well.

My thoughts and prayers continue go out to all of Michael’s family and friends especially his wonderful children.

Till we see you again old friend,

Sawadee na Khrup! DAW

 

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Christine Indrani Rajendra ~ Class of 1971

Christine Indrani Rajendra ~ Class of 1972

Departed 08/10/2001 ~ Breast Cancer

 

Christine Indrani (Rajendra) Harrison, My Beautiful wife of 28 years, passed away on August 10, 2001, after a very long battle with breast cancer. Life will never be the same without her. She was the most Beautiful woman in the world ,and is missed deeply by ALL.

I Love You Forever Christine, your husband, Kirk

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Jocelyn Araceli Aromin Panglao ~ Class of 1971

Jocelyn “Jo” Aromin ~ Class of 1971

Arrived ~ 7/10/1953

Departed ~ 7/3/1995

Jocelyn Araceli Aromin Panglao
10 July 1953 – 3 July 1995

Jocelyn, or simply Jo, was a beautiful soul, so cool to chill with, kind and generous, quiet, and profound, she easily became my favorite sister since we were young living in Bangkok. Jo gave so much of herself to her family, to me especially, the youngest. I can say I first learned about life’s Ferris wheel from her. Jo lived in Baguio City, the mountain province and summer capital of the Philippines, attending college at UP Baguio. But during Martial Law, her boyfriend then, Domy Panglao, and she stopped going to school and got married. Many students in UP stopped school during ML, they couldn’t take the government oppression. Our family was still living in Bangkok at that time. Jo and Domy were pretty much on their own in Baguio, raising three handsome boys, all cool to the bone just like their parents. I would visit them often during my college years and babysit their kids. She had a silver store near Burnham Park, making custom made jewelry. I would buy loose gems for her when I would visit our parents in Bangkok.

Jo loved life, her family, the simplicity of being. She listened to classical music, liked green, read novels, and wrote journals. Jo was a free spirit in high school, she used to climb down the patio wall and go out with her friends, doing things some kids in ISB would do and be sent home. This was the groovy 60s! She was a great mother to Anton, Alessandro, and Emmanuel, learning how to be a homemaker as she went along, from the age of 19. Her life was short, too short, dying at the age of 42. We still miss her. God bless her always.


By Divina Aromin Diokno

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Eric Patch ~ Class of 1971

Eric Patch ~ Class of 1971

Departed ~ 1972 ~ Motorcycle accident in Iran

 

 

Eric and I were friends in Bangkok over several years in the late 1960s. I used to go to his house, which his mother Laure made so welcoming, and hang out with him before heading out into the Bangkok night for what kinds of fun I can’t remember, though I’m sure it included Mario’s Pizza in the Gaysorn shopping area. We once took a trip to Vientiane, Laos, together with his sister Arla, my brother Richard, and a woman who ostensibly was a chaperone. Eric was funny and smart, and always had his own way of dressing, mixing Carnaby Street mod with funky paisley ties and whatever else was around. I remember that during the trip to Vientiane, Eric spent a lot of his time reading in his bunk. It’s been many years since Eric died so suddenly, riding his motorcycle in Iran with his girlfriend, trying to get to Europe in a hurry; unfortunately, in Iran, the trucks in the mountain passes just turned off their lights at night and parked in the road. The only redeeming thing that can be said about someone having died so young is that Eric lived a full life, as young as he was, and left behind with anyone who ever knew him his infectious laughter and smile.

Dave Clarke 71′

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com