OCTOBER 25, 2024

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Hi W-Affliliatequahics, 

Joel Kampf (6/55) and Jac Toporek (6/63) and advise of alumnus passing:

The Classmates of June 1955 have lost Dr. Richard Chopin, ophthalmologist, to so many WHS grads. He leaves his wife, Carol Katcher Chopin, daughter Beth, son Steven, and Son-in-Law Chris. I met Richard in morning kindergarten and together we did scout dens and troops, Maple, WHS, and then as his patient. He was a doctor’s doctor, a dedicated physician, and a terrific diagnostician. Richard served in the Korean War where he was awarded a medal for superior service in medical treatment to his men and to local families when off duty. Always a fun dinner-mate, a dedicated golfing buddy, and a good friend, he will be missed by all.  Joel 

IIt is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Richard Chopin (6/55) on October 14^th. He served as ophthalmologist for my mom, dad and, for many years, me. Dr. Chopin treated his patients with great kindness, care, and dedication. I also was fortunate to have met him more than 40 years as colleagues and activists on behalf of our local Jewish Federation. Not a visit went by without us having a few side discussions about our mutual interest in the viability of the Jewish community and some recollections of our individual times at Weequahic High School and the surrounding neighborhood. Dr Chopin was a real “mentsch” (Yiddish for upstanding person) and will be remembered that way. The Star Ledger obituary can be found at Obituary for Richard Chopin.  Jac

Reunion Info Board:

Class of June 1963

Save the Date: 80^th Birthday Brunch; Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:30 AM; Archer Hotel, Florham Park, NJ. For more info, contact Jac Toporek at whsalum63@aol.com.

Norm Barr

I live in the Plymouth Village Retirement Community in Redlands, California. This past June, we had a 70th “high school reunion” event for all of the Community’s 1954 high school graduates! Ten of us 88-year-olds agreed to go, and eight of us were actually healthy enough to attend. Two of the grads were from “Redlands” High School and two more were from nearby “Colton” High School. One graduate was from Colorado, and at my age I can’t remember where two of the graduates attended. 

IBut as the New Jersey representative, I had come the furthest! You can see the outfit I wore (picture, below). One of the women had been a cheerleader, and she brought her pompoms to the event. Most of us brought our yearbooks, although they were hardly looked at, We had candy cigarettes and wax teeth. There was a bunch of silly but happy talk. I believe that we all then went home and remembered to take our nightly pills. Can’t wait until 2034. Norm

Enid Hinkes (60) reminds that “Veterans Day” is a few weeks’ aways with another remembrance of our WHS grads who served and sacrificed:

In my latest research and report to honor those Weequahic alumni who died in battle, I thought I should do the Vietnam heroes before returning to WWII. I am sure that there will be more people who remember Steve Dawson (66; no photo found)), Michael Swangin (64; photo on right)) and Robert Mirrer (56; photo on left) whose stories appear on the document readable at (LINK TO PDF). Enid"

Jerry Wichinsky (Arts 64) sends one more response to the conversation regarding Laurel Gardens.

I went to see the wrestling matches at Laurel Gardens near Springfield Avenue quite often with the South Ward Boys Club. We would see and meet all the popular wrestlers of the day, Antonino Rocca, “Skull” Murphy, Bruno Sammartino, Haystacks Calhoun, and others. I would, however, like to relate a personal recollection regarding another wrestler, Happy Humphrey, who was believed to weigh 750 pounds. A newspaper reporter from either the Newark Evening News or the Star Ledger thought it was a great idea to pose two kids in a pair of Humphrey’s pants, one in each leg. This was in the late ‘50s I think, and I was a pretty skinny kid. So, the reporter chose me and another kid to pose along with Humphrey who held up the pants with me in one leg and the other kid in the other leg. The photo and article appeared in whichever Newark paper it was. I did receive a copy of the photo, which has been long lost. I tried for years to find a copy of the article, but never could. Great memory, however. Jerry 

Jacqueline Kaufer Klein (66) recalls the Osborne Terrace Library:

In regards to the remembrances of that sunlit, second floor children's library,

I loved reading what others wrote and have the warmest, sweetest memories

of that library. In fact, to my great surprise, I actually was going through an old envelope of memorabilia just a few months ago when my little library card, with the metal inset tumbled out!

My mother would take me there. I will never forget the truly enchanted moments

I had, sitting on her lap while she read to me about Babar and Madeleine and Angus, the Scotch Terrier and Pantalon the French poodle. These were some of the happiest times in my childhood which also included the little Mynx, the magical Miss Pickett and the Bobbsey Twins

I have been given the gift in this lifetime, of reading these same books and, of course, so many more to my three children when they were young. They grew up to be voracious readers and writers. I have now been blessed with five grandsons (and another one on the way) and I love every moment of reading to them and watching my children read to my grandchildren. Truly, it all started in the little, sunny children's library on Osborne Terrace with a mother who read to me "L'dor V'dor" (Hebrew: from generation to generation). Jacqueline

Sharing memories and comments: 

Rita Bleckner Weisstuch (6/59)

Paul Lipkin's (6/60) mention of Helene Hornstein (53) brought back memories of 457 Peshine Avenue where she was my across the hall neighbor. I hadn't thought of her and her family in many, many years. I always enjoy reading the “WHS Note” and seeing mention of someone I once knew.

The Starlets will be on Zoom again, as we do every other month. We Weequahic girls (one Irvington) go way back to the founding of the club at Peshine. The Starlets are Merle Starkman Simon, Marian Kaufman Braverman, Arlene DeLeon Chumsky, Riva Rock Geldzahlet, Edie Bach (not sure of married name), Judy Leon (don’t know married name), Berthe Weissman Nathan and me Rita

Charles Seigel (59)

I was so sorry to hear of the death of Mike Loss (59/60). I did want to correct one thing. Mike was my intern at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, not Martland, when I was a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Beth in 1968. He was a great guy and a wonderful “budding” OB-Gyn at that time. My sincere condolences to his family. Charles

Clark Lissner (6/63)

In response to the recent posts about WHS alumni who were active in seeking elected positions, ah, such memories of my mother being a loyal Democrat pollster, and also handing me the blue and white Hadassah can to "go stand on the corner and collect money" for our geographically distant, but close in heart, brethren Israelis.

Recently read "Beach Music" by the late, great author, Pat Conroy; a real treasure of "the low country", the environs of Charleston, S. Carolina. A significant part of the story is about the Holocaust and the horrors it generated for many years. It will add to your knowledge and understanding of what must never be forgotten. Other Conroy books are "The Great Santini", "Prince of Tides", and "My Losing Season" which was based on his year as Captain of the Citadel basketball squad. I'm sure all Weequahic athletes would enjoy reading it; and the title reflects Conroy's sarcastic wit, as most folks would write about their winning season. Perhaps Conroy is the Philip Roth of the South?  Clark

The WHS NOTE is emailed to you by the WEEQUAHIC HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION for the CLASS OF 1963 ASSOCIATION and editor, Jacob Toporek.



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