Newsletter Volume 1 --- #1
June 6, 1998
This first edition of the Villanova Singers Alumni Society Newsletter is published on the date of the 45th anniversary dinner and celebration honoring Dean Harold G. Reuschelein and Mr. Herbert Fiss. In 1953, Conrad Urban and John Padova approached Dean Reuschelein with the idea of starting a men's chorus at Villanova. Dean Reuschelein agreed and organized the Villanova Singers serving as its conductor. Conrad Urban was later elected the first President of the Singers. In 1957, four years after its creation, Singers's leadership was passed to Mr. Herbert Fiss who served as conductor for 20 years until 1977. As we mark our 5th year as an officially recognized alumni constituency, we are indebted to Dean Reuschelein, without whose advocacy our association would not have occurred ,and to Mr. Herbert Fiss who maintained this association by masterfully conducting over half of our membership.
This first edition and future editions of the VSAS Newsletter, will feature the names of Singers Alumni by Class year. Rather than print these lists that appear in the respective Newsletters, we direct your attention to elsewhere in the website : Membership Directory. Under this heading you will find a complete listing of all Singer Alumni (identified as of the date of the last update to the web page) by Class Year.This year' s Singers Alumni Directory was issued concurrent with the Singers 45th anniversary and our own 5 year mark. The 1997-98 edition lists over 600 names up from 450 only one year ago and up from some 200 names at inception. A quick scan of the Directory reveals some interesting facts about our members.Of our membership, over 20% have indicated attainment of an advanced degree comprised of 11% who are attorneys, 6% who are physicians and 2% who are doctorates in their fields. On top of this we note that an additional 14% are presidents or owners of the companies by whom they are employed. We note some interesting professions and accomplishments within our ranks. Tim Hauser '63 is founder and performer with The Manhattan Transfer. Tom Picardo '63 produced Jim Croce's '65 first successful album. Jim Quinn '64 runs the Actors Studio in New York. Luis Santiero '69 writes for Sesame Street. Rick Fersch '71 is President of Eddie Bauer, Inc. Glenn Reitmeir '77 is Director of the High Definition TV (HDTV) and Multimedia project at David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, NJ. Rolf Seigel '79 pilots F-16 s out of NAS China Lake.
45th Anniversary Celebration Notes
The 45th celebration dinner honors Dean Reuschelein and Herbert Fiss. Unfortunately for health reasons, Mr. Fiss was unable to attend the gala. The following letter was received from Mr. and Mrs. Fiss in May of this year.
Dear Mr. Vincenzo:
Some months ago I wrote to you and sought your advice in the event that Mr. Fiss' s health may not improve to the point where a trip to Villanova would be manageable. Unfortunately, that condition has now come to pass and we are deeply sorry that on the advice of his doctor he should not even think of taking the trip and so it is with a great deal of disappointment we are forced to cancel out. He was so looking forward to the trip and meeting his "boys"etc. Our doctor is also concerned about my participation and is sure the whole participation (and) travel ... would be stressful and difficult for me as wellPlease extend our regrets to all concerned and we both wish for you to experience personally a successful undertaking.
We would appreciate it very much if you could send us any material relevant to the occasion and please give everyone our sincerest regards.
Musically Yours,
(Evelyn Fiss) Herb Fiss Brothers Sing On!
SINGER PROFILES
RICK FERSCH '71-- Rick graduated Magna Cum Laude and joined Hecht' s, a division of the May stores group. After some 15 years with May, he joined Eddie Bauer in 1988 as Vice President of Stores and moved up the management ranks to be named President in 1993 where he continues today. Eddie Bauer, based in Redmond, Washington is a specialty clothing division of Spiegel with sales of over $1.6 Billion! With the Singers, Rick sang first tenor, served as President 1970-71 and was a member of the Spires. Rick lives in Mercer Island, Washington with his wife Patti and their four children.
JACK BLAKE '63--Jack graduated in 1963 and fulfilled his NROTC requirement serving aboard a fleet oiler, USS Aligash. After active service, Jack worked in New York as a petroleum broker/trader, In 1967, Jack joined GATX, was named National Sales Manager in 1978 moving up to Senior VP of Worldwide Operations in 1993 which position he held until his retirement in 1997. During his career he was active in the National Petroleum Refiners Association and the National Petroleum Institute. GATX is the world\rquote s largest provider of petroleum bulk storage and refining terminals to independent petroleum and chemical companies with sales of over $1.7 Billion! At Villanova, Jack was one of the original Spires. Jack and his wife Nancy together raised 5 children and now reside at their summer home in Green Lake, Wisconsin.
IN MEMORIAM: John Abundo '91... Bill Armstrong '68... John Blatt '72 ..Jim Croce ' 65...Marty Dillon '68...George Drumheller'57... Bob Ford '56... John Gaw' 70... Owen Hickey '56... Paul Howard ' 60..Tom Martinez '58... John McNeil '57...Fred Meyer ' 66...l Bon Paul '69... Mike Russo' 56John Shea ' 68... Joe Stevens '61... Bill Sullivan ' 79... Joe Torrisi 67...Andy Turcotte '92.