A little bit of this and that from our 1960′s alums.

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Jim Blackwood ’64 passed away on June 2, 2010. For more information, please view his obituary. (6/26/2010)

Bill Speer ’64 and his wife Pearl are now traveling throughout the year in their motor home and spending their winters on the beach in Port Arkansas, Texas. (7/20/2009)

Reed Black ’65 and Louis Roller ’62 still get together regularly to ride bicycles. Reed has also taken several trips, along with brother Don Thomson, to Morocco and Spain.

Lawrence Gray ’66 is a full Professor of Political Science at John Cabot University in Rome. Lawrence unfortunately had to transfer from B.U. before graduating, but went on to attend Tulane University and later The Johns Hopkins University where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in International Economics. He has been living in Italy a majority of his life where he has remained active in economic and political consulting for both the Italians and the United States. For several years, Lawrence was the Executive Director of the the Commission on Cultural Exchange between the U.S. and Italy (the Fulbright Commission). Wow – quite a résumé!

Ronald Harvey ’63 has now retired and spends his free time on the golf course.

James Houston Turner’s ’69 recent U.S. book launch for his latest novel, The Identity Factor, was the first author event to ever be featured at the prestigious “G’day USA” festivities in L.A., which last year honored Russell Crowe and Australia’s “Crocodile Hunter,” the late Steve Irwin. Now living in Adelaide, South Australia, James will be a featured breakfast speaker in May at the NAFSA convention in Washington DC. Last year’s guest from Adelaide was astronaut Andy Thomas.

Don Rogers ’69 recently returned from a great trip to Australia where he went to visit his son and daughter-in-law who are living there for a year on business. Don now celebrates six grandchildren between two and eight years old.

C. James McCurry ’63 is now semi-retired from Blue Cross & Blue Shield. He is now busy spending his time trying to keep up with the kids and is expecting his first grandchild in March 2008! Paul “Full Moon” Joiner – if you read this – he says that he is waiting on a phone call for you two to head to the Ozarks to do some fishing. No excuses!

Roger Underwood ’65 is retired and living the good life in Florida with his wife of over 25 years, Brenda. The happy couple still enjoys traveling extensively, their five grandchildren and frequenting Disneyworld.

Paul Joiner ’63 recently retired from 38 years of teaching and administration – sounds like a well deserved break! He now spends his time trying to keep up with sports with his five grandsons.

James Houston Turner ’69 reports that after 30 years, “The Identity Factor” is finally available on Amazon.com and corks are popping Down Under!

Murray Blackwelder ’69 recently wrapped up a $1.7 billion national campaign for Purdue in June of 2007. As a Senior V.P. for Advancement at the University, he says that he was fortunate to work with a national campaign committee of 55 alumni in order to make the seven year effort a huge success. Very impressive!

Bud Spear ’61, who retired five years ago from Penn State University, has settled in on six months living in Nova Scotia and six months in Green Valley, AZ. He and his wife Nancy (Boudrot, Baker Alpha Chi ’62) also celebrated the arrival of their sixth grandchild in September of 2007.

Richard McDowell ’60 is enjoying retirement in New Mexico where golf rules supreme. He has also picked up the guitar again and is even playing in a couple of Bluegrass bands!

James Houston Turner ’69 recently completed “The Identity Factor,” his third novel. It is a geopolitical thriller described as “one hell of a ride” by film productive executive Ty Warren (Gladiator, The Mummy). He is also one step closer to seeing his feature film script for “Big John” make it to production. Congratulations on all your success, James!