50th Reunion

William E Rose (Bill) 55.png
Post Amherst Education:
•    Master of Social Science,
•    Bryn Mawr School of Social Work, 1965-67

Spouse: Nuong
Children: David, Ted

Career: Fully retired. Social work, postal work (17 years with U.S. Postal Service after settling in FL in the mid-seventies.)
Interests: Travel; reading; writing; local and international volunteer programs, working on our one-acre "farm"; small furry animals.

Biography: Spent ten years globe-trotting after leaving Amherst, doing whatever jobs were available: kitchen work, travel writing, construction, refugee relief, grape-picking, etc. Back home (Philadelphia) in mid-60s, got a degree in social work and went overseas again to do refugee relief in S.E. Asia. Returned to U.S.A. in 1974 (with wife and two small kids).  Did odd jobs for a while after moving to Florida and wound up working with the U.S. Postal Service (which turned out to be a rewarding experience  no matter what they say about "going postal").  Retired in 1995.  Since then busier than ever with local and international volunteer groups.

Reflections: I have fond recollections of my classmates and the college campus itself.  But I'm pretty mediocre as a gentleman/scholar/athlete, and felt ill at ease at a top-notch school like Amherst. In the classroom I was out to lunch most of the time; always playing catch-up academically, never getting to know any of the teachers well. There were some stimulating courses though (American studies, philosophy) that helped me develop a critical approach to life. My most memorable teacher was Prof. Lamprecht. I wasn't gung-ho about fraternity scene but appreciated being part of the Christian Association.  
There have been ups and downs over the years, but I've been able to maintain a very positive attitude. My wife and I arc great believers in Voluntary Simplicity: we live frugally, have no debts, own a small home plus a one-acre garden plot. And I've got lots of adventures in my Memory Bank which are worth more than stocks and bonds.

Life is good, retirement is great. But I have a nagging sense of guilt/compassion associated with the human suffering I've seen in my travels. Am a committed Christian (Quaker), ultra-liberal. Ten years ago a cardiac problem surfaced, but I hope to keep doing my thing -local volunteer work, occasional trips abroad, looking after the pets, puttering around the house and garden- for the foreseeable future. Lord willing.