Class of 1985 Winter 2020 Class Note

Suzanne Lynch Guild

Did you know that 2020 is a Reunion year for the Class of 1985? Start contacting your friends and plan on being on the UMaine campus during October 2020 for Homecoming Weekend to celebrate 35 years! “Like” the UMaine Class of 1985 on Facebook so you can find out the exact dates and details when they become available. Looking forward to seeing you!

Tom Benson established T.W. Benson Land Surveying in 1994 in Southwest Harbor, focusing mostly on boundary work and residential work for architects on new construction. Tom enjoys researching property deeds, using the latest technology, working outdoors, and the mathematical aspect of surveying. He lives in Southwest Harbor with his wife, Robin Lunt Benson ’86, who manages Gott’s Store. Their adult children live nearby, and the family enjoys a camp on Branch Pond in Ellsworth.

The University of Maine System’s board of trustees bypassed a national search and hired Rebecca Wyke ’89G as the president of the University of Maine at Augusta for a fixed three-year term. Prior to being named president, she had served nearly 10 years as the university system’s vice chancellor for finance and administration. Congratulations!

We send our condolences to the family and friends of Diane “Dede” Tyler, who passed away in July after a cancer diagnosis. Dede had lived in Round Pond, ME, and Jensen Beach, FL, where she advocated for wellness as a health and physical education teacher and as a camp and fitness director. She served on town recreation committees, developed affordable housing options for her community, and co-owned a boat yard. She was active her entire life but most of all, she valued spending time with loved ones — good lessons for all.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. While you’re thinking about resolutions for the new year, please send me your news.