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Rob Macomber here. As a tribute to our deceased classmate, Steve Winthrop, I would like to share with the class something that I wrote about him in an exercise I sent to Mr. Millet at the time of our 40th reunion:

A Heartfelt 41st Lesson from Steve Winthrop

After the intended forty lessons for this exercise were finalized, I was preparing to complete the conclusion when I had an experience that I afterwards knew had to be included as a forty-first. It was so powerful, and so central to what Milton taught me was important in Life, that I would be sorely remiss in not doing so.

A while back, I had learned from Paul Levinson that Steve Winthrop had been diagnosed with ALS. In a more recent communication with Paul, we had been discussing trying to go to Wayland to visit Steve at the time of our 40th Milton reunion. Paul then got in touch with Steve about it, which, in turn, led Steve to get in touch with me.

After Steve and I spoke on the phone, I subsequently sent Paul an email about my conversation with Steve. Here is what I shared with Paul:

“I would like to thank you for connecting with Steve and letting him know that I was thinking of him. He subsequently emailed me, with us then having a wonderful call afterwards.

“The talk I had with Steve was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was quite prepared to feel deep empathy, much sadness, and profound frustration (all of which I have gone through multiple times since you first told me about his condition) in hearing the specifics of the situation. And I did go through that complete range of emotion.

“But what absolutely blew me away was hearing the heartfelt commitment in Steve's voice to do absolutely everything he could to help make progress on a significant level in the search for a solution to ALS. The extent of his desire to make a difference in this fight obviously far transcended his own personal situation. I believe the way he put it was that he's ‘leaving it all out on the floor.’

“Paul, when I got off the phone with Steve, I went into Phyl's office and said to her how inspired I was by our boyhood friend. Quite simply, I was in awe not only of his courage, but also of his ROCK-SOLID determination to do all that he could to make meaningful progress in the fight against ALS. (Regarding seeing him during the time of the 40th, he said that they were planning a family trip to Ireland then, so wouldn't be in the area when we were.)”

Mr. Millet, in trying to best convey to you how much of an impact my conversation with Steve had on me, I think that I need to go back nearly a quarter of century in time. On the occasion of your fifty-years-at-Milton celebration, I said the following to you:

“The most lasting lesson that I came away from Milton with was about a subject that was not offered in any specific course, but was constantly being taught throughout the campus and the curriculum – character. For me, Milton Academy, as an institution, symbolizes that word. Mr. Francis D. Millet, as a human being, is the personification of character.”

I would submit that Stephen Winthrop, ’76 learned well what Milton was hoping to instill in its students about “character.” Nearly forty-four years after meeting him, Steve has just provided me with one of the most important lessons of my entire existence. I could not be prouder of him . . . and I admire him more than words could possibly describe.

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This is the pic of Frank Packard, Jock Toulmin, myself and my wife Keiko (not Milton but Emma Willard '76) in Tokyo taken in November 2023, when Jock visited Japan.   Frank and I have frequent contact as he has been working in Tokyo in the business area close to mine, the investment management.    I am so sorry I cannot make my 50th with you, my classmates in the Milton campus.   I had been considering making a short trip to Boston, however, various things prevented me from making that trip this time.    I send my best to all of the attending classmates as well as others who will not make it just like myself.    Best,   Makoto SAWAI

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Michelle@Milton: I reached out to Steve via email to confirm this was a photo of him. Steve's reply: "I’m laughing aloud as I write for there is a long story behind this photo. John Hynes, Wendall Reilly, Jon Garity and I asked the powers that were if we could wear Milton’s athletic uniforms from the late 19th century for our senior photo shoot - hockey, football, baseball and basketball. Our idea was to recreate a black and white image that appeared as if we rolled back Father Time. We had Frank Millet add his calligraphy to our names below the photograph for further effect. I’d like to say the whole thing was my idea but probably not! Poor Wendell, the shot was taken on the back steps of Wigg Hall in the middle of the winter - and he got the skimpy basketball uniform because of the small size of the uniform - he was the smallest of the group - and the fact he played basketball! Suffice it to say we all froze but Wendall certainly froze a bit more.

To answer your question though, yes, it is me."

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Click the plus-sign icon in the lower right corner to post a message to your classmates. What have you been up to? What's your favorite Milton memory? Hoping to find a long-lost friend? Photos to share? We want to hear from you! Be sure to sign your post with your name.

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Friday, May 15–Saturday, May 16! Details and registration information HERE

In the meantime, keep an eye on this page to connect with fellow alumni, join your class committee, and make a gift in honor of your reunion year. Learn more at www.milton.edu/reunion.

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Our Reunion Outreach Committee plans class programming and encourages classmates to attend Reunion weekend.

Committee Members:

Ellen Panarese Gibson

Jeff Long

Joanne Montouris Nikitas

Macy Lawrence Ratliff

Diana Smith

Interested in learning more about joining your Reunion committee?  Please fill out our brief contact form: https://forms.gle/yz9UhMwTXxrMNBDr6

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Our Reunion Gift Committee solicits and stewards classmates in support of the Milton Fund through June 2026.

Committee Chair: Ned Pride

Interested in learning more about joining your Reunion committee? Please fill out our brief contact form: https://forms.gle/yz9UhMwTXxrMNBDr6

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Reunion focuses on raising unrestricted dollars for the Milton Fund. This is our chance to honor our Milton education and support current Milton students. Below are our class's fundraising goals:

Participation goal: 25%

Dollars raised goal: $25,000

Reunion Gift deadline: June 30, 2026

Make your gift online: www.milton.edu/donate

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Michael V. Contreras

Lovie R. Elam

Martha A. Logan

Daniel P. Nugent

Katherine A. O'Brien

Ann B. Scheffler

Jonathan A. Spound

Stephen V. Winthrop

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The extent to which my Milton years were meaningful in the extreme to me is contained in this exercise that I did for Mr. Millet in 2010, as well as the depth of my gratitude for him making them possible.