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JUNE 2006
www.alum.dartmouth.org/classes/54/
PGBarker54@aol.com
(203) 661-7611
Revelation
A suspicion harbored by many a newsletter editor appeared to take on substance with the April edition of the 1954 letter. Because of the passage of six months before I managed to get back in gear, the newsletter ballooned to twelve pages, overflowing with '54 news, opinions, queries, drolleries and 70 names. However, when it hit your mailbox, it contained two Page 7s and no Page 8! Here’s the rub. Only three of you 1000+ readers brought the gaffe to my attention! This tells me one of two things: first, that you are a kind, caring bunch of senior adults who had no intentions of hurting my feelings. I rejected this notion out of hand. Second, and the more likely, you folks don’t read the newsletter - you just scan it for familiar names, including yours and ignore the rest of the deathless prose! As a result, occasional paragraphs with no boldface, capitalized names may well go totally unread. I am not quite sure yet as to what changes I may contemplate, but look for some unique new aspects in the style and construction - likely too subtle to be noticed. I may even start throwing names randomly into paragraphs merely to draw attention to their contents. Comments and suggestions are welcomed. By the way, the bulk of the missing Page 8 will be found herein. Also, those who read the newsletter on the Class Website had the opportunity to read the page because Webmaster PERRY DAVIS receives an advance copy hot off my computer presses. The address of the website is above.
The disturbing news of the sad passing of BRYCE BASTIAN has been spread broadly through the Class (see In Memoriam). When he first fell ill, Bryce felt compelled to step down from his role of Class Secretary in order to assure continued writing of the Class Notes. JAY DAVIS regretfully accepted his decision and expressed the Class’s appreciation for his two years of service to the Class. Bryce’s daughter, MARIBEL, was kind enough to fill in for her dad and did the honors for the Jul/Aug edition. Your Newsletter Editor penned the Notes for Sep/Oct. TONY KANE has agreed to take on the Class Secretary responsibilities (see masthead) and will begin writing the Class Notes with the Nov/Dec issue. Please send Class news to him at akane32@nyc.rr.com.
It looks like we should add The Traveling Class to the several other appropriate appellations for our unique Class. just consider this:
DICK & JUDITH STEINBERG to Lake Como, Italy
DON BELCHER - good works in Ghana
JOEL & JUDY LASKY - all points in Europe
JAY CHANDLER - fishing in Canada
DANA & ANNE LOW - Geneva, Brussels, Courchevel
ED HOBBlE - Patagonia
STU ROTH - New York (from Quinta)
It is rare, at this stage of our lives, that the best job in the world falls into our laps, but it has happened to JOHN GILLESPIE. It’s the TrainRiders Host Program. Volunteer “train hosts” ride on AMTRAK’s The Down-Easter from Portland, ME to Boston, assisting passengers, promoting the train and being generally “host-like” in demeanor. John, for whom the Gillespie Award is named, just re
dons his hotel manager smile and reunion hat and goes at it. He even has coloring books for the kids! The program description also includes “assisting train crews in duties as requested”. Assume that doesn’t involve shoveling coal. John is, as one would expect, delighted with the opportunity to meet and greet. John and SANDY’s daughter, LAURA ‘86, just attended her 20th reunion and guess what she was in charge of the food arrangements!
AL “LEFTY” TERRILL forwarded an email he had received from a “Barrister Sultan Faraday” relative to supplying him with a phone bank account and computer numbers so that he could transfer $9.5 million into Al and SAL’s account - a typical attempt at an international scam. The interesting thing about the email was that it was addressed to an alphabetical list of ‘54s beginning with PETE ROBINSON and ending with PAUL WISDOM. Barrister Faraday posited that his “client’s” name was was Peter James and had obviously used a computer search program that glommed onto address lists that began with “Peter.”
PETER KENYON spent nine days in Florida “running down ‘54s”. A newsletter editor’s dream. What follows is only slightly edited. “First in the Sawgrass community in Ponte Vedra, JILL and I were invited to tea at DUNC and ALISON ROBERTS’ condo, located, in the true spirit of the Class of 54, at 54 Fisherman’s Cove. Joined by BILL and JUDY REX. Bill must have red-shirted for the golf team as their house is ~ Troon Terrace. Went to a local restaurant where the highlight of the meal was the outstanding wine labeled Skrew Kappa Napa. Talk immediately turned to JOE MESICS (even if it was the wrong valley.) Both part-timers. Dunc to The Cape and Bill to the hills of North Carolina.
“Next was Naples. SEAVER PETERS (in Palm Coast) was called for coffee, but opted (correctly) for his tee time at his Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Stayed in Naples with BOB and BARBARA LEVINE at their rented condo in Pelican Bay. Second night was ‘54 Out! as LIZ and TOM KELSEY, DON and JOIE KELLER, ROLLIE and CAROLINE HAYNES and PHIL and CAROL CHRISTOPHE arrived. Wandered a mangrove preserve to watch the sun disappear. DICK and AUDREY LEWIS were absent due to an old Partners’ dinner. (Ed. note - assume Peter means former Ernst &z Ernst partners as opposed to ex-wives).
“Then to Ft. Lauderdale across Alligator Alley and up the beach to Highland Beach and PETE and SUE GUTLON. Last October’s hurricane wreaked havoc on their 14th floor windows and the quote for replacement would finance a few years in today’s Hanover. HERB and ANN HILLMAN arrived from Defray Beach with an excellent selection of wines. Golf with ‘straight down the middle’ Herb the next day. Showered after the round and noticed a container of Lysol Mildew Remover on the floor. Tried it instead of soap. Compliments at dinner that evening were astounding.
“Note on air travel - avoid Air Tran, by all means!” Superb intel work on the part of Peter, revving up the Class!
The ‘54 Czar of Vegas, HUGH ROBERTS, happily reported that BRUCE LAFOLLETTE has blended into the cultural side of Slots-ville with his selection as director-at-large of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild. Mixing lifestyles, the Guild recently staged a benefit at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Former Stetson executive GARY ROSENTHAL was quoted in a newspaper artice titled “Atop Cowboys’ Heads, A Lesson in Economics”. He declared that that the costs of raw materials had soared - raw materials being beavers and rabbits.
After participating in the January Dartmouth Relays in Hanover, I emailed BOB JEFFREY that the plaque in the Leverone fieldhouse, commemorating his record throw of the 56-pound weight, still hangs as a proclamation that a ‘54 was the best ever (at least in 1954). Jeff opined that the undergraduates who continually break his record likely “spend hours lifting weights and training versus drinking beer at the AD house.” Jeff and the PUNKSTER revel in having their progeny nearby in St. Petersburg. He needs a few new grandkids to hear the “Grampa’s Record” story.
A fascinating story from Dr. DICK DEANER: “Here’s an item I find droll. I’m 74 and I was recently summoned to active duty by the U.S. Navy. Go figure. It was a command performance to attend the Secretary of the Navy’s Retiree Council deliberations in Washington, D. C. There are 24 Council members. We address problems besetting Navy and Marine Corps folk. I got hammered with largely unsolvable problems related to military medicine, e.g., “How much long-term care insurance does a retired Gunnery Sergeant need for himself and his spouse?” and “Hey, doc - what kind of birth control do you recommend for women on active duty? And, doc, abstinence is not an option.” Fortunately for our country, I was only activated for ten days - probably not long enough for me to further mess up the Middle East situation. While in DC, BEVERLY and I had dinner with Classmate BOB LEVY and his friend, Rilla. They had just returned from a lecturing gig in Vilnius -she in Public Health, he in Jurisprudence. Met some badly wounded guys (Iraq & Afghanistan) who want to get well and go back to their units. I never experienced that in ‘my’ war - Nam. Vox Clam.”
In a bit of ‘54 coincidence, BOB LEVINE managed to wangle a rare invitation to attend the Army War College at the Carlisle Barracks. Along with 100 other civilians, he joined into discussions with 200 military officers (all services) who are destined for high rank. Within a range of topics, Bob provided the military perspectives of men of our age - experiences with ROTC, the military draft, our prevailing attitudes about military service. Matching another word in the previous paragraph, Bob and BARBARA will attend a wedding in Vilnius, Lithuania during a trip to Europe where they will seek some family roots.
From STU ROTH: “On last visit to New York, had a delightful lunch with LYNN and ART RAUCH at the New Mondrian Hotel overlooking Central Park. Also still play member-guest golf with TED NOVASCONE. We reminisce about a member-guest at my dub a few years ago when we took both the low gross at 72 and low net in the low 60s.”
Cambridge University Press has just published BOB COLLINS’ latest book, “Alms for Jihad: Charities and Terrorism in the Islamic World.” It is a detailed account of how money from Islamic charities has been raised, transferred and laundered in order to provide millions of dollars for IslamistJihadist terrorist organizations among which was Al Qaeda. Good reading.
Outdoorsman ED HOBBlE “... the fishing buffs should try Argentina - Brown, Brook, Rainbow, Steelhead, landlocked Salmon. All stocked in the early 1900s. Native now and the fishing is superb! Farther south you go, tougher the water and serious fish. Shot quail, boar and scouted Red Stags, but couldn’t find one worth the hassle of getting the horns into the U.S. of A. For those used to Bob Whites, the quail live in trees, flush like grouse, don’t hold for dogs and love to run uphill. In the Andes foothills, uphill is steep.! Country much like Montana/Wyoming. Steak for breakfast, lunch, supper, late snack! Also delicious sausage. Fishing guides are excellent - all catch and release, flies only. The folks are serious about their fish and game - property patrolled by horseback. All in all1 a delight. Now, hopefully, up to Mirimachi for Grilse. This year water is more restrained than in ‘05. Have not encountered a single ‘54 in my sojourns - guess they’re all in Greece absorbing couth and ouzo.”
A recent rerun of “Law & Order” with a bit of incest thrown in had the ‘54 essence of two of our Classmates. JOHN CUNNINGHAM was the sleazy (but effective) defense attorney and PETE GUTLON’s Canyon Ranch was the alibi location of John’s (guilty) client.
Last February/March, Chair SHELLY WOOLF led an inspired contingent of ‘54s to the links in Florida: “It was a blast! We hit the jackpot with a great group, fabulous weather, a wonderful facility with very large rooms and suites at a beautifully manicured and very well managed private country dub (the Tampa Palms Golf & CC in Tampa). Their golf course was most challenging, had exciting architecture and a setting that was totally natural - not part of a residential community. We even played some tennis on some of the nine Har-Tru courts, swam in the Olympic-sized pool and got groomed and massaged at their complete spa.
“Our group of 23 Classmates and 21 spouses felt like it was one continuous party. The banquet service at Tampa Palms and nearby sister dub Hunters Green were ideal for enjoying all being together, dining and drinking with plenty of lively conversation and laughs. We even had a harbor dinner cruise on the yacht Starship one evening and after several wrong turns by rookie ‘54 drivers, all returned safely to Tampa Palms.
“There were 12 non-golfers in the group, and the setting worked well for them as well. Every afternoon at 5:00 pm or earlier, we met for cocktails in a fabulous suite with an expansive balcony which overlooked a water hole and the golf course. The ‘54 flag was proudly flying, as were some of our Classmates.
“Oh yes - we did play golf - at Saddlebrook, Tampa Palms and Lake Jovita. Our home course was voted the favorite and not because it cost half that of the others. We had two days of tournaments. Day #1 was won by SHELLY WOOLF and YNGVAR HVISTENDAHL and Day #2 by MORT GALPER, DON BERLIN, HARRY ROBINSON and SHELLY WOOLF. I had the knack for picking the right partners. RON DOUGHERTY did a fine job as tournament chairman with the able support of BOB BERRY and WIL WILKINS.
“Harry Robinson won the coveted ‘SCHENCK Shaft Award’ for ‘Best Dressed’. He was delighted and not at a loss for words.
“We have booked the place for next year with 100% repeat attendees plus DICK and JANE PAGE. All aspects of the event were so positive that many want more time next year. Classmates should contact me (508-362-3522; SWoolf1060@comcast.net) if they want to join us. I will continue as chairman because of the fantastic pay and the notoriety.”
Class Directory Changes:
Dave ‘St Rosemary Mandelbaum
55 First Street, Apt 401
Pelham, NY 10803
John & Pat Schreiber
3329 Scarlet Oak Drive
McBane, NC 27302
Audrey Clarkson
768D Hudson Parkway
Whiting, NJ 08759
(732) 350-0865
Harry & Carol Robinson
35 Canborne Way
Madison, CT 06443
Richard Krimm
richardkrimm@comcast.net
Art Geller
tagel18@mac.com
Ed Quinn
edwin.quinn@gmail.com
Letter from President JAY DAVIS
July 2006
Dear Classmates:
I’ve just completed one of my responsibilities as your president by submitting to Alumni Relations my second annual “Class Activity Report” - July ‘05 to June ‘06. These reports cover the gamut of Class activities and are the basis for awarding class prizes at Class officers Weekend in September.
I can’t tell you how proud I was to be your president as I cataloged all the activities of our great class over the past year. Let me highlight for you some of our accomplishments I was able to report:
· 8 well-attended Mini-reunions. The largest gatherings were Homecoming, the New York Holiday luncheon and the Golf event in Tampa, Florida. In- addition, the Boston Holiday luncheon, two skiing events, the new monthly luncheons in New York (counted as one Mini) and finally, the recent trip to France.
· 3 multi-page Newsletters naming 75+ Classmates in each.
· 6 excellent Class Notes for the Alumni Magazine.
· A website with many new features, including a Class Blog.
· 5 ongoing Class projects, including internships at the Rockefeller, Tucker and Dickey foundations, an athletic contribution, memorial books and our Health Support Network.
· The McLaughlin Bust special project which will be unveiled September 19th in the McLaughlin Cluster’s Goldstein building.
· And for the near term goals, a successful Northwest Mini in September and a 75th birthday party in New Orleans in April ‘07. Long term our 55th.
There are so many people who contributed to this year’s record, officers and non-officers alike, that it wouldn’t be fair not to mention all - there are just too many. I’ll just say: “You know who you are, and the Class thanks you for your efforts.”
If we don’t win the Class of the Year Award, it can only be because we have won so many such awards in the past. Unfortunately, I cannot be at the ‘Class Officers Weekend this year to see how it turns out. I’ll be attending a different, but for us, an equaling inspiring event that weekend - the marriage of our eldest son.
Be well, and stay connected,
Jay
Word has been received that the (Jerry) GOLDSTEIN Building is, indeed, a “done deal” as a component of the soon-to-be-dedicated McLaughlin complex. The ceremonies will follow Convocation on September 19 and will include the presentation of the bust of DAVE and the honoring of major donors. committee members and our Class president. Jerry’s generosity to his alma mater over the years has been unbounded and makes us proud to know him.
TOM SCOTT, concerned about the health of the Hovey murals, suggested that the Class buy them. The Hood Museum said “NO!”
In ,Memoriam
Bryce died on June 10 following a vicious onslaught of intestinal cancer. He had made his regular appearance at the monthly New York luncheon in April with only a minor complaint of ill ease. He will be remembered most fondly at a gathering at the Penn Club in New York on August 12. Attending Qass members will recount anecdotes and memories.
An all-around graduate of La Salle High School in Niagara Falls, NY (dass VP, dramatics, oratory, football, National Honor Society) Bryce bunked in with Cliff Evans and Don Taylor in Wheeler Hall during freshman year. He reaped the riches of campus life as an English major, a Phi Delt, a member of the Forensic Union, Players, DOC and involved himself in the Winter Sports organization. The Phi Delt house honored Bryce• in the Aegis by referring to his “play misdirection and his cast of thousands.”
Out in the wide, wide world, Bryce served as an Army counterintelligence officer in Tokyo. After a year of Columbia Law School, he signed on with The Singer Corporation in New York. In 1959, he and Sue were married, then began a prolonged tour in the Far East , basically Manila, where Bryce rose through ranks, accumulating responsibilities for the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and China. The Bastians became the proud parents of Christian, James and Maribel (‘96 and a ‘54 intern), all of whom have acquitted themselves well in their chosen fields.
Back in the States in 1979, Bryce moved to higher positions, culminating in his leading Olympus America into the arena of digital photography.
Bryce was the college’s representative and interviewer in Manila and served as the 1954 Class Secretary from the 50th reunion. He enjoyed telling friends about his “summer job” as a mutual betting clerk while at their Saratoga, NY summer home. His enthusiasm, dedication and sense of humor will be missed.
Griff passed away last December in his hometown of South Dartmouth, MA from a combination of diabetes and a weakened heart. He joined us in Hanover from Dartmouth High School where he had earned both academic and varsity acclaim. On campus, he was a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity and pursued a Chemistry! Biology major.
The military acknowledged his education and assigned him to Brooke Army Hospital as a corpsman. After a few years as a pharmaceutical salesman, Griff joined his father in the stevedoring business in New Bedford. The elder Roberts had won the Carnegie Hero Award at the age of 13 for saving the lives of three people on Lake Surtapee. Griff gloried in his dad’s act of heroism and was proud to take his place. at the head of the business when his father died in the early 60s.
In 1966, Beverly visited the docks prior to three years of design training in Europe and encountered Griff. In 1969, on a visit to a ship, she ran into him again and the love story blossomed.
The shipping business waned in 1992 and Griff dissolved the company and retired 'to the farm'. Like most of us, he was a 'collector' and Beverly is now in the process of figuring out what to keep, give away or sell. The Roberts have four grown children, all nearby and three grandchildren. Griff”s adherence to staunch Republicanism was nicely balanced by Beverly’s Democratic leanings. A full and satisfying life.
Memorial books will be placed in Baker Library in honor of our two Classmates.
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BILL BABCOCK died suddenly in Meirose, MA on July 3. Little is known about Bifi following his campus years. Any and all memories/anecdotes would be appreciated for the next newsletter.
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| Dick Page and Carrie Peizel |