Click here for:
About people you know
(newsletters.
AlumMag)
MAY
2009
www.alum.dartmouth.org/classes/54/
PGBarker54@aol.com
(203) 661-7611
MEMORY and REUNION!!!
"It was here just a minute ago", "Why'd I come down here?","Honey, where's my ....", "Jay, uh, let's see -A, B, C, D, ah yes - Davis , JAY DAVIS, that's who!" It's a rare '54 who can claim not to have an occasional lapse of memory. There are a number of exercises to sharpen one's access to things past, including crossword puzzles and yelling out the answers to television's Jeopardy. Sudoku, while based on logic, is another way to maintain agility of thought. Here, however, is a '54-specific test which also serves as an enticement to our 55th reunion in June. First, it has to be done while walking your dog. If you don't have a dog, get one, or borrow your neighbor's hound for a half hour. Now, imagine the dorm floor you lived on during freshman year and see how many names you can come up with - roommate(s), classmates, then upper classmen. How about the janitor? TOM MALCOLM says that he does the same thing with the football teams of our time, first remembering names, then matching them with positions. Fraternities, clubs and major classes are also good arenas for the exercise. Now that you have conjured up these folks, get in touch with them and plan to meet at the 55th.
After a good bit of checking, mailing and telephoning, PERRY DAVIS and I have finally posted close to 400 names and email addresses on the Class website. Go to the address in the heading of this page and click on E-mail Addresses on the left side, and there they are - ABBEY through ZWIENER! It runs 9 pages, so print it out for later reference. For the non-computer types, go to your local library and charm a sweet young thing into helping you get to the list and print it out. There are maybe 8 of the addresses which are not current, awaiting responses from such '54s. Two, AL EDMUNDSON and BOB GILMAN are off the screen - disconnected phones, no forwarding address, so intelligence on this duo would be appreciated. Please include the Newsletter Editor on your notifications of future email address changes. Perry and I also suspect that there are a few of you out there who, for unknown reasons, have chosen not to share your information with us - get on board! With the printed-out list in hand, start with SKIP and run your thumbnail down the list looking for memory joggers. Again, get in touch and convince old friends to join us for the few days on campus in June. Editor's Note: If you feel uncomfortable, having your email address accessible to the world via our Class website, please notify me or Perry Davis (perrydavis@perrydavis.net) and we will remove your information. Rest assured, however, that the list nestled within the depths of my Dell are inviolable. There are two retired Marines on duty 24/7 and they are armed with weapons I am not permitted to discuss.
REUNION
The reunion is shaping up nicely under JOHN FENN's spirited leadership. As of May 12, seventy '54s and sixty-five companions (plus BOB WOODBERRY's son Paul and PETE DWIGHT's daughter Jennifer) have registered. 200 attendees appears to be well within sight. JOHN GILLESPIE has some fine meals planned in various locations. Heeding DICK LEWIS's call for less hard liquor and more Chardonnay, John is scanning wine lists and is also considering selections of beer by the bottle, versus kegs. ANNE HARTMAN has taken on the task of mounting a '54 art exhibition and currently has six artists who will show their work with another five who may join in. If you or yours are inclined toward the production of art and have not been contacted, please check with Anne at fchagh@gmail.com or (860) 658-2652.
Each registrant who does not have a copy of DAVE McLAUGHLIN's book, "Choices Made," has been sent one and all have been encouraged to read or reread it in preparation for a group discussion to be led by DAN McCARTHY. What would you have done about the shanties on the Green?
Trustee Emeritus and general bon vivant DICK PAGE has talked our adopted Classmate, CARRIE PELZEL, into being the speaker at our Wednesday evening banquet. Carrie, a dynamic Vice President, Development, for Dartmouth (and a black diamond skier) will share with us her "Personal Reflections from Eleven Years Around the Green."
If your travel plans involve flying into Boston, Manchester or Burlington, contact me for information on discounts on fares for United Airlines. Same goes for rates for Hertz rentals and Dartmouth Coach fares.
MORE MEMORY
Let's try another one. You'll need the dog again, but be careful, because you'll probably be counting on your fingers. The subject is Greek letters. During our time, there were 23 fraternity houses on campus. The question is: what Greek letter(s) appeared the most in the names of the houses and what letters appeared the least? Remember that Theta Chi became Alpha Theta. This exercise will probably drive you to The Aegis - a good thing. Once again, let's rev up the excitement about the 55th reunion and reconnect!
SHELLY
Shelly Woolf was born an entrepreneur. It is rumored that when he and his mother left the hospital back in July of 1932 that he had orders for 13 pairs of white buck booties clutched in his chubby little hand. His enthusiasm and penchant for organization has been invigorating for the golfing and tennising of '54s. Here, Shelly shares with us a thoughtful letter he posted to The White House on March 31. It has appeared in the Cape Cod local newspaper.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 02500
Dear Mr. President:
I am a 76-year-old concerned citizen who was brought up with values and teachings that all too often seem obsolete today.
I was taught:
- to treat customers as a business's most valuable asset
- to offer honest products at good value
- to create a good workplace for employees and offer fair wages and
benefits for loyalty and success
- to do a few things well rather than many things poorly
- not to lie and cheat or to make money by unscrupulous means
- to obey our laws and expect the same of others
- to honor one's debts and meet commitments to one's lenders and suppliers
- to save and build reserves as well as cutting back when conditions warrant
- not to go on spending sprees with an empty wallet
- not to throw good money after bad
- that a business prospers only if well conceived, managed and financed
- that change is inevitable and only those who can adapt will survive
- that you solve your own problems or pay the consequences
- that those who invest in failed entities suffer the pain
- that bankruptcy laws were created to allow troubled entities to have court protection while they attempt to restructure and return to viability
Of course, the leaders of industry, of financial institutions and our government were looked upon as our best and brightest and the exemplars to follow. I served my country as an Army lieutenant and was proud to do so. I was participating in a shared cause and willingly accepted my responsibility. Today, we don't call on everyone to serve when we go to war and we don't ask for sacrifice from all of our citizens during times of need.
I learned sound business practices from my Dad, who started a small business in 1924 and kept it going for 55 years. I founded my own company in 1960 at the age of 28, brought it public after 9 years, expanded into 21 states and employed 600 people. I ran the company for 38 years, then retired.
Over these many years, I have come to believe that the old values I learned would serve us well if applied more often today:
1) Don't go to war unless it is going to be everybody's war. Without a draft and a message to the people that war means shared sacrifices, the decision is a mistake. We can't have guns and butter - and if the national will is not there, then don't do it.
2) I would suggest that we not build up in Afghanistan unless there is really a much bigger Allied sharing in the dollar costs and in putting the boots on the ground. We should not always lead the charge when other reasoned people are not fully with us.
3) We should call our young people to public service rather than military service. We should strengthen our ability to better protect our nation from terrorists by strengthening homeland security here at home. We should increase our intelligence capabilities and provide advanced language training so that we have more future public servants who can communicate with allies and understand our adversaries. We would create jobs, teach new skills and make our country more secure.
4) Do not reward business failures with bailouts. That's not the way our system should work. In New England, where I live, there were no bailouts for the shoe or textile industries, which were our major employers. The mass marketing industry was born here in those empty mill buildings and started initiatives that revolutionized retailing across our country. The government had nothing to do with it happening - the people did.
5) The government needs to protect the public from predators and lawbreakers, so improve your agencies and see that we have competent and dedicated people who enforce the laws we have on our books. Don't ask for more power; just use the power you have.
6) If it is not sound to have companies that are "too big to fail", then force divestiture as you did with AT&T.
7) Do not pump money into General Motors or Chrysler without the establishment of the equivalent of prepackaged reorganizations. If that is not possible, then accomplish the restructuring goals through bankruptcies. Do not ask the public to invest in companies with bad managements, failed business plans and unmanageable obligations. If these companies cannot demonstrate financeable plans, then their ends have come. Trust in the creative and entrepreneurial strength of our country to create new car companies with fresh ideas and energy.
8) Do more to stimulate small businesses, the largest part of our economy, the part that creates the most jobs and tax revenue. If the banks are not willing to fill this need, then take the money you were going to give them and finance new entities who will.
9) Do whatever is possible to hold back this reckless spending and don't try to solve every major problem at this time. Healthcare, Social Security, Energy and Education reform are noble goals, but how much is too much to put on our plates at one time and expect all to be successfully conceived and managed, let alone be affordable?
10) Don't worry about campaign promises, but deal with today's realities. The public gets it, why can't Washington? This is a time of unprecedented national crisis and still Democrats and Republicans can't agree on a best approach that honors the thoughts of wise and patriotic men and women regardless of their political leanings. Greater consensus is what we need now in order to believe in the mission and not be divisive regarding it.
Respectfully submitted by a constituent who voted for you for "change", but not for change that disregards using some sound, old-fashioned values to solve our problems.
Best wishes for success,
Sheldon M. Woolf
BOOKS
If you are seeking to develop and polish a stand-up routine for your next appearance at a local pub, DON KENNEDY's your man! He has gathered page after page of Internet witticisms into three large spiral-bound books with a fourth one in process. Example: "Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is a husband." The first one is entitled The Chicken Farmer, the second is Internet Humor for the Reading Room with a sketch of an outhouse on the cover. And the third is Internet Humor for the Humorless. The cover artwork has drawn notice. The author is noted as Stumple Riltskin. For information and access to these droll compilations, go to cafepress.com.
JOE MESICS recommends a book, Weathersfield Tales, compiled by his friend Steve Aikenhead of Weathersfield, VT. Per Joe, Weathersfield is "right up the road from Hanovah, ayuh. It was home to Dartmouth janitors who made beds, polished dormitory floors while we were there. Coughed into our pillows, they did." Joe was so taken with these homey stories that he sent it to Baker Library for their stacks. "I won't bore you with the bureaucratic BS that ensued before some drone told me that the book was not accepted. When I asked her to please send it back, she told me that it had been donated, with other books, to some needy bunch. I found the experience many things, but mostly just plain rude. Know what I mean?" That's right, Joe Mesics said "rude"! As is my wont, I ordered the book online and the day it arrived, I received another from the author inscribed: "Donated to Baker Library in accordance with the bequest of Joe Mesics - may he live a long time more!" and signed by Mr. Aikenhead. Like Steve A., I wish Joe a very long life in that I assume that I'm going to have to smuggle the tome into Baker, quietly notifying the surviving Classmates of its clever location.
JAY'S NEW VENUE
In its infinite wisdom, the Alumni Council has determined that, within their membership, there should be a three representatives for all classes who have moved beyond their 55th reunions, one elected each year for a three-year term. The Class of 1954 Nominating Committee, chaired by past president DAVID MANDELBAUM, placed Jay Davis's name in nomination. After several winnowing rounds of voting by class presidents, Jay emerged as the man! He will join the Council in May and have the unique experience of participating in Dartmouth's movement into the era of president Jim Kim. Jay is somewhere around the 30th '54 to serve on the Council, including a president (STEVE MULLINS), and three nominating chairs (MANDY, B. LEVINE and P. BARKER). Once he is seated, let's help him inject the spirit of '54 into alumni support by communicating our thoughts and opinions to him.
THE GUYS
Trolling for email addresses brought in the following, entitled "Your 'Quest' for Clowns Like MIGELY": "The email you had was from a bank that we sold a couple of years back. The above address (jgmigely@hotmail.com) comes into the library here in Winnetka and is kind of a fun way to work it. It entails a walk and the price is right.... Have been a bum these many years as regards commo with the Class. Guess I burned out early, having succeeded DAVE McLAUGHLIN as president of the Dartmouth Club of Chicago - many years of interviewing, etc. No excuses. Officially retired this past fall from yet another bank I was helping to run. Cannot truly afford to stay home as I lose too much money to my tomboy/cardshark bride of now 50 years. Her legs have always been prettier than mine and now they last longer, whether tennis, paddle or whatever. My best, Joe"
Immediately before our 55th reunion, HARRY ROBINSON will be tending bar at CAROL's 55th at Wellesley. After he expressed some concern about his knowledge of the mixing of exotic cocktails, Harry was assured that his assignment would entail only the pouring of Chardonnay. A photo is a must and will be featured on the back page of this newsletter.
About four years ago, RON and EILEEN GOLD decided a "country move" from Shaker Heights was desirable and they picked up and trucked everything to Pepper Pike, Ohio. Thinking that they were logically sizing down, they found that the sizing was actually UP, so have plenty of room and invite '54s passing through to visit. The good news is that the event preceded the real estate plummet. Ron was so taken with Choices Made that he bought another six copies and sent them to other Classmates. Having heard this same enthusiasm for Dave's writing from other '54s, it appears that the group discussion at reunion could well be a memorable one. Be prepared!
JIM ADAMS is always good for a story: "My daughter Melissa likes to be surrounded by many animals. To her stable of two horses, three cats and two dogs, she recently added Cyrus, a half-breed wild cat. At Thanksgiving in Crested Butte, CO, I observed that 3-month old Cyrus had much more strength and speed than his domestic brethren. At one point, I mistakenly sat in 'his' chair and he relieved me of a small piece of my nose. If he is still a member of Melissa's household when he reaches maturity and 30-40 pounds, I may investigate other Thanksgiving venues."
JOE
During a luncheon hosted by BOB WOODBERRY last December, JOE MESICS was asked by a former Dartmouth football guard ('82) "where he was coming from" in his constant campaign for the elimination of recruiting in the Ivy League. The logic is hard to argue with: "Young men play football because they enjoy testing themselves as well as knocking other guys to the ground. They don't play the game for parents, for girlfriends, for scholarships or, most importantly, for coaches. Young guys do not trust the motives and strategies of coaches because coaches are involved for different reasons than the players - boring adult reasons. Young guys just want to knock somebody down.
"For some reason, the alumni of colleges respond to the phenomenon of football by showing up to watch, overpaying coaches, bragging, making speeches and giving money. Seldom will you see more than two dozen fans watch two highly skilled athletes go at it on a squash court. Yet thousands show up at football stadiums to view some big, overweight and often confused kids go at it. Out of the twenty-two guys out there, my bet is that less than half can swing a golf club or play decent tennis. Therefore, college football limits young men. The sport has become excessive in all respects except that it still remains a great activity for guys to tee off on each other.
"You asked why I believed that no recruiting would work. Certain things will happen when the Admissions Office goes 'sports blind':
(1) Coaches will now have time to teach. Instead of spending long 'charismatic' hours in some high school halfback's living room, making promises, the coaches will stay in Hanover and in the process, get to know the players better. The players, seeing this sincere investment by the coaches, will actually begin listening to them and respecting their decisions.
(2) The very best coaches will be recruited for this no-recruiting Dartmouth team. Recruiting experts like Joe Paterno will not be needed. Educated, multidimensional coaches will be necessary.
(3) Any Dartmouth man in any class can 'walk on' for a tryout. There will be no dishonor in not being selected to play. Coaching 'promises' will not exist. The system will approach pure democracy.
"The result will be a very spirited team, including a normal share of stars. When high school players hear that anyone can 'walk on', you will see a normal population of good players, quite capable in spite of the fact that they were not recruited and promised things that couldn't be delivered. I'm describing spirit here, not tonnage. We know, for example, that if a middle guard is truly motivated and possesses good strength and speed, he can largely control an entire game. That's what I'm trying to describe.
"The bottom line? Let Oklahoma, North Dakota and Southern Cal recruit for tonnage and future pro slaves. The Ivies will still play this great game the way it was designed. Let's take the game back from the coaches and give it to the students."
Dissenting opinions from those of Crusader Mesics will be accepted and aired in this newsletter.
MORE GUYS
I store our deck furniture in a loft over our garage which is accessible only by a ladder. At age 55, I remember wondering: "Am I going to be doing this when I'm 60?" The other day, the question had been extended to: "Am I going to be doing this when I'm 80!?" LUKE CASE is of the same mind: "After reading junk for too many years, I have a three-foot shelf of must read 'good' books to which I have added DAVE McLAUGHLIN's book. ... Having pretty much vegetated this winter, I am now out in the yard and garden, working. I not only am not the man I was at 25 - hell, I'm not what I was at 65!. About as sore as I was after fall football practice when I was 15. My 'object all sublime' is to get into some sort of shape and drop ten pounds before a wedding weekend in Willoughby Lake, VT in September." Sounds a bit more than sublime .....
BILL WHITE's masterpiece, More Reflections, never ceases to amaze. Having received a copy of DALT and LINDA DULAC's holiday letter from his fraternity brother DICK BARKER, I went to the 50th book to research the adventure story which was the Dulac's 2008. Blew my socks off! While prior reporting on Dalt had been primarily about his high level of cross-country ski competition, the outdoor essence of his life has seldom been mentioned. Here is a man of Wind, Water, Wood and Beasts. Find More Reflections in your extensive library and read for yourself. More recently, bicycles have been added and, in Montana, everyone joined in in hauling a quartered bull moose carcass a mile and a half to the road. Son Andre had bagged the beast. Earlier, Dalt baby-sat for daughter Heather while she was in China on business. He and Linda then rendezvoused in Spokane for a performance of Phantom of the Opera. Obviously, life in The Cascades is certainly not confining!
"Can a silk purse be made out of this chubber?" asks BILL BRIGGS, the acknowledged founder of extreme skiing and a man who was there when L. Ron Hubbard evolved his Scientology into the practical Study Tech approach to teaching. Bill has been featured in this newsletter and Class Notes over the years, including a detailed description of his history-making descent of the Grand Teton (a successful defiance of Gravity). Now the accolades and awards are burgeoning. "With nomination to the National Ski Hall of Fame, (induction April in Park City, Utah), I'm being treated like a king, Grand Teton Descent poster sales are taking off and there are celebrations at CarniVAIL, Whitefish Mountain and Mammoth, CA. Then there's the 'Wearers of the the Green' induction in Boston May 16. Meanwhile, there's the 40th anniversary of my band playing the Stage Coach Bar almost every Sunday evening and the 16th anniversary of music making at my HOOT. Still clinicing instructors and teaching skiing for my 55th year." It is extraordinary and wondrous when a man can spend his life doing exactly what he wants to do and discovering that his satisfactions are shared by those who observe and those who benefit.
Then comes CHARLES (PETE) DAVIS in Crested Butte, CO: "In addition to June 12 being my birthday, early June through mid-August tends to be very busy here. For one thing, our Recreational Coed Softball season goes into high gear the first week of June. I plan to continue to be the administrative assistant for the Gray Hares League. (They don't let me play, but I keep score and help out with certain administrative duties.) FYI, the manager is Lucy Metcalf Hecker, sister of our Classmate MEAD, who recently moved into our valley. Without question, our team has the oldest average age of any local softball team. My significant other of 28+ years ('Lou' (Lucille) Beckman) continues to hold onto the undisputed position of oldest woman playing softball here. She was 71 this past December! Also, my Search and Rescue Team increases the frequency and intensity of our training schedule from about the first of May through October. Tends to be a very busy time for searches and rescues. We may have as many as 12 to 15 callouts during that time period for overdue (lost and possibly injured) hikers, back country bike accidents, ATV accidents, etc. Hunters get into trouble in the fall. Meanwhile, we hope to get in some hikes of our own, doing photography and listing wildflowers in bloom in various nearby places. I continue to work on stress management and relaxing more.
To repeat the question from above, are Dalt, Bill and Pete still going to be doing this when they are 80?
When asked to outline how he and CAROL got to Oregon, CHUCK TANNENBAUM compressed his answer: "Dartmouth two-year medical degree and M.D. from Harvard in 1957. Internship in St. Louis 1957-1958. Residency in Ophthalmology at Bellevue in New York 1958-1961. Two years with Public Health Service in Alaska 1961-1963. Medical practice in California 1963-1999. Sold the practice in 1999 and moved to Oregon. Love living here." Sounds like Oregon became the retirement spot because it was the only place he and Carol had not lived. Doctors certainly move though far more complex career paths than we corporate suit types .....
The fires in the Santa Barbara area are of concern to PETE and LYNDA SCHENCK: "Things are very bad here. About 25,000 people have been evacuated so far and the fires have burned over 3000 acres in just a few days. We have these fierce winds called sundowners because that's typically the time of day they hit. They can carry winds up to 70 mph that will drive a fire far and fast. This is the third major fire we have had here within only nine months! Lynda is out of town, but when she gets back tonight, she will find that we have some house guests - people who had to evacuate. We probably will not get an evac notice, but we are all packed if it happens. New Hampshire is looking better and better, but only as long as they continue to keep 'Live Free of Die' on their license plates."
DICK PAGE lets no grass grow under his feet. And if it does, he hires someone to cut it. Busy as usual, raising funds for the Cape Cod Foundation, the Academy for the Performing Arts and the '54 Class Leadership giving effort. Also, his fish & game club (Dick is president) is spending big dollars to repair four dams on the preserve. In addition to emceeing our reunion banquet, Dick is in his gray eminence role, advising any and all who have reunion duties.
INTERNS
Our distinguished panel of Classmates will convene on May 28 to select the four student interns who will receive financial aid from The Class of 1954. As we have seen from prior reports from these extraordinary young people, the internships can be life and career-shaping. We honor deceased Classmates by naming the internships after them. This year's honorees will be MILTON S. KRAMER (Dickey Center), ROY R. COFFIN (Tucker Foundation), WILLIAM H. TIBBITS (Rockefeller Center), and Dr. THOMAS Q. KONG (Dartmouth Partners in Community Service/DPCS). This well-managed Class project not only benefits students, but also underlines the preeminence of '54 as an imaginative and progressive force. Write those (larger) checks!
DAVE MARTIN is an older version of our vaunted interns. His following piece on the 2008 election in Belarus provides an inside look into how things are done elsewhere in the world. I recommend that you dig out a world atlas for the reading - you'll thank me when you see me .......
Belarus
Election in the Last Dictatorship of Europe
David K. Martin
How do you monitor an election for fairness when only one name is on the ballot?
This situation arose last September when I went to Belarus, formerly a part of the Soviet union, to help oversee an off-year parliamentary vote. This was the sixth election I had monitored in Eastern Europe for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). All the others had been competitive. However, in this election, no seats were challenged. The government of President Alexandr G. Lukashenko had removed virtually all opposition names from the ballot. Moreover, we found that the members of Parliament were clearly subservient to the strongman who has been in power for over a decade. There is no free press in Belarus to complain. As one observer remarked, 'Lukashenko has created a picture perfect way of rigging elections. No need to protest or take to the streets. He has followed the law to the letter, but has created an election held in a vacuum.'
My partner, a Slovak, and I were assigned to Novovgrudok, an 1,100-year-old town about two hours by bus northwest of the capital, Minsk. After our translator, Tamara Vershitskaya, and our driver met us, they took us on a tour of the city so we could learn the location of each polling station. Then we went to the Museum of History and Regional Studies where we looked at one of the finest collections of Belarusian history as well as a separate exhibit of the Jewish resistance during World War II in Novogrudok. Ironically, this museum was once the local headquarters of the KGB, the Soviet secret service.
After about three hours, it became clear to me and my partner that there was little to do. So, with time to kill for another whole day until the election, we decided to see the sights. Tamara led us on a tour through deep forests to Lake Svityaz where we visited a sanitarium. It looked like a first-class facility. The cost to stay there was $35 per day, including four meals, use of the spa and the privacy of a huge tract of land. We saw no guests or patients, just those who worked there. Back in Novogrudok, I asked several people about the place but received only vague answers.
Next stop was a museum where had lived Belarus's best-known poet, Adam Mitskevich (1795 - 1855). It was destroyed by Nazi bombs, as was much of the country, including Minsk. Germany occupied part of Belarus during the war. Previously, the country had been part of Poland, then the Soviet Union before becoming a sovereign state after the fall of Communism.
A few blocks from the museum are the ruins of a castle that stands on the highest point in Belarus. It was built in the 11th century and withstood sieges by Crusaders, Mongols, Poles and Swedes as well as local dukes of area principalities. It was destroyed by an invading Swedish army in the 18th century, leaving only a shell. For more that a century, this castle was ruled by the Radziwell family, which had connections in the United States through Lee Radziwell, sister of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Then it was election day. While realizing that our presence was little more than a public relations effort to make the election appear open and valid, we went through our usual observation process. We went to ten polling stations, checking for any irregular pressure or exclusion of voters, made certain that everyone present to vote was registered and voted only once, checked for ballot stuffing, interviewed the polling station heads and watched for any police or press harassment. When voting was completed, we followed the ballot boxes from the polling stations to the central election headquarters to ensure that they were locked up.
When all duties had been completed, we returned to Minsk and went through the debriefing process. A press release documenting the findings was drafted and distributed to all wire services. It stated that, as in past elections, the results 'were deemed to fall short of expectations', as defined by the 51 nations that comprise the OSCE."
More from Dave: "The returning American observers had mixed impressions of the country's political future. However, we all agreed that Belarus is a beautiful country. With its lakes and charming historic towns and cities, it remains one of Europe's best kept vacation secrets. I never did find out where the sanitarium patients were, but at least I know where I can go for a cheap vacation."
GUYS AGAIN
Dick Blum '53 passed along an extensive article from Crain's Cleveland Business entitled "Austin Powder Blasts Through Growth in Explosive Business." DAVE GLEASON has been the president of Austin Powder since 1965 and shows no signs of retiring. His son, Michael '76, is president of the international subsidiary. In an interview, Dave was quoted: "Explosives turn the lights on. They are used to mine coal, find oil, build roads, construct canals, dig tunnels, develop rock quarries and to advance just about anything else that requires turning bedrock into pebbles and mountains into rubble." The company is 175 years old and is still privately owned by the Austin family. Current projects involve widening the Panama Canal and, hopefully, blasting to widen and rebuild the nation's interstates under the recently passed $787 billion federal stimulus bill. Austin has evolved from being simply a supplier of black powder to full involvement in clients' business. "We make it, deliver it and shoot it." according to Dave. 200 explosions per day can be attributed to Austin Powder. In Cleveland, KATY and Dave are surrounded by family - four children and an excess of grandchildren.
From CHARLIE MORRISON's Tuck Today:
- SONNY SILMORE - got out of the market before it tanked. He and ELLIE split time between Pittsburgh and Boca Raton
- "DUTCH" OUDHEUSDEN - sold his printing business, but is still has the sign business he started in 1985. Swims daily - "not old enough for golf."
-JOEL POORMAN - active as finance chairman of an Episcopal diocese with 40 parishes, dealing with the complications of allocating resources. ELLIE had a shoulder replaced and is almost ready to get back to heavy lifting.
- MORT GALPER - with JUDY, has forsaken Massachusetts for full time in Palm Harbor. Golfs a bit and joins in on every '54 outing.
- DICK STEINBERG - still Vice Chair of a business he sold 13 years ago. Continues good works with the USO. Know "too many of my doctors by their first names."
IN
MEMORIAM
DONALD JEREMY AUSTERMANN - February 21, 2009
LEONARD BERT BELLER - November 15, 2008
GEORGE ALEXANDER HUME, III - January 18, 2009
RICHARD PAUL JENNISON - April 15, 2009
HERBERT ALLEN WILSON - January 4, 2009
While the basis for the compilation of information for this section of the newsletter is a sad one, there is also a certain joy - that of getting to "know" Classmates who most of us may not have known during our years on campus. While individual comments will be offered on each of the five men named above, this particular group of '54s has a uniqueness which bears an observation. It is likely that none of the quintet knew each other. They hailed from different hometowns, attended different prep schools, played different sports, lived in different dorms, pursued different majors. Three belonged to fraternities. In total, they brought forth twenty children and at least thirty-five grandchildren. Even at reunions, one would doubt that that any of them had enough in common with the others to prompt a conversation. So in the special fellowship that is Dartmouth's Class of 1954, as you read the words below, try to imagine these five guys, sitting around a poker table and sharing the memories of over fifty years ago for the first time - and chuckling ........ A book will be placed in Baker Library in memory of each of man.
DON AUSTERMANN excelled at everything at the Dublin School. According to PETE SCHENCK, it wasn't hard in that there were only nine in their class when they graduated. Pete and Don were the first Dublin grads to be accepted by Dartmouth. "Don and I put out the school newspaper twice a year. Our schoolhouse consisted of a little red building with a library/study hall on the main floor. three very small classrooms and a somewhat larger, but not by much, science lab in the basement." Other than an occasional cigarette or beer, it should have been a limiting background for joining with graduates of much bigger schools, but it was not. Don rose to the demanding job of business manager of The Dartmouth and finished with a major in Sociology. LARRY ("BUD") MARTZ respectfully said that, following journalistic tradition, there was a "Chinese wall" between the business types and the editorial staff. Don's "D" photo in the Aegis reflects the required tough exterior. Contrast that picture with the one in "More Reflections" where a grinning Don exudes, over SALLIE's shoulder, a life filled with challenges, joy and satisfaction. His career ranged through several aspects of media promotion and included a couple of ventures into his own business, training folks how to be effective presenters. While Wilmington, NC was the main base, he and Sallie spent delightful summers in a cabin in his hometown of Jaffrey, NH. A memorial service will be conducted there in the summer.
LEN BELLER's prep school was not in Brooklyn, as originally reported, but was the "fancy schmantzy" Dwight School on New York's 5th Avenue, according to SHEILA. Dartmouth was Len's choice due to the recommendation of his father's partner. He chose medicine because he had had his appendix removed on D-Day - an omen. At Dartmouth, he majored in Zoology, was a member of Germania and was valued by the Sig Eps: "Under Len Beller's guidance, our weekends have been big successes and are usually capped off with great Sunday morning milk punch parties." An interesting two years was spent in Switzerland before the pursuit of medicine began. Len's email address began with "Babbo", an Italian word for "Grampa" he learned during his European sojourn. Acknowledging that medicine comes in different forms, he studied at the Kansas City School of Osteopathy and Surgery before moving to the West Coast and earning his MD at the California College of Medicine (now UC at Irvine). He and his 1957 bride, Sheila, settled with their family in Studio City, CA. The love of his friends, family and patients overflowed the synagogue
at his memorial service.
GEORGE HUME was a Dartmouth "legacy", his dad having been a '29. A native of Lexington, KY, he arrived in Hanover via Phillips Exeter and majored in English. PHIL KAISER, then president of the Theta Chi house gives us a look at the character of the man: "He was a well liked fraternity brother with a delightful sense of humor. He lived at the Theta Chi house his senior year and, I think his junior year. His roommate was MAS ITABASHI. Their room was at the top of the spiral staircase that led to our two dormitory-type sleeping rooms. He and Mas held court each night and it was a ritual for each brother to check in with them as they headed for bed - a pleasantly remembered routine. He had a beautiful singing voice, was a member of the Glee Club and especially proud of his singing activities. He contributed significantly to the house efforts when we won the Hum competition under the direction of Charlie Fleet '53. "When The Dartmouth Quarterly was finally published, George (along with Don Austermann) contributed an article. The announcement of his engagement to JAN was made in late 1956. Their 50+ years of marriage produced four sons. Little is known of his career other than that he was "reporting for Dun & Bradstreet in Syracuse." He and Jan lived in Collierville, TN at the time of his passing.
DICK JENNISON's obituary (Manchester Union) was forwarded by BOB OSMOND: Greenland - Richard Paul Jennison, 77, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was born August 2, 1931 in Greenland. He attended Dartmouth College where he received his degree in geology and played football for four years. He was inducted into the Dover Hall of Fame for football and his love for the sport was a lifelong hobby. He was a U.S. military veteran. He settled in Antrim in 1960 to raise his family. He worked as a safety engineer for Kemper Insurance and Employees of Wausau. He was an inspirational Boy Scout leader, serving as a mentor for scouts at all levels. He led numerous 50-mile canoe and hiking trips with family, friends and scouts through the New England mountains and rivers. He was an honest, strong, caring and supportive family member. He was predeceased by Martha, his wife of 52 years." Football manager JON MOORE gives us more on the essence of the man: "I think I just plain liked the guy, but perhaps I was drawn to him because for me he was different in ways that I admired. Quiet, independent, tough, steady, gentle, local, a loner. He was a damn good fullback. If he had gained momentum in an open field and a couple of defenders approached to tackle him, he would lower his head and then, at the moment of impact, give an enormous buck with his head and upper body so that often the would-be tacklers would be exploded backwards as he extended his run. I ran into him at our 50th reunion. He was very much the same, with a genuine pleasantness without adornment. He was making a living cutting and selling firewood in Antrim and was happy spending a lot of time with his grandchildren. Dick had a natural dignity and values and demeanor to go with them that seem to me to be ebbing - but not with him. I am privileged to have been his friend. "After four years at his local high school, Dick did a pre-Dartmouth year at Deerfield. JAY DAVIS, a lineman for Choate was surprised to see Dick hurtling toward him through a hole opened by his offensive line. Calling on all his physical resources, Jay managed to bring him down and, to this day, considers that tackle the high point of his athletic career. Lastly, Antrim is just up the pike from Jaffrey, so it is likely that Dick and Don Austermann did buy the occasional screwdriver at the same hardware store - it'll come up at the poker game. Dick's email address was a wry "polishindian54".
A three-letter man at the Park School in Indianapolis, HERB WILSON managed to cram a full Dartmouth experience into two years after which he heeded the call back to his Hoosier roots and finished at Indiana U. and Wabash. LYNN said that he often talked fondly of his Hanover days and particularly of his pledge year at Sigma Chi. The significance of fraternity life in the Midwest was reflected in the Sigma Chi White Rose ceremony prior to the funeral services. In addition to his executive duties at Eli Lilly, Herb spent time as a member/executive of a large number of clubs and associations ranging from water-skiing to fraternal to charitable. He and Lynn produced six children and thoroughly enjoyed their nine grandchildren.
The Annual
ﾔ54 Tennis Tournament / Tampa
Palms, February
Herb Gildan, Bob Osmond, Shelly Woolf, Dave Lyon, Alec
Gray