January 2002

 THE LONE PINE ABOVE HER

Some 67 ‘54s, well over ten percent of the living class, attended one or both of the annual holiday luncheons in Boston and New York with a flying squad of ADNOPOZ, DAVIS, McLAUGHLIN, MULUNS, PAGE, RAUCH and ROBINSON carrying the torch and enthusiasm from one venue to the other. Cuz DICK BARKER took the Beantown notes and BILL GROVER provided photographic evidence ot the gathering. Since our lengthening status as retirees tends to lend a certain repetitive aura to our post-prandial ruminations, what follows will be both selective and, at times, arch and/or invented. 

The Boston group welcomed “new-corners” HVISTENDAHL and TIIHONEN. YNG VAR put a topspin on certain business problems in the US which prompted his need to take up temporary residence in one of his favorites places - here. PHIL COOKE chortled over the memory of Walter Prager’s plotting to smuggle Yngvar over the Canadian border to deter a raid by the INS. DICK PAGE described the irresistible draw of Antarctica as a place one must add to their “places. not yet visited” list. Dick, by the way, is a member of the Only Child Association of Cape Cod - explains a lot. Dr. JOHN CROWE misses work and has established a charitible foundation. As an attempt to stimulate a bull market, DON KELLER has gone from all cash to 70% invested (Note: this should not be construed as advice).

 Dick Barker has added DOT FITCH to his distinguished group of associates for the production of an award-winning 50th book. Dot has also been mentioned prominently as an ideal candidate to get the Class widows interested in the very special aspects of our upcoming 50th. Didja see Dot’s Xmas letter? Fitchomania!

 

Several are still working in some form: STEVE MULLINS, BOB ADNOPOZ and JIM TOFIAS in real estate, DICK GORSEY in sales, PETE BULLIS, musician and architect and BILL GROVER -although his globe-trotting cruises are not paid - just appreciated. WILL WILKINS continues his fishing enterprise in Florida, but has relinquished his charter license, placing that burden on his clients. JOHN POPE, looking for strokes, proclaimed that his golf game has “gone to hell in a hand basket”. MORT GALPER, the retired professor, has leveraged his younger-day prowess into teaching marketing occasionally in France and Holland. SHELLY WOOLF is demonstrating his patriotism by over-spending on his home renovations. Noting the obvious advancing in age of the assemblage, BOB OSMOND reminded all that he continues as Bequest Chair for the Class. PETE KENYON balances the trials of parenting a teenager with involvement with the Boston Rescue Mission, the Class project with the ‘04s and a ‘54 time capsule idea with BOB LEVINE. STEVE MULLENS hit 21 countries last year and will compete in Masters swimming competition in Australia in March, enduring the added strain of being at the old end of his age group. PHIL CHRISTOPHE, GARY ZWART and STEARNS MARTIN enthralled the group by mentioning where they lived. Cape Codder DICK EATON just added a Florida townhouse to his real estate holdings. JOHN HESTON was deep in discussion with kingpin Gillespie over the resodding of his Hanover estate prior to “Hamburgers at ...“. GEORGE KINGSLEY was a surprise visitor, in from San Diego for his granddaughter’s 2nd birthday. Jumpng on the latest Class fad (well, not exactly jumping). JIM CLARK dumped into the luncheon on one crutch, recovering from his hip replacement. Compared notes with JOHN GILLESPIE, who was healed up enough to make the drive down from Boothbay Harbor. Incidentally, DICK LEWIS lays claim to being the “original” ‘54 from Boothbay Hahbah. Retiree DICK BRACE waves flies at striped bass and shad with DICK FOWLER. Living in Peabody, MA, DES THHONEN is still trying to figure out how to hotwire the email capacity he lost upon retirement A get-well card was circulated to be sent to the ailing DICK DANFORTH.

             DAVE McLAUGHLIN asked for a moment of silence for the victims of the WTC attack and spoke about his massive Red Cross involvements. One of the few remaining Class of 1954 Awards was presented to GEORGE GRABOYS, who was most gracious in his acceptance remarks. He cited the importance of Dartmouth connections (‘53s) in his success at the Citizen’s Bank. JOHN GILLESPIE has later reported: that next year’s Boston lunch will be at the Weston Country Club (near Wellesley); there will be a day between Boston and NY next year to encourage more to attend both; and the new teeny grandsons have gained good weight with one of them now known as “Fat Jack”.

 JAY DAVIS presided at the Yale Club in New York, as he had in Boston and noted the absolute despair of those gathered at the absence of KENT KLINEMAN, “he who forbids grandkid chatter”. Many had come fully armed with truly boring accounts of their wee ones, photos and even some recorded gibberish. JERRY GOLDSTEIN described the current state of the planned Class 70th birthday: September 18-20, 2002; the Hudson Valley, with 50 rooms reserved at the Tarrytown Hilton; opening dinner at Jerry’s; the Roosevelt compound at Hyde Park, the Culinary Institute, West Point, Thursday dinner and other options. The event will be capped at 50 couples and the “interested?” sheets from the holiday luncheons already show strong interest. You will receive a mailing with all the details. DON BERLIN reminded us of the annual golf outing in Florida February 24-27 at The Plantation Inn ($85 rooms!). Don also pitched the 3-4 openings still available for the Greek cruise May 8-18. JAY mentioned the ski trips: Mt. Snow January 14-15 and Aspen March 2-8. A Class of 1954 Award was presented to PETE ANKENY (in absentia) by BOB ADNOPOZ. Pete’s citation will be included in the March newsletter. 

DAVE McLAUGHLIN kicked off the “go around the tables” session with a repeat of his Boston comments. The closer proximity of those gathered to “Ground Zero” in New York pervaded the usual flippant, raucous commentary with a more serious aura. 

ART RAUCH, who had used the Boston trip to visit g-kids, still, like many of us, finds his time absolutely filled, including happy time in a weekend retreat in Westchester. DICK PEARL, still working in money management, was in Hiroshima with JANIE on 9/11, an eerie coincidence. BOB BERRY happily reported that his daughter, Pat ‘81, was doing better, healthwise. He quoted from the Freshman Greenbook of 1931, citing rules requiring frosh to salute upperclassman, no smoking, no knickers, coats to be worn outside (except fur) and only seniors allowed to sit on the senior fence. BRYCE BASTIAN’s wife, SUF~P is the president of Teaching Manners, Inc. Explains the politeness. DICK FRANKLIN stayed true to form with a bawdy joke (“.... yeah, but this one’s eating my popcorn!”). PETE GEITHNER expressed some concern over the various interpretations of “business casual”. He’s off to Japan for involvements with the Commission on Global Security.  JACK CHRISTY, making his second-ever visit to the event from Philadelphia, complained that retirement was impossible when one serves as ski instructor to eight g-kids. BRAD BORDEN, reflecting on the global ID crisis, thought he had it solved by living deep in the Connecticut woods.  The paradise is ending, however, with the constant incursions of Indian casinos. The subject is now one fraught with massive influxes of money and the counter-actions of local groups in opposition. MIMI will decide where they live and, with six children, it will not be difficult to find a place that’s near one of them. PETE GUTLON, still at the Canyon Ranch, celebrated a new granddaughter, but shares SUE’s concern for her son who is located in Jerusalem. BOB CLEMENTS dedared all his body parts in working order except the hair. He continues in latter-day self-employment in order to be able to afford the Christmas card - four children each with three kids. BRUCE CLASSON recalled working across the street from the WTC arid mused on the changes wrought to society. Unable to stay away from the biz, DAVE MARTIN still writes an occasional op-ed piece. A little uneasy in his DC location. DICK STEINBERG believes in giving back and proves it by his work with the USO and its World Board of Governors. Dr. DAVE LEVINE commented on the 9/11 reaction in his small farm town - flags up immediately. Recently got 100 pounds of fleece from his 15 sheep. Following his mastery of Italian cooking, he’s now onto the French cuisine. Dr. LYON GREENBERG stays away from the orthopods by working his farm with his progeny. Still practicing. ED WINNICK stressed the importance of love for valid institutions and friends. LO-YI CHAN had moved to Western Massachusetts for closer proximity to the College, but “9/11 changed all that”, so he’s back in New York City. The time was right - most of development work has been completed and Jim Wright still benefits from his more high-level consulting. Dr. JAY CHANDLER, now of the Robert Wood Med School, finds himself dealing with the more mundane - breaks, hernias, gunshot wounds. They had 15 walking wounded from 9/11. He finds that medical students haven’t changed- still idealistic. BOB VORSANGER is taking longevity lessons from his 103-year-old mother-in-law. RALPH DESTINO had to leave early, but HOWIE ARONSON passed on that he is Chairman Emeritus of Cartier and spends much time in Palm Beach. Howie still diddling with small aircraft. Went deepsea fishing in the Far East while MARGE was in Burma and Malaysia. BOB and BARBARA LEVINE made a 3-week trip to the Far East~, including Vietnam and a visit with friends in Japan. WAYNE WElL, the proprietor of Dartmouth Graphics, has two D kids who have D spouses - Verrrry Green!. DICK DAVIDOFF commented on the slightly different perspective on 9/11 from having been in Canada when it occurred. BOB ADNOPOZ’s son, Steve ‘78, had an office on the 85th floor of Tower #2 of the WTC. He was approaching the building when the disaster occurred. Walked all the way back to Grand Central Terminal. Luck of the draw. DICK PAGE tried earnestly to embarrass his Zete roommate Borden with unsavory stories of behavior and habits. Turns out that the Bradster is totally immune from any kind of embarrassment. HARRY ROBINSON told a 9/11 story involving sailing and a Coast Guard boarding party, but the details in my notes are indecipherable. TONY KANE and SONIA made a one-week trip to Cuba, courtesy of the Vassar Alumna Group. Actor Kane got bumped off a soap opera by means of death. A milestone - he qualified for a the SAG pension plan.

             Retired surgeon JOHN FENN stated that he had no ortho-problems and that all his stents and bypasses were functioning well. On the subject of anthrax, he feels the problem is more one of panic - recommended the book “Germs”. BILL WHITE claimed to have brought a 4-minute videotape of his g-kids. Discussed the 50th book - questionnaire out next fall - distribute prior to reunion as a draw for the event. On JOHN CUNNINGHAM, again - indecipherable notes (“grandson obsessed with garage door - 45 years ago - now that there is time, see that decision was right one.”) TOM KELSEY has no radio nor television in his place on Lake Sunapee, so heard of the 9/11 event at a filling station. In keeping with the Class’s program, the disaster has created a stronger need for “reconnecting”. DON BERLIN is serving on a commission for the construction of a new library in his community. Told an old “Jew in the confessional” joke - “1 had to tell someone!” JAY DAVIS can see Baker Tower from his house in Wilder. Teaching skiing, volunteering at The Haven and keeping us all connected.

 The pre-luncheon telephone/email blitz turned up a little more news from non-attendees. VIC MAHLER was - you guessed it! - recuperating from a hip replacement. ART GELLER was headed to his place in Longboat Key, FL, but, being 75% retired now, plans on becoming more of an active ‘54. STAN ROSENBERG was skiing in Aspen with his own “Over the Hill Gang.”   

 Honorary Degree

        While the Class of 1954 has loomed large in the last 50 years of Dartmouth College, there are special additional recognitions that may arise on the occasion of our 50th reunion. Among these is the opportunity to propose a classmates(s) for the distinction of an Honorary Degree.

         Although a College Committee made up of faculty, a student and administrators will make the final decisions, the 50th re-uning class is traditionally invited to recommend one or more members of their dass to be considered by the College Committee.

         To develop our recommendations, President Dick Lewis has appointed a committee to give serious consideration to the matter. Vice-President JAY DAVIS chairs this blue ribbon committee which includes DICK BARKER, PETE BARKER, DON BERLIN, JOHN HESTON and DICK LEWIS.

         One of the committee’s first decisions was to invite, via the Newsletter, all ‘54s to suggest one or more classmates to it for an Honorary Degree from the College. Over the five decades of the Class’s post-graduation years, classmates have been honored by the Class with the Class of 1954 Award and by the alumni body with the Alumni Award. Most of these honors have been based on service to the Class and to the College. You should add the word “extraordinary” to your suggestions relative to the classmate’s contribution to life, humanity, our country, i.e. “higher things”. There are likely many in the Class of 1954 who deserve consideration. Join the effort and submit your suggestions with a brief support statement to Chairman Davis no later than March 31, 2002. (8 Sterling Dr., White River Jct., VT 05001; jdind@valley.net; (802)-295-4215).

         From Professor-Scientist AL EDMUNDSON: “In a phased retirement plan, I went over to half-salary for no more than 45 hours per week. I failed to meet these goals for the first month, but the holiday season handled that. In anticipation of poorly paid boredom, I spent ten days in Alaska on a whim. There were many good T-shirts, like the one with the advice ‘Join the food chain - get off the tour bus’. Six million acres in Danali National Park and only 200 Grizzlies. The Arctic desert can only supply them with 80% of their food requirements and the deficit has to be made up from other sources. My time there certainly outclassed tennis for improving my stamina. Got home in time to be confronted with the events of 9/11.”

         Colonel BOB McCARTNEY, in Nebraska has all his afterburners fired up as president of the Dartmouth Club of the Plains - DCOP (sounds like a new police action television series). This new venture was founded under Bob’s leadership and he is gathering presentation materials for meetings and for recruiting efforts designed to encourage some cornhuskers into the Ivy League.

         DOUG and JOYCE HOSKINS have been in the same house in Shiremanstown, PA for 42 years. The prospect of the incredible dealing with four decades of accumulation is sufficiently dire to keep them where they are. Plus, 3 of their four kids are within 20 miles. They have balanced the situation by spending summers at their place on Lake Piseco in the Adirondacks and traveling to warm dimes. 

        From JAY ENGEL: “Just joined the 70 Club, but haven’t noticed any precipitous disintegration. I think I’ll retire this June after 42 years at St Mark’s School (Yes, over the years, we have sent some great kids to Dartmouth. Dartmouth’s famed Shakespearean, Peter Saccio, is a St. Marker). I’ll probably pursue more aggressively my second career as a professional storyteller. Anyone in need of a storyteller? Have stories, will travel.

        Sportsman ED HOBBIE:”Back 11/3 from Alberta (9/30-10/26) with time in S. Dakota on return for pheasant, grouse, ducks and geese. Was test case for non-toxic ammo and special sub-gauge barrel tubes - both worked to perfection. Apparently I was, on reentry a guinea pig for Coults, Alberta’s anti-terrorist squad for Canadian customs - very similar to Manny, Moe and Curly.”

         Dr. JOHN STEEL met JOE MESICS for lunch in San Francisco in October and declared him “astute as ever and looked as though he could still play football in Hanover.” Joe brought a bottle of his best Shiraz form his winery in Healdsburg, CA. John, on later sipping, judged it as superb.

         DAVE McLAUGHLIN is “taking a break from the Red Cross” to speak at a leadership conference in Bangalore, India. The conference is sponsored by India industry. “An interesting time to be in India and a fascinating country.”

         BEAVER NASH’s Christmas letter was a mélange of disappointments and joys. The Beav and KATE are involved in with several organizations whose purposes are the mutual good and when three of them became fraught with internal problems, their idealism was challenged, but their fervor for rebuilding was not. High points were one of those neat French barge trips with bikes for visiting villages along the way, building with Habitat for Humanity in Nicaragua and a Sierra Club construction project in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. On a 10-mile trek into very high altitude, they were “found” by RON and TERRY DUNTON (who else?) who were hunting for some lost goats. “When they returned 10 days later, they had found the goats and we, worn-out, were much quieter.” We, who lead quiet, sedentary lives, salute you! 

        A December New York Times article, “A Port Authority Tenure Shadowed by Crisis”, cited a grumpy Princeton-based historian, one JAMES DOIG, who dissed everyone in sight for lack of passion and politically-influenced decision-making.

 

Changes

Russell - HowdyRuss@Rogers.com; D.Roberts-duncan.roberts@worldneLatt.net; Roth - StuartRoth@GTEiiet;

Edmundson - A1len-Edinundson(~omrf.ounsc.edu ; Engel - 237 Maynard Rd.,Framrngham, MA 01701, (508)

626-2590, JAYENGEL31@’hotmail.com

 

THE CLASS OF 1954 AWARD

 

GEORGE GRABOYS

        Right from the start, you jumped into campus activities at Dartmouth as a heeler for th( Freshman Greenbook. Your school paper/yearbook and cum laude/honors experiences at Tabor Academy prepared you well to chronicle the beginnings of the Class of 1954. In the orderly alphabetical fashion of the early 54s, your Russell Sage roommates were Griff Griffin and Joey Gruel Taking to heart Dean Stearns Morse’s stern admonition to “look to the left, then look to the right” you were the one of the trio who proudly marched in our June 1954 graduation procession. College life obviously suited you and you eased the strictures of an Economics major in the company of ~ merry band of Pi Lams.

 

        Being somewhat unsure of what it was that economists do for a living, you hied yourself to Penn’s Law School, emerging with a JO in 1958. For eleven years, you reveled in that special jo~ that comes to practicing attorneys, then bound your econ/legal background together and wen banking. Lois, a professional artist from Smith and Brown origins, traveled this route with you a you teamed to raise three fine children. In Providence, Rhode Island, you lost no time at the Citizen~ Bank, becoming president in 1965, then CEO in 1981, retiring some eleven years later.

 

        In “Reflections”, you posited that it was “de rigueur” for bankers to become involved ii community and cultural affairs. You, however, redefined the term, substituting the word “RIGOR!” Paraphrasing Daniel Webster, “Rhode Island is a small state, sir, but there are those who love it. Your efforts on behalf of higher education in the state have been gargantuan: appointed by the governor as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Higher Education; Chairman of the Children’s Crusade for Higher Education; adjunct professor at the School of Business at the University of Rhode Island and executive-in-residence at the business school. The university recognized your contributions witi its highest honor - an honorary degree. 

        Following retirement in 1992, AAA of Southern New England has benefited from your service~ as vice chairman. The horizons for the well-deserved smellin’ of the roses have been expanded t now include your vacation home in Marion, MA.

         George, you make us look good! We are proud to present you with The Class of 1954 Award.

 December 2001

 Dick Lewis, President

 

 

                       

 

 

In Memoriam