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VOICES We have all (except JOEL POORMAN) changed in our appearances since our time on campus, four-and-a-half-decades ago. At the reunion, one could see classmates involved in animated conversations, trying to grab unnoticed glances at nametags in order to identify the entirely strange face in front of them. Next year, most of us will attend our 50th high school reunions and be in the company of a much wider range of people not encountered in a half century. The problem will be worse. In a recent phone conversation with KEN MEYER, the observation was made that our voices have not changed and that, on the telephone with a friend from the fifties, it is remarkable how quickly memories return from just the sound. Ken recounted walking into a group of total strangers and, after an hour of kicking it around, realized that they were all Phi Psis, his brothers from back before food was invented. The point of this semi-whimsical paragraph is that there is magic in the act of calling an old friend, teammate, fraternity brother or just someone who sat next to you in Eccy 12. There is the little spurt of joy over the fact that someone actually thought enough to give you a call. So open up the DICK BARKER Class Directory, even at random, and call another '54 just for the hell of it. Then, sit down and send the good stuff to your newsletter editor. You'll feel better for and, you’ll get your name mentioned! Change is inevitable. GINNY and MIKE BIGGS put their house up for sale in August and moved into a condo while they contemplate a move to "more rural California". Hmmm. Imagine Mike jamming with the squirrels, coyotes and pumas under spreading Redwood trees. Additionally, the September Alumni Magazine has a great full-length shot of a cat blowing bari sax identified as "Mike Biggs jams in the '54 tent". Thing is, it's not the Biggsmeister, but DEAN HILDEBRANDT, who came up for the jazz portion of a terrific reunion. Mike did, indeed, drive the jazz in the tent, but it was at the piano, making a great vertical shot difficult. Both Dean and Mike were amused. Temporary Biggs address: 49 Showers Drive, J-121, Mountain View, CA 94040; (650)947-9501 The crammed greencard received from JAY ENGEL tells such an intriguing story that it is repeated in toto: "I've waited too long - decades! -to do this; but here's a very brief recap: DIANE and I just celebrated our 35th anniversary! - and she hasn't thrown anything at me yet. Son Eric graduated from Oberlin, his mother's alma mater, got his Masters in social work from the University of Michigan, lives in his house in Ann Arbor, is active in the Quaker community and, like his father, is a Storyteller. At this writing, he’s in a 'serious relationship'. Older daughter Karen turned down Dartmouth for Penn (father still trying to recover), then took her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. She's married and a homeowner in Portland, Oregon. Younger daughter Sarah went to Tulane and then two years at the Portfolio Center (graphic design) in Atlanta but now she's gone off to wander around Asia - last call was from an orangutan rehabilitation center in Sumatra. She ran through two visas in Vietnam! As for Der Alte, I'm ready to begin my ~ year at St. Mark's School in Southboro, MA (famous graduate: Dartmouth's renowned Shakespearean, Peter Saccio, with whom we took Sunday brunch at the Hanover Inn only 3 weeks ago). I'm also a professional Storyteller, with many appearances at Borders Bookstore, Lesley College, etc. I even teach 'The Art of Storytelling' at St. Marks at night, in my living room with home-cooked food, fireplace and Hogan and Louis, our two greyhounds. But first loves continue to be Shakespeare and opera." I think we just set a new record for range, depth and variety. St. Marks School, Southborough, MA 01772; (508) 485-3882; JayEngel@StMarkschool.org In digging around in his extensive genealogical files, DON SIMONDS came up with some fascinating data from Dartmouth catalogues relative to his grandfather '88: the Class of 1888 was 67 strong in Freshman year, 60 in Sophomore year, 52 in Junior year and graduated 49. Greek and Latin were required in the first two years and were electives in Junior and Senior years along with Hebrew and Sanskrit. Every Monday morning there was a Biblical class for all four years. Estimated expenses in Freshman year were: Tuition $ 90 Total $232 to $312 Additionally, Baker Library used to have a prominently displayed photograph of the Cardigan Show-Shoe Club, reportedly tile first Dartmouth Outing Club, showing four members "who climbed Cardigan in 1888". Their names were Anderson '89, Simonds '88, Sullivan '89 and Pattee '88. Just imagine - in 100 years, our family members, not yet conceived, will be reading the same kind of stats on us! In the September Alumni Magazine, JOEL LASKY's letter to the editor presented a marvelously mature perspective on the current Five Principles situation. Mentioning that "the College is a work in progress" in his first paragraph, he finished with "My generation's time at the helm has come and gone. We must let go with grace. To those who find it difficult to let go of the past, I say strive mightily to pry your fingers loose and get a life in the here and now. You and the world, including Dartmouth, will all be the better for it". Succinctly put. Amongst several poignant reflections and remembrances about roommates in the last Alumni Magazine was a piece by Dr. DICK DEANER about his roommate, the "ectomorph", JOHN SCOVILLE. If you missed it, call, write or email your editor (PGBarker54@aol.com) for a copy. It is a strong expression of feeling and well worth the effort to see a copy. Many of us have injected the magic number "54" into our lives through license plates, email addresses, tattoos, etc., but BILL WHITE has established a new level with intense wheeling and dealing that must have accompanied his new business phone and fax number: tel (973) 297-5400; fx (973) 297-5454. The address is One Gateway Center - 25th floor (no room on the 54th), Newark, NJ 07102. Over cheese and chutney recently, JOHN HESTON caught up with a few classmates. The Chairmanship of CBS is keeping DAVE McLAUGHLIN hopping between Black Rock in New York and his New London (NH) headquarters. The recently announced purchase of the "Tiffany Network" by Viacom poses all sorts of interesting organizational possibilities. Just as long as they don't screw around with BARKER's penslon. and medical stuff. The DICK/MARGE TR()WBRlI)GEs welcomed eleven new babies -all covered with fur. Dick cuddles each of the Lab puppies before bedtime every night. Shades of Chi Phi! Lastly, John received RIP COFFIN's new email address and promptly lost it. Please re-send and copy the newsletter editor. Big doin's in the JAMESON clan. BARCLAY writes: "Drove more than 10,000 miles in May and June, disbursing excess furniture to kids and nieces. Reward: three weeks in Bermuda with daughter and her family, who live there. Gathering up 94-year-old mother and 12-year old dog and moving back to far western Colorado, where we reared our family." Has a pioneer/cowboy/Harrison Ford feeling to it. 2489 Harbor Circle, Grand Junction, CO 81505; (970) 255-1679. A tribute from NORM KASPARSON: "Many thanks to JOHNNY TITUS for his kind remembrance of PETE YATES in the last newsletter. Pete never recovered from a hard fall on the ice in his driveway in Newburyport last winter. Yet news of his untimely passing came as a shock to his many friends and classmates. I roomed with Pete at 207 Topliff and, during our senior year, at the Phi Gam House. In most ways, he was a perfect roommate - easy to get along with, very laid back with a dry sense of humor and intensely loyal to his friends. We saw too little of each other after graduation, but always kept in touch, trading stories of our respective sons (both of whom are named Peter!). All at once, it seems, he's gone, but the happy memories remain. Sleep well, Pete!". A strong message here. One to be pondered and heeded. An unsigned classmate has responded to the theoretical query: "If there were no Dartmouth Phil Wheelwright and Fran Gramlich would not have awakened my intellect and The Dartmouth Bible would not have initiated a critical reading of Scripture that forty years later led to a small rural pulpit. And George Kalbfleisch would not have pushed me down the path that has led to many happy years of square dance fiddling. It would have been a much paler and poorer life without Dartmouth". Postmarked Providence, RI. A most thoughtful and thought-provoking response, far from the spontaneous "rah-rah" reaction too often encountered. Next! The significance of DANA LOW's Appalachian Trail trek was under-reported: "My target before starting was 350 miles, thinking I could not do more than an average of ten miles a day. However, as I went along, my strength and endurance grew dramatically, so that, by the end of the five weeks, I was doing 17-mile days without a whimper - so, actually, I traveled 450 milesl This summer, I did three more short sections: 5 days in NH with BEAVER NASH and KATE, 3 days in VT with daughter Ginny and grandson Ben and 4 days in VT on my own, coming from Killington and ending in Hanover. It was particularly fun and nostalgic to come out of the woods in Norwich, trudge down to the river and up the hill to the Inn corner, then onto the athletic playing fields beyond the hockey rink (ROTC drill fields) where the AT goes back into the woods." For a little break, Dane and ANNE headed to Austria in September for ten days of "high mountain walking", followed by a golf outing in Ireland with son-in-law Greg and two doctor friends. Sometimes this slowing down in retirement is hard to explain. Reading of the Lows' propensity for vigorous outdoor activity has somewhat assuaged BOB BUCHANAN's feeling of Moosilauke Inadequacy: "Dana and Ann Low zipped past GARY ZWART, CYNTHIA and I - as a matter they zipped past us twice - on their way up and on their way down". Two weeks after reunion, Bob and JANE returned to campus for ten days of Accelerated Spanish under the demanding tutelage of Professor John Rassias. The life-threatening schedule included eight classes per day with no break for weekends. Their Intermediate group had a large percentage of physicians who treat a predominantly Hispanic patient base. Even the short commute between class and their cabin in Lyme to attend a pooch tended to bollix up timing for classes. Bob strongly suggests staying in a dorm if you are considering The Rassias Method. "Ancient memories will surface of hurriedly crossing the Green with a headful of imperfectly learned assignments." Two SANDY GILLESPIE grams. "Why is BERNIE SUDIKOFF"s ('53) name on our masthead? Answer: in a cost-cutting mode, the Alumni Council membership now includes one representative for each two classes. Bernie is ours. Write him lots of stuff - make him earn his ‘54-ness: 23 Karen Rd., Waban, MA 02168 Secoudly, itts SHELIA WElL, not Sheila. Correct and sorry, Shelia. New email address for TED EVERETT tednh@webtv.net. That's the boring part. here's the exciting part - "my former unit had lightening damage and couldn’t figure out how to keep the old address with the new unit." Other than the smoldering stumps at the ends of his arms Can you Imagine sitting there, playing a little computer solitaire and WHAM!, Thor rockets one right down your ol’ cyberchute! New address duly noted - write it in your C1ass The great thing about PETE GEITHNER not making it to class functions is that it prompts him to write more. Class Neglect Guilt, or some such malady: "MOORE, MANSFIELD, GEITHNER regretted not being about to be in Hanover for the 45th, but they did manage to be together with spouses KATIE, KIT and DEBORAH for the wedding of Bill and Kit’s son, Christopher, and Same Jin Lee at the Palace Hotel on September 24. The celebrations were a moving amalgumation of Korean and American practice, tradition and cuisine. A splendid time was had be all Calendar Marking - Holiday luncheons at noon - December 12, Pillar Hlouse, Route 128 (Exit 21), Newton, MA; December 14, Yale Club, New York City. JON MOORE has edited a paperback book entitled "Hard Choices, Moral Dilemmas in Humanitarian Intervention". It deals with the complex nature of decisions made which lead to international interventions to stop bloodshed, restore peace and rebuild shattered economies. The views of sixteen involved experts are put forward, including Kofi Annan of the UN, chief prosecutors of war crimes and key functionaries who deal with the sanctity of human rights. For information on the book, call the publisher, Rowman and Littlefleld (800)462-6420. The Class was honored for its record-breaking 45th Year contribution to the Alumni Fund ($1,065,950): Outstanding Agent 41-60 Years Out - Dick Lewis; Special Distinction Through Participation (we can still do better!); and Extraordinary Achievement in Setting a New Reunion Record (get ready for the 50th).
In Memoriam I)AVID SANFORD FITCH Dave Fitch left us on August 21st, still smiling back and daring the adversities of decades of pain and ill health to daunt his spirit and bright outlook. Seldom has the Class seen a classmate whose name instantly conjured an image of bravery, thoughtfulness, love and a basketful of nothing but positive adjectives. The void created by his passing is shallow, in one sense, because of the gifts he left to all he knew - the constant smile, the enthusiasm for all of life, the dedication to farmily. friends and his cliurch . The best thing that happened to Dave at Nortlifield Mount Hermon School was the proxjmity to DOT on the girl’s campus (l948). Riglit from the spark of the first date, the lifetime love and respect for each other was virtually preordained. The nearness continued with Dot at Conn. College and on the Boston & Maine. followed by marriage in 1955. His essence lives on in their three children and seven grandkids (Laura's wedding photo graced the May 1996 newsletter). Beginning in the freshman lines for "signing up", a lifelong friendship was formed with HERB HILLMAN, who delivered reflections on their relationship at Dave's memorial service. A Delt, Dave majored in history, was a member of Green Key, took advantage of the out-of-doors of Dartmouth, but made his most memorable mark as Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club - a sailor with no peers. Following three years of Air Force duty in the US and Far East, the Fitches settled into the family business of building materials, supplies and construction in Greenfleld, MA. The "less than a Smith-run" distance from campus gave many of us the opportunity to see them at reunions and football games. Dave was conscientiously active in the leadership of their community and church in addition to being a super father and, later, grandfather. He became a legend from his successes at the helm of his Lightning in tests of mettle ranging from local sprints to the headiness of international regattas. The entire family shared the plaudits as crew over the years. The celebration of Dave's life is best captured in the following selected observations: HERB: "You should live as long as you can, as you will continue to enrich the life experiences of those around you. David did this to the very end - with dignity, tactfulness, humor and huniility." BILL WHITE: ".... with his broad infectious smile, a sweeter, more gentle, kinder, unselfish and caring man you could not possibly find." DICK PAGE: "A true and good friend to all of us." JERRY GOLDSTEIN: I admired his straight forward honesty, his modest, relaxed demeanor, his strong sense of values and decency." A friend: "Thank you for having, through your living example, enriched the quality of our lives." From son Tom's "What Dad Taught Us About Sailing": "Compassion - care for your fellow sailors. You may need them to care for you someday." Daughter Laura: "He's sailing in the perfect breeze, passing all the boats ar6und him. He's surely watching over us, but he can rest easy, for he's taught us well." Dot: "His gentle, loving spirit lives on in all of us whose lives he touched - in the way we live, in the way we love."
PATTY and KEN MEYER looked around their Ridgewood, NJ home and noticed that the roost was empty of kids, so they decided to consolidate their worldly possessions in their Sunapee, NH place. Ken is still active in arbitration matters, so continues to maintain his office and phone in NJ for trips to the Garden State. 54 Garnet St., Sunapee, NH 03782 The Curnudgeon column in the October Alumni Magazine is entitled "Artists 22, Philistines 14, Keeping Score of Campus Sculptures". A goodly third of the opining deals with the HEDY and KENT KLINEMAN contribution, X-Delta, which the 45th reuners had a chance to reexamine up-close at the pre-banquet cocktail party. Mr. Perrin (the Curmudgeon) starts very low, with words like "ugliest" and "ridiculous", moves to a present "rather liked those rusty beams" to a forecast "give me another 20 years and I may even think it's a work of art." All things considered, that's probably better than the alternative. The Mid and Lower Cape Newspaper recently reported its Readers' Choice Awards for things that were picked as "Number One" in their categories - seafood restaurants, shoe stores, beaches, kennels etc. Nestled amongst these important choices was JACK DONAHUE, Nauset's winningest coach on 300 years! Jack wins the honor so frequently that it looks like they have been using the same photograph since 1963. Handsome devil! BETH and TOMMY THOMPSON have left the frenetic life of San Diego for the Yucca cacti of Tucson, AZ. Not necessarily a total retirement move in that Tommy now teaches dental hygienist procedures at a local community college. He's easing himself into the Dartmouth activities in the area - couple of '54s around to show him the ropes. 3200w Northern Cross Trail, Tucson, AZ 85742; (520) 229-1 936 LOUISE and DAVE RANSOM took a little non-Appalachian Trail time to put out a preseason Christmas letter. Interesting idea. lt's a one-page note with news and good wishes, finishing with "And if you really want to endure the whole six pages of our full 1999 Christmas Letter, let us know at " A supply-side minister! The Ransoms enjoyed joining his mother in Madison, CT to celebrate her 96th birthday. Mother Ransom misses the Class of 1921 column in the Alumni Magazine. Traditionally, at this time of the year, it is appropriate to list the members of the Class who have been honored with the Class of 1954 Award, consisting of a laudatory citation and the marvelous MARC5E TOMCHUCK's artwork. To date, 43 awards have been presented, leaving a dwindling stock of only II left. BOB ADNOPOZ requests nominations for presentation at upcoming Class events. Service to community, Class, College, family and the world all count toward factors considered by the committee. Adnopoz President DICK LEWIS has called a meeting of the new Class officers and Executive Committee for mid-November on Cape Cod. In this final half-decade, leading to our 50th, there are several heavy topics to be debated as to the Class's spirit, levels of participation, intentions for the 50th Gift, communications, etc. Put in your opinions and questions through any of those '54s listed on the masthead. Treasurer HARRY ROBINSON, buoyed by his President-elect of the Treasurers' Association status, has his Class dues notices out and the "pay or don't play" topic may hit the table relative to the subscriptions to the Alumni Magazine and the newsletter. Get your checks in or possibly lose contact! A modern campus term was learned at the Leadership Weekend - "MoCo". It refers to Webster Hall, recently converted into the Rauner Special Collections repository for Baker Library. It means Mother of All Common Space - part of the discussions being dealt with under the flag of the Trustees' Five Principles. The opportunities for enjoying our later I years with classmates in the pursuit of challenge, health and downright good spirit abound. Our new vice president, JAY DAVIS is working on a ski trip. The annual fishing trip happened and now, President DICK LEWIS has taken the reins of a couples golf outing: "Our Florida class-mates are organizing a '54 golf jamboree (mini-reunion) - all golfing couples are invited. It will be held at the historic Plantation Inn at Crystal River, FL, February 20-24, 2000. The Inn is approximately 1.5 hours drive from either Tampa or Orlando. Double rooms go for $85 per night and daily golf is about $40 per person, including cart. There are several I 8-hole championship courses in tile vicinity, including the Inn's. We will gather on Sunday, the 2Oth and golf on the following three days, each day? at a different course, with departure on Thursday. Great opportunity for a mid-winter break. Deta;ls to come. Interested '54s should contact PETE SCHENCK, BOB LEVlNE or Dick Lewis to get on the reservation list. 20 rooms have been allocated for the occasion. Bob reports that there is also be a golf school there. This year's fish~harassment trip was to Montana where the 8-man squad floated a magnificent 60 miles through beautiful canyons. JIM ADAMS' description (with ad libs by SHELLY) belie any re-write: "This year's trip was made up of co-founders Jim Adams and Dick Lewis; Charter members Bob Levine, PETE ANKENY, DAVE McLAUGHLIN and DICK PAGE; plus high rookie draft choices WILLIE WILKINS and SHELLY WOOLF. As in the past, daily contest were held for the most fish and largest fish hooked. Day 2 was witness to one of the most clever and diabolical deceptions conceived on this river and any other river in the annals of fishing. On this day, Adams hooked and landed a good-sized Rainbow on a "Tarantula" dry fly. He had hopes that this catch might be competitive in the largest fish contest, but when his boat docked, no one wanted to hear about the Rainbow as there were reports that McLaughlin had landed a huge 22 1/2" Brown. Even though this is a 'catch and release' river, this whale, now expired, had been brought to camp by Dave and his fishing partner for the day, Shelly. Dave explained that he intended to stuff this once-in-a-lifetime trophy and hang it on any wall selected by JUDY. Dave explained that he had caught this incredible "monster of Montana" with a Wulff (this is a well-known dry fly named after Lee WuIff). Strangely, Dave's emotions, after such an exciting experience, were a little suppressed. The heavy weight of guilt overcame him the next night and the real story emerged. Their boat had floated over an 8-foot hole with very clear water. In the bottom of the hole, not moving, was the monster trout. The guide was asked to dive for it and, reaching the surface to throw it to Dave. Those record-breaking pass-catching hands made a fine reception - Dave had "caught" the fish. Then, in answer to 'What did you catch it with?', Dave answered, truthfully, 'a Wulff. Shelly demurred. The fish was disqualified, but the story will live forever. The group photo will be a "slow news day" inclusion in a future letter. A tip of the '54 hat to Helen Farwell-Delfino, who has just turned over ten years of getting out the newsletter to all of us. Many thanks! Punch up the Class website at www.alum.dartmouth.org/class/54 PGBarker54@aoI.com |