Class Web Site:
http://www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/
Mini-Reunion-Sep 28-30, 2007
Minis in Mind: It is not too soon to be massaging your calendars in order to be in Hanover for the fall mini-reunion Sept. 28-30. Key details include:
LODGING: Juniper Hill Inn in Windsor, VT, the site of our Saturday night dinner; we hope some of you will stay there. Visit it on the web ( HYPERLINK "http://www.juniperhillinn.com" www.juniperhillinn.com) Call (800) 359-2541 or (802) 674-5273 for reservations.
Alt: Comfort Inn in White River Jct. (802) 295-3051. Ask for “The Class of ‘61 Block” of rooms. Cutoff date for rooms at this rate is Friday, September 1.
EVENTS: Friday Night at 6:30 PM at a location yet to be confirmed.
Saturday Morning at 9:30 AM meet with the students we support from the Arts, Academics & Athletics, followed by a box lunch before the Penn football game at 12:30 PM. Weather permitting, we will gather after the game at the Frost Statue.
Saturday Night at the Juniper Hill Inn, dinner by Christophe’s, joined by our students from discussion in morning. A speaker from the College will be invited.
You can access the printable mini-reunion reservation form by clicking RESERVATION FORM..
Our triumphant series of mini-reunions prompts us to work toward more of the same in coming years. A straw vote of the Executive Committee conducted in April by Dave Prewitt produced the following roster of preferred venues for our Spring 2009 birthday party:
1) South Seas Plantation, Captiva, FL (13 votes)
2) Scottsdale, AZ (11 votes)
3) Annapolis, MD (10 votes)
Mystic, CT, Newport, RI, Indian River, FL, and Vail, CO, each received between 1 and 4 votes. Prew-dads needs some suggestions on class members who would be willing to head up an event at any of those locations.
We continue to receive ideas for other great sites—so many, in fact, that it nudged Charlie Buffon to compose a kind of “mission [re]statement” to define our purpose/goals: “I saw in the last Alumni Magazine that our next two mini-reunions are at least tentatively set for Captiva, Florida, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Both are nice resort areas, but both seem to me to get away from the original idea of moving the mini-reunions around among urban locations with lots of nearby classmates who might like to show off the special attractions of their home towns. Of course, I may be the one who is out of touch because [I’m] still living and working in a city, but as pleasant as it is to play golf or tennis at some resort some place, that kind of outing doesn't seem to me to have the same attraction as getting to experience a major urban area through an insider who lives there.
I would also be interested in what experience has been recently in bringing new classmates to class events. Again, one of the ideas of moving things around was to get classmates to attend who might not be willing to fly to Hanover but might be willing to come to an event nearby. The mini-reunions I attended in Washington, Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Francisco had at least some of that effect. Has that continued to be true of the mini-reunions held in resort areas? Maybe so, but, not having attended myself, I just don't know.
In any event, perhaps because I am something of a curmudgeon whose taste runs more to cities than resorts, I'd be interested in whether there is still a market among us for something a little different from the resort model—if only for places like Annapolis, Santa Fe, or San Diego that combine resort activities with urban attractions.”
Much discussion ensued, not a small percentage of which focused on the inability of many of the polled to remember that they had been polled in the first place... [geriatric degeneration alert! ed.]. However, returning to what were our preferred venues, Webmaster Harris McKee observes: “Hey, guys, have you forgotten how we arrived at Scottsdale and Captiva? We voted on the choices proposed and narrowed it to these two. By the way, I've spent winter weeks in both locations. There is plenty to do and both are quite accessible by air and land. Both are in urban areas with a lot of people, compared to what has become my regular life. At Captiva, among other activities, one is in easy reach of the Everglades; Ft.Myers has a number of sights including the Estates of Thomas Edison & Henry Ford (well worth an afternoon). In Scottsdale, besides the art, one can tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s western school, as well as play golf, etc.
I think that anyone proposing an alternate site at this time should include their plans for serving as host.”
To which Oscar adds: “Scottsdale has many advantages. It's an accessible town with great hotels, shopping, arts & culture, golf, etc. It's an easy side trip to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Las Vegas and California (Hollywood!). Importantly, Len DiSavino & Jeff Conn, who live there, are both interested in putting it on. Len feels that the first week in May would be appropriate. The weather is good and hotel rates may be a bit better than March or April. Doberman, who put on the great Palm Springs Mini, and I are available to lend advice and a hand.
Check out the Scottsdale Visitor web site: http://www.scottsdalecvb.com/”
Pres. Rog McArt: “Nothing has been cast in stone as yet, and I think Charlie's comments certainly have merit. All along there has been discussion of having a mini at a more conventional location (convenient interesting metro) and at a more "exotic" location (like a resort). I, frankly, would like to see us consider having one in both types of location before our 50th. Obviously, from the responses I have read, we need to further discuss and consider what is best for us in terms of both having a good time and attracting new participants to our mini reunions...I know Dave Prewitt has been looking into volunteers for the Scottsdale area and...we should open up the floor for further discussion of the additional locations mentioned, including potential organizers, and then come back around with another vote that might get us pointed to two locations over the next four years.”
And summed up by Buffon: “I don't want to seem antidemocratic, but the questions I raised were directed more to whether we have an underlying strategy in conducting these mini-reunions beyond just going where, at a given time, a majority of the limited population who vote on these questions would most like to go. My impression was that at one time we had such a strategy, and that is why we went to the widely separated places we first chose to go. We wanted to go to places where a critical mass of our classmates live, particularly if a considerable distance from Hanover. We also had some creative and energetic classmates in each location who made sure each reunion was truly unique and special. From my point of view, a principle objective should be to attract more classmates who rarely attend class functions and who do not have or exercise a vote. I also agree that no mini-reunion will work without a small group of people who are prepared to put in the time and effort to make it memorable. The easy out is to let a resort's function staff do it, but that won't provide the personal touches that made the past mini-reunions I have attended so special.”
So, there you have it, old-timers: Mini-reunions are alive and well, generate considered responses from ‘61s ‘round the girdled earth, and should be continued forthwith. We invite your thinking, either by e-mail to Harris or Green Card.
Back to Top
Connections
Intimations of Immortality: Another official class endeavor is to embrace the class of 2011 as they join the Dartmouth family, and to maintain rapport with them as they progress through their brief days in Hanover. Project chair Pete Bleyler has drafted the following letter to the class of 1961:
Dear 1961 Classmates,
We are initiating our program of interaction with the incoming first-year [fka “freshman”] class of 2011 (approved at our class meeting during the 45th reunion). Called the “61–11 Connection,” we expect to interact with the ‘11s throughout their four-year experience as Dartmouth undergraduates, starting with Matriculation this September, and continuing through their graduation—and our 50th reunion. For many years, the 50th reunion class has marched alongside the seniors during graduation exercises.
Prior to the Class of 2011’s arrival on campus, a postcard from the Class of 1961 will be sent to each student, welcoming them to the Dartmouth family, and letting them know that we will meet them in September, and be there to support them during their four years in Hanover—and beyond. We also plan to have an article about the 61–11 Connection in the Daily Dartmouth that will be mailed out in August, as well as an ad in that issue.
Some of us may connect with the ‘11s during their DOC trips, working through the DOC and Trip Leadership. Possible activities are to surprise weary freshmen with food or join them for a leg of their three-day trip. Matriculation will occur on September 23, and as groups of students leave Parkhurst after shaking hands with President Wright, they will be directed to a nearby tent for refreshments, and where they will be welcomed in person by our Class. We will present them with Dartmouth pins that have their class year on it, and offer brief remarks from a ‘61 classmate.
Throughout the four years leading up to their graduation and our 50th reunion, we will schedule activities to involve both classes. For example, we may be able to include some of the ‘11s in our mini-reunion the end of September. Possible future activities include a matching/mentor program, a career panel, serving as holiday hosts for students not returning home at Thanksgiving, and other receptions.
How are we going to do all this???? Obviously, we need as many ’61 classmates as possible to get involved with the planning and the various activities. Equally obvious, the closer you live to Hanover, the easier it will be to participate in the activities. We currently have a small “sponsoring committee” consisting of PeteBleyler, Chair, Maynard Wheeler, Henry Eberhardt, and President Roger McArt. We want more classmates!
Please let me know if: 1) you’d like to be on the committee to help plan activities, 2) you’re willing and able to get to Hanover once or twice (or more) per year to participate in 61–11 Connection activities, and 3) you have ideas on activities that we might suggest.
For the immediate future, we need to identify classmates who can be here for the Matriculation ceremony on September 23 and take a shift in the welcoming tent where we give out the pins. The afternoon before, on September 22, there will be a presentation for the first-years on traditions and history of the College, as well as campus tours (which includes the Frost statue!), ending with a dinner at the Bema. All 1961s are invited to the dinner as well as the presentation and campus tour.
Additionally, if you’re interested in participating in some fashion with the first-year trips, let me know, as well.
Lastly, you’re probably wondering about the costs. The 61–11 Connection project is supported by the College, through Alumni Relations and the First Year Office. For example, the College will pay for the tent rental, set-up, and refreshments at Matriculation. The College would like the Class to pay for the pins. During the year, Alumni Relations has a budget to help defray the costs of our activities. So, costs will be shared between our Class and the College.
[We respectfully invite your views—and especially your gracious support in volunteering to help - ed.]
Back to Top
Green Card Review
Green Card Revue: With Webmaster Harris McKee posting WWW on the Internet so promptly, it makes for a much more timely newsletter and facilitates your responses by e-mail. The hard copy still goes by Postal Service to those who do not opt for e-mail version only, and with those goes the old standby Green Card. We are ever indebted to those who submit your news in this fashion as well. Ken Walker <walkersken**aol.com> reported in April that “I just attended a 100th birthday celebration for CampAndroscoggin in Wayne, Maine, held at a club in NYC. To our mutual surprise, Tim Grumbacher & I discovered that we were both ‘61s at Dartmouth and attended the camp in the early ‘50s and had never realized it!” [Uhh, Ken: we’ve heard it said that if you can remember the ‘60s you weren’t really there, but how many guys in the class do you figure were ‘61s at Dartmouth and never realized it...? ed] Max Ramenofsky, MD <MandM3**PTD.net> just might be a candidate for that select group, having dredged up a Green Card in April ‘07 with Bert Rowley’s address on it... “Bert: Sorry, but we had plans to attend the US Open at Oakmont, PA. during the reunion dates. [wasn’t the Open at Oakmont this June...?] I am at GeisingerMedicalCenter in Danville, PA, for the past 5 years, practicing Pediatric Surgery. The good news is that retirement is looming, welcomingly— Good luck & congrats on what I’m sure will be a very successful reunion. [wasn’t reunion last June...?] Best regards to all.” In May, Tony Horan carded that: “I have started a new private practice of urology in Delano, CA [San JoaquinValley, above Bakersfield]. The demographic profile is 60% hispanic, 30% Filipino, 10% African-American, 5% Anglo. I left Wyoming where the profile was 90% Anglo but 30% uninsured. Wyoming voted against a cap on pain & suffering. Three of 13 urologists have departed. I continue to talk up my book on prostate cancer and have diverted both a grammar school classmate and friend of a friend from the industry approach.”
On The Web: Ol’ Head Dragon Bill Haynsworth, lending O’Neill a hand, used the DCF appeal to update his post-Hanover history, to wit:“I have had the usual ups and downs since I left Dartmouth. I graduated from HarvardLawSchool in 1964, practiced law for four years and went back to get a Masters in law in 1968-1969. Thereafter, I worked in a quasi-legal capacity for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, for a private real estate development firm, as general counsel for a quasi-public lender to low and moderate real estate developers and finally in various capacities for a financial intermediary providing debt and equity to developers of low and moderate income apartments. I still work part time and continue to enjoy my work, although I am getting a bit bored. I do some nonprofit work and am thinking seriously about teaching a class in one of our local law schools. Since Dartmouth, I have lived in the Boston area and currently reside in Brookline with my second wife and sixteen-year old daughter. I have three daughters by my first marriage who have provided me with 10 grandchildren. I play as much golf as possible and manage to get in a game or two each year with Bob Hoagland and Don O’Neill. I used to play a lot of squash, probably my favorite sport, but had to give it up because of bad knees. In the past three years I have had knee replacement surgery and rotator cuff surgery. The knee replacement was a great success and I recommend it to those who are in serious pain. Chip Serrell and I are headed down to the LawrencevilleSchool this weekend for our 50th reunion.”
Fritz Kern <fritzkern**cox.net> found an ingenious link Penny Postcards that brings up old postcards from almost all counties of all states. We tried it out for New Hampshire, got these results, circulated same: “Incredible! The feature from DartmouthCollege in the NH series is Richardson Hall...! Anybody remember #5, down in the basement, where Mike Andrews and I lived in imagined opulence in a converted single (B&G added a dresser...) freshman year? (it reverted to a single the next fall...) Aloha, brethren, tc”
Oscar: “Thanks for the memory. My first year was with Elliott Weiss and Roger Coates. I knew I was in for an interesting freshman year when Elliott decided to shorten the length of the single light hanging in the middle of our room....1st day. Needless to say, as soon as he put knife to wire, he was blown across the room. Second year with Barton and Boss down the hall, in a triple with a fireplace next to Dobes and Jack Kinderdine. Much fun.”
Tom “VD” Mauro <maurogroup**earthlink.net>responded to a Friends of Football reminder from ol’ footie skipper Ken deHaven thus: “Would you say this is long overdue? Cong, my contribution to Dartmouth football was less than just about anyone else's on the email from Ken. Fond memories include having both shoulders taped to my chest due to multiple dislocations, having a pass over the middle hit me in the face since I couldn't raise my taped arms, and suffered the ignominy of Blackman's wrath when the freshmen were helping varsity prepare for the Princeton game. Blackman had me line up at offensive left end and told me to run a hook. Being an interior lineman, I promptly hooked my opposite number with an illegal hold, wrapping my entire body around him. Very effective. The pass sailed hopelessly past where I should have been. I was not invited back. Nonetheless, I've always been a fan, but have sure missed the glory days of Big Green football. It’s amazing what a good football team can mean to a school. Hopefully the new coaching situation will augur well for the future. Veeds”
In mid-April, Captain/PhD FJ “Duck” Eicke <DartmouthDuck**aol.com> prudently reminded Mike Murphy <jmmurphy**acni.us> to send the coveted Tanzi Plate to his Mi’ssippi digs come June: “Mike, If my sometimes (most times) poor memory serves me right, you’ve had the Tanzi license plate in your possession since the reunion. I recall, under influence of fine wine and other adult beverage and the parting of a few $$$$$ at Jerry's urging, that I am the June 2007 to June 2008 possessor of said license plate. Please confirm or refute. The license plate has taken on added meaning since I received (today) a copy of The Real Animal House and upon opening the box—from Amazon.com—took 30 minutes with my engine running to get out of the post office parking lot. My attention was draw to one short note that ‘the keg had arrived from Tanzi's’ with the date of November 1960. Just maybe the deliverer was me, since I did such for Tanzi's during the fall of our senior year. I should insist that Chris identify the deliverer in the second edition. On each return to Hanover, I (with wife beside me, I might add) always stand reverently in front of the open space that once was Tanzi's—hallowed ground. I will read the book more diligently at first opportunity—looks like a nostalgic journey. I can remember sitting in a theater in Tupelo, MS, when the film came out and thinking ‘Oh, god.’ Duck”
To which Murph replied: “Duck, damn your great memory....I was hoping for a repeat of a few years ago, when everybody forgot about the plate for a while, so that maybe I would get one or two ‘bonus’ years thrown in. Given your especially close connection to Tanzi's, though, I can see why you wouldn't fail to remember that your year was coming up. Also, I note that TC documented your successorship in his first WWW after the Reunion—so, I'm nailed, and must surrender. Oh, well, come June (not one day earlier, mind you) I shall take the Tanzi plate down from the wall in our new home and, with fond memories, ship it off to your successor care. TC didn't mention who comes after you, so I am copying Vic Rich on this, because he ran that great evening at the Skiway and maybe he made a note on who the bidders were. If Vic had too much wine that night, however, and blanks out—and TC has no notes on the rest of the bidders, and nobody surfaces as you have—Duck, let's make a deal: you and I split the time until the 50th Reunion. Agreed? It will never happen, though—in the real world Vic, of all things, is a Certified Public Accountant, and by force of habit almost assuredly recorded faithfully all details. Our only hope is the wine... All best, Mike”
Of course Vic <victor.rich**RSMI.COM> chimed in with: In spite of the excessive wine that night, I do happen to have the Tanzi license plate list, especially since I am one of the names on it.
Year 1 – Mike Murphy
Year 2 – Duck Eicke
Year 3 - Pete Bleyler
Year 4 – Gerry Kaminsky
Year 5 - Vic Rich
And Oscar completed the circuit with this remembrance: “I think it was our 25th or 30th when Harry [Tanzi] said to me, ‘Come here. I've got something for you. I won't be around much longer (he was in his early 90s) and you might be able to make some money for your class.’
He opened his trunk and gave me the license plate.
Sweet man. Sweet memories.
By the way, I'm doing well. I've got a medi-vac still attached to my skull that is actually cutting down the time it takes to do some grafting up there.
I am happy and grateful to be alive and in communication with y'all. Oscar”
[this last referring to his scary roll-over accident on the freeway. Medical science being what it is today, is it possible the sawbones is grafting some gray matter into O’s ol’ Armenian squash...? ed.]
Speaking of good medical news, this in from Tom Mealey: “Just got back from my checkup at City of Hope. PSA is still really low at 1.19 (had been 5.5 when the cancer was detected). Every thing looks fine. Go back again in August when it will be 2 years out from the surgery. Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers!”
Bob Wendell e-mailed 2 days ago: “Spent two weeks last October cruising the rivers of Europe from Budapest to Amsterdam with friends and neighbors from Hendersonville. Very enjoyable and worthwhile venture. In March of this year we visited MagicKingdom in Disney World. We hadn't been there in ten years. This May I worked as a volunteer in the scoring tent at the BMW Pro-Am Nationwide Golf Tourney held in the local area. Became fatigued that week, and within four days had emergency triple bypass surgery on May 24th with blockages ranging from 95 to 98 percent. Scary, in that I had no previous warnings. Presently in cardiac rehab. Surgery went well and recovery will be a slow process. Doctors have assured Kathleen and me that our scheduled tour and cruise to Alaska in August can be accomplished. We are also planning another river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle for September 2008. Any classmates interested in joining us on that cruise should contact us by phone (828/694-3505) or by e-mail <bobkatinNC**aol.com>. Hope to see you and Rici sometime over the next two years on Maui.”
David Birney emailed a photo of son Peter, about 8 seconds after he received his college diploma, with these tidings: “Peter Birney received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from DickinsonCollege in Carlisle, PA, on May 20th 2007. Peter competed for four years on both the Dickinson Cross Country and Track teams, lettering in both sports.
Peter Birney Beams with Diploma, Now Out in the
Wide Wide World...
He graduates holding two school records—the Men’s Distance Relay, and the 4 X 800 Meter Relay.He was equally proud of his Personal Best time of 4:09 for the men’s 1500 Meters. He is currently backpacking through Europe with two college friends for the next five weeks…or until the Euros run out…whichever comes first Two weeks ago, Kate Birney, was awarded a PH.D with High Distinction in Near Eastern Ancient Languages and Cultures, by HarvardUniversity. A chapter of her thesis has been accepted for publication this autumn by the New England Archeological Society. She is currently supervising work on an archeological dig in Ashkelon, Israel—an ancient seaport capital of Canaanite kings, harbor of the Philistines, and stomping ground of the biblical hero, Samson.(see website: www.fas.harvard.edu/~semitic/ashkelon/ashkelon_dig2.html )
A Christmas Pudding: Samuel French Inc., one of the oldest (1830) drama and theatrical publishing houses, has proposed publishing an edition of A Christmas Pudding, andrepresenting it for performance “throughout the world.” This is the second play of David’s that French has published. Mark Twain’s the Diaries of Adam and Eve, was published by Samuel French, Inc. some years ago. A Christmas tradition in the Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles for over a decade, The Pudding is a Celebration of the Season in songs, stories, poems—tales by Dickens, Twain, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, G. B. Shaw, Longfellow, St. Luke and St. Patrick, spiced with carols, unusual recipes, jokes and other sweets of the Season. Each year the show is played at the Westwood Presbyterian Church as a benefit for People Assisting the Homeless, and/or Childshare, an organization dedicated to the welfare of abused and abandoned children; it then continues on to play a variety of theatres in the Los Angeles area.”
More Arts & Culture: Peter Holbrook <phol**hypersurf.com> sent us a copy of his latest full-color catalog project Canyon Paintings, which is a delight to behold. Besides excellent examples of his canyon views, Pete also includes fascinating text in interview format, discussing art today, his own approach to same, and how he got where he is. Copies are available from the author at cost - $15, which includes mailing. Send checks to Peter at 5719 Briceland-Thorn Road; Redway, CA95560. “With 25 color reproductions this is not unreasonable, and it may turn into a collector's item (if I cut off an ear). Maybe the college could afford to buy a copy now that the endowment has reached 3.5 Billion...” In a subsequent exchange between the artist and this scribe, he observes: “The problem you see with expecting any support from Dartmouth (or any other university level art department that I know of) is that they consider the work that I do and the aesthetic I embrace utterly passé—a relic of the 19th century. I touched on this in the catalog text. Making illusions of reality, not to mention images of the purely natural world—well, it's just not done anymore—not a viewpoint that so called ‘Modern Art’ is concerned with. So naturally you wouldn't want to encourage your art students (the future art professors and museum curators of the western world) in such an un-contemporary direction. It's even simpler than that: People who don't understand any technology (painting, computers, particle physics, whatever) don't give much credit to those who do understand it. Outside of these university ivory towers, however, the situation is quite different. The educated public is fairly bored to tears with ‘Modern Art’ and wants to hang the walls of their homes and work spaces with images of the real world—especially the places they are fond of. The art world is a rather schizoid arena—not unlike the current religious and political arenas. Personally, I think I am developing the art of the future, but who knows.” [Interesting take, and worth considering in view of the controversy that our own class arts project, the Frost statue, generated some dozen years ago... ed.]
%202007.jpg)
Webmaster’s note: All email addresses have been modified to thwart web-crawlers by replacing the usual connector with “**”.
Back to Top
Mai Poina
Mai Poina (never to be forgotten): As of this writing we have lost two very creative classmates. Although the undersigned wishes this discouraging activity would cease immediately, the truth is we are at a stage in life where it must needs persevere, yea, wax... In last WWW we related the latest shenanigans of Jack Houser—gadfly, cybernetic troglodyte, poet, and composer of lyrics par excellence (“one draft, in pen, on a bar napkin...”). Then, on Easter, Jack found he was experiencing internal bleeding, checked into the hospital in Houston, and died by the next morning. Once we recovered somewhat from the shock, we circulated to a few close buddies of the deceased the lyrics to one particular song he had written, which we feel best portrayed the man’s perception, feelings, and skills as a wordsmith. When he first recorded this one, Jack told me that he wrote it because: “Halloween is my birthday, Corey Ford’s English setter was named October (“Tober” in all his Lower Forty essays), and some guy was dumb enough to challenge me that I couldn’t write an October song...”
[Next time we’re all together, I’ll try to play and sing it for you; but for now, here are the words]:
It’s October
The air is much crisper than just yesterday,
It’s darker each morning you wake,
Springtime seemed welcome just six months ago,
Now ice on the edge of the lake;
It’s warm in the valley but cold up the hill,
The tops of the mountains show snow,
The maples stream colors a painter would try,
Pumpkins now lie in the row.
Summer’s tryin’ to be over,
Come next Monday it’s October...
It comes on as soft as a young girl’s first kiss,
The burnin’ leaves smell in the air,
My bird dog he quivers, the pheasant are up,
Whistle and call in the mare;
Ride to the hounds with a fox on the run,
Over fences, the wind’s in your eyes,
Your breath’s in the air, while the sun keeps it shine,
It’s only now you realize:
Summer’s tryin’ to be over,
Come next Monday it’s October...
Ducks comin’ down from the slopes of Alaska
Chevrons of geese fill the sky,
Ebony heads, feather wings alabaster,
Mexico’s where they would fly;
Time to bring wood in, and stoke up the fire,
Sit on the hearth and pick songs,
People important raise glasses and sing,
Love ‘em, it won’t last that long.
Summer’s tryin’ to be over,
Come next Monday it’s October.
Last week we lost Ray Welch to cancer. He’d kept these HQ apprised of the situation as he underwent treatment, but was gentle enough to not hit us with the grim reality of his condition. Like, back in February, we got: “Still no hard news, other than the golf ball in my neck is indeed a metastasis of a cancer lurking elsewhere in the body. On the PET/CT scan, hot spots appear in the sternum and elsewhere—but not, defying all odds, the lungs... I think I'm in good hands. The surgeon I met today didn’t introduce himself as “Doctor Ruhl”: he said, “Hi, I’m Charlie.” I can trust a Charlie. Will keep you posted.”
Then in early May, after completing an 8-week siege of treatment in the hospital: “Mine was the only cancer suite with an ashtray and a private bar. Now I suppose everyone will want one.”
An inveterate wiseacre, Ray could never resist poking fun at himself—and nearly every other living and/or inanimate thing he came in contact with. The June 29 Boston Globe carried a huge article on his passing, comprising what Bob Conn calls “the most compelling obit I’ve ever read.” Perhaps Ray’s wife/partner Gail says it best: “The staff writer really must have enjoyed talking to [former partner] Geoff Currier; they ended up giving Ray more ink than the former prime minister of Japan .” We include the link herein for those who receive WWW by e-mail Boston Globe Welch Obit Others are encouraged to access the link by whatever means available including clicking on Ray’s name on the In Memoriam/Deceased Classmates Class webpage, and do not forget to access Ray’s website as well http://raywelch.com/index.html.
An informal gathering of friends were to meet on July 7 at Aidan’s pub in Bristol, RI, to celebrate the extraordinary life of our erstwhile Jack-O majordomo. Not absolutely certain, but this fan believes Aidan’s is the model for Ray’s immortal piece “The Portugee Club.” [Tom Theodore, we emailed you a copy, lo these many moons ago... ed.]
In closing, these two recent losses serve to bring home to us the reality that any intimations of immortality we may enjoy are, in fact, fraudulent. In the long run, gents, we are all destined to depart this mortal coil—some with more fanfare than others, granted—but each of us, every one, nonetheless. Thus, it would behoove us to ensure that communications are kept current so tidings of our slippings away may be promptly conveyed to the right folks. To quote Brother Conn: “We ought to try to get the word out fast when one of our classmates dies. Other classes do. In this instance, anyway, there’s plenty of time for folks to make plans to be at his memorial service for those who would like to go. Ray was well known throughout our class because of the Jacko, and Gamma Delts especially may want to make the trek. Many of us have fond post-graduation memories... Unfortunately, we are at a time in our lives when we will be losing classmates way too often, but at least we can get the word out to the class if we know about it, thanks to the modern miracle of email. So I know it sounds ghoulish, but please tell your spouse or children to remember to send an email upon your death to <h4mmckee**sbcglobal.net> or <rconn**triad.rr.com> so we have a chance to get classmates to your memorial. If you keep us posted when you’re looking at the edge we’ll let classmates know. Some of them might want to see you earlier than your memorial. By the way, whatever we do, we ought to make sure that Vic is in the loop, because the DAM is the best way to notify the other classes that were with us at Dartmouth.”
It’s also appropriate in this discussion to provide a reminder of the Class In Memoriam Fund. If we click the ‘In Memoriam – Memorial Fund’ item near the bottom of our website home page, a synopsis of the fund appears with instructions for giving in the last paragraph. Basically, a check made out to ‘The Class of 1961’, earmarked ‘In Memoriam’ (for whom), sent to Ivar, who turns all such donations over to our Legacy Endowment. Or you can click or paste the link below to go directly to the page http://www.dartmouth.org/classes/61/In%20Memoriam%20Endowment%20fund.htm
And so saying, let us close—with fond thoughts for those who enriched our lives so effortlessly. You are an amazing corps of individuals, gents, whom it is always our pleasure to serve.
Aloha,
tc
———————————————————————————
Ancient AD Critters Autograph Pinto '63 Miller's The Real Animal House. (LtoR): George LeFevre '59, Duane "Doberman" Cox '61, "Philthy" Phil Oehler '61, Jim Bybee '59, John "Coyote" Wilkins '61. Photo by Eric Hansen ‘63
Back to Top |
|
