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Dartmouth Class of 1961
40th Reunion

Monday, June 11 - Thursday, June 14, 2001
Art Johnson -  Chair

Welcome 1961Words from Class President, Oscar ArslanianAlumni Magazine Notes and the Wide Wide WorldAlumni Fund InformationBulletin BoardMini-Reunions in Hanover and San Francisco and our 40th in June, 2001The Gallery - Art from the ClassClass Directory - Email addressesJust what do we want this web site to be?Contact Bob Conn, John Wilkins, Bert Rawley, and others

                         Some Pictures from the 40th Reunion

Greetings at the Tent

Moosilauke Mountain trip

A Gathering at the Frost Statue


Dartmouth Aires Singing to Jane Schoening


Terry Rogers and the Barbary Coast Orchestra


John Gerrish, Jack Houser, Don O'Neill, Terry Rogers, Henry Eberhardt, & Peter Bleyler singing at the tent



Saying goodbye...Ron Wybranowski, Jake Haertl, Diana Hecht, Mike Hecht, Jim McElninney, Tom Conger & FJ Eicke

Bob Conn's Memories


Reunion summary by Pete Bleyler:

 

Even though I now live in the Upper Valley, driving the 10 miles from Lyme to attend our 40th reunion really felt like I was “returning home.”  To see so many familiar faces, and to meet for the first time, after 40 years, other classmates, was exhilarating.  Art Johnson and his faithful crew gave us a memorable reunion and except for the hail and too-close-for-comfort lightning on Sunday afternoon’s Moosilauke “warm-up” hike, and the rain on Monday, the weather was perfect.

The reunion kicked-off Monday with a cocktail party at the Top of the Hop, hosted by the Hop’s executive director, Lewis Crickard, in honor of the class of 61 Arts Endowment Legacy Fund.  In a brief presentation, Lewis thanked the class and told us how important the legacy fund will be in bringing top performers to the Hopkins Center.  President Oscar Arslanian (whose vision gave rise to the Legacy) then introduced David Birney, project chairman and chief fund raiser for the Legacy.  David joined us for dinner at Thayer Hall before having to head back to Albany for an acting engagement.  Oscar presented David with a limited edition lithograph of Dartmouth Hallo, as thanks and in appreciation for his efforts.

On Tuesday morning, Rog McArt moderated a panel of “second-careerists.,” Bob Naegele, Jack Reno, and Sam Baker spoke of their endeavors over the past few years and provided further insight during a lively Q&A session.  We listened to President Jim Wright at 10:00, and this was followed by a memorial service at Rollins Chapel, officiated by Rev. George Bland and Rev. Duane Cox.  The names of the 58 deceased classmates were read during the service.  While some enjoyed a box lunch at the Boat House, Len DiSavino led a bunch of people out to Hanover golf course for the golf tournament.  John Wilkins managed the tennis tournament at the Topliff Tennis Courts.  Others ran a 5k race, while former ROTC and OCS guys told war stories at the class tent.  Tuesday’s dinner was at the DOC lodge at Occum Pond, and another great dinner (arranged by Ellie Rittman) was enjoyed along with wines (organized by Dave Armstrong) supplied by classmates Peter McCrea and Bob Anderson.

We were transported back to our undergraduate days Tuesday evening as we danced to the music of The Big Smoothies.  Many classmates and partners showed us that we’ve lost very little in our dancing abilities since 1961, and special kudos go to Ellis Naegele and Sandy McArt.  Jack Houser’s reunion guest, Bobbie Sue, joined the Big Smoothies and sang some great songs.

Duane Cox, as he has for many years, superbly led us through another session of “Passages Revisited.”  Many classmates, spouses, and significant others, shared of themselves during the 2-1/2 hour session.  This was followed by the class meeting and the election of new officers for the next 5 years.  We had our picture taken in front of Dartmouth Hall, and then ambled over to the Alexis Boss Tennis Center for a picnic lunch.  Ron Boss spoke about the history and development of this state of the art tennis center.

Our class banquet was held at the newly completed McLaine Family Lodge at the Dartmouth Skiway.  After being serenaded by the Dartmouth Aires in the late afternoon during the outdoor reception, we assembled inside for yet another sumptuous dinner.  The “Tanzi” license plate was raffled off ($1,240 collected for the 1961 Arts Endowment Legacy Fund), and 5 lucky classmates will proudly display the plaque in their homes over the next 5 years.

Dave Prewitt led the auction of 10 vacation homes and another $25,000 was raised for the Endowment Legacy Fund.  After some stirring and humorous remarks by outgoing President Oscar, an alumni group of the Barbary Coast/Sultans played ‘till the wee hours of the morning.  1961 classmates playing with the 7-piece group included Jim Watson.  Terry Rogers also sat in on sax.

After a farewell breakfast, held outside in the warm June morning, we all headed back to our homes across the country and across the globe.



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