Fall Colors, by Alan A. Rozycki, MD-emeritus
As most of you have seen the reports of Class Officers Weekend and our Class of the Year laurels, plus highlights of the Homecoming (fka Dartmouth Night) festivities, we're gonna try and let a buncha photos supplant a thousand words (many of which, coming from this auld scribe, are incomprehensible to most rational folks of our ilk) . . .
Class Officers Weekend (or Workshop) (COW)
Each fall the college invites class officers to Hanover for various workshops and opportunities to share best practices. It is also the time when Class of the Year Awards are announced. Our class was represented by more officers than any other class.
'61 Attendees with Class of Year Bling (LtoR) Front: Laurie Eberhardt, Joani Prewitt, Patti Rich, Rog McArt, Denny Denniston, Don O'Neill, Hank EberhardtIII, Maynard Wheeler, Vic Rich, tc.
Back: Dave Prewitt, [cardboard cut-out of] Harris McKee,
'61 Brass with Silver: Denny "SWATmeister" Denniston, Pres. O'Neill, H.E, Eberhardt,III.
COY Afterglow: Majordomo O'Neill with Daffy Redactor.
'61 Lunchmouths in Leb (LtoR): Squid Eberhardt, Jim Baum, Paisan Marrone, Maynard, Bob Hargrave, Roz, tc, Geo. Whitehead.
After COW, there was a week's hiatus before the ancient, halt and lame gridders from that 1958 first-ever Ivy Championship Football squad came together to celebrate 60 years of [Glory? Honor? Contemplation? Aches & pains? Real life…?]. Paisan Marrone took it upon himself to record this brief chronicle of that lovely interlude:
Barrett Cup Embraces Valedictorian: Old Middle-Mass Roomies Roz & Harris.
A Hanover autumn football weekend, September 28-30, 2018, commemorating and celebrating two Ivy League Championship squads, those from 1958 and 1978…
Moose Morton & Bill Colehower '59, Bill Gundy '60, Tom Conger '61, and Al Rozycki '61, working closely with Sam Hopkins, an administrative assistant to Buddy Teevens, initiated and completed the 60th Reunion project for the team of 1958, one which assembled eleven 1961 alumni from as far afield as: Oregon - Tom Conger; Florida - Skip Johnson, Minnesota - Charlie Dayton; New York - Red Facher; Maryland - Connie Persels; Texas - John Henry; Colorado - Jim McElhinney; and, hailing from Sweden, 24 hours in transit - Paisan Marrone; as well as those residing within striking distance to the Green, Chuck Chapman, Dick Beattie, and Al Rozycki. Crisp and brightly welcoming, Hanover was at its spritely best when we arrived at Memorial Field for Friday afternoon's walk-through practice, which gave us opportunities to interact with coaches, players and members of the 1978 team, a treat that was prolonged by a congenial cookout at the Friends of Dartmouth Football tent adjacent to the field.
Afterwards, some of us congregated at Roz's Norwich home for humorous and—at times, moderately true—story-telling, which was reprised on Saturday evening after an enjoyable dinner hosted by the Friends of Football—a fitting conclusion to a memorable and satisfying win over Penn, 37-14; during half-time, the two championship teams were presented on the field. On Sunday morning, following a light breakfast at the College dining hall, most of the gang dispersed, leaving Roz and the Paisan hoping we'd all be able to squeeze in at least one more 1958 football celebration in 2023.
For your interest, the members of the Class of 1961 who were on that 1958 Ivy Championship team were: Doug Hopton, Joe Zinn, Alex Burgin, Tom Conger, Duane Cox, Chuck Dayton, Francis Eicke, Bill Horton, Larry Jakubsen, Jack Kinderdine, Mike Kirst, Denny Kontra, Jim McElhinney, Mike Mooney, Connie Persels, Len DiSavino, Hank Gerfen, Art Kola, Bob Marriott, Bill Miller, Al Overton, John Pfeffer, Bob Naegele, Ken DeHaven, Al Rozycki, Bud Schoening, Dick Marrone, John Henry, Dick Beattie, Phil Oehler, Harris McKee, Chuck Chapman, Terry O'Neil, Skip Johnson, and manager Oscar Arslanian.
[sidebar] During the planning process for the 60th Celebration, Rich wrote to Ken DeHaven: "At the 50th celebration of our '58 Championship, you laid me out on Roz's dining room table, took a few feels of my trashed knees and said: 'Paisan, when you're back home in Sweden, simply inform your orthopedic man that you need both knees replaced, NOW.' And that is precisely what I did, adding, naturally, that the rec came from you. Well, the doc, Christer Lundgren, became very wide-eyed attentive, and said, 'Wow, do you really know Ken DeHaven?'—and suddenly I became a lock-in for the first double knee replacement in the annals of Swedish medicine, which switched the Paisan from a hobbling wreck to a swift-walking, and cycling, 'nut.'
So, you see, Dear Vulch, your reputation soared way beyond the confines of one hospital, or a particular group of patients, to enclaves such as Lindesberg Hospital, in central Sweden, where your name continues to elicit professional respect and admiration.
PS - My 'bionic knees' are fine, just about at parity with Connie Persels'."
Happy Reconnections! Back: Roz, Bill Couser (Roz's roomie @Hahvahd Med/Jake Haertl's roomie @Deerfield), Adrienne Cox (Mrs. Couser).
Front: comic relief . . .
Auld Teammates Ponder the Realities of Over a half-Century: Skip & Paisan.
'61s Ready to Hit the Field…(LtoR): Red[not] Facher, Skinner Beattie, Persels, Roz, Paisan, Skipper (in Roz's dad's 50-year old overcoat…), Doc McElhinney.
Ditto (LtoR): Beattie, Chapman, tc, Dayton, Skip, John Henry, Paisan.
Penn Game—Where, oh, Where are the Pea Green Freshmen…? (student sections at far right, above 1972 & 1973 Championship banners…) [photo by Rick Husband]
Post-game Dinner (LtoR) @Table: Diana Beattie, Dick Beattie, Chas. Dayton, Chas. Chapman. Background: Bill Colehower'59, Meg Morton, Malora Gundy, Bill Gundy'60, Jack DeGange (SID 1968-77), Katherine Strickland.
Dartmouth Undying, I: Old halfback from Punahou and current safety Bun Straton'19 from Punahou reconnect in Hanover.
Dartmouth Undying, II: Skipper Tickles the Ivories.
It should not be overlooked that, concurrent with the Footie 60th, there was a packed-house memorial service for [the late] Dick Liesching'59, "Father of Dartmouth Rugby," at St. Thomas Church on W. Wheelock St. After the service, old ruggers Mike Murphy, Chuck Dayton, and tc drove down to Pine Knoll cemetery, just south of town, and paid their respects to [the late] Col. Corey Ford, USAF, mentor and benefactor to the DRFC.
(LtoR): Mike Murphy, Col. Ford, Chuck Dayton.
Next up for the [hyperactive] Class [of the Year] 1961 was the Homecoming/Dartmouth Night mini-reunion Oct. 26-28, again coordinated by the capable and calm Maynard Wheeler, who submits the following summary of those activities (Harris has circulated Victor S. Rich's account by e-mail Bulletin):
On a beautiful but near freezing Friday eve, classmates gathered at the Hanover Inn at 5PM for cocktails and dinner before assembling for the Homecoming Parade—at which the Class Frost Banner was joined by one celebrating "Class of the Year"! The official celebrants were moved down from in front of Dartmouth Hall to stands at the north end of the green. For the first time, through agreement with the local authorities, the bonfire was diminished in size and protected from contact by the First Year {Freshman] Class of '22 by several fences. Nevertheless, the festivities carried on.
Saturday morning student activities were moved to the Hanover Inn for the celebration of the new Class Award in the name of Steven Bosworth. We started with the Arts Initiative awardees, Spring Yu and Mary Pedicini '19s, who are making a film "An Inordinate Fondness" using puppets that they made and a theme of insects. We will be able to see the final product online in the spring. They were followed by our Academic student from the Geography Department, Benny Adapon'19, whose topic has the complex title of: "Geopolitical Ecologies: Care, Indigeneity, and Development in the Coron Protected Area, Palawan, Philippines."
Then we moved into the initiation of our involvement with the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding with a student panel organized by former Ambassador Dan Benjamin, the director, which provoked a spirited interchange about Dartmouth's growing involvement with the world at large. Class President Don O'Neill presented Steve Bosworth's widow, Christine, with a commemorative bowl–Simon Pearce's best–and President-emeritus, Jim Wright, reflected on his years when Steve was a trustee and friend. Steve's daughter, Allison, and her husband Andre Spinard also were welcome additions to the celebration.
After lunch, several hardees attended the victorious Harvard game in freezing rain while some watched it more comfortably on ESPN. We regathered at the DOC House on Occom Pond for dinner with Chris Sneddon, chair of the Geography Department and advisor to Benny, as our speaker. It was a fortuitous coincidence that Chris had been a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines where Benny is from, his project is based, and where Steve and Christine had lived during his diplomatic service.
Sunday morning closed out the weekend with an ample brunch at the Norwich Inn. Classmates attending: Armstrong, Baum, Bleyler, Burton Chapman, Hargraves, Holmberg, Jackson, Johnson (Art), Knox, Murphy, Naylor, O'Neill, Prewitt, Rich, Rozycki, Stuart, Watson, Wheeler, Wybranowski and, for the first time, two widows, Eileen DiSavino and Christine Bosworth. Hopefully they are starting a trend!
During the proceedings, Treasurer-emeritus Ivar Jozus was presented the class special award in absentia:
Dartmouth Class of '61
Special Recognition Award
Ivar Jozus
Dated October 27, 2018
When your wife Carol responded to our request for some of your non-Dartmouth achievements, she closed her cover note with the comment "Thank you for doing such a wonderful thing." Ivar (and Carol), it is the Class of '61 that wants to thank you for all you have done for our Class.
Your contribution of services to the Class, primarily as Class Treasurer for the past 28 years, has been beyond the call of duty. Your Class Treasurer of the Year award in 2013 stated that your tenure as class treasurer, since 1990, was the second longest of all class treasurers in the history of Dartmouth as of that time. Now, five years later, you may have become the longest serving treasurer of all classes.
However, mere "quantity" of service does not necessarily translate into "quality" of service! It is here that you have excelled as a financial voice of reason throughout the last nearly three decades. In your own quiet and unassuming manner, you have kept our Class in excellent financial shape, each year keeping us near the top with respect to class dues participation and enabling our class to accumulate enough excess funds to contribute $50,000 to our new endowed class project. In addition to class treasurer, your other contributions of service to the College include class agent, mini-reunion chair and Class Treasurers Association representative to the prestigious Alumni Council.
Your service to the community have been equally generous. A named partner in your law firm, you were a past president of the Middlesex County Bar Association, an active member of the Portland, CT Planning and Zoning Boards and the Charter Commission, and a member of your Church Council.
In summary, Ivar, you have been an ideal classmate. Your love of Dartmouth and your loyalty to our Class have infected your family. Your spouse, Carol, is also an active class participant and your influence has encouraged two of your three daughters to attend the College. Thank you for all you have done on behalf of our Class.
WOMEN'S INITIATIVE. Also during the mini-reunion, the Women's Initiative was able to convene. Patti Rich submits this report: "On Sat., Oct. 27, 2018, an interesting and informative Women's Gathering was held at the Hanover Inn. While some of the men of the class attended the Dartmouth/Harvard football game in the cold and rain, eight of us met. Chris Bosworth, Eileen Burton, Judy Holmberg, Karin Jackson, Joan Prewitt, Sandy Wheeler, Joan Wybranowski, and [myself] Patti Rich were in attendance. Our conversation became serious in nature, as we discussed: Continuing Care Retirement Communities, financial matters facing women and men of our age, future plans for downsizing moves and inheritance/will issues and plans for children and grandchildren's future needs. We thoroughly enjoyed each other's company and learning from each other. Patti and Nyla"
Jolly Marchers Brave the Elements (LtoR): R. Hopkins Holmberg, Peter Stuart, Joani Prewitt, Dave Prewitt. 
Ditto (front): Pete Bleyler, Don O'Neill, Victor S. Rich.
(background): Sandy Wheeler, Gim Burton, Darianna Rodriguez (Dave Armstrong's granddaughter - potential '23), Patti Rich, Eileen DiSavino, Jobbly Jackson.
Fearless Leader(s) Maynard & Sandy Wheeler.
New Improved Bonfire . . .
"OUR" STUDENTS:
Don O'Neill with Spring You & Mary Pedicini '19s, Art Initiative
O'Neill with Benny Adapon'19, Academic (Geog.)
Dan Benjamin (left) with Student Panel for International Understanding
Pres. O'Neill with Christine Bosworth and Allison Bosworth (w/husband Andre)
LONDON MINI. Next up: the jolly good London mini-reunion / joint 80th birthday hoot, May 15-18, 2019. Volunteer Chairpersons Frank & Dawn Stephens have updated the agenda which is posted on class website; click on London Agenda pls to review:
Potential attendees have been considering many semi-related activities to augment the actual London event, such as a visit to Normandy and the beaches/landmarks of Operation Overlord 6 June 1944, a walking tour of the Lake Country, various destinations in France, and sundry other endeavors (a pub crawl in Dublin…?). Start massaging your calendars.
General tidings: Arthur Bloom <arthurbloom1***verison.net> reports that David Birney has been moved to an Alzheimers facility in SoCA; Michele Roberge could no longer properly care for him at home. David has been cheery about the big change, and has enjoyed the phone calls from classmates. For a current update, please call Michele at 714/330-9019. (this from her: "David is physically doing really well, but his Alzheimer's disease has progressed rapidly. His children and I have decided he would be better cared for in a memory-care facility. We found one 2 miles from my home and are moving him in. Needless to say, this is breaking my heart. I have been his full-time caregiver for almost 2-1/2 years and was happy to be here with him. I said I wanted to make sure he was in his home until the time came when he didn't recognize it anymore. That time has come...he asks me each night, "when are we going home?"
He is losing his language skills, often speaking nonsense words or struggling to tell me what it is he wants. He can't write, can't comprehend what he reads, and doesn't remember his past work or shows and trips we took together.
This disease is so horrible. And he doesn't recognize that he has it [or is in denial-same difference].
Arthur Bloom calls him every day...what a loving friend. And we hear from Dennis Regan and Peter Stuart, too. David knows who they are, but it's disconcerting to try to have a conversation with him.
David talks about Dartmouth often...I think being there with you all was a highlight of his life.")
Ivar Jozus has been beset with mobility issues of late, and has had to surrender the class treasury to Jim Baum, who is just beginning to get abreast of the nuances of a position Ivar had held so ably so long.
Dan Paradis has moved to a care facility in Conway, NH. He had been a regular at the '61 monthly luncheon meetings in recent years.
Bob Naegele succumbed to complications from cancer on November 7th. Earlier he enjoyed a visit from fellow ol' Minnesotans Jack Hansen and Bud Shoening (photo):
LtoR: Hansen, Schoen, Naegs (as an Issur Danielovitch look-alike…)
Sam Bell has received the Univ. of So. Florida Class of '56 Award (the photo is from Facebook). The award, which recognizes a non-USF alumnus who has "rendered distinguished service to the university and its community," is presented by the USF Alumni Association and commemorates the year the school was founded.
Oscar Arslanian was cited in the latest AluMag (Aka DAM) thus:
Seen & Heard
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OSCAR ARSLANIAN '61
Oldies but Goodies
Pop stars of the 1950s perform for sold out crowds thanks to Los Angeles-based concert promoter Arslanian.
SOURCE:
LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL, AUGUST 20, 2018
Larry & Dixie Jakubsen were unable to make it up to Hanover [from Carolina] for the Football celebration, but submitted the following recent photo:
Jakubsens (Larry on left)
Denny Denniston had a long conversation with Jake Haertl in June and learned that he has no computer and no voicemail. Here is Denny's note:
"Jake lives in the Chateau at Bothell Landing, a retirement community that has continuing care available. He likes it, but he sounded a little lonely. He said there are not many friends or family who provide much support. His former wife and one daughter (in Monroe on Rte. 2) live nearby and are both somewhat attentive. The daughter has lived with a guy for 18 years. He has kids but she does not. The other daughter lives in Framingham, Mass, is not married and is a successful businesswoman into her career. Jake plays ping pong on Monday, Wed. and Fri at 12:30 in a club and really enjoys that. He also reads, primarily history and is now reading a series on WWII."
To which Jake's ol' suitemate in the Phi Gam house appends: "I see Jake each time I'm in Seattle. Jack Crowley'56 keeps in fairly constant contact w/Jake, and also w/his former wife Ellen. The Chateau is a lovely 'senior living' complex (have obtained literature m'self), and his set-up there is ideal for his needs. He is pretty much self-sufficient, enjoys his time to himself, but does put up w/Jack & tc (a brace o' loudmouth Micks) when he absolutely has to. Is simply not inclined to big, lengthy social endeavors—prefers lunch, or a few drinks w/friends, then back to his homey unit.
Does have some memory issues, apparently caused by his strokes (possibly CTE-related…?), but that doesn't seem to bother him. Physically, he appears in fine shape.
Good to see him reading as much as he does. Is working thru the Time/Life series on WWII at present."
22s Running Around Fire according to Roz
Players are bigger now!
And with that, let's call it a wrap.
Always a treat to hear from you old fellas (and Winkie), and especially nice to spend time with you in the flesh!
Here's a proper graphic for closure:
Paisan Snoozes on The Patio Chez Rozycki . . .
Aloha pumehana,
tc |
