Class of '64 (July-August 2010 Issue)


How did the Dartmouth experience influence our choices of professions? When a philosophy major, a chemistry major (next issue) and a Greek and Roman studies major all enter the same field eventually, it's easy to throw up your hands and deny there's any overriding academic influence. Maybe certain extracurricular involvements have a big influence on one's profession. Is it significant that three baseball pitchers from our class joined the same profession?

Our philosophy major is now Reverend Bill Dubocq. He graduated from theological school in 1968 and became chaplain at "The Governor's Academy" (Massachusetts) for four years. For 19 years thereafter he ministered to churches in Clinton and Lancaster, MA, which grew ten-fold during his tenure. In 1990 he and wife Holly moved to Cape Cod and joined the "Community of Jesus," a modern monastic ecumenical abbey, where he and Holly, a teacher and nurse, had been spending their summers for years. Bill happily continues as part of a pastoral team, preaching, teaching and counseling. They have two sons, one a minister, and four grandchildren. Though philosophy seems an appropriate background for a minister, he did pitch for Tony Lupien.

Up in the serene beauty of the lakes region of New Hampshire lives another pitcher-preacher, Reverend Bob MacArthur and his wife Peggy, a family therapist. Bob, a Greek and Roman studies major, is an ordained Episcopal priest who has found many ways of ministering without a formal congregation. For almost two decades he was chaplain and director of the American Youth Foundation. During his tenure he broadened the reach of AYF to include youths of all faiths. He worked with Outward Bound and is still involved with several conservation groups. Meditation, yoga and working with horses are part of his constant engagement with nature. He and Peggy both work as life coaches and do executive and organizational counseling. They have two daughters, two sons and a granddaughter. He's a regular at our reunions where he conducts a most sensitive, meaningful memorial service.

Maybe philosophy paired with pitching is the link which also fits Rabbi Roger Klein. Was it the value of prayer on the mound that convinced Roger to enter the rabbinate? After Dartmouth he studied philosophy at the University of Chicago, studied Christian Theology and New Testament in Germany, attended Hebrew Union College, led a congregation in Columbus, OH and received a Ph.D. (philosophy) all by the time he was 40! He became campus rabbi and taught religion at Wesylan University for seven years and is now rabbi at a large congregation in Cleveland, his home town. While at Dartmouth two music courses, including Sykes, made a lasting impression. He often lectures on musical topics and gives pre-concert talks for the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. He keeps in touch with several Dartmouth friends, including Ken Lapine, Jack Schulman, Steve Blake and John Gridley, and he still plays tennis! He has three children and two grandchildren, all residing in greater Cleveland.

Conclusion of this theme in the next issue. Peace.