Click here for:
SEPTEMBER
2002
PGBarker54@aol.com
‘54
VIRUS!!
An insidious computer virus has invaded portions of the Class of 1954.
How deeply the infection has burrowed will be determined by your responses to
this newsletter. Here’s the evidence so far. I received an email from GRANT
SETTLEMIER’s email address with a two-line message: “Here’s an interesting
little game. I know you will enjoy it.” When
I attempted to open the download, confusion reigned. A day later, JERRY BARTON
indicated that he had received a similar message from me, performed a virus
diagnosis (he is a physician), detected the infection and deleted it. Similar
messages have been received from the email addresses of
KEN PATTERSON, GEORGE HASKINS and coming back from Jerry Barton. Cousin
DICK BARKER and PERRY DAVIS (not a cousin) have reported similar experiences.
The more frightening occurrence was a message I sent to Dick Barker (we
correspond almost daily) that, when I checked it in “Sent Mail”, was altered
to include the question: “These computer viruses are insidious, aren’t
they?” Not much in the way of explanations so far. One might think that,
perhaps it’s a sinister Class of 1953 plot, or, more paranoid, maybe the folks
who sell virus-detecting programs are trying to drum up business. Use the
Greencard to report similar experiences or to offer suggestions on defense.
The ‘54-’79-’04 Connection
The “across the generations” connection, initiated by Karyn Caro, a
resourceful ‘04, has matured into a full-fledged project with participation by
a goodly number from each of the three classes. A marvelous gathering was
held in July and the good vibes are reflected in DICK TROWBRIDGE’s
report: “A very successful mini-reunion ‘Connections Weekend’ was
held in Hanover, July 12-14 with the classes of ‘04, ‘79 and our Great Class
of 1954. The kickoff at Thayer was
a panel discussion, ‘Women at Dartmouth’, covering ‘before gals’, the
‘early birds’ and ‘today’ with participants from each of the eras, our
own JINNY POPE , a Mount Holyoke grad, was our rep and did an outstanding job,
telling about the glory years of 1950-1954, how well we treated our dates and
the fun we had. Several ‘79 panel members told some interesting stories about
their initial experiences
in the
early days
of coeducation.
The enduring message for the gathered 40 people, though, was the
recognized gentlemanly behavior of our Class. After a few traditional cocktails
at JOHN and BETTY HESTON’s, we ‘54s had a fine dinner downtown. In
attendance were ANN and RICK HARTMAN, JINNY
and JOHN POPE, BEVERLY and BILL BRIGGS, NANCY and BILL BONNEVILLE, JOHN HESTON,
HARRY ROBINSON, and DICK
TROWBRIDGE. JACK and HELEN CHRISTY took their penpals to dinner to share campus
experiences. On Saturday, Jinny’s experience on the links served to win all
the money from some ‘04s and ‘79s. Some 100 of the mixed group chowed down
at a massive barbecue in front of Mass Hall on Saturday night. Others joining in
included JUDY and DAVE McLAUGHLIN, JILL/SASHA/PETER KENYON, BILL GROVER, MARTHA
and JAY DAVIS, MARGE TROWBRIDGE and CAROL and
STEVE MULLINS.” Obviously a highly satisfying hook-up with our
half-century mates with whom we will share the graduation ceremony in June 2004.
Active penpaling is reported by JOHN FENN, TOMMY THOMPSON and DAVE RANSOM.
Acknowledging that the contest was over, JIM ADAMS felt creative enough
to suggest two other terms for a Group of ‘54s. A flock - a number of animals
(humans) keeping, feeding or herded together. And a granite - ties in with the
song and not just an igneous rock, but a object of great hardness and firmness.
Noted.
The August edition of Dartmouth Life included a photograph of MILT KRAMER
delivering the valedictory address. It highlighted the presentation of the
annual Milton Sims Kramer Award to two student groups: Al-Nur and The Stonefence
Review.
Al-Nur,
the campus Muslim student association serves as a source of religious support,
continuing education and social interaction for all aspects of the Hanover area
community. The Stonefence Review is a student magazine that sponsors readings at
local retirement communities and around campus. Each issue includes a themed
section which spotlights work from
professors, visiting writers, alums and students. While it is difficult to
predict where Milt would be today, given the promise he held, the Kramer award,
established by his ‘54 friends, certainly keeps his memory alive.
From DICK SHELLEY in Bern, NC: “Still riding the Travel Tidalwave with
wife JILL (agent) at the helm. Weathered a week in Maine on a big ketch, ‘Angelique’
(colder than a witch’s), two weeks on Jersey’s Long Beach Island (hotter’n
blue blazes) and now headed for Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and other similar
gunk-holes in mid-September. Enough already! Next year, I’m staying in the
hammock!
Puzzle. While on campus, ED SCOTT roomed with two identical twins, but
they did not resemble each other. How could that have been? Answer: DON
BELCHER’s twin brother was at Amherst and PETE TOWNSEND’s twin brother was
at Yale. Apparently much rascalness erupted when the off-campus twins both
showed up for Winter Carnival.
Over the years in which he compiled our invaluable Class Directory, DICK
BARKER would receive a list of deceased classmates from the College. An
unfamiliar name kept appearing - RICHARD J. DOLAN, deceased in 1958. Finally, we
decided to solve the mystery and went to Alumni Records. The case was old enough
that it required delving into the depths of the Rauner Special Collections of
Baker Library (the old Webster Hall). Here’s what was discovered: “After
graduating from high school in 1946, Richard Dolan joined the Army. After two
years in the military service, he attended Kimball Union Academy in order to
improve his GPA before attending Dartmouth. His matriculation card shows that he
was a member of the Class of 1954, but apparently, because he was a reservist,
he was called back into active duty before he could begin classes in the fall of
1950. According to the Alumni
Magazine obituary, Richard attended Dartmouth for only one semester - fall of
1951. He then fell ill and had to withdraw. According to a letter written by
his uncle, Sidney Flanagan ‘23, Richard felt that “ .. the fates were
against his attending Dartmouth [and] he threw in the sponge.” Truly a sad
commentary. Now ... even though he was likely in freshman courses in the fall of
1951, does anyone remember him? Did anyone room with him? Notify your editor.
Here’s another one for you - Karl Zimmerman. Karl is not in the
freshman book, but shows up in The Aegis, where it indicates he was from Denver,
an AD, Dragon and secretary of the Geological Society. No indication that he
might have been from another class. He is not listed in the College Directory,
so may be deceased. JOHN STEEL, an AD, remembers him, but there’s nothing else
available on him. Okay ...... if
you can help, notify your editor.
At the end of a PAUL MARTIN article in Copy Editor: “Getting back to
that [Wall Street] Journal column, was solipsism a solecism? Au contraire.
Solipsism is the philosophical view that the self is the only reality, as
opposed to objectivism, which holds that all knowledge is based on observed
things and events. As for solecism, the sun is the center of the solecism. Just
kidding! As Copy Editor readers surely know, the word refers to a violation of
conventional grammar or usage. At least, that is our solipsistic view.” Try to
learn a new word every day. The editor’s spellchecker just got a headache.
Our kids. Scott Nova ‘87, son of the former Democratic Party chairman
of Greenwich, CT, BARRY NOVA (and SUSAN), has been ranked number 82 on the
Sporting News list of the 100 most powerful people in the sports business for
2001. Scott is executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium
(WRC) in Washington, DC, an organization which helps ensure fair labor
practices are followed in all factories that make products for universities
belonging to the WRC.
DICK and MARILYN GRASSEY happily announced the marriage of their
daughter Brenda to Richard Woollams, a senior insurance executive in July. No
mention was made in the announcement about Dick’s Dartmouth degree (Brenda
went to Middlebury).
Bill Barker ‘81, former VP, Controller of Quaker Oats, was named Sr.
VP, Planning and Strategy for the Gatorade Division of PepsiCo following the
acquisition of Quaker by Pepsi. Following the winning of a few gold medals in
Masters throwing competitions, father PETE BARKER suggested Gatorade pursue an
older demographic by replacing Michael Jordan as spokesman with himself. Still
under discussion.
FREDA HILL confirmed the 50th anniversary of her matrimonial union with
DONN in this month. Her recollection of the sandwich-making was 150/day, opting
not to make the calculation of the total amount prepared through June 1955 (Donn
picked up his MBA at Tuck under the now defunct 3-2 program). Donn is
“almost” retired from his accounting practice in Rochester, NY. The Hills
are constantly swarmed by brigades of grandchildren.
50th reunion planning continues apace. The Class of 1952 attracted 265
classmates and a total of somewhere north of 500. A nice target to shoot for.
Ambitiously, our Reunion Committee has already ordered up 250 highly stylish
pins for the women accompanying our goodselves (thank you, AUDREY LEWIS). JOHN
GILLESPIE is already at a point where he can’t say a sentence without
using the word reunion. Rest assured that you will be reminded of June 2004 with
ever-increasing intensity as time clicks off. As an exercise, pull out
Reflections and start reading from the first page to the last. If you have never
done this, you will be amazed at the depth and breadth of its contents. BILL
WHITE will be hard-pressed to surpass his 1979 effort. Related note: did you
know that Bill’s father pioneered skiing at Stowe and Mad River?
STEVE MULLINS and TOM TYLER
are taking a shot at extending the joy of the Class trip to the Greek Isles with
a long weekend in Chicago and SW Michigan in September 2003. Plans are still in
formation.
As the Class Mini-Reunion Chairman, JOHN GILLESPIE is glowing. So far, it
looks like eleven “official” get-togethers in 2002 with many new activities
added to our regular ones. One positive aspect of this growth is the inclusion
of more and more classmates who have not participated in the past. Gradually, we
are breaking out of the “Eastern clique” label that dogs most Dartmouth
classes.
Speaking of gatherings, impresario JERRY GOLDSTEIN has outdone himself on
the planning for our group 70th birthday party, September 18-21. With 120 for
dinner the first night and some 30 attending the first preview of “Amour”
with JOHN CUNNINGHAM, it is a newsletter editor’s dream. See the November
issue.
Thanks to the persistence of TED NOVASCONE, a glitch was found in finding
the Greek trip photos on our website (www.alum.dartmouth.org/classes/54/).
Somehow, the process moved the viewer into something called “Forced
PR” for the College. Webster PERRY DAVIS reloaded the page and things should
now be as advertised.
PETE and SUE GUTLON: “We were just on a wonderful trip to Israel,
Budapest and Prague. Sue’s son and wife and our granddaughter live in
Jerusalem. It was amazing to see how they live so easily in a very difficult
atmosphere. They share their lives with friends and neighbors as we all once
did. Constant knocking on the door, new friends, asking for help, suggestions,
company. We went to the market where there had been two suicide bombings, to the
old City and the Wailing Wall, Tel Aviv and to the north - all without incident.
Pressed for time, I was only able to speak with Peter Kenyon, Jr. on the phone -
he is a primary reporter for NPR. He and his family are well. The time in Israel
was wonderful, as we were able to be with our children and, without prejudice,
the most beautiful and brightest grandchild in the world! We fervently hope
everyone can someday live in peace. What a beautiful country!”
Our Homecoming mini-reunion (November 1-2) looks like it will match and
even exceed the event-filled celebrations of prior years. Cocktails in the
Inn’s Hayward Lounge propel us into the Dartmouth Night Parade and the annual
impressive display of today’s athlete-scholars. President DICK LEWIS presides
over the Class meeting Saturday morning in his usual off-putting muted style
which generally traps the unsuspecting into accepting onerous assignments. JOHN
GILLESPIE has cleverly figured out
how to overcome the damp, confused pre-game lunch situation by just keeping us
out meeting room with either our own lunches or the cuisine of Thayer Hall.
Complimentary Bloody Marys brace us for the downhill trek to the stadium for the
Harvard game. Once again, JOHN HESTON’s trusteeship of the Montshire Museum
has gained us the spot for dinner catered by the award-winning Marceaus. Watch
for the mailing.
Also mark your calendars for the holiday luncheons - December 10th at the
Weston Country Club for the Boston group and December 12th at the Yale Club in
New York.
ELISABETH and SHELLY WOOLF, JOAN and JIM TOFIAS
hosted what appears to be the entire Dartmouth community on Cape Cod at
cocktails and a clambake at the Woolf’’s newly renovated place in Cummaquid.
Those noticed covered with melted butter included ‘54s RAUCH, MILKEY, GALPER,
GRABOYS, SIBLEY, BARKER, GORSEY, GOLD and PAGE. The following day provided
boating, beaching, fishing and tennis. Party
on!
Dr. JOHN FENN one of the fourteen “stalwarts” who traveled to Athens
and the Greek islands, plans to bring his vast collection of group photos taken
to the 70th birthday party as a means of stimulating classmates to join in on
future such ventures. John heard from the tour director afterward, who reported
that the succeeding group (Yalies) sat and conversed in a polite, reserved
fashion as opposed to the lively singing and story-telling of
the ‘54s. Hard to get away from our “rep”, but this time it turned
out to be positive. NATALIE FENN, master photographer, snapped a picture of the
Greeking men - see next page.
The
Athens Boys: Robinson, Mullins, Murane, Berlin, Hartman, Martin, Osmond,
Bill
Grover with penpal Jennifer Sy ‘04 and ‘04 Superstar Karyn Caro
And some other folks you may not have seen for awhile.
Jim and Bunny Conrad, Barbara and Dick Barker ... taken on Cape Cod in July:
[Click
on Photo to enlarge it]
Here
is what appears to be an efficient, non-demanding request of every one of the
615 of you to whom the newsletter is mailed - an update or confirmation of your
email address. The sporadic changes out there frustrate the capacity of many of
your Class workers to put out information or just drop you a note. So .....
click here: PGBarker54@aol.com
then type
“checking in” along with your name as the subject. The name is necessary because many of
you have gotten so clever in designing your address that is sometimes looks like
deletable spam. There is no sinister intent in this request (you did get this
newsletter, didn’t you?) and, recognizing that many are still uncaptured by
computer-mania, the response activity may well be the largest Class-wide event
ever. Thanks.
IN
MEMORIAM
RICHARD
SPRAGUE DANFORTH
Dick Danforth left us on August 7. In December 1999, he was honored with
the Class of 1954 Award for his humanitarianism. His life, in all its aspects,
reflected his dedication to his fellow man, from professional redeveloper of
communities in several states to easing the pains and sufferings of individual
classmates and their families. His kindnesses were returned in kind by a
multitude of ‘54s who were in daily contact during his last years.
Dick joined us in Hanover from Nashua High with a well-established
athletic record in the quarter mile. In freshman year, he roomed with two other
highly energized men, Dave McLaughlin and
Tom
Tyler. His career direction was in his mind from the start and he graduated with
a major in Public Administration. His brothers remember him as a loyal, active
member of Phi Kappa Psi.
He served as an air force officer for two years in Germany and
retired as a major in the Air Force Reserves. Following a Masters degree
from the University of Pennsylvania, Dick spent his working life improving life
in every city in which he worked. Those improvements ranged from reshaped
waterfront areas to newly created parks to subway systems. Most of his time was
spent in Buffalo, NY where he was constantly recognized for his good works.
His first marriage produced three children, all now successful in their
chosen fields. His marriage to Nicole brought two stepchildren into his
life. He is survived by four grandchildren.
Bedeviled by ill health for many of the last 25 years, Dick never allowed
it to interfere with living life to its fullest. It was a rare Class gathering
he did not join. Even with failing sight, he journeyed daily to serve as a
docent at the New Hampshire Historical Society and the Kearsage Indian Museum.
His friendships were strong and lasting. Fraternity brother FRED PAGE summed it
up: “I had the highest admiration for what a fighter he was, particularly
after he lost his health. He also showed great character in the way he threw off
all the teasing we subjected him to as the house jock. He worked very hard at
building and maintaining his friendships.”
We are diminished by the loss of Dick Danforth.
Here
is what appears to be an efficient, non-demanding request of every one of the
615 of you to whom the newsletter is mailed - an update or confirmation of your
email address. The sporadic changes out there frustrate the capacity of many of
your Class workers to put out information or just drop you a note. So ..... go
to your computer, type PGBarker54@aol.com into the address box, then type
“checking in” along with your name. The name is necessary because many of
you have gotten so clever in designing your address that is sometimes looks like
deletable spam. There is no sinister intent in this request (you did get this
newsletter, didn’t you?) and, recognizing that many are still uncaptured by
computer-mania, the response activity may well be the largest Class-wide event
ever. Thanks.
IN
MEMORIAM
RICHARD
SPRAGUE DANFORTH
Dick Danforth left us on August 7. In December 1999, he was honored with
the Class of 1954 Award for his humanitarianism. His life, in all its aspects,
reflected his dedication to his fellow man, from professional redeveloper of
communities in several states to easing the pains and sufferings of individual
classmates and their families. His kindnesses were returned in kind by a
multitude of ‘54s who were in daily contact during his last years.
Dick joined us in Hanover from Nashua High with a well-established
athletic record in the quarter mile. In freshman year, he roomed with two other
highly energized men, Dave McLaughlin and
Tom
Tyler. His career direction was in his mind from the start and he graduated with
a major in Public Administration. His brothers remember him as a loyal, active
member of Phi Kappa Psi.
He served as an air force officer for two years in Germany and
retired as a major in the Air Force Reserves. Following a masters degree
from the University of Pennsylvania, Dick spent his working life improving life
in
every
city in which he worked. Those improvements ranged from reshaped waterfront
areas to newly created parks to
subway
systems. Most of his time was spent in Buffalo, NY where he was constantly
recognized for his good works.
His first marriage produced three children, all now
successful in their chosen fields. His
marriage to Nicole brought two stepchildren into his life. He is survived by
four grandchildren.
Bedeviled by ill health for many of the last 25 years, Dick never allowed
it to interfere with living life to its fullest. It was a rare Class gathering
he did not join. Even with failing sight, he journeyed daily to serve as a
docent at the New Hampshire Historical Society and the Kearsage Indian Museum.
His friendships were strong and lasting. Fraternity brother FRED PAGE summed it
up: “I had the highest admiration for what a fighter he was, particularly
after he lost his health. He also showed great character in the way he threw off
all the teasing we subjected him to as the house jock. He worked very hard at
building and maintaining his friendships.”
We are diminished by the loss of Dick Danforth.