JANUARY
2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
From the frontispiece of the 1954 Freshman Greenbook:
The days may come, the days may go,
But still the bands of memory weave
The blissful dreams of long ago.
George Cooper - Sweet Genevieve
Prescient thoughts in light of the waning aura of our 50th reunion. We
stride purposefully into 2005 with our chins held high, our futures easily
defined and enough milestones under our belts.
The connecting, communicating and high spirits are humming and we
continue to be the ideal to which other classes aspire. While we have welcomed a
number of Classmates into this happy mixture, there are still too many of you
out there who haven’t availed
yourselves of the joys of
‘54-ness. You will read in this newsletter of new activities which have been
designed to offer easier opportunities for involvement. Read on and keep your
date book handy!
We finished up 2004 with the (now) traditional holiday luncheons in
Boston
and
New York
. An innovation in Beantown was the inclusion of ‘53s as a means of creating a
“Body Dartmouth” which was both convivial and of a suitable size to do
justice to the trappings of the Weston Country Club - it worked, - 20 ‘54s
(“locals” Dick Barker, Jim Clark, Phil Cooke, Dick Eaton, Dick Gorsey, Bill
Grover, Don Keller, Pete Kenyon, Dick Leary , Jim Tofias and Shelly Woolf;
“travelers” Jay Davis, Jerry Goldstein, Lyon Greenberg, Dick Lewis, Steve
Mullins, Bob Osmond, Ed Quinn and Harry Robinson) plus 17 ‘53s
and 3 wives (identifiable from Groverphotos were Dick
Hall, Bob Henderson, John Mitchell and Al & Nancy Collins).
Boston
reporter/cousin DICK BARKER noted
that our Classmates “felt younger because of the presence of older men” and
that there was a general feeling that including wives was a fine idea. As
advertised, no program other than frequent mentions of our being named Class of
the Year for the benefit of the ‘53s.
In New York, attendance was at a fairly puny 32 (“locals” Howie
Aronson, Pete Barker, Jerry Barton, Bryce Bastian, Don Berlin, Lo-Yi Chan, Bruce
Classon, Dick Davidoff, Dick Franklin, Tony Kane, Ron Lehrman, Dave Levine, Dana
Low, Vic Mahler, Dave Mandelbaum, Dave Martin, Barry Nova, Dick Pearl, Art
Rauch, Dick Steinberg, Bob Vorsanger and Wayne Weil; “travelers” Bob
Adnopoz, Brad Borden, Jay Davis, John Fenn, Lyon Greenberg, Rick Hartman, Steve
Mullins, Dick Page, Harry Robinson, Tom Tyler, and Ed Winnick), but the jollity
was not affected. With the huge number of Classmates in the metropolitan area,
there must be a trigger which needs to be discovered and pulled - ideas accepted
happily. DAVE MARTIN told us of his
his election-watching tour in the
Ukraine
(versus the reported
Macedonia
in the last newsletter) and that he was scheduled for a return trip for the
second round. He got a fine briefing
from Geoffrey Berlin onsite. His daughter lost a squeaker of an election in her
bid for the Colorado Assembly. TONY
KANE proposed a regular monthly ‘54 luncheon in
New York City
and is on the job, determining the place and schedule.
BOB PRICE chimed in with a
note which began with a ton of “Hi Petes!, How Ya Doin’s”, etc. in answer
to my plaintive wail at the reunion about impersonal salutations. He reported
the third annual holiday luncheon in
Concord
,
MA
attended by a horde of ‘54/’53 Dekes (Dick Leary, George McLaughlin, Larry
Garvin, Ted Rockwell, Byron Menides and John Horne) and wives. My hunch is that
there are many such gatherings -
Dallas
, the Psi U Midgets, etc. - let me hear about them.
In the same vein, I’m (PETE BARKER) considering an attempt at a Spring
lunch in Greenwich, CT, there being a good-sized number of us within easy
driving distance - so be ready, Mssrs VOCK, MCCARTHY, SMITH, LANE, GENTILE,
MYERS, OUDHEUSDEN, HARRINGTON, METZ,
FREUND etal.
According to his submission to More Reflections, BOB COLLINS retired from
the
University
of
California
at
Santa Barbara
in 1994. Contrary to that report, however, see the following: “In 2002, Bob
Collins published his popular book, The Nile, that led to an invitation from
Macgillivray/Freeman Films to be the chief consultant and script writer for
their new IMAX documentary, The Mystery of the
Nile
. He spent 2003 and 2004 on the film which required his daily guidance (by GPS
and email) of Pasqualle Scaturo, the leader of the Blue Nile Expedition, that
made its way down the Nile from the Sacred Spring of Sakalla (Ethiopian origin
of the Nile) to the Mediterranean between December 2003 and May 2004. In
October, he spent a week in
Washington
at the invitation of the
US
government intelligence agencies, some of whom he has worked with in the past,
but now regularly, over the
Sudan
and
Darfur
after having read the English version of his influential essay, Disaster in
Darfur
prepared at the invitation of the editors of Geopolitique Africaine. Tsehia
will publish in January 2005 his Revolution and Civil Wars in the Sudan: Twenty
collected essays on the Sudan, Southern Sudan and Darfur, 1962-2004 (forty years
worth of unpublished essays), and in March, the Cambridge University Press will
bring out his latest book, Alms for Jihad: Charities and Terrorism in the
Islamic World. In between, he has been doing pro bono work for the Anuak Justice
Council regarding the massacre of 450 educated Anuak by the Ethiopian army in
December 2003. All of this from his office at UCSB where he continues to teach
highly popular classes.
Condolences to PETE ANKENY on the passing of his mother, Marie, in
St. Paul
,
MN
. A philanthropist in support of
research into eye diseases, Mrs. Ankeny’s brief obituary in the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (courtesy HUGH NOLIN) bespeaks
a person who lived a spirited and meaningful life: “Marie Hamm Ankeny,
a granddaughter of Hamm’s Brewing Co. founder Theodore Hamm, died Tuesday. She
was 101. Mrs. Ankeny grew up in
St. Paul
in one of the city’s most prominent families. She was the twin sister of
‘Pinkie’ Lang, who was 100 years old when she died in March. Their brother,
William Hamm, Jr., was kidnapped in 1933 by members of the Barker-Karpis gang.
He was president of
Hamm
’s Brewing at the time and was released for $100,000 ransom.” Would that we
all have similar elements of adventure, generosity and longevity in our final
notices.
LARRY RUSSELL attempted to get some press for what he thought might
qualify as a mini-reunion: “....was delighted to learn that GORDY NICHOLS had
moved to the
Atlanta
area, albeit fairly distant from my Alpharetta home. I called him and convinced
him to go to the Dartmouth Club Christmas party last Sunday. Along with a ‘52,
we were the elder participants. Had a good chat and we’ll gather at my house
in the Spring. Does that qualify for mini-reunion funds?”
Well ........ no, but Larry’s note is a good example of a most
interesting and satisfying activity - reading about specific men in More
Reflections. Do as I did and read the submissions from both Gordy and Larry and
I guarantee you’ll find them both better than some current bestsellers. The
geographic information at the back of the Class Directory is also a good
mechanism for discovering close-by Classmates.
Speaking of the Directory, it appears that we are either a forgetful
bunch or that a number of us can’t find the Directory. I am constantly
besieged with requests for email addresses while they are conveniently listed
under each Classmate’s name in the Directory. Somewhat akin to my wife’s
penchant for appearing ignorant of the purpose of the telephone book and,
instead , constantly asking Information for numbers.
From Weekly Variety’s review of School For Scandal
(in
Los Angeles
): “When Sir Oliver Surface (an excellent JOHN CUNNINGHAM) tests the
character of his nephews, Joseph is revealed
a blackguard and Charles a man of substance.”
A Dave
Story
You may recall the student protests over the College’s investment
holdings in countries practicing apartheid during DAVE MCLAUGHLIN’s time as
president. A photograph of LYON GREENBERG’s son, Josh ‘86, sitting on
Dave’s desk appeared in Time Magazine. At
Thanksgiving time, Dave and Judy were headed to a family gathering off-campus
and, knowing that they would pass near
Albany
, Dave called Josh and offered him a ride. He was (typically) able to separate
possible irritation at the publicized invasion of his office from a generous
gesture toward the son of one of his Classmates.
AUDREY LEWIS passed on some “nickel knowledge” related to Dr. Ned
Hallowell, the popular speaker at
our 50th reunion. She happened on a television program on which Dr. Hallowell
was the “star” in that he was dealing at length with Attention Deficit
Disorder and ADHD. He himself is both dyslexic and is afflicted with ADD
(as are a good many of his parents.) Audrey brought this to our attention
because of two books written by Ned Hallowell, Driven to Distraction and Answers
to Distraction, which deal with ADD. For those whose lives or families have been
disrupted by the condition, she heartily recommends them for perspective and
understanding.
On Friday evening of the December Alumni Council meeting in
Hanover
, there was a gala celebration of the 50th anniversary
of the Alumni Award, complete with black-tie garb and associated chatter.
1954 has eleven men so honored and five were present,
resplendent in tux and pride.
H. Robinson, J.
Gillespie, R. Berry, R. Page, D. Mandelbaum. R. Adnopoz, S.
Mullins
(Courtesy Joe Mehling)
Present
councilors HARRY ROBINSON and BOB BERRY were happy to join with them for the
photo below. FYI, Harry and Bob both
serve on the Academics Committee of the Council and would be happy to respond to
questions and comments from Classmates. Other members of the committee include
the progeny of presidents Dickey and Kemeny and the daughter of STU and TINA
STEARNS.
Led by Schussmeister JAY DAVIS, eight ‘54s and two wives “managed to
stay disconnected on the slopes, but very much connected apres ski” in early
January: the LOWs, the GORSEYs, JACK CHRISTY, “new guy” STEVE MULLINS, DICK
PEARL, BOB ADNOPOZ and NED FREEDMAN, who hosted the gang at his nearby unique
ski house.
The Dave Memorial
Dick Page’s blue ribbon (
HESTON
,
BERLIN
, HARTMAN, DAVIS, KENYON and GEITHNER) have discussed, at length, a suitable
permanent memorial to DAVID T. McLAUGHLIN to be installed on campus in
commemoration of his remarkable career and his devotion to
Dartmouth
. Among many suggestions are: a
life-sized statue, a bust, a bas relief, a full-length portrait, an endowed
internship at the Dickey Center and a plaque embedded in stone at an athletic
field or elsewhere on campus. The College has agreed to include our gift in the
new McLaughlin housing complex if we so desire. The committee is coordinating
with JUDY McLAUGHLIN, CARRIE PELZEL ‘54a and other College officials. NOW
.........BEFORE PROCEEDING TO A DECISION, the committee is adamant about
receiving ideas from the Class at large. We are imaginative, creative and
thoughtful en masse and as individuals. Whether you knew Dave personally or not,
take the time - sit back and remember campus and those things which still come
back to you after 50 years - then come up with that magical suggestion which
best memorializes Dave and pass it on to Dick Page (see directory for
fastest way for you to communicate.). C’mon,
this one is truly worth your time and your thoughts.
The
California
Mini
Seldom in the life of the Class has a project gone from zero to sixty in
such a short period of time. Under the aegis of Mini-Chair JOHN FENN, our “Man
of La Quinta” TED NOVASCONE, has organized and managed an event to top all
events! April 3rd through the 7th at La Quinta Resort and Club with a range of
activities to fit every proclivity. A
flyer with rates and other details have been
mailed to Classmates who
indicated interest on the September questionnaire, all ‘54s in the Western
states and all the “golf-nuts” currently planning to attend the early March
mini in
Florida
. If this potential assemblage does not include you and you would like the
details, go directly to Ted Novascone at Tsnovi@aol.com or contact your
newsletter editor (me). Time is
short, so act now.
Regarding the aforementioned golf mini, MORT GALPER has 24 Classmates and
21 wives scheduled for fun and frolic (and golf) March 6-10 in
Ft.
Myers
. The proffered seven options for main course at the Beachview Club is certainly
a refreshing change from the traditional “Meat or Fish?”.
Changes and Corrections
Grab your directory and a pen and record the following new information:
Bob
Osmond - osmond@adelphia.net
Hugh
Roberts - dart54law56@cox.net
John
Herrmann - jbherrm@charter.net
712 Salisbury St
. /
Worcester
,
MA
01609 / (508) 752-6803
Pete
Robinson - Peter.Robinson@NGU.NO
Kaptein Kaalds vei 9A / N-7041
Trondheim
,
Norway off: 47-73-904149 home: 47-73-926744
Dr. John Hermann explained his change of address simply as : “Moving to
a smaller home.” Take a look at his notes in More Reflections and marvel at a
most satisfying life and a family full of talent and ambition.
Prof. Peter Robinson supplied a taste of life in
Norway
: “The big change in the move is out of a 10-story apartment building (with
renovation drilling noise lots of the time) and into a single home built in 1992
(where only we make the noise). It’s located on Ladehammer (a hill with a park
on the top). Although our views out the window are somewhat limited, a 60-second
walk brings us to a spectacular overview of the city, harbor and fjord. It is a
six-minute walk to Sandra’s school, about 12 to where we work and about 15 to
the city center and coastal express steamer wharf. We hear the boat whistles
often. it lies a few hundred meters from Korsvika, where Olav Tryvasson launched
the largest Viking ship ever built (Ormen Lange = Long Dragon) in the year 1000.
Just now, we are clearing a sea of cardboard boxes and looking at furniture that
has been stored since moving from the USA in 1999, but all will be made right in
due time. Although we have no basement, we do have additional storage space in
the form of a renovated concrete pig shed left over from an earlier era.” Same
comment - go to More Reflections and be prepared to be amazed. Just to be
married to a woman whose interest is avidly into paleomagnetism has to be a
challenge.
A Conversation with Joe
After our loss of Dave McLaughlin, I called JOE MESICS
in
Healdsburg
,
CA
to confirm whether Dave’s football skills were evident in freshman year. They
were. Even though he had been an outstanding player in high school, Joe was a
“walk on” to the freshman team. As stated before, Joe is a strong proponent
of the walk-on approach to inter-collegiate athletic teams at schools of
Dartmouth
’s size and structure. On his
first day on the field in 1950, Doggie Julian asked him what position he played.
Without giving it much thought, Joe said “End, I guess.” Doggie then said:
“OK, go out for a pass.” Throwing was a ‘54 named TOM MAHAR. The freshman
Greenbook lists Tom as five years at
Cheshire
Academy
with lots of varsity football and hockey, then three years in the Air Force.
Apparently he had an arm - practically drilled a hole in Joe’s chest. Doggie
said “You’re a lineman .....” Joe listed JERRY O’NEILL, DICK BUTERA,
“BAB” BABCOCK, ROG STUART, PAUL MACKEY and MIKE PAPANTONES, with only Paul
and Mike making it through the four years. Reading
the backgrounds on those above, we could have had an Ivy League championship
team if the academics had worked. Joe also recalled the resolution of the famous
“fifth down” game when the Cornell coach called the
Dartmouth
coach and said simply: “You won, Tuss.”
Stage Names
In the last newsletter, I mentioned that actor Eli Wallach had suggested
I change my name for my various
acting endeavors. Brother Mesics has suggetested Chevy, R. Burton, Turhan,
Orson, Shecky, Melvin, Tab and W.C. John Fenn offered up P. Diddy and ED SCOTT
entered “F. Cudworth.” The polls are still open.
Speaking of dual citizen Ed, I had down-loaded his
Canada
101 for Americans a while back and finally got around to reading it. Most
US
citizens regard Canadians as being just like us, when in fact, there are some
extraordinary differences in the ways in which we govern. I recommend it highly
to you for some “I didn’t know that!” reading. Contact Ed at edscott@dccnet.com.
Heart Valve Society
JOEL LASKY founded the above-named club a few years ago for the purpose
of swapping stories about surgeries, medications and the mysteries of the heart
lung machine. The initial members were Joel, TED SHORT and Pete Barker and the
membership was restricted to those with mitral valve replacements. The
mechanism is a simple flow valve that prevents blood from flowing back up into
the left atrium after the left venticle has “beat”, pushing the blood out to
the body via the aorta. In perusing
More Reflections, we discovered that LARRY MAMLET had had a valve replacement
and invited him into the Society before we learned that his valve was of the
aortic type. After several executive sessions, it was decided to admit “the
aortics” and to begin to teach Larry the song and the handshake. This tale is
told in order to put out the word that we are now happy to admit all those with
valve replacements, regardless of type or manufacturer, so let’s hear from
you!
IN MEMORIAM
LT. COL. JOHN C. BARON
Jack Baron died in
Austin
,
Texas
on August 30. Joining us from
West Warren
,
MA
, he roomed with two
Worcester
Academy
classmates, BRUCE ADAMSON and DAVE BARTLETT. He had been an all-around athlete
at
Worcester
. Although he spent a small amount
of time with us, he retained fond memories of
Dartmouth
, according to his daughter, Joan Long. In 1951, Jack forsook academe for the
sky and entered the Air Force. Flying for the Air Force was “his lifelong
passion” and over his 28 years of service, he flew everything
from a Piper Cub to T-39s. In the early part of his career, he was
stationed at Randolph Air Base in
San Antonio
,
TX
as a pilot and instructor. He completed two tours in
Viet Nam
and
Thailand
, where he lost several close friends. Following
the cessation of hostilities, he was stationed at the USAF Headquarters in
Wiesbaden
,
Germany
(1969-1973), testing and evaluating pilots in
Europe
,
Asia
and
Africa
. On his return from
Germany
, he had a short stint at George AFB in
California
, then returned to Randolph AFB where he retired. In spite of his geographic
range of tours, Jack was the proud father of three daughters and a son and ten
grandchildren.
We are diminished by his loss. A book in Baker Library will be inscribed
in his memory.
‘54s who lived on the third floor of Topliff during freshman year are
invited to share memories of Jack.
====================================================================
At the Boston Holiday Luncheon
Jay and Dick - #10 and #15 in the Chandler Succession
PGBarker54@aol.com
(203) 661-7611