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SEPTEMBER 2006
www.alum.dartmouth.org/classes/54/
PGBarker54@aol.com (203) 661-7611
Do Unto Others
We are, indeed, a truly active class among the classes that surround us. While the surge of reconnecting, which began after our 45th reunion, can be credited with some of the level of energy, there is also a satisfying uplift from “connecting” - meeting ‘54s we haven’t known before. New names have been popping up on the attendance lists of ‘54 events, ranging from golf to fishing to Dordogne, mini-reunions and Class good works. Let’s work that dynamic a bit - go to the back of the Class directory, find a geographically close ‘54 you don’t knowand set up a lunch. Do the lunch. Then tell the Newsletter Editor about it.
On another front, the Class of 1954 gets plaudits for its generous involvement with students and student activities through its support of interns and contributions to athletic activities. Additionally, individual Classmates contribute to a wide range of specific campus activities, many of which actually have to do with the “life of the mind.” The Milt Kramer Award is a coveted honor among those on campus who work to improve the lives of others.
PETE KENYON and DICK TROWBRIDGE are the tigers who lead our charge into the arena of Good Works. Many of you have heard some of our interns speak at Homecomings and the newsletter editor receives a constant flow of the writings of these spirited students. Here are some excerpts from their letters:
Rosalie Hughes ‘07 - Tom Sayles Tucker Fellow
After earlier internships in Ecuador and Ghana, now living and working in a refugee camp for 70,000 displaced Liberians in Ghana: “I have come to realize that, in cross-cultural ‘service- oriented’ work, the relationships developed are often more valuable than the product of the work itself. ...... I hope to use my time in Ghana to reflect on my future.”
Christopher Koppel ‘09 – swimmer
Admitted under early decision: “It is truly a blessing to be offered an education in the Ivy League. My visit to campus was what put Dartmouth at the top of my list ....the place ..... the students. I hope to be able to return the favor and continue to contribute to the Dartmouth Community as an alumnus.”
David Wolff ‘07 - Dave McLaughlin Dickey Fellow Internship with the
U.S. Mission
to The Conference on Disarmament in
Geneva.
Prior internship in Washington with a Congressman. “I couldn’t have picked a more rewarding experience to round out my junior year. I now have a much fuller understanding of the mechanics behind international diplomacy as well as a respectable expertise regarding the specific issues which lie at the base of Multilateral disarmament negotiations. Strengthened my belief in the need for more of the best and the brightest Americans, whether they’re from Dartmouth elsewhere.”
Nicole Lee ‘10 – softballer
Admitted under early decision: “Your generosity in making my trip to Dartmouth
possible allowed me to realize how specia the place is. I honestly could not have made the decision without the visit.” Coach Vogt: “Nikki is a ‘speedy slapper’ who will add new dimension to our lineup.”
Additionally, the Class supported the equivalent of one student in the nascent Civic
Skills Training program developed by the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences. Under the program, small groups of students spend five days in Washington, immersing themselves in the nature and culture of public sector work, with supplemental involvement and encouragement from Dartmouth alumni in the area. Participants in this program get their appetites whetted for full internships and learn the basics of work in the public sector. Who knows - maybe, within our lifetimes, we will be able to brag about being an early supporter of a nationally prominent and productive politician!
In spite of JOE MESICS’s vocal opposition to athletic recruitment in favor of pure “walk-on” participation in Dartmouth sports, many of us send the occasional check to specific athletic funds for travel, uniforms, etc. Personally, I kick in in response to requests from Wrestling, Track & Field and the Marching Band. Football, being the moneymaker, is likely the area of interest to Joe.
Staying on the subject of athletics, perusal of the 170-page 2006 Dartmouth Football book for mentioned ‘54s still yields the following prideful information:
Jennison/Mclaughlin/Thielscher/Miller records, Moore’s managership, Peters’ leadership, 18 “Wearers of the D” and Walt Anderson’s “Manners Makyth the Man” obriquet.
Bottom line of all of the above - when you receive the annual note from ALEC GRAY for Class dues and project support, dig deeper! Kick in more than what is asked! Every dollar is spent wisely and for worthwhile purposes (assuming you feel that the Newsletter is worthwhile ....)
BARRY NOVA has been locally visible in Greenwich, CT with strongly-worded letters to the editors, blasting Representative Christopher Shays for not debating his Democrat opponent about Iraq.
LARRY RUSSELL recommends I’m A Stranger Here Too by Bill Bryson. A columnist who left the U.S. for twenty years, he and his English wife settled in Hanover on their return. The book is vignettes on the changes in the U.S. relative to England and the book’s appeal is its mentions of Hanover, Lou’s, Dartmouth and Main Street. More on Larry - as the prime ‘54 in Georgia, he took great umbrage at an Atlanta newspaper reporter’s inclusion of “Dartmouth University “ in a list of Top Ten Universities. He pulled out all the stops, including Dan Webster’s oft-quoted declaration and Sprite’s “never was, never will be” ad. The reporter apologized by email and printed a retraction. Subsequently, Larry discovered the incorrectness of “never was”, since the State of New Hampshire made it so for a short period of time (1816+) before ‘ol Dan sweet-talked the U.S. Supreme Court into reversing the action. Being a Dartmouth gentleman, Larry sort of apologized to the reporter by copying her on his email to me.
Dr. JOHN FENN, while attending the annual black tie banquet of the Yale Department of Surgery with NATALIE, was called to the podium and presented with the 2006 Distinguished Service Award! His 45 years of dedicated service (including checking on me after my ‘93 heart surgery) was roundly applauded, following which he attributed his endurance and attention to his calling to his lovely wife. She nodded.
PETE GUTLON echoed the good time had with the visit of the KENYONs and HILLMANs earlier this year. Pete and SUE had hoped to head back to Lenox, MA in late May, but the tremendous delay on the replacement of their hurricane-damaged windows was still bothersome. Pete continues to deal with his Pulmonary Fibrosis and requires constant oxygen. Spirits were raised with the week-long visit of their grandchildren from Israel.
From JOHN GILLESPIE: from the AARP Newsletter - “Another Shot, Please? A nursing home in Ireland has installed a pub on the premises - the first of its kind, as far as anyone can tell. Ready access to a nip, the theory goes, will lift the spirits of residents and may help them (average age 85) live longer. In any case, their loved ones are suddenly more inclined to visit.” Erin go bragh!
Signing off with “Busy Dartmouth days!”, DICK PAGE waxes expansively: “JANE and I spent three weeks in India in February. We are headed to Slovenia in September with Dartmouth and then on safari in Tanzania in February ‘07. Entertained SUSIE and NORM VEASEY for lunch recently. Just back from two days on Martha’s Vineyard with JEAN and BOB ADNOPOZ. The GILLESPIEs were here in June for the Cape Cod Club dinner with Susan and Jim Wright, the MILKEYs, the BARKERs and the WOOLFs.”
IRENE and GEORGE HASKINS were so impressive on the Dartmouth trip to the “Gardens of the Caribbean” last January that they are now prominently displayed in the brochure!
THE VOTE
Alumni are being asked to vote on a proposed new alumni constitution during the period September 15 - October 31, 2006. Seldom has an issue involving the alumni of the College, now near 66,000, invoked so much commentary, for and against. As a newsletter editor, I have been inundated with material that ranges from purely factual to shrilly emotional. You will be contacted by a Classmate who will prompt you merely to exercise your right and to apply your considered judgment, with no suggestion of how to vote.
As an “involved” alum since 1962, it has been my observation that a large portion of the alumni body is generally apathetic about issues like constitutions, so would suggest that you (1) read the materials and develop an understanding of what is being proposed; perhaps discuss the situation with people whose judgment you trust, then (2) cast your ballot. A great deal of work and thought has gone into the process and, although there are strong objections from some corners (including undergraduates), there does not appear to be any particular voice or voices that could be characterized as not being well-meaning.
For hands-on opinion, you might contact any of the many ‘54s who did 3-year terms on the Alumni Council, including STEVE MULLINS, who was elected president in the late 90s. Additionally, DAVE MANDELBAUM, BOB LEVINE and I chaired the Trustee Nominating Committee during our Council service.
“It is, Sir, as I have said, a small College. And, yet there are those who love it.”
From GEORGE KINGSLEY: “Celebrating 51 years anniversary with a rather different cruise. Fly to Anchorage, board ship to Kodiak, on to Petropalovsk, Russia, three stops in Japan, finishing with three days in Beijing - fly home. Will miss the Western mini-reunion, but think the cruise will be worth it.”
Speaking of the mini, the imaginative team of DON BELCHER and ED SCOTT has done a fine job of both creating an attractive event and attracting a goodly number of ‘54s and their spouses to Seattle and Vancouver in late September. An extraordinary amount of work has gone into arranging tours, lodgings and transportation for this two-city exploration. One of the attendees will be selected to record the good times, so look forward to reading about them in the next newsletter.
OK, let’s talk about Homecoming - October 13-14 with a titillating extension at HERB HILLMAN’s Golden Eagle Lodge in Stowe. You have already received spirited flyers about all the events, including a tour of the new McLaughlin Cluster and a viewing of the bust of Dave. With the Class Meeting on Friday, take advantage of the Saturday morning “Chalk Talk” at the Hanover Inn (9 -10 am) - Professor Susan Ackerman discussing “What’s Right and Wrong with ‘The Da Vinci Code’?”.
This year’s hardy bunch of macho fishermen numbered only five. According to JIM ADAMS, “The majority of our traveling members stayed home, flailing the familiar waters of The Megantic or pursuing other interests.” The hardy quintet was Jim, WIL WILKINS, SKIP GRINTON, BILL MURANE and PETE ANKENY. They dared the wilderness river, The Backwater, in British Columbia near the city of Prince George. They sighted bald eagles, deer and a mountain lion (a first). The rainbow trout hooked are still happily out there, making little trouts due to the “catch and release” rule. Small amounts of money were exchanged, based on fish length and Rookie Grinton was applauded for not hooking anything but fish. Having reached the third-of-the-way point in their eighth decade on Earth, the guys wisely determined that future trips will not involve camping out in pup tents, but will include a lodge with showers, a bar and a restaurant. Salut!
Just reading STEVE MULLINS’ Greencard is exhausting:
-travel to the lower Balkans, Cuba, Baffin Island, Greenland, then Kazakhstan, four other “stans”, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
-moved real estate investment office to Evanston after 50 years in Chicago
-opened new American Toby Jug Museum
-won U.S. Masters 1000 yard freestyle swimming championship in his age group
-did a weekend with JENNY and KIRK KIRKPATRICK - Kirk’s 10-year old liver transplant still doing its job
- coupla lunches with NENA and ANDY GUILLIANO in Florida. Andy would really like to hear from Classmates
Professor BOB COLLINS officially retired from the University of California at Santa Barbara, but his respected expertise in African History has certainly kept him in the limelight: “It has been a busy summer in the Middle East as the guest of the British Ambassador to Tunisia and the University of Tel Aviv where I was the keynote speaker at its international conference, ‘Narrating the Nile’. Returned to Santa Barbara a few weeks before the outbreak of the Israel/Hizbollah war to find my latest book, Darfur: The Long Road to Disaster, a complex book of the fortys war for control of the Chad Basin with a new and thoroughly researched interpretation of that conflict in which its latest episode is the current Darfur. Then, on to Washington to give the third installment of Sudan 101 of the four I have given annually these past four years at CIA and State.” JANYCE continues to keep things organized at home.
“Regular” couples spend their 50th anniversaries quietly, but not ‘54s...... SALLY and JOHN HEYN “celebrated our 50th anniversary in July with a bike ride across Sweden, ending up in Stockholm. Also visited Norway and Denmark. Great summer. Looking forward to some skiing this winter.” Right on!!
JOE MESICS’s contribution to the travel news is that he has never been to Antibes, the Canary Islands, Sarajevo, Rio, Buenos Aires, Chile, China, Istanbul and Timbuktu. He has, however, been to Cloverdale and Petaluma.
With the announcement of HARRY ROBINSON’s retirement as ‘54 Treasurer, DON HARRINGTON, a dedicated non-participant in ‘54 activities, broke his silence and sent Harry a note of congratulation. Don’s accolade came from a long history of always being the treasurer of things and an understanding of the demands and sometime frustrations of the function. Deke and JANE, following his 1988 retirement from the advertising business, moved west to Bainbridge Island, across Puget Sound from Seattle, where he has kept busy doing good works with non- and not-for-profit agencies. He also volunteers as a councilor for the AARP/IRS Tax Aide program. Perhaps the Harringtons can be coaxed to one of the NW mini functions..........
Directory Changes
Dick Davidoff 305 E. 83 St. - #2G
New York, NY 10028
George Haskins (winter) 951 Sealoft Drive
Seabrook Island
Johns Island, SC 29455
Alec Gray wagdart54@earthlink.net
Leo Murphy leo.murphy2@verizon.net
Steve Mullins(ofc) 900 Chicago Ave. Ste 105
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 869-1122
Bob Adnopoz (ofc)
(203) 562-5000 ext 14
radnopoz@dowcondon.com
RON DOUGHERTY was a driving force in convincing the NFL to locate their Hall of Fame in his hometown of Canton, Ohio. Doc has been a long-term General Counsel for the institution, a member of the board since 2004 and did ten months as as the Interim Executive Director. His many other community involvements have been mentioned in prior newsletters. In early August, the Hall recognized Troy Aikman, Harry Carson, John Madden, Warren Moon, Reggie White and Rayfield Wright. The next day, the board accorded Doc a well-deserved honor by naming him the new Chairman of the Board. Congratulations!
An overflow crowd of friends and family gathered at the Penn Club in New York on August 12 to honor BRYCE BASTIAN. Among the many memories and recollections, the Class was represented by JAY DAVIS, TONY KANE, DAVE MARTIN and PETE BARKER with anecdotes and references to Bryce’s Dartmouth involvements. DICK DAVIDOFF was also present. We had the opportunity to sense the fullness of Bryce’s life through his family and friends.
The New York Times of August 6 had a heart-rending article entitled “My Husband Survived: the Man I Married Didn’t.” The author was ABIGAIL THOMAS, wife of RICH ROGIN and the article was adapted from her book, “A Three Dog Life” (to be published in September). In 2000, their dog got loose on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Rich ran into the street to retrieve him. He was struck by a car and suffered irreversible brain damage. He now lives in the Northeast Center for Special Care and leaves only for short visits at home with Abigail in Woodstock, NY. Her story is one of grief, tolerance, love and coming to grips with the reality of the situation. Several Classmates drew the article to my attention. If you would like to read the entire article, contact me (the editor) and I will send a copy to you.
TWO HUGHs
A minor-mini-reunion occurred in Neenah, WI when HUGH ROBERTS accompanied PHYLLIS to her 50th at Lawrence College in Appleton and tipped a few with HUGH and DEBBY NOLIN! While the note appeared to indicate that the former Class Secretary and the current Head Agent have a lock on the moniker “Hugh”, they misjudged the intelligence capabilities of the newsletter staff, which turned up HUGH CONNELLY, a non-grad ‘54 who lives in W. Trenton, NJ.
TONY KANE finally crawled out from underneath a nasty bout of pneumonia in time to have a defibrillator (ICD) installed in his thoracic cavity. He has announced the resumption of the monthly ‘54 luncheons at the Roof Dining Room of the NYC Yale Club beginning September 7, then October 5 and November 2, followed by the annual Class Holiday Luncheon on December 7. Tony has assured us that we can forget any concerns about him fibrillating during lunch.
The Wide, Wide World
Continuing the adventures of a biennial international excursion for a devoted group of Classmates, this year’s travel, organized and managed by DON BERLIN and JOHN FENN, broke with tradition and took to land after two previously successful voyages by chartered ship, the first to the Greek Islands in 2002 and then the Dalmatian Coast in 2004. This year’s itinerary included the Dordogne and Provence, although some of the group spent time in Paris or elsewhere before gathering at the first stop in Sarlat-la-Caneda. After five days there, they moved on via bus-train-bus to Aix-en-Provence for another five days where the highlight was a special Paul Cezanne exhibit that marked the 100th anniversary of his death in 1906.
In addition to Don and John (and BARBARA and NATALIE), other travelers were HARRY and CAROL ROBINSON, MORT and JUDY GALPER, HUGH and DEBBY NOLIN, BOB and KIT DEAN, GARY ZWART and CYNTHIA SUNDERLAND, STU and SANDY ROTH and YNGVAR HVISTENDAHL. Don and John are already thinking ahead with optimism to 2008 for the next venture.
Dr. DAVID LEVINE was the honored recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the Hospital for Special Surgery last November. A pathfinder in the diagnosis and early treatment of Scoliosis (curvature of the spine), Dave focused on the condition for much of his 30-year history at the hospital. His efforts were recognized by a $1-million gift for the endowment of a clinical research chair in Dave’s name. There is also an honorary lecture in his name. In retirement, Dave led an active alumni function, establishing a newsletter and doing Gillespie-level organizing of the reconnecting of HSS alums.
Two of the most loyal supporters of your editor’s stage efforts (most recently “Woody and The Heeb”) are DICK and GLORIA FRANKLIN. Ergo, turnabout is fair play:
“Many thanks to Pete for giving me the opportunity to let you gentlemen know that I’m in the market for new business. My firm, Franklin Direct Response, specializes in selling products and services by means of direct marketing and telemarketing. A gifted copywriter, I have created effective and productive print ads, direct-mail packages, radio and TV commercials, sales promotion and telemarketing campaigns for a variety of companies including RCA Music, Capitol Records, The Cleveland Orchestra, BusinessWeek, Architectural Record Magazine, Curtis Books, Publishers Weekly, Look Magazine, Prentice Hall, McGraw Hill, Kiplinger, The Wall Street Transcript, Dow Jones and more.
My experience also includes years of direct selling for printers, graphic design firms and advertising agencies. I realize that most of you are retired, but perhaps your sons and daughters, in-laws, friends and associates might work in companies which could profit from my services. If so, I would appreciate your referring them to me to discuss the possibility of working together.
I work from my home office - Richard Franklin, Franklin Direct Response, 107 Renner Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003; (973) 338-3600; email DartmouthCat@aol.com
Thanks.”
Dartmouth College Fund
We all received Hugh Nolin’s letter about the ‘54 performance in the 2005-2006 - increase in % participation, but missed our dollar target, declining $20,000 in our gifts. A logical rationale was offered - that many of our dollars are still making their way to Hanover, but for funds and memorials which are not included in the DCF. This year has been particularly pertinent with the memorial for Dave McLaughlin and the funds established for Classmates who have died this year. You can imagine that the topic has to be constantly on the table in the Fund office. How about something like: After the Class reaches an average age of 70 ...... Ideas accepted.
On a macro basis, the College received $160.3 million in charitable gifts in the year ended June 2006 - a 51% increase over the 2005 total! The DCF accounted for only $30.7 in unrestricted gifts.
MEREDITH JEAN MYSERIAN keeps in touch. During a relaxing two-week sojourn in Harwichport, MA this summer, she had a delightful visit with Dick and Barbara Barker in West Dennis.
In answer to the queries from a huge number of Classmates, Rev. RIP COFFIN issued the promised letter, entitled : “ALL CLEAR (for now).” For those not on Rip’s communication list, the problem has been a cancer at the conjunction of his esophagus and his stomach. The treatment programs have begun or have been reported on dates of significance - Good Friday, D-Day, Bastille Day, etc. During these too many months of surgery, chemo, CAT scans, artificial feeding and the resulting discomforts, Rip has run a gamut from macho-denial to acceptance and relying on his strong faith. This new report has the bright light of a clear August 10 CAT scan. Lurking in the “small percentages” shadows is the possibility (1%) of tiny cancer cells still hiding and awaiting an opportunity to do future damage. Medical technology says: a continuing regimen of chemo and CAT scans over a given period of time. With this reasonably good news in hand, Rip and CAROL are planning some R & R on the Outer Banks of North Carolina when the final chemo cycle ends. In his words: “My cup runneth over!”
Last May, Dr. JAY CHANDLER and Dr. BEN GILSON headed to the “this-year Chandler Fishing Camp” in Ottawa: “My brother and his son will pick us up for the 80-mile trek north to the lake where we embark by bark to our wonderful place of yesteryear. A super lake where there may or may not be a beeeg lake trout and moderately beeeg whitefish or two, near the top of the water and ready for fighting us on very light tackle! Our chef is the chef for the Hull, Quebec, prison and does serve up reasonable chow. Pies with saws baked in and such.” Jay continues his work at Robert Wood Hospital where the docs in charge are not in the mood for him to retire, despite his advanced years.
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IN MEMORIAM
WILLIAM THOMAS BABCOCK
While at lunch with ANNE, Bill was taken from us by a sudden heart attack on July 3. He had no history of heart problems, making the loss even greater for his wife and friends.
"Bear" came to Hanover from high school in Revere, MA where he had captained the football team, earned a letter in track and played in the orchestra. On campus, he roomed with CHUCK MYSERIAN in Wheeler. He left Dartmouth after his sophomore year and joined the Marines. DICK PLUMMER recalls seeing him at Camp Upshur, outside of Quantico in 1955.
He and Anne were married for forty-nine years and escaped the winters in Melrose by joining friends in Aruba annually during February and March. Bill's work was as the district sales manager for an air freight company. Dominant among the many warm messages of condolence was his friendliness, his love of his wife and his pleasure in walking his dog, Tara.
We are diminished by the loss of Bill Babcock. A book will be placed in Baker Library in his memory.
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| The Hardy Anglers Skip Grinton, Bill Murance, Wil Wilkins, Jim Adams, Pete Ankeny |