The Journey Continued - Class of 1958 50th Reunion
Reunion Jackets Available Details
It was the very best. Accolades to Pete Kelsey and his committee. The entire event was like savoring the finest of wine.
There were over 450 in attendance with 238 Classmates. See attached list. Our Class broke the all-time Alumni Fund record, raising the incredible amount of $3,585,858.58 with 82% of the Class participating.
Thursday, June 5
The highlight was the Clambake down by the Connecticut River boat house. Lobster, mussels and the works started the reunion with a bang.
L-R Jerry Manne With Friends (Bakers & Johnny Walker), Welts et.al., Mike Wygant et. al.
L-R Trimble et. al., Dave Pratt et.al., John Otis et. al.
L-R Gilges et. al., Gersh et. al., John Otis et. al.
L-R Fred Kosmo et. al., Larry Hampton (Wearing the same blazer he had as an undergrad)
Friday, June 6
The golf tournament had to be canceled because of rain. We checked in to the McLaughlin Cluster dorms which included elevators, air conditioning, kitchens and living room areas. A far cry from old Topliff, Fayerweather et. al. Because of the rain, our picnic with the Class of 2008 was held inside in Collis.
The afternoon featured a panel of Hal Baernsen, John Voll and Mike Wygant discussing The Middle East, with John Ryan as moderator. !05 Dartmouth Hall was packed with standing room only.
The Dartmouth Aires entertained us at a Leverone BBQ which was originally scheduled at the Bema.
L-R The "Aires", Thomas and Dawkins with Freshman Beanies.
Joe Kabat and Dave Moss
President and Mrs. Wright entertained us later that evening in their house and garden, with non-alcoholic punch and goodies. This was followed by an excellent Glee Club concert.
Saturday, June 7
Dave Glendinning did a wonderful job at our Class Memorial in Rollins. A Class member read the name of a deceased mate as his picture was shown on the screen. Our Class particularly felt the loss of Pete Williamson who died on June 4th. 126 members of our Class have made their final matriculation. David Spalding, Vice-president of Alumni Affairs, introduced Professor John Rassias as our Marshall. He kept us in stitches.
Our Class Meeting was held with a large gathering in Dartmouth 105. See attached Minutes.
The Class Luncheon with Reverand Jim Crawfords 50 year thoughts was wonderful. His remarks are attached.
A panel of ’58 physicians discussed Medicine for ‘58s and included Mike Cohen, Doug Fusonie, Phil Sarrel, and Mike Simberkoff, with Sam Silverstein moderating.
Free time for Mini-gatherings included the SAE House.
L-R Lona Louis (Skip's widow) Phil Bell, Bob Gilges, Jim Crawford, Bubi Baehler, Ted Furber,Phil Drescher, Dan Wilder, Fred Pitzner, Larry Weltin, Andy Thomas, Andy Petersen
Jim Meeker, who has been pretty much out of touch since graduation showed up to receive an honor from Brian Kennedy, Hood’s new director, for the Ruscha painting Jim gave honoring his dear friend Lee English.
Jim Meeker
Sunday, June 8
It was a scorcher but we marched in front of the ‘08s and received thunderous applause. It was especially gratifying to witness our own Ralph Manuel receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf gave the commencement address and was closely guarded by US Secret Service personnel as she is the president of Liberia.
L-R DGraduating doctor mom and daughter, Clay Freeman in Style, Madam Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia and commencement speaker
Piping in the Class ofn 2008 (Man, he must have roasted in the 90 degree heat)
L-R Native American graduate, Our Ralph, Graduation blazers and Class ties
About 80 of us proceeded to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. Bob Eleveld did a fantastic job planning this adjunct reunion event.
Monday, June 9-Wednesday, June 11
The Trapp Family Lodge is filled with a rich history of the family story so popularly portrayed in the film, “Sound of Music.” Johannes and Sam von Trapp are father and son and Dartmouth graduates in the Class of ’63 and ’94, respectively and they run the place.
The scenery is lush and peaceful offering a little more quality time to be with Classmates. Organized activities included a wonderful dinner cruise on Lake Champlain aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen, golf, tennis, lectures and dancing.
L-R Dinner on the Spirit of Ethan Allen , Kit as Leonard DiCaprio (Titantic)
Kit and Ardy (A Real Love Story)
The lecture by Author Archer Mayor was the most hilariously witty and entertaining. He is a mystery writer who also is deputy sheriff, fire man and other civic responsibilities that foster some of his novel ideas.
Archer Mayor and Class
The 18-piece Green Mountain Swing band played for us the last night after a thought champagne toast to our fallen Class brothers.
It was a great reunion!
From Skip Coggin:
Following our reunion, we decided not to join many of our classmates over at the Trapp Family Lodge, and instead went on a nostalgia trip of the local area, visited places that we had so enjoyed as underclassmen, such as the Woodstock Inn and Suicide Six, and then Liz and I topped everything off by going on our first hot air balloon ride out of Quechee, Vermont. I'm attaching pictures of my Middle Mass and Tuck roommate Dave Maryatt and his wife Sally and I visiting Suicide Six--we couldn't believe we actually skied down that slope, and then Liz celebrating following our balloon ride early the next morning. That was a blast!
