I received a card from Lou Bookheim: “The great class of ’35 is lucky to have you. I admire your enthusiasm for Dartmouth, even if I don’t always share it. I appreciate your good work and wish you well. You have suffered a great loss and survived. Stay in there. Best wishes. Thank you.” A note like this makes everything I do seem worthwhile.


Had a wonderful talk with Bob McLarin who was our class treasurer before Bill Adams. He says that not driving has put a serious crimp in his life. He no longer swims or plays bridge and has little family around him, but still sounds great.


Had a long talk with Morris Sherman, now 98 years old. The only complaint was he threw his back out riding an exercise bike. He spent most of his life in Puerto Rico, where he made handkerchiefs. We had a lot in common because I had a factory there making buttons, but I never made it my home, as I ran my business from New York. He takes walks and reads magazines and newspapers and watches TV. He is doing fine for someone his age.


John “Chick” Harrison is alive and feeling fine, as does his wife, Louise, who he says is the greatest. He still lives in New Jersey and plays a lot of bridge. I also play duplicate bridge and am right up there in Class A. Any other bridge enthusiasts out there? If so, we’d love to hear from you, so please give me a ring.


Bob Neill feels like he is getting old. He says he reads newspapers, gets out to eat at least once a week and also sees family. He is hanging in there and that is what matters.


Received a very uplifting e-mail from Pete Smith saying I do a good job. As a member of the mutual admiration society, I must say Pete turns out a great Tear Bag. He says his health is not too good, which is sad to hear.


Richard W. Bankart—son of our own Bob “Bib” Bankhart ’37, who wrote the ’37 column for about 30 years until he had a stroke—said he enjoyed the contact with classmates so much that he was inspired to write a classmates column for his ’65 class notes at Colby College.


He says his uncles, our own Reg and Bill Sherman ’34, were part of his life too. Richard grew up in a Dartmouth family, including his grandfather, H. Reg Bankart, class of 1909. Three of his brothers are Dartmouth grads and two of his sisters married Dartmouth men. Members of ’37, please get in touch with me or call Dick at (201) 664-7672.


Poignant conversation with Irv Sager. He’s happy that he still handles his own affairs and is in control of his life. After taking a long walk, his mind seems to expand so that he is able to accomplish more. Life for some of us lucky ones is worthwhile.


—Edward Gerson, 2400 Mariposa West 3A, Laguna Woods, CA 92653; (949) 829-8400; ejgerson @webtv.net