Class Note 1942

This column will be the most unusual column since I began writing these columns. First, I am hunkered down with trips to shop as infrequent as possible. I am wondering what each of you are doing—are you staying at home?—or will be doing by the time you read this. Be sure to email me at caproni@aol.com or send me a letter for the next column.

I recently spoke with Jon Mendes by phone. He was hunkered down with a good supply of food and scotch. He said he gives a list to his son, who shops and leaves the goods at his father’s door. Jon told me today there is not enough time in the day to do everything. He reads The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. After that it is time for lunch. He says as a substitute for his morning walks he does laps in this apartment. Jon was supposed to give a talk at the Dartmouth club of New York on longevity. It was canceled due to Covid-19. Jon created a pamphlet about longevity. If any of you want a copy, email him at desmendes@aol.com or call him.

A few comments about New York: For the most part all are wearing masks, though some of the youngish are not. I guess they think they are invincible. I think it is annoying and reprehensible. It is hard not to say something. I shop for food and household goods, just less often and with a mask and gloves and six feet from fellow shoppers. Two small stores near me limit the number in the store to control exposure. It is hard to keep six feet apart on the narrow sidewalks.

Stu Finch is doing well in a senior living facility in San Mateo, California. One of his daughters lives in the area. When I got him on the phone he reported he was “staying in place,” having just finished a bridge game on the computer. Stu has four children—two sons, each of whom went to Dartmouth, and two daughters, one of whom attended Dartmouth and finished at Smith. We will forgive her. Stu told me his grandson is a fulltime faculty at the Mayo Clinic in emergency medicine—a busy assignment during Covid-19.

Once again I have the sad duty to report the loss of a classmate: Robert N. Keeler, M.D., died on April 5. The class of ’42 extends its condolences to the family.

—Joanna Caproni, 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York, NY 10021; caproni@aol.com