Class Note 1944

The colorful life of our classmate Joseph Dryer Jr. was the feature article in The Palm Beach Post in February. After having his chest blown open in the fight for Iwo Jima, he spent nine months in hospitals, received last rites several times, but miraculously recovered. He continued his service in the Marines for several more years. In 1950 he moved to Cuba, founded the North Atlantic Kenaf (a hemp-like fiber) Corp. and says, “Cuba was an absolutely wonderful place to live—a bachelor’s paradise.” In Havana he introduced himself to Ernest Hemingway, whose son Jack ’43 was a close friend at Dartmouth. Hemingway Sr. also became “like family,” and was a witness at Joe’s wedding to Cuba-born Nancy Herrera. He and Nancy had three sons born there. The family left Cuba 18 months after Fidel Castro came to power. He continued to farm kenaf in Haiti and Guatemala before tiring of being ousted by revolutions and becoming a consultant to large companies and landowners in South America. In the late 1960s he was a partner in the hotel business and spent some years as a stockbroker. He maintained his involvement with the American Foreign Policy Council and hosted council dinners at his Palm Beach, Florida, home.


One more reminder: The mini-reunion will be held October 11 and 12. This is also Homecoming Weekend and the Yale game. Friday night dinner and Saturday tailgating have been arranged at the Hanover Inn. Hope to see you there.


We have been notified of the deaths of classmates Eugene F. Callaghan, William M. Stahl, M.D., Stephen Tate, William W. Warner and John T. Weeks. We extend our condolences to their families.


—Betty Munson, 23 Linscott Road, North, York, ME 03909; emmunson1944@gmail.com