Class Note 1947

We are in a time the likes of which none of us have ever seen—staggering death notices and unemployment rates, face masks and home confinement—it’s almost impossible to comprehend, but here we are. I’m reminded of the stories my mother would tell us of the influenza plague in 1919. She did survive but with the loss of her hair, though it grew back. Sally and I are housebound, doing our exercises, walking either in the house or nearby, and extremely fortunate to have several younger neighbors good enough to pick up all our food and supplies.

I sent a letter to President Phil Hanlon wondering if the class of 1947 could donate any funds from our small treasury to a worthy cause with the College’s blessing. It could be a local food bank, hospital, or something along these lines. I received a letter back from Beth Kelley ’96, director of class activities, that said that due to our charter we can only give money that will exclusively benefit the College. In our case we give to the Dartmouth College Fund (DCF), sports programs, and the Dickey Center. Most all of us donate individually to the DCF. And speaking of the DCF, I received a note from Alan Epstein commenting on the results so far. The deadline for the fund is the end of June, so don’t put off your contribution to the last minute. He also makes note of the widows of the Class so generously contributing. Thanks for all your help, Alan.

There were several books written about the time the Navy took over the College during WW II. The program was called V-12, but I never read much about the individual experiences. I put together some memories of that time 77 years ago, when I was a Marine private, called “Training for War at Dartmouth.” The editors of the DAM published it online at dartmouthalumnimagazine.com in February. If any newsletter editors would care to see it, I’ll send it on to you. Liz Sistaire, our newsletter editor, will be putting it in our next issue.

We are saddened to report the deaths of Theodore W. Sottery of Portland, Maine, on March 20, 2017 (as the College has just reported); Bruce A. Bryer of Sacramento, California, on November 28, 2019; Blanchard Pratt of Hanover on November 23, 2019; Charles K. Barton of Glastonbury, Connecticut, on January 5; William B. Enright of San Diego on March 7.

—Joe Hayes, P.O. Box 57, Rye Beach, NH 03871; jhayes697@yahoo.com