Class Note 1948
Sam Katz, who is still collecting honorariums, was selected as one of the “25 Most Influential Alumni” in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine’s 250th anniversary issue that led off with Daniel Webster. Sam pioneered and promoted the widespread use of the measles vaccine, which wiped out the disease in the United States and transformed global children’s health. He and his pediatric infectious disease specialist wife, Dr. Catherine Wilfert, were the first in the United States to treat children with AZT, the first FDA-approved AIDS medication.
Foxy Parker is hanging in there, but comments that the ski poles are now used for walking. Their two daughters, who live in Colorado, now come east to visit with him and Helen.
John VanRaelte’s heart problems keep him from driving, but he is coping well and he has a woman who comes in three times a week and leaves meals and food in the refrigerator. Let me reminisce. John was a fine golfer with an eight handicap at one time, an excellent equestrian and polo player, and he and I competed vigorously for ladder position on the Dartmouth varsity squash and tennis teams. No. 1 was a dubious honor in the latter instance, as in my senior year we faced leading amateur players ranked nationally, including Charlie Oliver at Army, ranked eighth; Dick Savitt at Cornell, who won Wimbledon in 1951; and Rolla Wray at Yale, who, while not ranked nationally, was in the same category of competence. My father saw only my match with Rolla. I was adjusting my Ace bandages (broken ankle skiing at, of all places, Oak Hill) after warmup, and he came over to offer some advice. I liked my dad; he always told it like it was. He said, “Son, I hope you are not under the illusion this is going to be a match.” I wasn’t—and it wasn’t.
If you want these Class Notes to continue, we really need some input. If what you’re doing is negative or boring, send me some reminiscences or stuff about your progeny by email, message, or cell phone. Next issue I’ll tell you how I got a not-so-sweaty Army shirt.
—Dave Kurr, 4281 Indian Field Road, Clinton, NY 13323; (781) 801-6716; djkurr@verizon.net
