Class Note 1948
Issue
May-June 2023
Lansing G. Brisbin died January 1 in Naples, Florida. After completing a semester at Dartmouth in 1944, Lany joined the U.S. Marine Corps, completed basic training at Parris Island, and enrolled in a course of intensive Japanese language school, whereupon I believe he told me he was transferred to Germany in typical military style. At war’s end he resumed his studies at Dartmouth and met the love of his life, Joan Metzger, who was attending Middlebury College. They were married in 1949 and settled in Huntington, West Virginia, where Lany worked alongside his father in the family soft drink business until its sale in 1986.
He had many interests and pursuits and was a natural athlete, excelling in multiple sports, including skiing, football, baseball, badminton, golf, polo, and others, but his lifelong passion was tennis. With Joan, also a ranked player, Lany competed in many tournaments throughout his life, winning his last singles title at age 90. He was the coach of Marshall University men’s team and a mentor and teacher to many players, young and old, and a driving force beyond the growth of tennis in the local community. He loved the outdoors and could often be found exploring, hiking, and whitewater canoeing anywhere nature called.
While at Dartmouth he received training in archaeology that instilled in him an inquisitiveness that culminated in his discovery of the ceremonial stone structure Serpent Mound in Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Music was a thread through his years since childhood. With a beautiful tenor and baritone voice, he regaled everyone with songs across numerous genres, and he knew all the verses. He taught himself to play several instruments, including the guitar, concertina, and banjo. His favorite was a harmonica, which he always carried with him, and could strike up a tune anytime anywhere. But he didn’t always need an instrument and he loved to whistle and could even yodel. He also dabbled in sketching and watercolor painting and even tried his hand at writing poetry, perhaps influenced by working for the poet Robert Frost while at Dartmouth. He would surround himself with intellectuals to discuss his various interest or help to work on his foreign language skills, including Spanish, French, and German in addition to Japanese.
—Dave Kurr, 603 Mountain Ave., Apt. 331, New Providence, NJ 07974; (781) 801-6716; djkurr@verizon.net
He had many interests and pursuits and was a natural athlete, excelling in multiple sports, including skiing, football, baseball, badminton, golf, polo, and others, but his lifelong passion was tennis. With Joan, also a ranked player, Lany competed in many tournaments throughout his life, winning his last singles title at age 90. He was the coach of Marshall University men’s team and a mentor and teacher to many players, young and old, and a driving force beyond the growth of tennis in the local community. He loved the outdoors and could often be found exploring, hiking, and whitewater canoeing anywhere nature called.
While at Dartmouth he received training in archaeology that instilled in him an inquisitiveness that culminated in his discovery of the ceremonial stone structure Serpent Mound in Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Music was a thread through his years since childhood. With a beautiful tenor and baritone voice, he regaled everyone with songs across numerous genres, and he knew all the verses. He taught himself to play several instruments, including the guitar, concertina, and banjo. His favorite was a harmonica, which he always carried with him, and could strike up a tune anytime anywhere. But he didn’t always need an instrument and he loved to whistle and could even yodel. He also dabbled in sketching and watercolor painting and even tried his hand at writing poetry, perhaps influenced by working for the poet Robert Frost while at Dartmouth. He would surround himself with intellectuals to discuss his various interest or help to work on his foreign language skills, including Spanish, French, and German in addition to Japanese.
—Dave Kurr, 603 Mountain Ave., Apt. 331, New Providence, NJ 07974; (781) 801-6716; djkurr@verizon.net