Not many ’49ers are currently active enough on major issues to warrant editorial comment in a national publication. Noteworthy then is an April 30 Wall Street Journal op-ed piece that featured one of our more reticent classmates. Titled “Can California Taxpayers Dodge the Bullet Train?” the article said that its subject “was conceived 20 years ago from [State Sen.] Quentin Kopp’s infatuation with European high-speed rail. His beautiful brainchild, however, has since morphed into a monstrosity.” Quent accused the state of pulling a bait-and-switch on voters when he testified in a lawsuit against a bastardized system that the state now proposes. The article went on to compare Quent to Frankenstein (Secretary’s Note: What hath Dartmouth created?), “disillusioned by what his ambitions have wrought.” Quent continues to fight the good fight for what he originally proposed, but the politics, budget and time-travel economics are against him. As Quent may know as well as anyone in the class, publicity can be a two-edged sword. (Just kidding, Quent.)
Arnold William Cleveland died on April 17 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he lived. Arnie spent his career in the textbook business. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and seven children, to whom the class sends its sympathy.
Thomas Andrew Barr died on April 19 in Westwood, Massachusetts, where he lived. Tom spent most of his adult life in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he was president of a family construction company that specialized in building hospitals and academic additions. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, four children and four stepchildren, to whom the class sends its condolences.
Robert Benton Muenzberg died on May 2 at his home in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Bob’s career was in the insurance agency business. He and his wife, Donna, were active in class and reunion activities. After Bob retired in 1991 they spent most of the year in Vero Beach, Florida. The class sends its sympathy to Donna, their daughter Susan and son Robert Jr.
Harry Randall also died on May 2. Harry spent almost all his life in Westwood, New Jersey, where he practiced law in a family firm for 60 years. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, three daughters and a son, to whom the class sends its condolences.
Correction: In the last issue the late Rod Finkbiner’s name was misspelled. My error, and apology to his family.
—John Adler, 75 Silo Circle, Riverside, CT 06878; (203) 622-906; (203) 637-3227 (fax)
