Class Note 1956

Our 60th reunion is a ways off, but this is a very good time to think about participation, and I want you to consider two joys in doing so. First, an opportunity to make a new connection with one or more classmates that you never knew. I give you one example drawn from my own experience at our 55th reunion. I had never before met Don Spitzli, who lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During reunion we connected for the first time and spent lots of time exchanging stories dating back to Dartmouth days. Don was still practicing law and we talked about this and his passions for hunting, travel and flying. Don is now in my e-mail address book, and I look forward to chatting with him again at our 60th.


It is time for the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble to play in honor of Len Clark. He passed away in March and will be sorely missed. 


Now for the second reunion joy—connecting with friends from college days that are seldom seen due to geographic separation. Again I give one example. The only time I see John Yassin is during reunions and on four or five occasions I spent quality time with John and his son Ron Barrett. During the 50th reunion John shared an amusing story. In rushing Pi Lambda, he borrowed clothes from a dorm friend in order to make the proper impression. However, after joining Pi Lam he spent most of his time at Tau Epsilon Phi (TEP). I call him the TEP in Pi Lam clothing.


“Special times when our class will convene,


At reunion—return to the Green;


Old friendships renewed,


Dartmouth spirit imbued,


Love surpassing all years in between.”


—Joel D. Ash, P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; joel@poeticlimericks.com