Several weeks ago I attended a lecture on the library special collections now housed at Rauner (a separate library from Baker located in the Webster Hall of old). I have long had a warm regard for the special collections—ever since I learned as a freshman of the collection of magic books included therein. On numerous occasions I used these books to do research needed to write various papers for English and other courses as well as to enhance my repertoire of magic tricks.

While there in Rauner I inquired about my two books of poetic limericks that I believed were housed in Baker Library. I was informed that these books were not in Baker but were part of the Rauner collections. This is not because my books are rare or priceless like many books in these collections, it is because all books written by Dartmouth graduates are housed in Rauner. So, for all my classmates who have written books and donated copies to the library or whatever, your book or books are part of the Rauner special collections.

Although the report on the passing of any of our classmates is always sad, this report is particularly so. The sounds of the Barbary Coast jazz band marching up Main Street on this occasion have a baleful overtone. Four newly fallen classmates march behind the band and we bow our heads in silent tribute to honor A.F. “Ted” Bremble Jr., Leo C. McKenna, Howard Sodokoff and John K. Van de Kamp. Because Leo McKenna lived in Hanover at the time of his death, my local newspaper, The Valley News, carried a lengthy obituary. We were reminded that Leo was awarded the Barrett Cup, which was described as “the highest accolade that can be given to a graduating senior.”

From “Death Close By,” last stanza:

How can one come to terms with these things,

The stings that a death always brings;

Wounds sharper and deeper

Cut by the grim reaper,

Inside where our love ever clings.

—Joel D. Ash, P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; jash_125@comcast.net