Class Note 1956

I recently got a phone call from Jack Crowley wanting to know what I could tell him about Joe Asch ’79, who often writes about Dartmouth. Lots of people mistake me for this guy and demand to know why I write such negative stuff. I want to set the record straight: I am not Joe Asch, I am not related to Joe Asch, I do not follow his blog, and I am not a source of information about him. On a more positive note, Jack inquired whether I would be at Homecoming. Marsha and I plan to attend and look forward to seeing lots of classmates, including Jack.

In another phone conversation, with Tom Bechler, he said that he planned to attend Homecoming and hoped to see me. We spent some time talking about Kreskin, the mentalist. Tom attended grade school with Kreskin, and I have a signed picture of him on the wall in my magic room. Several years ago Kreskin performed in Claremont, New Hampshire, and I got to meet him as well as enjoy his show.

Now the sounds of the Barbary Coast jazz band marching up Main Street signal the passing of five classmates: Paul Atwill Handverger, Emerson Bradford Houck, Burnham Ford Martin, Ira Rains Schattman Jr.,and Paul Douglas Withington. All remaining class members bow their heads in silent tribute. Note that Buddy Schattman was our longtime scholarship fund chairman. He will be missed.

I see that J. William Sher was listed in the alumni magazine as passing on April 30, 2017. He too should be fondly remembered. Finally, I received a note from Cal Hinkle informing the class of the passing of his wife, Betsy.

I close with the sixth stanza of my 2014 poem about Homecoming.

Yes, Homecoming is good for the soul,

With renewal of spirit the goal;

Reminders of youth,

For the long in the tooth,

A whole weekend my words thus extol.

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