Heartiest congratulations to Pete Kelsey, who, as we go to press in August, was given the Dartmouth Alumni Award for 2012-13, along with four other heavy-duty volunteers—for “giving their all to their alma mater,” according to the Alumni Council citation. Among his many contributions, who can forget the joyous 50th Pete chaired four years ago!


Now our 55th reunion is upon us—on June 10 to 13, 2013. That’s the Monday-Thursday after Commencement when the campus will quiet down and become its lovely summertime self. Reunion chair Larry Weltin, his Hanover facilitator Ray Robbins and their committee are well along with plans that emphasize fun, sociability and comfort—plus Sam Smith’sreprise of his famed lecture “When Are You Too Old for Sex?” 


Make your plans now! Our class tent on the Alumni Gym lawn will be short walking distance from our air-conditioned housing at the East Wheelock Street cluster of dorms, which—yes—also have elevators. Charlie Pierce is organizing a memorial service at Rollins Chapel to honor classmates. A wide choice of events will include tours of the Hood Museum and new campus facilities, golf and tennis, Glee Club and musical performances, even bird watching and stargazing at Shattuck. Eats will include a first-night barbecue at the Bema, a Tuesday picnic lunch on the Baker Library lawn and the Wednesday class banquet at Hopkins Center hosted by Ralph Manuel. Possible add-on: another Bob Eleveld-organized windup at the Von Trapp Lodge near Stowe, Vermont, June 13-14. 


Head agent Jack Bennett reports that the class topped this year’s Dartmouth College Fund goal by 22 percent, with an impressive 62-percent participation. The overall rate was 44 percent as alums, parents and friends contributed nearly $47 million to the College. The drive also elicited a cheery note from Jim Riffle, a Phi Delt brother and my own Dartmouth College Fund tracker, now retired from Cummins Engine in Columbus, Indiana. 


For a refreshing vacation trip Larry Hampton and Helga recommend Iceland, where they spent three weeks motoring the scenic seaside, finishing the summer at their Wimbledon apartment before returning home to the Algarve in southern Portugal.


On a somber note, we mark the passing of five classmates: On May 18 in Carmel, New York, Stephen Flanders, former U.S. Marine and New York banker. On June 21 in Rumson, New Jersey, Al LeBrecque, former Navy officer, retired attorney and two-time class secretary. On June 29 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rod Frates, insurance magnate and earth satellite entrepreneur. On July 7 in Montclair, New Jersey, John Foster, former president of Delta Tau Delta, top search firm executive and superb golfer. And on August 25 in Houston, Palmer Beasley, famed hepatitis B researcher (see long New York Times obit of August 27).


Speaking of golf, Peter Williamson ’12, golfer grandson of Peter Williamson playing out of Hanover Country Club, went from winning last spring’s North-South Amateur to a strong August showing at the U.S. Amateur in Denver (see story, page 22). Next challenge if he turns pro: the arduous Q School to earn his PGA Tour card. 


—Steve Quickel, 65 Chapel Road, New Hope, PA 18938; squickel@usinvestmentreport.com