About 800-plus of us matriculated in 1956 and 75 percent of us are alive, although we cannot locate 12 lads so we aren’t sure about them. But Kurt Buerger, Dave Hodson and Robert Mathog we’re certain about, as they have departed. What’s more, Barry MacLean’swife, Mary Ann, also passed away. She and Barry are the quintessence of Dartmouth supporters. From a class birthday party at their home in Chicago to service as a trustee by him and gifts of Brobdingnagian size to the College, they mattered. Heavens, we’ll miss her smile.

It’s likewise that important contributions to Dartmouth are made by others from our class. One extraordinary for his dedication is Jon Cohen, who retired on June 30 from a decade of chairing the Hood Museum board of overseers. Jon has also served five years on the joint Hop-Hood board and five years chairing the Tuck board; he also expanded the Hood’s role, building object-study classrooms and galleries used by classes as diverse as anthropology, biology and engineering. At its June meeting the trustees gave final approval to a $50-million expansion and renovation of the Hood.

Art LaFrance and wife bicycled in France last summer after commuting to work by bicycle for 40 years. They have lived in Oregon since 1992. Four years ago they bought a place in Green Valley, Arizona, south of Tucson. They’re avid tennis players. Life seems to be going well and they’re looking forward to the 60th reunion.

—John M. Mitchell, 300 Grove St., Rutland, VT 05701; (802) 775-3761; jmm00033@comcast.net