Classes & Obits

Class Note 1966

Issue

January-February 2021

“Alligator meat is surprisingly good to eat.” No, don’t take my word for it. Just ask Mike Bromley, who left his real estate and estate planning law practice in hometown Boise, Idaho, this past September and, with appropriate Covid-related trepidation, flew to Houston. There Mike rendezvoused with Richard Merrill ’73, and the pair went for an alligator hunt in the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area on the Gulf Coast, about 100 miles south of Houston.

Using the Texas hunting method—you know, hang some rotten meat from a tall metal pole driven into the mud bottom then leave for the night and hope a nocturnal alligator will smell the meat and swallow the bait—Mike and Russell caught two 100-pound alligators. “Ours have both been processed and the hides tanned,” Mike reports. “We both hope for alligator belts under the tree as well as purses for our wives.”

Doing good for others…always important, even more so during the pandemic. Bruce Berger provided funds so that the Dartmouth Wind Ensemble, scattered to the hills, has been able to rehearse, perform, and tape music virtually.

And right after the shutdown virtual tours of the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Constitution Center, both in Philadelphia, went live on the internet, financed by George Blumenthal. The exhibits at these institutions depict the American Revolution, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Must viewing for all. “The ultimate goal of these efforts,” George explains, “is to revolutionize the teaching of American history.”

Like many of us, Dr. Jeff Brown, long-time family practice doctor in Menlo Park, California, and wife Claudia have been engaged in the “Covid clean-out,” daily exercise, and games—she online mahjong, he golf. But unlike many, Jeff, an accomplished contemporary oil artist and trustee of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, has been painting up a storm during these turbulent times. Check out his Covid collection at jeffcontemporaryoils.com.

After Dartmouth Dr. Steve Bryan returned to Salt Lake City, Utah, his hometown, married Jane, his high school sweetheart, did his medical training at the University of Utah, and then set up a clinical neurology practice in Montgomery, Alabama. Things have changed a bit recently. Jane passed four years ago, Steve retired to his lakeside home on Lake Marin three years ago, and his health is a bit shaky. He now lives with one of his sons, and although driving is out, bass fishing, “druising” (drinking while cruising), and time with family are still part of Steve’s routine.

Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of three classmates who passed away in recent months: Bob Gilbert, an entrepreneurial food marketing executive and business teacher; Pat Norton, a recognized expert and prolific author on urban economics issues; and James Jackson, a distinguished adopted member of our class who was an acclaimed professor and practitioner of psychology and a member of the Dartmouth board of trustees. More on each at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/obits.

May 2021 be filled with health, happiness, and rewarding activities for you and your family, I hope including our 55th reunion this June in Hanover. Stay safe.

Larry Geiger, 93 Greenridge Ave., White Plains, NY 10605; (914) 860-4945; lgeiger@aol.com