Class Note 1972
Issue
Nov - Dec 2018
Fifty years ago we were freshmen who had just arrived on the Hanover Plain. We were in the midst of our first college classes, finding our way to the Hop to pick up our mail at Hinman post office, awed by the Homecoming Weekend bonfire built to a height of 72 tiers, and wondering if our football team led by head coach Bob Blackman could pull off another Ivy championship.
Another freshman class, the class of 2022, is now experiencing many of the same things we did, and our class has reached out in an extraordinary way to make a connection with them. Our hope is that our interaction with them will continue in special ways over the next four years culminating in their graduation and in our fiftieth reunion.
The first part of what is called the Class Connections program began when the ’22s went out on their freshman trips in late August. More than a dozen ’72s went up to the Dartmouth College Grant to greet them, cook dinner for them, and listen to their stories about trekking in the wilderness. From August 22 to September 2, the ’22s were entertained by a group of ’72s led by Geoff Clear and Marc Josephson.The group included Kerry Robertson, Fred Bickford, Mike Meehan, Peter Benziger and spouse Margie, David Mitchell, Bill Enos, Farrell Delman and spouse Mireille, John De Regt, Kirk Andrus, Gary Gulezian and spouse Greta, and me. I think it’s safe to say that all of us were impressed by the quality of the young people we encountered there, and we left with a renewed hope for the next generation of leaders being educated at Dartmouth. Thanks to all who participated in this special experience! Stay tuned for ways in which you can participate in our continuing efforts to forge a bond with, learn from, and, yes, assist the members of the great class of ’22 as they head out into the world. And as you reflect on our own experiences of 50 years ago, send me some memories so I can include them in the next column!
Sadly, I must report that we recently lost two members of our class. Michael Mellin left us suddenly in January while vacationing in Maui, Hawaii. His daughter, Julie, reports that after graduation Michael got an advanced degree in electrical engineering and later a Ph.D. in comparative literature. He worked in the publishing field for many years and lived in Silicon Valley for more than 20 years. Our condolences go out to Julie, Michael’s partner, Robert Nelson, and the entire Mellin family.
Our classmate Bill Tomkins passed away at the end of May. Bill is survived by his wife, Sally, and his children, Kate and Peter. He resided in Brooksville, Maine. Our condolences go out to them and to the entire Tomkins family.
Stay well, and please let me hear from you!
—David Hetzel, 5 Chestnut St., Windham, NH 03087; dghetzel@gmail.com
Another freshman class, the class of 2022, is now experiencing many of the same things we did, and our class has reached out in an extraordinary way to make a connection with them. Our hope is that our interaction with them will continue in special ways over the next four years culminating in their graduation and in our fiftieth reunion.
The first part of what is called the Class Connections program began when the ’22s went out on their freshman trips in late August. More than a dozen ’72s went up to the Dartmouth College Grant to greet them, cook dinner for them, and listen to their stories about trekking in the wilderness. From August 22 to September 2, the ’22s were entertained by a group of ’72s led by Geoff Clear and Marc Josephson.The group included Kerry Robertson, Fred Bickford, Mike Meehan, Peter Benziger and spouse Margie, David Mitchell, Bill Enos, Farrell Delman and spouse Mireille, John De Regt, Kirk Andrus, Gary Gulezian and spouse Greta, and me. I think it’s safe to say that all of us were impressed by the quality of the young people we encountered there, and we left with a renewed hope for the next generation of leaders being educated at Dartmouth. Thanks to all who participated in this special experience! Stay tuned for ways in which you can participate in our continuing efforts to forge a bond with, learn from, and, yes, assist the members of the great class of ’22 as they head out into the world. And as you reflect on our own experiences of 50 years ago, send me some memories so I can include them in the next column!
Sadly, I must report that we recently lost two members of our class. Michael Mellin left us suddenly in January while vacationing in Maui, Hawaii. His daughter, Julie, reports that after graduation Michael got an advanced degree in electrical engineering and later a Ph.D. in comparative literature. He worked in the publishing field for many years and lived in Silicon Valley for more than 20 years. Our condolences go out to Julie, Michael’s partner, Robert Nelson, and the entire Mellin family.
Our classmate Bill Tomkins passed away at the end of May. Bill is survived by his wife, Sally, and his children, Kate and Peter. He resided in Brooksville, Maine. Our condolences go out to them and to the entire Tomkins family.
Stay well, and please let me hear from you!
—David Hetzel, 5 Chestnut St., Windham, NH 03087; dghetzel@gmail.com