And a good time was had by all.


Our June 40th (41st) reunion enabled many of us to reconnect, thanks to the largest turnout since our 25th reunion, with more than 200 classmates attending. Overview and highlights follow.


Friday afternoon women’s tea for alumnae and exchange students across ’73-’74-’75, with co-organizers Val Armento and Caren Diefenderfer. Susan Gordon and Kate Stith-Cabranes were present, along with exchange spouses Ann Tarbox Birchall, Patty Cruff Buerger, Sally White Harty, Nancy Brown Hughes, Sarah Kahn, Cindy Saranec Livermore and Tina Rogers, as well as women from other classes. Friday night Bobby and the Corvairs played before a large crowd in Leede Arena and were as entertaining as “back in the day.” They were photographed extensively by jubilant revelers.


President Hanlon addressed reunion participants in Spaulding Auditorium Saturday morning, noting Dartmouth is a magnet for talented students and faculty. He envisions taking actions to better develop the creative mind and is pursuing establishment of an arts and innovation district encompassing the Hop, the Black Family Visual Arts Center and a new innovation center across Lebanon Street. Following his comments, a current student highlight video was shown and the Aires performed briefly. 


Saturday sport outings included fly fishing, lead by Paul Gross, who took a group of primarily novices to Norford Lake Club where everyone caught at least one rainbow trout. Nils Johnson, Kevin O’Shea, Lee Phillips, Steve Geis and Reed Greene, along with two adult sons of Rodger Shuback (Rodger’s first return to campus since graduation) participated. At the Hanover Country Club organizer Bob Glovsky teamed with wife Sue, Dave Nichols and Charlie Boarman. Winning foursome was Wayne Davis, Doug Britton, Dick Bowers and Bob “Brooksie” Brooks. Other golfers included Mike Neary, Mark Harty, Russ Kelley, Dale Vernon, Ginna and Fred Riggall, Ann and Brooks Cutright, Andy Caffrey, Tom Gianis, Pat Kennedy, Phil Spokowski, Karen and Everett Cook, Chet Homer, Bill Koppenheffer, David Duggan, John Grossmann, Chris Ley, Patrick Martin, Phil Sievers and Bob Weil. On the Connecticut, we had a strong showing at the reunion row thanks to Owen “Chips” Hughes, Ben Swinski, Bob Haynes, John Goheen, Eric Struhsacker, Rick Routhier and Paul Gross. Rain cancelled tennis.


On a solemn note, Bob Conway presided over a heartfelt memorial service in Rollins Chapel that commemorated 76 classmates who have departed this life.


Harry Sheehy, director of athletics and recreation, was our Saturday night speaker. He recounted enthusiastically how he came to Dartmouth and explained the peak performance program. Key acronym is DRIVE: develop, resiliency, ingenuity, valor, excellence. He noted excellence is never an accident. Former dean Carroll Brewster also attended the dinner, held in the new plaza adjacent to the Black Center.


Reunion chairs Bob Barr and Mark Harty deserve kudos for a superb weekend. As Bob noted, for those lucky enough to reach their later-90s, post-graduation there are 15 reunion possibilities. This was No. 8, so we are on the downside of such opportunities. If you missed this one, plan ahead for the next.


—Val Armento, 227 Sylvan Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403; valerie.j.armento.73@dartmouth.edu