Class Note 1942
Issue
May-June 2020
As I sit this day, I am looking at a blank page. That is not unusual, but today it is because earlier this week I wrote this column and saved it—or at least I thought I did. Know that this is the second version, which is never as good as the first. On that note, let me begin.
In my last column I spoke about Bob Gale’s 100th birthday and the party being thrown by his daughter Christine December 27, 2019. Today I am pleased to report about the event. Christine has sent photos and a copy of the toasts, some of which will appear in the class of ’42 newsletter, due out this spring. I wrote a toast from the class of ’42, which Christine read. I also sent a class of ’42 pin. Some of you will remember it depicting Eleazar Wheelock. Bob wore it at the party. You will see it in the newsletter.
The party was “fabulous,” in Christine’s words, with a TV tribute on the Pittsburgh Today Live show. There were 128 guests, consisting of family and friends from 11 states. Some of the guests provided music for the evening, and Bob received a personally signed letter from President and Melania Trump and a certificate from the Pittsburgh Sen. Pat Toomey.
The other day I was talking to Jon Mendes on the phone and he told me he is coming out of retirement as the oldest to run a marathon in N.Y.C. at the age of 96 to best that record by entering the 2020 marathon at 100! He has been accepted, subject to his doctor’s approval. He also told me he is addressing the Dartmouth Club of New York on longevity and why completing the marathon at 96 was not an accident.
On the Dartmouth news website I read that Forbes ranked Dartmouth among the top colleges producing volunteers for the Peace Corps because the College emphasizes the value of being global citizens and being service-minded. I stop here to point out that the New York City College of Technology, where Leo Caproni was a professor, developed the Leo F. Caproni Global Citizens Award, which is awarded annually to a deserving student. Clearly Dartmouth influenced Leo. I am privileged to present that award in Leo’s name.
The class of 42 has the sad duty to announce the loss of Franklin S. Cushman November 28, 2019, at age 99. The class sends condolences to the family.
—Joanna Caproni, 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York, NY 10021; caproni@aol.com
In my last column I spoke about Bob Gale’s 100th birthday and the party being thrown by his daughter Christine December 27, 2019. Today I am pleased to report about the event. Christine has sent photos and a copy of the toasts, some of which will appear in the class of ’42 newsletter, due out this spring. I wrote a toast from the class of ’42, which Christine read. I also sent a class of ’42 pin. Some of you will remember it depicting Eleazar Wheelock. Bob wore it at the party. You will see it in the newsletter.
The party was “fabulous,” in Christine’s words, with a TV tribute on the Pittsburgh Today Live show. There were 128 guests, consisting of family and friends from 11 states. Some of the guests provided music for the evening, and Bob received a personally signed letter from President and Melania Trump and a certificate from the Pittsburgh Sen. Pat Toomey.
The other day I was talking to Jon Mendes on the phone and he told me he is coming out of retirement as the oldest to run a marathon in N.Y.C. at the age of 96 to best that record by entering the 2020 marathon at 100! He has been accepted, subject to his doctor’s approval. He also told me he is addressing the Dartmouth Club of New York on longevity and why completing the marathon at 96 was not an accident.
On the Dartmouth news website I read that Forbes ranked Dartmouth among the top colleges producing volunteers for the Peace Corps because the College emphasizes the value of being global citizens and being service-minded. I stop here to point out that the New York City College of Technology, where Leo Caproni was a professor, developed the Leo F. Caproni Global Citizens Award, which is awarded annually to a deserving student. Clearly Dartmouth influenced Leo. I am privileged to present that award in Leo’s name.
The class of 42 has the sad duty to announce the loss of Franklin S. Cushman November 28, 2019, at age 99. The class sends condolences to the family.
—Joanna Caproni, 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York, NY 10021; caproni@aol.com