Class Note 1942
Issue
March-April 2023
As many years as I have been writing this column, I never get used to writing it during the holidays and know it will be spring when you read it, so bear with me. First it is freezing—14 degrees on Christmas day—coldest in two decades. It’s starting to warm now.
My first news is a letter from Stu Finch’s daughter, Ellen. I reported on his death earlier. In case you missed seeing it, I am repeating it here.
“Dear Joanna, I wanted to let you know that my father, Stuart Finch, died July 24, 2022, a couple of weeks short of his 101st birthday. He remained entirely alert and amazingly energetic to the end, passing me scientific papers to read and playing poker, and he lived a very full life. Dartmouth was such an important part of his life and formed I think a key aspect of his core identity. I know he very much appreciated you taking on the job of class secretary (one he proudly held for many years) as the ranks of the class of ’42 naturally diminished.”
On November 3 I had the honor of attending the 102nd birthday party for Jon Mendes. I was one of 30 or 40 of his friends all asking how he does it so they can follow in his footsteps. He spoke to the gathering about how to do it. He has a booklet on diet and exercise that you must do to achieve 102. If you google him, you will find it. He will gladly send you a copy. He tells me today “all is well, no complaints.”
As your class secretary I receive all announcements from Dartmouth. One such is the 50th anniversary of admitting women. It prompted me to think about how you men had to drive far and wide to have a date with a woman—or import women to the College for the various activities. You still can do that; however, you also have women in all of your classes.
I need your news. Please help me out or I will start writing about myself. A happy healthy 2023 to all of you!
—Joanna Caproni, 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York, NY 10021; caproni@aol.com
My first news is a letter from Stu Finch’s daughter, Ellen. I reported on his death earlier. In case you missed seeing it, I am repeating it here.
“Dear Joanna, I wanted to let you know that my father, Stuart Finch, died July 24, 2022, a couple of weeks short of his 101st birthday. He remained entirely alert and amazingly energetic to the end, passing me scientific papers to read and playing poker, and he lived a very full life. Dartmouth was such an important part of his life and formed I think a key aspect of his core identity. I know he very much appreciated you taking on the job of class secretary (one he proudly held for many years) as the ranks of the class of ’42 naturally diminished.”
On November 3 I had the honor of attending the 102nd birthday party for Jon Mendes. I was one of 30 or 40 of his friends all asking how he does it so they can follow in his footsteps. He spoke to the gathering about how to do it. He has a booklet on diet and exercise that you must do to achieve 102. If you google him, you will find it. He will gladly send you a copy. He tells me today “all is well, no complaints.”
As your class secretary I receive all announcements from Dartmouth. One such is the 50th anniversary of admitting women. It prompted me to think about how you men had to drive far and wide to have a date with a woman—or import women to the College for the various activities. You still can do that; however, you also have women in all of your classes.
I need your news. Please help me out or I will start writing about myself. A happy healthy 2023 to all of you!
—Joanna Caproni, 370 East 76 St., Apt. A 406, New York, NY 10021; caproni@aol.com