Class Note 1953. The world today is in deep trouble. We’re all concerned about it and particularly our own part of it. Fueled by alarming news from every direction, it dominates our thoughts and drives conversations with our friends and families and folks who identify with all political parties. The topics may vary, depending upon each viewpoint, but we all have the same fears about where it’s all going—maybe not so much for those of us who are in the final decade of our lives but for our great-grandchildren. As students at Dartmouth are learning today, talking about our differences together often puts daunting problems into better perspective. To that end, I’m hoping some of you might be willing to share your thoughts—no matter what they are—with the rest of your class. Please let us hear from you!
Ralph Heins called recently, hoping to find out more about the rest of you. He and his wife, Ann, recently sold their home in Arizona and moved full-time to Ensenada, Mexico, a port city on the Pacific coast of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Apparently, there is a large American ex-pat group there whose members enjoy the perfect climate and the busy social life. Ralph enjoys excellent health and long walks on the beach—and he likes Mexican food! John Van Huyck wrote to say that he’s still in Virginia Beach but lives alone now. Like many of us, he resents not being able to drive but thinks it’s for the best. He relayed the news of Henry Clay Fry’sdeath in August 2023. One more death to report, that of Byron “Gus” Allen Jr. in July.
On a more upbeat note: Class president Ron Lazar reports that the class of 1953 exceeded its fundraising goal by 10 percent this year and achieved the third-highest participation by class members of the 75 alumni classes. Thank you all for your part in getting us there! When you read this, we’ll be well into the fall athletic season. Go Green!
—Donna Grant Reilly, 32 Penn Road, Apt. 418; Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-7281; reillys5357@gmail.com