Class Note 1968
Issue
July-August 2026
Class Note 1968. The College has published an article (at fas.dartmouth.edu) recognizing the work and generosity of the class’ Arts Legacy Committee (of which I’m a member) and highlighting our most recent recipient, Lauren Mills ’27. You may be proud of the substantial assistance our class funds have provided students for three years. We’re currently discussing continuing the program beyond our initial five-year plan.
In recent emails with fellow class committee rep Dave Gang the subject of nicknames arose. I thought it would be enjoyably evocative for other classmates to reveal the ones with which they, too, were badged in Hanover, so I sent out a random, limited solicitation, and we’ll conveniently start the responses with the aforementioned “Gangster,” who also went by “Banger” (as dubbed by the late Bob Queeney, aka “Queens”) as well as by “Gango” and “Gangrene.”
As in Dave’s case, simple proper name variations abounded, as in “Wits” (Roger Witten, most appropriately), “Hopper” (yours truly), “Pecker” (mm-hmm) (David Peck), “Coops” (David Cooperberg), and “’Terworth” (Dan Butterworth, whose “rolling down stairs to land at the feet of the College president” story I’ll tell at another time). Mr. Peck, he of large accomplishment and modest height, also had a fraternity name of “Up to My Neck Peck.”
Dave Stanley’s pledgemaster at Sigma Alpha Epsilon anointed him “Steamer.” Dave admits it was unimaginative, but it fit his track exploits nicely.
Norm Silverman deferred: “My nickname at Tabard was so alpha male bravado-ish I would be embarrassed to mention it. I certainly would not sully my class’ reputation for supporting peace, kindness, humility, charity and the arts, sciences, and humanities by contagion.”
Peter Wonson recalls the possibility of having picked up “Wazoo” from Dave Loring and the late Burt Quist. (Let’s borrow a title from Frank Zappa and append “The Grand” ahead of that in the future.)
Finally, Peter Hofman offered a detailed etymology and apologia for the nickname he was lovingly called by fraternity brothers: “Wop.” No, it’s not from the anti-immigrant slur “without papers.” He probably had a girlfriend who called him “guapo.” Look it up.
—“Captain Jack” Hopke, 157 Joy St., River Ridge, LA 70123; (504) 388-2645; jackhopke@yahoo.com
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In recent emails with fellow class committee rep Dave Gang the subject of nicknames arose. I thought it would be enjoyably evocative for other classmates to reveal the ones with which they, too, were badged in Hanover, so I sent out a random, limited solicitation, and we’ll conveniently start the responses with the aforementioned “Gangster,” who also went by “Banger” (as dubbed by the late Bob Queeney, aka “Queens”) as well as by “Gango” and “Gangrene.”
As in Dave’s case, simple proper name variations abounded, as in “Wits” (Roger Witten, most appropriately), “Hopper” (yours truly), “Pecker” (mm-hmm) (David Peck), “Coops” (David Cooperberg), and “’Terworth” (Dan Butterworth, whose “rolling down stairs to land at the feet of the College president” story I’ll tell at another time). Mr. Peck, he of large accomplishment and modest height, also had a fraternity name of “Up to My Neck Peck.”
Dave Stanley’s pledgemaster at Sigma Alpha Epsilon anointed him “Steamer.” Dave admits it was unimaginative, but it fit his track exploits nicely.
Norm Silverman deferred: “My nickname at Tabard was so alpha male bravado-ish I would be embarrassed to mention it. I certainly would not sully my class’ reputation for supporting peace, kindness, humility, charity and the arts, sciences, and humanities by contagion.”
Peter Wonson recalls the possibility of having picked up “Wazoo” from Dave Loring and the late Burt Quist. (Let’s borrow a title from Frank Zappa and append “The Grand” ahead of that in the future.)
Finally, Peter Hofman offered a detailed etymology and apologia for the nickname he was lovingly called by fraternity brothers: “Wop.” No, it’s not from the anti-immigrant slur “without papers.” He probably had a girlfriend who called him “guapo.” Look it up.
—“Captain Jack” Hopke, 157 Joy St., River Ridge, LA 70123; (504) 388-2645; jackhopke@yahoo.com