Class Note 1963
Issue
September-October 2026
Class Note 1963. Because it’s been 63 years since the class of 1963 left Hanover, the indefatigable Ed Mazer and I decided to survey our classmates. More than 150 responded. Here are some of the findings.
Education beyond Dartmouth: An astonishing 94 percent of us continued our studies after graduating, with an equal number earning a master’s or doctorate, while a handful went on to postdoctoral studies.
Careers: More than half of those responding, 54.7 percent, stayed with one career. I have a hunch that our children and grandchildren will not reach that number, not in this fast-changing world.
Salaries: Forty-nine reported a difference of at least $250,000 between that first job and your top salary and another 65 reported an increase of at least $100,000.
Military service:More than half of those responding, 57 percent, served in the military, and nearly all of those signed up. Only nine classmates report that they were drafted.
Marriages: Although one-third have been married more than once, two-thirds are still in their first marriages. In fact, 57 classmates have celebrated at least 60 wedding anniversaries.
Children and grandchildren: Fifty-four percent of us have one or two children, 39 percent have three or four kids, and two prolific classmates have five or more children. A fortunate seven classmates have 10 or more grandchildren and 31 have seven to nine grands. Another 46 classmates have four to six grandchildren, while 52 report having one to three.
Reunions: Most of those responding have attended between one and three reunions since 1963, and 13 classmates (you know who you are) have made it to 10 or more gatherings. Sadly, 26 of us have not returned to Hanover.
Staying in touch: Only seven classmates reported staying in touch with more than a dozen classmates. The majority, 94, are in contact with one to three classmates, and 22 report staying connected with four to eight classmates.
Sad news: We’ve lost classmates Stephen C. Francis (April 13), Jonathan Gallo (May 18), John Lehman (June 11), John “Vinny” O’Neill (May 12), Randall “Randy” Reetz (December 26, 2025),and Charles Wessendorf (May 4). Our deepest sympathies to their families.
—John Merrow, 201 East 79th St., Apt. 5D, New York City, NY 10075; (646) 373-3034; john.merrow@gmail.com
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Education beyond Dartmouth: An astonishing 94 percent of us continued our studies after graduating, with an equal number earning a master’s or doctorate, while a handful went on to postdoctoral studies.
Careers: More than half of those responding, 54.7 percent, stayed with one career. I have a hunch that our children and grandchildren will not reach that number, not in this fast-changing world.
Salaries: Forty-nine reported a difference of at least $250,000 between that first job and your top salary and another 65 reported an increase of at least $100,000.
Military service:More than half of those responding, 57 percent, served in the military, and nearly all of those signed up. Only nine classmates report that they were drafted.
Marriages: Although one-third have been married more than once, two-thirds are still in their first marriages. In fact, 57 classmates have celebrated at least 60 wedding anniversaries.
Children and grandchildren: Fifty-four percent of us have one or two children, 39 percent have three or four kids, and two prolific classmates have five or more children. A fortunate seven classmates have 10 or more grandchildren and 31 have seven to nine grands. Another 46 classmates have four to six grandchildren, while 52 report having one to three.
Reunions: Most of those responding have attended between one and three reunions since 1963, and 13 classmates (you know who you are) have made it to 10 or more gatherings. Sadly, 26 of us have not returned to Hanover.
Staying in touch: Only seven classmates reported staying in touch with more than a dozen classmates. The majority, 94, are in contact with one to three classmates, and 22 report staying connected with four to eight classmates.
Sad news: We’ve lost classmates Stephen C. Francis (April 13), Jonathan Gallo (May 18), John Lehman (June 11), John “Vinny” O’Neill (May 12), Randall “Randy” Reetz (December 26, 2025),and Charles Wessendorf (May 4). Our deepest sympathies to their families.
—John Merrow, 201 East 79th St., Apt. 5D, New York City, NY 10075; (646) 373-3034; john.merrow@gmail.com