Billed as the sensational 60th, our 60th class reunion surpassed its billing in every regard. Harlan Fair’s efforts along with Allen Collins and their group of volunteers during the past two years produced a wonderful event for everyone who was fortunate enough to attend. Fred Stephens and his committee encouraged 121 classmates—a record for 60th reunion classes—to attend, bringing the number of attendees including wives and widows to 216, another record. At the same time Ron Lazar, assisted by Bill Chamberlin and his gang of 40, inspired a gift from 72 percent of our classmates for another record contribution to the Dartmouth College fund of $600,000.53.
There were superlatives all around. Len Gochman produced and directed and spoke at a beautiful and memorable memorial service ably assisted by Ron Lazar and John Kennedy. Poignantly, the chair usually occupied by Donald Goss remained empty.
We met on Monday night at Sarner Underground, a beautiful new facility, the funds for which were donated to the College by George Sarner. I must say that spending a good part of our reunion in the 1953 Commons as well as Sarner Underground provided for me a very special feeling.
Bob Simpson organized a golf outing for 15 while Jody and Jack Zimmermann set up tennis for eight. Six classmates and two wives made it to the summit of Mount Moosilauke led by Put Blodgett, and several others made it to the halfway mark. Remarkable! Bonnie’s busses were once again invaluable.
Our class meeting in Moore Theater was wonderful, kicked off by the Aires, who presented an array of Dartmouth songs, and followed by a talk by Christienne Hardy Wohlsforth. All business was accomplished in an hour, as President Collins moved everything along with dispatch.
A limit on words prevents me from naming everyone in the class and in the College who were responsible for making this event so wonderful.
With great sadness, I report the passing of classmates Mario “Buzz” D’Avanzo, Overton Tony Chambers II, Ted Spiegel, Oliver Conover, David Stiff and Joseph Parker. We offer our most profound condolences to their families.
—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com
