A nice benefit of this job is the extra motivation it provides me to return to Hanover each fall for our annual mini-reunion and class executive committee meeting. As always, Loye Miller and Henry Nachman’s flawless arrangements made the weekend a breeze and a delight for all of us out-of-towners.


John Clayton’s surprise and pleasure at receiving the Spirit of ’51 Award was the highlight of the weekend. The occasion was made doubly happy for John and Marcia—and for us all—by the surprise appearance of their out-of-town children and grandchildren, who slipped in from offstage for the presentation. This was the 29th Spirit of ’51 Award to be presented since the initial award to Buck Scott in 1982.


The Claytons have sold their house in nearby Grantham, New Hampshire, and will soon move to Maine.


It was a treat to see Dotty Mori (West Lebanon, New Hampshire). She joined 50 classmates and guests for our mini-reunion dinner. She reported with pride that her and Al’s grandson Alberto has come to Dartmouth from his home in Italy and is a starter on the soccer team as a freshman.


Parke Sickler’s attendance pleased us all. He has made a marvelous recovery from last summer’s stroke. I’m betting that Parke (Brevard, North Carolina) holds our class record with six great-grandchildren!


Great news from Oberlin, Ohio, where Dick Dunn received the Oberlin College Award for Distinguished Service to the Community in recognition of his many years of civic improvement as city manager and an officer of the college.


We report the recent deaths of Earl Brabb, John Hatfield and Dick Price. Our class was represented at John’s service by Howard Fuller, Herm Christensen and George Bikle. Howard (Claremont, California), a retired United Church of Christ minister and John’s Dartmouth roommate and fellow glee clubber, officiated. Len Smith (Los Gatos, California) spoke at the service for Earl, his long-time close friend.


Obituaries for these and all other deceased classmates can be found on our class website (www.dartmouth.edu/classes/51) and will also appear in Dave Batchelder’s newsletter.


—Pete Henderson, 450 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60201; (847) 905-0635; pandjhenderson@gmail.com