Another lion of the class of ’44 has died: Richard Lee Ranger, 92, passed away on November 12, 2015, after several weeks of illness, at his home in Dana Point, California. Born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, Dick came to Dartmouth at 17. As with so many of that generation, WW II interrupted his college years; he joined the Army Air Corps and saw action in the Pacific. During a bombing run his plane was heavily damaged. Flying on one engine, he bellied in minus landing gear and he and his crew walked away unscathed, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and celebrated his 21st birthday two days later. He returned to Dartmouth and graduated from Tuck School. Having done his pre-flight training in California, he proudly adopted Orange County as his home. Dick spent his working life at Ford Motor Co., during which time he and his wife, Carol, lived in California and Brazil. He was an avid skier and traveler and teller of yarns. His lifelong service to the class included years as regional clubs officer, class agent, reunion committee member and, with Carol, loyal reunion attendee.

As I am writing this in below-freezing February, I offer the following note of hope.

Pockets of bare ground circle the tree trunks,

The sun is doing its best.

Small floes of snow calve into chunks,

Robins hop among the sodden leaves

In hopes of finding the reawakened worm.

The sun is doing its best

To fold the winter’s blanket back.

Air the long-covered beds,

While snowdrops and crocuses wait

Alert to ever-returning spring.

Nature’s cycle, alive and well.

Why are we surprised?

—Betty Munson, 23 Linscott Road N, York, ME, 03909; elizmunson1944@gmail.com