Class Notes 1934

A film titled Whatever It Takes was to be shown on PBS in March. Dartmouth was featured as one of the few colleges that bring under-privileged high school students to campus for three summers in a row to participate in the Summer Education at Dartmouth program. At the suggestion of the late Bill Barnet, 1934 has been contributing some of its funds to this program for several years. The students take courses in basic engineering and the language arts the first summer; the other two summers are devoted to research, writing and preparing for college application processes. One-third of the Dartmouth student body is involved with this program as mentors at some time before their graduation. Jack Gilbert’s stepson Tom Jackson wrote me that his mother, Gretchen, one of my pals, died last February. After selling the house Jack moved to an assisted living facility in Peabody, Massachusetts, and is doing well. We hope the residents of Sunrise at Gardner Park are enjoying Jack’s terrific piano! Sorry to report the death of Walter Reichert last October. For economic reasons, the magazine will no longer be printing full obituaries. They can be found on the DAM Web site, dartmouthalumnimagazine.com, or a written version can be obtained from the magazine.

New address below. Please write your news or 1934 won’t appear in the magazine!


—Gerry Scherman Day, 2850 Classic Drive, Unit 1203, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126


With a very heavy heart I must report that Stan Smoyer died on December 15, 2010. He was the last great leader of the good class of 1934. He was blessed to be active physically and mentally until the end. I had last talked with him only weeks before he left us. He leaves his wife, Marjorie, and his two remaining children, Nancy and David ’63, from his long marriage to Barbara Brooks Smoyer. Stan and Barbara lost their daughter Janet when she was very young and their wonderful son Bill ’67, who was killed in the Vietnam War.


Stan had just taken over as president of the class from my husband, Bill Scherman, when Bill and I were courting and we got to know each other as couples very well. Our close friendship lasted through the remaining lifetimes of both Barbara and Bill. A complete obituary can be seen on the Dartmouth page online and can also be obtained from the alumni records office in Hanover. 


—Gerry Scherman Day, 2850 Classic Drive, Apt. 1203, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126


The last of the giants of the good class of 1934, Carl B. Hess, died on February 15 at his longtime home on Sutton Place in New York City. His wife, Ludmila, was at his side. Carl and his first wife, Juliet, were divorced years ago. They had two children who survive him, Eric ’66 and Karen. Carl’s second wife, Desanka, died of cancer. Carl was a quiet and wise man who was tremendously successful in business almost from the time he graduated, but was extremely modest, an attribute that added to his charm. Carl wore many hats for Dartmouth through the years: as a member of the Alumni Council from 1952 to 1958, the Dean’s Council 1993 to 1997, the major gift committee 1979 to 1991 and the President’s Leadership Council from 1998 until his death. He remained a major part of the financial backbone for the class of 1934 throughout his years and contributed generously to the Carson Building project (named for the Sam Carson family) to provide one floor to honor 1934’s beloved and exceptional classmate Bob Michelet, who had died of pneumonia in their senior year. Carl was a member for the last 30 years of the Rockefeller University council (Sam Carson’s son Russell is the current chairman of the university). The university wrote a stirring tribute to Carl, part of which I quote: “A true gentleman and a man of deep character, integrity and compassion, Carl left the world a better place.” Carl founded American European Associates in the late 1960s and was president and CEO. He relinquished his title a few years ago but continued “to go to the office every day,” as Ludmila said recently. “He feels one shouldn’t be lazy.”


—Gerry Scherman Day, 2850 Classic Drive, Apt. 1203, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126