Class Notes 1939

As Lou Oldershaw indicated in his letter, we will have had our 75th reunion September 19-21 and five members have indicated that they will attend. Hope a few more can make it.


We have lost four more classmates since my last notes.


Robert Alpert died June 13, 2014, in Dallas after a long illness. Bob was a cheerleader, member of the Glee Club and Phi Lambda Chi. He was a decorated captain in the U.S. Air Force during WW II. Bob was very active in the class activities and class agent 1987-2002 and class vice president 2004-14.


Charles Sumner Neer II, M.D., died February 28, 2011. Charlie was a longtime member of the faculty of Columbia College of Medicine and a distinguished orthopedic surgeon. He was a pioneer in the development of shoulder surgery and retired in 1990, having contributed greatly to the art of shoulder surgery.


Lloyd Usilton Noland died February 7, 2014. Lloyd was a member of Cabin & Trail Canoe Club, Casque & Gauntlet, Green Key and Palaeopitus. He was very active in the State of Virginia affairs. He served on the class officers executive committee 1989-2014.


Frederic Kendall Upton died December 2, 2013. Fred was a senior fellow and a member of Bones Gate and Delta Tau Delta. He practiced law with distinction in New Hampshire. His class activities included class executive committee 1989-2013 and class agent 1991-2002.


—Andrew Ruoff, 110 E Mangrove Bay Way, Apt. 1036 Jupiter, FL 33477; aruoff@bellsouth.net


I didn’t send any notes last time since there were no contacts and, thankfully, no deaths.


Talked to Lou Oldershaw, and he wonders if there is any interest in a final reunion this fall! He is doing well and sends his greetings.


We had two reported deaths. James Donald Andrews died on February 16. After graduation he served four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was employed by American Cyanamid Co. for 34 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed playing the banjo.


Warren Harshman Kiefaber died on April 3, 2010. During his college years he was active in football, baseball, hockey, boxing and wrestling. He attended Tuck School and served four years in the Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific.


—Andrew Ruoff, 110 E. Mangrove Bay Way, Apt. 1306, Jupiter, FL 33477; (561) 747-1783; aruoff@bellsouth.net


What a great 70th reunion! I write this two weeks later but almost two months before you read it. Peter Cardozo (with Susan’s important help) will do his usual super job in Thirty-Nine Out in naming who was here and what we did. In this limited space I will simply say that 16 class members, six widows and a total of almost 50 attended. Included was Hal Ripley ’29, with wife Mary, who celebrated his 80th reunion with us. “Rip” is 102! Our profound thanks go to the College, especially Jennifer Casey, assistant director of class activities, for taking such great care of us.


At our class meeting I named the six classmates who had died since the printing of our 70th reunion class directory last February. Most recent was George Hanna, baseball star in our college days and class president from 2000 to our 65th reunion in 2004. Fred Upton reported that he attended George’s moving memorial service September 24, which featured a cornet solo of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” to mark his youthful baseball prowess and love of the game. Our heartfelt condolences go to George’s wife, Shirley, and children Tom, Susan, Kate and Lucy and their families.


To Peter’s complete surprise, I presented a glowing accolade recognizing his distinguished service as 1939’s newsletter editor that had been adopted by the Class Newsletter Editors Association just a week before our reunion. The class immediately adopted this same citation as our own thankful tribute to Peter. 


—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320


A major article in the November 13 Wall Street Journal introduced the three finalists for the title of “America’s Top College Professor.” Asked for an example of great teaching, finalist Roger Rosenblatt named John Kelleher, the late professor of Irish studies at Harvard. “I hadn’t the slightest idea about Irish studies,” said Rosenblatt, “but I was smart enough to know that Kelleher was the man I wanted to study with. The seriousness with which Kelleher took learning and the seriousness with which he took students, that was a model to me.”


John Kelleher was one of 1939’s seven senior fellows, along with Charlie Davis, Rodger Harrison, Lou Highmark, Bill Remington, Fred Upton and myself, Bob Kaiser. Having offices together in Baker Library, we became good friends and also came to appreciate John’s keen intellect and sense of humor. He and Fred Upton remained close for life, and we were delighted that John attended several 1939 mini-reunions before his death January 1, 2004.


The year 2009 marked the 100th birthday of the Dartmouth Outing Club. The yearlong celebration included the astounding feat of hiking the 2,176-mile Appalachian Trail in a single day. This was done by dividing an estimated 650 DOC undergrads and alumni into 21 groups, with each group responsible for hiking a roughly 100-mile segment of the trail on October 10, 2009. The oldest participant, at age 91, was classmate Henry Merrill, who lives with wife Mary Lois in Greensboro, Vermont. Hank established his DOC bona fides as director of ski competitions in our undergrad days.


—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320


This marks the end of my fifth year as class secretary. I hope you approve my Class Notes, and would welcome any suggestions or criticism you might have.

Regretably, my 1939 news is limited to the passing of three eminent classmates—Colby Cogswell, Bill Goodman and Baxter Prescott. Colby died November 11, 2009, in Orinda, California. He had the unusual career of being both a trust officer of Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco and an ordained Episcopal minister of a church in Berkeley.

Bill Goodman died February 21 in Danbury, Connecticut. After managing and closing (in 1958) the family hat business, he joined a commercial warehouse and moving company, serving as its chairman. An advocate for social justice, Bill pursued his vision of a city diverse in both industries and people until Danbury became that city. Quoting the Danbury newspaper, he was “a Danbury leader whose influence is reflected in commerce, education, government and even the physical layout of the city.”

Baxter Prescott died April 16 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center just a month shy of his 93rd birthday. His 37-year career was with the Bell Telephone System, first in Washington, D.C., where he met and married Eloise Collingwood, and then in West Virginia. In 1977 they retired to Hanover, where Baxter was active in Dartmouth and 1939 affairs, including chairmanship (with Ellie) of our 65th reunion and serving on the 70th reunion committee. A poignant memory is that both Baxter and Bill Goodman attended our 70th last October. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of Colby, Bill and Baxter.

—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320

Last spring classmate John Finocan very kindly sent me a little book given to him by a 1932 alumnus titled A Dartmouth Book of Remembrance, by professor Edwin Bartlett, class of 1872. It was fascinating to learn about the life and character of Dartmouth and Hanover of almost 150 years ago. Out of curiosity I dug out my copy of The College on the Hill, the 1965 history of Dartmouth, edited and partly written by our classmate, the late Ralph Nading “Zeke” Hill. Not surprisingly, both Professor Bartlett and his book were prime source material for several sections of Zeke’s book—the description of life at Dartmouth in the last third of the 19th century, the faculty, student life, even early sports at the College.


Edwin Bartlett, nicknamed “Bubby,” was a son of Dartmouth’s eighth president, Samuel Colcord Bartlett, and was a well-regarded, much-liked professor of chemistry for 41 years (1879-1920). He was also a remarkably articulate observer of the Dartmouth scene and merited two full pages in the faculty section of Zeke’s book.


More than 40 years have passed since I first read The College on the Hill, and I thank John Finocan for sparking me to read it again. My intimate involvement with the College over the intervening years makes re-acquaintance with Dartmouth’s history especially interesting. Zeke and his fellow authors did a masterful job.


Sadly, Amos “Bud” Little died on June 22. Our deep sympathy and condolences go to Bud’s family.


—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320


Haven’t heard from anyone except the alumni magazine office, which sent information for two obituaries. Helen and I are moving to a residential community in Jupiter, Florida, but my e-mail and phone number won’t change.


Edward Frederick Hammel died on June 8. After graduation he received his Ph.D. from Princeton and he worked on the Manhattan Project. He lived and worked in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was leading investigator in the area of cryophysics. He received many awards and was one of the country’s foremost scientists and was also very active in the community of Los Alamos and the University of New Mexico.


Vernon Frank Taylor died on May 21. “Moose” and his wife, Ann, had the financial means to live large and they did, in Denver and Vail, Colorado, New York and London. He had a very full social and business life. His obituary in the Denver Post was full of laudatory comments.


—
Andrew Ruoff
, 110 Mangrove Bay Way, Apt. 1306, Jupiter, FL 33477; (561) 747-1783; aruoff@ bellsouth.net


After reading Lou Oldershaw’s last Class Notes I realized that, with the retirement of our long-time secretary Bob Kaiser and the death of Pete Cardozo, Lou was carrying the load himself and I wrote him offering help. I am now class secretary. (Never volunteer!)


If any of you have news you’d like to share please call or write me. I need a lot of help. Talked to Bob Kaiser and he sounded fine. He and Ev are in an assisted living place and are quite comfortable. He proudly told me that one of his granddaughters will enter Dartmouth in the fall. 


Since the last notes there is only one death to report.


David S. Smith died on April 13 at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida. There was a long obituary in The Dartmouth and The New York Times outlining his many accomplishments. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa he got his law degree from Columbia University, served four years in the Navy as a lieutenant and then practiced international law in many capacities. He was appointed assistant attorney general of the United States under John Foster Dulles and later was appointed ambassador to Sweden by President Ford. He is survived by his wife, three sons and six grandchildren.


—Andrew Ruoff, 19149 SE Sea Turtle Court, A102, Tequesta, FL 33469; (561) 747-1783; aruoff@bellsouth.net


I have no good news to report except that I spoke to president Lou Oldershaw and he’s doing fine.


On the flip side, we have two deaths to report. Kenneth Alton McDonald died November 19, 2012. Ken was very active while at school: He was in Palaeopitus, Green Key, DOC, Cabin & Trail and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduating he was an isolationist until Pearl Harbor, when he joined the 10th Mountain Division (with me) and served with distinction in Italy. He was a lawyer who left the East and eventually settled in Seattle, where he established himself as defender of the downtrodden. Ken was on the Alumni Council (1962-64) and reunion committee (1999) and served as a national research development program screener (1989-90) and class agent (2002).


Richard Binge Baldauf died September 14, 2012. After school he served on the battleship USS Massachusetts from 1942 to 1945 and received seven battle stars. He wrote poetry before and during the war, published an English grammar and taught English frequently at a local college.


If any of you have anything that I can pass along, please write or call.


—Andrew Ruoff, 19149 SE Sea Turtle Ct., A102, Tequesta, FL 33469; (561) 747-1783; aruoff@bellsouth.net


I have just learned of two classmate deaths in late January: Morris Seligman and Robert Hall. Both were doctors. Morris received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and spent most of his career as staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Center in Togus, Maine (near Augusta). He retired in 1986 and continued to live in Hallowell, Maine, until his death. His wife, Rhya, predeceased him. He leaves his daughter Martha.


Bob Hall earned his M.D. at Harvard and a later public health degree from the University of North Carolina. During World War II and the Korean War he served as surgeon in the renowned 2nd Infantry Division. Bob decided to stay in the Army and until retiring as full colonel in 1976 he enjoyed a distinguished career as medical staff officer of several high-level commands and commander of such major operations as the Army’s Medical Training Center. Bob resided in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our condolences to his wife, Jane, and six children.


In February Hanover gained a new 69-room hotel, Six South Street Hotel. The name describes its location, two blocks south of the Hanover Inn. An article in The Dartmouth identified the owner as Maine Course Hospitality Group and reported that the new hotel has a cocktail lounge, fitness room, restaurant, wireless Internet service and underground parking. Coincidentally, in the near future, the Hanover Inn will be undergoing a major, multi-million-dollar facelift. It is anticipated that the Inn and new hotel will cooperate rather than compete.


—Robert L. Kaiser, 37 Rayton Road, Hanover, NH 03755; (603) 643-4320


Just talked to our president Lou Oldershaw. He is doing well and asked me to inquire as to whether any of us would be interested in one last reunion. Drop me a line if you would be interested.


We have lost three more members since the last notes.


The Hon. Louis Falk Oberdorfer died on February 21. After graduation and a tour of duty in Army, he got his law degree from Yale. He had a very distinguished career. He served as deputy to U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy in the 1960s and was appointed federal judge in Washington, D.C., in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter, a position in which he served for many years. As a judge he authored more than 1,300 opinions in the 1980s. One of his rulings pushed the U.S. Defense Department to extend veteran status to thousands of men who sailed merchant ships during WW II.


William Barney Cockley Jr. died July 19 2012. Unfortunately there is no other information available.


Wells Corbin Bates died on March 24. Wells spent his working years running the C.J. Bates and Son Co., manufacturers of Susan Bates art needlework implements. Wells was a very active alumnus of 1939, serving on the class executive committee (1979, 1989-2013) and as reunion committee chair (1979), reunion committee treasurer (1974) and class agent (1985).


—Andrew Ruoff, 19149 SE Sea Turtle Court A102, Tequesta, FL 33469; aruoff@bellsouth.net


When I returned from a long European vacation I tried to call Bob Kaiser and was told that he had died. I then tried to call Ev, and their daughter informed me that Ev had died three weeks later. A memorial service was held for them both in Hanover on October 13. 


I have no good news to report, and sadly also the death of Warren Hayward. 


Warren Hayward died on June 11, 2012. He served in the Army during WW II and attained the rank of major. After service he worked for GlaxcoSmithKline Co. Bud was an avid golfer and served as treasurer of the Saguaro Evans Senior Golf Association. 


Robert Lewis Kaiser died August 22, 2012, after a long battle with congestive heart failure. At Dartmouth he was in the Glee Club and Psi U. He graduated summa cum laude. He was drafted in 1941 and became involved in field artillery. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and ended the war as S3 of the 65th Division. After the war ended he was appointed administrator for 90,000 displaced persons in Austria and Germany and was given a homemade plaque honoring his humane treatment of German soldiers. After his discharge he remained in the reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1962. After that he was in business as general manager and then president of Dif Corp. and later director of Magnus Corp.


In 1964 Bob made a major life change and moved to Hanover to assume the role of director of Dartmouth’s bequest and estate planning program. He served for 18 years as director and was honored by both Dartmouth and many national organizations. Bob and Ev were very much involved with the ’39 activities and were the gracious hosts for several mini-reunions. Many of us remember the picnics before football games.


In 1980 Bob was recognized for his multitude of devoted services to Dartmouth and in special honor of his talents and inspired leadership within the class of 1939 at the College as the Bequest Chairman of the Year. The College also stated, “Collaborating with you not only in fraternity but in College and class activities as well is your devoted wife, Evelyn, who constitutes the other half of one of Hanover’s most hospitable and gracious couples.” 


The Dartmouth flag was at half-mast for two days in Bob’s memory. 


Bob and Ev, we miss you. 


—Andrew Ruoff, 19149 SE Sea Turtle Court, A-102, Tequesta, FL 33469; (561) 747-1783; aruoff@ bellsouth.net