Class Notes 1950

Prez Bob Kirby suffered a minor calamity when one of his limbs failed him—the good news is he is making progress. Stephanie “Toots” Reininger, living in Hanover at Kendal, has been in contact with Joe Medlicott’s doctor son, Alex, and his wife, Kristi, a retired anesthetist extraordinaire. They met at Kendal for lunch and “spirited conversation about our Joe,” says Toots. Class youngster Joel Leavitt reports he is golfing three times a week and shooting some tennis with resident “geezers.” (As Joel says, “Gotta be nice to them geezers.”) Joel reports his class of ’50 flag has shredded from the summer winds and must be replaced. He and Veda (DeKoff) share six great-grands but will be hard pressed to better Bill and Terri Carpenter, who boast 21 and are expecting yet another (great-granddaughter). Can anyone in the class beat this? Bill and Terri are greeted each morning by a neighboring flock of chickens (beats shaking hands with the postman, I guess?).

As that’s all the news from you readers, I take command of the bully pulpit and enlighten you with some of my exploits of late. I am a member of an eight-person group of traveling thespians who regale local senior groups with scripted readings and music. My other activity is as a new member of a longstanding (more than 30 years) group, the Golden Tones, an assembly of more than 35 singers (none under 60 years old) who perform weekly concerts for retirement homes. My job is percussionist, brushes on snare drum accompaniment to a keyboard artist. We do an assortment of show tunes for good-sized audiences.

I’m still looking for news bits and bytes from all of you who are reading this. Can’t wait for the 75th reunion in June? Sadly, I must list Arnie C. Oss Jr. as no longer with us.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

A final note from president Bob Kirby on the mini-reunion October 4-6 with the usual dinner at the end of Tuck Drive on Friday night. Get your tickets for the Penn game on Saturday from him. Jilly Harned writes of a meaningful reunion—accompanied by son Peter ’85 and his wife, Amy ’85—at Squam Lake to say hello to Jack, who is buried there. Jilly says her youngest grandson is applying to Dartmouth and she hopes he gets in as she loves “to go back to Dartmouth Night on campus.” Grandson Jackson Battey ’23 was class valedictorian.

Terri Carpenter writes, “All quiet on the western front (Chicago).” Fall is definitely on its way in and she and Bill “Carp” are busy bringing in the last of the yield from their garden. Bill has really learned the fine points of producing a good crop! Joel Leavitt is still at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with three great-grandchildren to play with plus three grandkids in the mix. “My cup runneth over,” he says. Joel reports he and Veda are heading to the Berkshires to visit Florida pals and delight in Beethoven’s 9th, which is returning after a COVID hiatus. “See you in Hanover,” he says. I then got a sad call from Joel, who said Tony Gilroy had called to say his mother, Ruth, Frank Gilroy’s widow, passed away. She was a good friend and lovely lady.

Business note: The market value of the class of 1950 athletic fund was $24,126.64 on June 30, 2023.

I am having a great kick being a part of a well-weathered group in the Framingham-Natick, Massachusetts, area called The Golden Tones—30 mixed choristers, none under 70, who sing show tunes with accompaniment and enjoy very often performing for retirement communities and the like. I play a snare drum with brushes and accompany a keyboard. We do an hour-long program. This hearkens back to my college days, when I was percussionist for the Green Collegians (what a kick that was).

We, the class, regret the passing of Bob Farrell April 23 and George Woodwell.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229 @gmail.com

As expected, Prez Bob Kirby and Brownlee McKee were up and at ’em for real in Rangely, Maine, for the eclipse, while the rest of us (Joel Leavitt and yours truly) followed its path through the middle of the country on TV. “Toots” Medlicott hosted a lunch at Kendal for the Kirbys and Doug Smith and Meredith (who is back to “hearty good health”). “Rusty” Rodriguez admits she is not an alum “but has 13 great-grandchildren” and comments, “Life is wonderful!” Not to be outdone, Joel tells us he has two new great-granddaughters with another on the way. Incidentally, Joel says he was selected to be one of the next astronauts for the moon mission (he bought out Musk for $10 billion), is starring in a flick next year with Taylor Swift, and on weekends will be the starting QB with the Patriots. I had a nice phone call with Bob Wilkinson and did some emailing with Steve Pollack but the big news is that I discovered my town, Concord, has 192 Dartmouth grads! I got this news when my eldest, Rebecca, and I attended a pre-election party for Cameron McKinnitt ’91 (who won as selectman) and Andrew Herchek, Th’09 (who won for school committee). The fete was hosted by Roberto Braceras ’91 and guests included Jamie Athanasoulas, Tu’01, Bill Barton ’94, David Carter ’88, Brian Crouse ’94, Mike Fahey ’97, Tom Gilmore ’96, Kerry Anne McCarterstone ’94, Dennis Morgan ’89, Jim O’Shaugnessy ’86, Kristen Piper ’94, Susan Reynolds ’84, and Mark Stein ’83. A nice email from Jilly Harned described her trip to Berlin, Germany, with visits with family to the Reichstag (parliament) and what appears to be a total recovery for the city from world war rigors. Jill was accompanied by daughter Julie and son-in-law Will, there to visit Jill’s grandson, Sam. Jill cited the low cost of living and had high praise for healthcare and contemporary architecture in another entry on her bucket list.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

Jilly Harned (a good communicator) was an avid participant in the rain-soaked mini (Columbia game) and was impressed by the bonfire and rendition of “Dartmouth Undying,” which she and Jack always loved. Joel Leavitt, on a quick trip to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, welcomed a great-granddaughter Demi. Prez Bob Kirby was impressed by the recent subject, “life support,” and Terri Carpenter (our best communicator) bemoaned the demise of his 17-year-old collie Casey. A very meaningful obit was sent on Joe Medlicott by “Toots” Reininger on his service in Bradford, Vermont.

Good news from Doug Smith that Meredith’s condition has improved and she is on the upswing. I have been doing some research on our class and find that 574 classmates appeared in the Aegis (not all classmates made an appearance therein); my estimate was 783 classmates, but I believe the total was 760. Entries in the classic 50-year book by Joe Medlicott and Jack Kent numbered 576 (with 184 obits).

I received a class directory in 2020 and have some information on about 70 remaining classmates that I would be willing to share with my readers. In light of this, I list the following (and will give you their addresses and particulars as of November 2020 if you email me): Ralph Amsen, Ken Anderson, Fran Austin, Bernard Batycki, Gerard Brenton, John Caldwell, William Carpenter, Phil Chapalas, Ken Clark, Richard Davidson, William Doe, Jack Elliott, Robert Farrell, Robert Ferguson, Donald Freund, Joseph Garofoli, John Greeley, William Greenhill, David Grinnell, and Donald J. Hall. I have telephone numbers and email addresses on most of the above.

A personal note: Your editor welcomes a holiday “whatever” in beautiful Belize and belatedly wishes you all a merry and a happy, which, by the time you read this, will have occurred.

We regret the recent passing of Alan G. Harquail Jr., Nelson “Nob” Newbury Hovde, and Joseph Medlicott.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

Very sad news in that class giant Lee “Sak” Sarokin has left us after an injury he described in our last issue as “the bathroom floor came up and hit me!” (That’s Sak for sure.) He got a full half page in The New York Times June 25. Gentle reminder No. 3 for the mini-reunion October 20-21 (Columbia game). Jilly Harned’s grandsons’ fraternity graduation dinner and weekend featured 33 Cat in the Hat hats (nine of which were my loan). Tornado warnings and heat livened up an August family gathering for 57 (and a 17-year-old pooch) for Terri and Bill Carpenter, who are doing tomatoes and cukes in non-bending-over beds—and still hoping for a “major” ’50 reunion!

Joe Medlicott and “Toots” are doing the “Kendal Kick”—Joe is still working at his desk ready to teach his Osher course. We won’t have the gracious dinners at their manse, come our mini in October (as before), but Meredith and David Smith have promised us a get-together dinner on Saturday of our mini.

I’m not getting much support from my readers and notes of their doings, so I add some advice (once again) from my friend the Rabbit: “Be a good listener, eat plenty of greens, let your dreams multiply. Hop to it! Know when to be still, spend time in nature, don’t worry, be “hoppy.” (I need news!)

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

This is a reminder of class mini October 20-21 (Columbia game), with the usual festivities in Lyme, New Hampshire, at “Toots” and Joe Medlicott’s. Glenn Fitkin (fitkingljr@gmail.com, 419-491-8650) writes of John Schalles, his next-door neighbor who still plays a little golf! Joel Leavitt and Veda are back in Florida until June 7. He’s hitting a few golf balls and got his license renewed to 100! I had a nice visit with Dave and Karen Taylor (and Marge Nichols) at Maplewood in Weston, Massachusetts. Dave was attired in a Dartmouth green sweater and we had a nice lunch on the veranda. Toots reports Joe was hospitalized but home now; their future plans include Kendal, but not for a while. Terri reports Bill “Carp” Carpenter had a mishap with his dog but is okay now.

Victoria Hicks (daughter of Ort ’49) reports the John Sloan Dickey Fund is at $770,276. “Jilly Bean” Harned spent five days in New Orleans with a church group and comments on an amazing celebration of St. Joseph’s Night. Joan Willett reminds us of the green derbies husband Wally, Russ Chase, and Jim Martel wore as the “Terrible Trio from the Delt House.” (They took three coats of paint!)

Lee Sarokin fractured his shoulder and hip and swears “the bathroom floor came up and hit me.” Quent Kopp ’49 writes of pal King Kenny living in Henderson, North Carolina. Quent says to give King a call “and ask him to tell you his ‘It’ll be there, Green Key’ story.”

We regret the passing of William Sickel, M.D.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

Answering my plea for some filler for this issue, Joel Leavitt—our class baby (youngest member)—modestly announced he was selected to be an astronaut for the next moon mission, bought out Musk from Twitter for $10 billion, is starring in a movie with Taylor Swift, and is the next Patriots quarterback.

Bill and Teri Carpenter replaced long-loved Lincoln with a 17-year-old border collie (Casey) that is deaf with limited eyesight and gets the family out and about with six to eight walks a day!

Joe Medlicott is working on his men-only Osher class for spring “with a big snow in sight.“ Mo Devoe has attended three Zoom meetings (organized by Dartmouth women) and highly recommends them.

Prez Bob Kirby and Brownlee were shocked to be talking with members of the class of 2025 at a recent Dartmouth Club of Princeton, New Jersey, meeting: “seventy-five years later than us!”

And Jilly Harned spent June with Julie, granddaughter, and daughter-in-law in Greece; sailed the Dodecanese Isles near Turkey; and did Squam Lake in July (revisiting the scene of Jack’s ashes), Alaska in August (Denali Park and Fairbanks) dog sledding and rafting, San Francisco for turkey day, and highly recommends airport wheelchair (I concur). Her bucket list is realized!

Your scribe is spending time in Aurora, New York, with oldest daughter Rebecca, who lives on Lake Cayuga. I am writing this column five days before Christmas and wish you all a good ’un.

Regretfully we note the passing of Richard H. Peterson.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

Bill “Carp” Carpenter summed it all up with his feeling that night games have limited appeal for our class, mirrored by our prez, with only Joel Leavitt and your scribe planning to attend the upcoming night Penn game at our mini this fall, September 30-October 1. In this light, the touchdown cymbals and Dr. Seuss-style cats-in-the-green-striped-hats may pass into obscurity. However, Joe Medlicott and Stephanie “Toots” Reininger are still planning a delightful onset to our weekend on Friday—stay tuned. Joe Medlicott reports his Piermont, New Hampshire, house is up for sale but he is still teaching his Osher class on campus—classics by Cather and Wharton. Joel Leavitt reports a bout with sciatica that limits his tennis and golf, but he and Veda DeKof will still be with us for the mini. Joel’s “kinder”—the star of which, Mathew, a master chef, catered his own wedding—are now all married. Prez Kirby has phone numbers of David and Karen Taylor, who have moved to Weston, Massachusetts, from their New Hampshire home. On a more personal note, I lost my 97-year-old brother, Dan ’46, in July. I’ve been spending time riding my bike four-plus miles on one of our local (marvelous) rail-trails that run through Concord, Massachusetts.

It’s a short column this time. Looking for news bits for next time: Help!

Regretfully, we note the passing of Elliot Raymond Loeb, Tu’51, and Marvin R. Kohl.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com

There is a change for the mini this fall: It was October 29 and is now Friday, September 30, to Sunday, October 2, with a game against Penn October 1. This and those minis that follow can be a “meaningful mini for many” (do you like that alliteration?) as our next major reunion, the 75th, is not until 2025. So get your ducks in a row and come on up! Prez Bob Kirby (and Brownlee) are booked for a tour to northwest Australia for a full solar eclipse April 20, 2023. (There will also be a full solar eclipse April 8, 2024, crossing Mexico and the United States from Texas to Maine. They plan to be in Seaside Mazatlian, Mexico, with 20 friends. Anyone considering joining them, contact Bob.) Tommy (spouse of Chuck Solberg) says she has 27 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren! Wow, can anyone break that record? I expect “Carp” and Terri would give her a run for the money! Joe Medlicott writes of his “classic downsized move,” emptying Piedmont House to sell, along with his car—vast relief. His Osher memory class is going well. Stephanie “Toots” Reininger is taking a virtual Osher course on “How to deal with difficult people,” of which Joe says he is not one. He closes with, “Happy spring.” Nob Hovde in his new digs–Wentworth Senior Living, 346 Pleasant St., Portsmouth, NH 03801—would welcome an email from any and all at nobhovde@gmail.com. You can’t keep a good (drummer) man down: Lee “Sak” Sarokin just finished writing and producing (at 93) his 13th play and drums in a newly formed 13-piece band (with a lady singer yet) featuring Ricardo Rodriguez. Sak says, “A new piano player just moved in and we plan to swing!” My doctor, who is retiring back to Hawaii, remembers well our own Dr. Cal Sia, who enjoyed a very outstanding reputation on the islands and beyond. Victoria Hicks (daughter of roommate and best pal Ort ’49), our contact in the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding, keeps us abreast of 1950-sponsored events and lectures, such as the recent April Hanover Inn event featuring ambassador Bisa Williams, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs.

Once again I end this column with the demise of three classmates: Robert B. Shnayerson, Richard W. Griffith Jr., and John H. Weber.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

Turkey Day was special for me: I had all three daughters, Rebecca, Molly, and Dede; granddaughter Rada; Big Brother of 55 years Eddie Neal and his bride, Elvy; and my 97-year-old brother Dan ’46. What a day it was!

Lee “Sak” Sarokin sent me a Wynton Marsalis tentet email with Vince Giordano on a number called “Hotter than That.” (I had to get a new computer after!) I caught the end of the Dartmouth-Brown blowout on TV, the game in which we tied the Tigers for the Ivy championship with same number of games won (one lost). But since we beat the Tigers, should we not be sole champs?

Joel Leavitt sent a fascinating study of the “Silver Bridge Disaster” of yore, 18 minutes well worth having Joel send it to you. One of our most senior members, Joe Medlicott, has joined the “ticker clicker” club with his pacemaker. He is looked after by his nearby (in Piermont, New York) son and pal Stephanie “Toots” Reininger. Dave and Karen Taylor have moved to nearby Weston, Massachusetts, to be near a son, an Episcopal priest. Being a lifelong tennis maven, your scribe gave pickle ball a try of late and have to report ’tis not for me. I’ll stick to bike riding four and a half miles every few days.

Bill and Terry Carpenter report the birth of their 18th great-grandchild! (Can anyone top this?)

Newly minted treasurer Doug Smith reports that Meredith has been appointed to the N.H. Lakes Management Advisory Committee, which advises on lake issues such as public access and conservation. This arises from her work to establish a public park on the shore of Lake Mascoma in Enfield, New Hampshire. And lastly Joel gave a Dartmouth flag to Hila (Mrs. Rick Lyman ’60) and sent out a howler of an email on Charlie Chaplin to 48 others (if you didn’t get it, have Joel send it along—well worth it).

We offer condolences to the families of recently deceased classmates William “Ben” Miller and Harold “Bud” Bray.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

I’m afraid that when you read this column you have either been to our mini (October 8-10) or missed it for sure. Rebecca (my oldest) and I are looking forward to staying at the wonderful “lodge” Doug and Meredith Smith have on the lake over in Enfield, New Hampshire, and, of course, meeting up with all those who took president Bob Kirby’s many suggestions in previous issues to come to the mini. (We were “Covid-ed” out of our 70th and what was to be our 71st!) The College is offering us our 75th—yah sure! Jilly Harned sent a perfectly lovely glowing description of Jack’s service on Squam Lake with 21 family, granddaughter Clare playing the Lord’s Prayer on her violin, and the Aires singing “Dartmouth Undying.” (I’ll send you a copy of same). Great note from Dave Steinberg on his essay on the “longevity of military rule in Myanmar (Burma),” published by the Institute of Southeastern Studies in Singapore in April after the coup. He is also wishing good health and pleasant memories to all. Bill “Carp” Carpenter’s note tells of spending five days with his family (all 22.5 of them!) at their shore house in Rochester, New York. His great-grandson will apply to Dartmouth this year and Carp’s son, Bill, plans to join us at the mini. Still getting some good notes from “Nob” Hovde, living the good life in Florida, one with a query about Pete Nottage out in Hawaii. Prez Kirby writes of college plans for a “proposed terrace in front of Dartmouth Hall. Can this be? It serves no apparent purpose.” I concur. Joel Leavitt (a good news contributor) has sent along some great sayings and pictures when he isn’t working on his memoirs! A late memo from Joe Medlicott says that Stephanie (“Toots”) is planning another reception at chez Elle for our mini. I have a note on the passing of Allen Barnard Wrisley III.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

The most recent bad news is that our 70th (which was postponed to our 71st) has now been postponed to our 75th! Our fearless prez, Bob Kirby, and some of the rest of us do not want to wait ’til then. Bob has proposed a mini-reunion the weekend of October 8-10, so save the date—more coming.
We have had an interesting piscatorial thesis proposed by Joel Leavitt, do ask him to 
elucidate (joeleav@aol.com), it’s worth the effort. I received a nice note from Peter Kilmarx commenting that Bob “Killy” is doing well at his nursing home in Verona, Pennsylvania, and is sending “warm wishes to his beloved classmates.” Terri and Bill Carpenter have had snow and then some and report the loss of their “beloved Lincoln,” a much-adored canine pal of 14 years. (I can relate to this with the loss of Ruffy, my constant pal and bedmate of 10 years, in December.) I got a nice note from Bob Jackson ’49 regarding roommate Don Krueger and hallmate Lowell Thomas Jr. (When his dad came to town he would treat them to dinner at the Hanover Inn and a fascinating evening of his many years of broadcasting.) Lee “Sak” Sarokin is busy writing plays a plenty and boasting of a newly purchased drum set he uses as percussionist for an all-women’s choir. (Margie walks three miles a day without him!) I enjoy to this day a CD titled Big Ray: A Grandfather Sings that Ray King’s Joan sent me years ago—a treasure I play quite often. A nice note from Dave (and Lee) Hitchcock reported that, after 25 years of foreign service in Israel, Japan, and Vietnam, they are planning to come to our reunion. Lee is living in Maryland and summers in New London, New Hampshire. News and a note from Glenn Fitkin at 93 tell me he is very much alive (his demise mistakenly reported previously), still walks, and would welcome a call from whomever. We have heard of the passing of classmates Richard “Dick” Johnson, John M. “Jack” Newkirk, John D. Vogel, Alan “Al” Parsons, and G. William “Bill” Streng. That’s a wrap for the nonce.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

I’ve gotten some nice notes from classmates about other classmates, but before I get into that I must tell you that another tree in our forest has fallen. Jacques Harlow, a longstanding member of our executive board succumbed to a heart attack in December. Past president, treasurer, fund cochair (with Bill “Carp” Carpenter) Jacques moved to Quechee, Vermont, years ago to be nearer the College (and the class). He will be very much missed. Doug Smith has agreed to take over the reins of treasurer that Jacques so capably handled. Speaking of Doug, his note to King Kenny revived King’s tale of the liberation of a small town not far from the Normandy beachhead and King’s recent return to celebrate the 75th anniversary of same. Joel Leavitt writes of an incident he and Ruth shared with Frank and Joanne Dickinson out antiquing. It seems Ruth fancied an item that she thought the price was too high. Frank put on his best “down East” accent, approached the owner, and said “Tell me friend, do you dicka?” The man answered, “Yes, we dicka,” and Ruthie got a deal. That was so Frank. Bob Kirby writes of an email with Ken Rothschild about mutual pal Ben Johnson and the discouragement of their lack of conversation with Ben, who is in a Maryland veteran’s home. Ken’s attempt to reach Bob Kilmarx met the same end. Bill “Carp” Carpenter has survived a bout with cancer (operation and all) enough to play tennis and enjoy his17 great-grands. Frank Lion’s Dorothy writes of his passing from their shared life in a Bridgewater, Virginia, retirement community. A note of great sadness for me is the passing of my former roomie and lifelong best pal Joe Ely. Other deaths to report include the passing of Leonard N. Radio, Monte F. Huebsch, Donald E. Krueger, Conrad R. Bohuslav, John E. Wulp, William E. Tallow, Glenn L. Fitkin Jr., Richard L. Johnson, John J. Cobb.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

The sad news is, of course, that our vaunted 70th reunion in October has bit the dust, but then not so surprising I guess. Be that as it may, I got a delightfully long note from our “Nob” Hovde describing his idyllic life in Naples, Florida, described by Nob (ever the wordsmith) as “the geriatric cruise ship to heaven.”

He enjoys a 6:15 every morning swim and contact by the internet with his three children—a daughter in France and a son and daughter in southern Maine (my own stomping ground and site of my mouse house in Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, spittin’ distance from Walker Point, George Bush Sr.’s manse).

While in that area in times past, I spent a bit of time with Frank Dickenson, who left us in 2014—it should be noted that his Joanne joined him just recently.

I do get emails, calls, and such from Joe Medlicott and Joel Leavitt, class “baby,” and would welcome same from any others of you out there.

Suffice it to say, says Doug Smith, I am still kind of in the electronics game Free Cell and well into the thousand plays of same.

I received the very sad news citing the passing of a giant of a classmate: Norman “Sandy” McCulloch Jr. As noted in a previous Class Notes, he wanted to survive his 94th birthday and his and Dorothy’s 70th wedding anniversary in July (which he did!) and his intention was to make the 70th in Hanover with Dottie; alas, not to be. Other members answering the roll call up yonder include Frederic N. Rau, Stanley A. Schneider, and Richard F. Ledyard.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

I got a note (with a $2 stamp—the one with the upside-down bi-wing airplane—philatelists take note) from “big spender” Joe Medlicott advising me of the passing of Sally McCrillis Eldridge (widow of Newc, who passed in July 2015). Our gal Sal was certainly an exceptionable member of our class, as was Newc—a giant in the 8th Mountain Division. (Joe also cited the passing of Richard F. Ledyard, a ’49er who graduated with us in 1950.)

Still remembering their “charmed life together,” Jilly Harned sent a heartwarming picture and note citing Jack’s last moment February 8, “with his granddaughter playing Bach on her violin, Jack slipped away with all of us around him as the snow moon set in the west, peace at last.”

Joel Leavitt keeps some of us regaled—email fashion—with some funny items (and others). Also I heard from Lee “Sak” Sarokin, way out West, with a note regarding Eric Clapton and Wynton Marsalis “playing the blues.”

I guess we are all stay-at-homes in our respective pandemonium prisons. Personally, my last month (April) was spent in splendid isolation at eldest daughter Rebecca’s Cayuga lakeside retreat in upstate Aurora, New York.

I enjoy (feed on) hearing from any (all) of you, and most of all from Jilly Harned with an Easter salute wearing a wacky bonnet.

Keep October 30-November l in mind for our all-expenses-paid 70th reunion. I’ll be there (like Jack the bear). Will you?

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene #5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

The big news for all you ’50s is that our once in a lifetime 70th is upcoming October 30 (Friday) to November 1 (Sunday), and the College will pay for rooms and meals for you and one guest! I’ve already heard from John and Shirley Weber, who are “going pretty strong” in south Indiana at 91 and 90. John asks if Jacques Harlow is still canoeing (a sly reference to Cul Modisette’s fabled trip to Alaska with some ’50s aboard in years past). Incidentally, a re-read of John’s (and Cul’s) entries in Joe Medlicott’s magnum opus—the 50th yearbook—is well worth the effort! A special note here calling attention to the passing of “Nev” Chamberlain, six-star classmate, former secretary of this rag among many other things. There’s an interesting aside on recently departed Peter Hill (a sometime restorer of fine antiques), who came across a home with the famous “Zuber” wallpaper (imported from France early in the 19th century). Recognizing its value, he bought it for $50 and removed it himself with putty knife and razor blade and then contacted the Smithsonian, which arranged for a White House showing. The first lady invited Peter (and family) to pick the appropriate White House room, which turned out to be the diplomatic reception room. The paper was purchased for $12,500 afterward and generously donated to the White House. This is a part of Peter’s obit. Obituaries on the following classmates, and many others I have, make fascinating reading for us all. I would be happy to copy any and send them along. The College reports the recent deaths of Everett N. Chamberlain, Marshall W. Mitchell, John W. Oed, Clinton A. Mauk, Peter Hill, Arnold H. Bockstruck, and Paul W. Van Orden Jr. And so I take my leave.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene #5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

John “Swede” Swenson, doing archival research on Chicago from ancient French documents, shows its center to be a Native American mound the size of a football field, built circa 1100 A.D. Grandson “Mac” is a producer with NBC Sports and covered alpine skiing in the Winter Olympics! As to Swede’s claim to be the youngest amongst us, he must do war with Joel Leavitt on that one.

Bob Misey (95 years young) reports his granddaughter will be a member of the class of 2023, this after his offspring were not accepted at Dartmouth! Because he has moved eight times, he has nothing Darmouthian to bestow on her. He’s looking for College memorabilia to bestow on this lucky lady. Contact him at 2462 N. Prospect Ave., Apt 536, Milwaukee, WI 53211, or (414) 224-6183 if you can help. Jack and Jill Harned are looking forward to our mini, October 11, 12, and 13, and reuning with their grandson, Jackson Battey, on campus! Joe Medlicott reports Stephanie Reiningerhad a bit of a “smoosh” car-wise. Some broken bones resulted in three days in the hospital and four in rehab, but she’ll be ready for October. Thanks to Joe, I am the recipient of Ray King’s one step into show biz, a CD, Big Ray: A Grandfather Sings, engineered by his five offspring and wife Joan at Buttonwood Farm in November 2009. It’s a very beautiful piece of work! Bill Carpenter sends a Phi Kappa Psi songbook and hints he and Terri may join us in October. I got a nice note from Bob Wilkinson regretting the loss of Rene Blanc, who, with his wife, Pat, met with Bob and Carolyn during summers on Martha’s Vineyard. Bob says that Rene enjoyed our 50th and was looking forward to our 70th! The “Traveling-est Two” (Bob Kirby and Brownlee McKee) did Alaska in August—where to next?

These nonagenarians have their final roll call: Conrad “Connie” Bohuslav, Paul A. Keetz, David Davis, Donald E. Kreuger, Monte F. Huebsch, and Rene Blanc. I have specifics on their deaths and I will gladly forward to you if you email me.

Remember the following advice from a rabbit. Be a good listener. Eat plenty of greens. Let your dreams multiply. Hop to it! Know when to be still. Spend time in nature. Don’t worry, be hoppy!

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene, Unit 5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

Doug Smith saw Joe Medlicott one Friday evening at the AVA gallery in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Both Joe’s friend Stephanie and Doug’s Meredith were contributing artists to the silent auction, so Joe and Doug got in free!

Joel Leavitt is playing tennis and golf three days a week—as befits the “youngest member of the class—but not the best looking!” he says. He leaves Palm Gardens, Florida, with Veda for Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in mid-June and plans to be with us October 10-11 for our Homecoming mini.

Jack and Jilly Harned are toughing it out at idyllic Stone Ridge, Connecticut, with him now out of the wheelchair using only a cane (after a bad summertime fall) with the help of a “knockout” 6-foot blonde therapist.

Lee “Sak” Sarokin, at Vi at La Jolla Village, California, continues to knock ’em dead way out west with his thespian outpourings with Traitor or Patriot and The Wedding Cake.

Our peripatetic president Bob Kirby and Brownlee McKee were skiing seven inches of the white at Aspen, Colorado, and continue their worldwide tour of choice watering spots.

Bill Carpenter is back on the tennis courts after some serious health issues subsided. “Carp” sold off his company in 2017 and keeps busy with Terri monitoring their 15 great-grandchildren (surely a record!). Both are looking forward to the fall—it is to be hoped they can make our October 10-11 Homecoming mini.

Sad note from Bob Wilkinson alerting us to Dick Williamson’s passing in March. Dick was a professor in the math department and had lived in Norwich, Vermont. After he retired he moved to Kendal in Hanover.

I have some limited information that I can share on the following classmates who have “moved on” (email me if you would like details): John “Jack” Avery, Richard “Dick” Johnson, James “Jim” Wehnes, Robert E. Graham, Leonard N. Radlo, John “Jack” L. Dutton, Leonard “M.” Stein, Thomas “Tom” M. Green, and H. Clifton “Clift” Whiteman III.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene, Unit 5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

Corrections to last issue: Note that Jack and Jill Harned and family were not able to join us for our exceedingly pleasant and interesting trip and dinner to the Ravine Lodge at Moosilauke and the activities of the Homecoming Weekend that followed. The bus ride to and fro was very comfortable and we had a bit of a sing or two on the return trip. We heard from Terri Carpenter that all went well on the medical front for Bill.

The meeting Saturday morning had prez Bob Kirby, and Brownlea, Doug Smith (who took notes), treasurer Jacques Harlow, and David Taylor (bringer of dou and “joe”) and was as usual at Collis. Jacques noted our usual contributions to the Dickey foundation, the athletic program, and Collis and reported that the fund had 120 donations (25 from class widows). Bob offered once again to step down from his prez podium but no one volunteered to step up. The Homecoming game was in the rain, but we pulled out a win (but could not do the same vs. the Tigers, and thus the title eluded the Green once again). Next year’s meeting will be during October 11-12 Homecoming, with a game vs. Yale and some “exciting dinners” (his words) planned by our peripatetic prez.

I have obits and info on recently deceased classmates Robert Olin Hutchinson, David Steinberg, Phillip Walling Brown Jr., and Alexander Carr Hoffman. Please write me if you would like them.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene, Unit 5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

Our cherished classmate and class secretary Alex Hoffman has put down his pen due to illness. But although he is no longer contributing to these Class Notes, he was able to attend the opening reception of an exhibition by his two talented children, Peter and Susan, at the Southern Vermont Art Center at Manchester, which Alex had a hand in creating. I have volunteered to take over the role of class secretary (sort of) and roving reporter (kind of). Classmates: I now need your information sent to me (information below), and I will try to carry on in my good friend Alex’s (and Nev Chamberlain’s) stead.

An enticing tidbit of romantic memorabilia is that our tireless treasurer, Jacques Harlow, tied the marital knot (once again) this past summer with a wonderful lady, “Rusty” Rodriguez, in Quechee, Vermont. They can be reached at 732 Wheelock (as in Eleazar) Road, Quechee, VT 05059.

By the time this issue appears, what’s left of the fearless ’50s will have enjoyed a meaningful mini-reunion at the Homecoming (Harvard) weekend October 26-28. Crafted by our peripatetic (is there really such a word?) prez and Brownlee, it started off with a Friday evening at the newly done-up Moosilauke Ravine Lodge followed by the traditional Harvard-Dartmouth “super scrimmage” the following day.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8 Concord Greene, Unit 5, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-5879; smileytmr@aol.com

Nineteen of us greatly enjoyed our 2017 mini-reunion during the weekend of October 6-8, drizzly weather notwithstanding. Dramatis personae included Jack Harned and Jilly, Jaques Harlow and Rusty, Bob Kirby and Brownlee, Joel Leavitt and Vida, Joe Medlicott and Stephanie, Doug Smith and Meredith, Dave Taylor and Karen, Tom Ruggles, Joan McIlwain, Marge Nichols, Molly Scheu and Alex Hoffman. Smiley Ruggles and his banjo led our singers on a flatbed truck in the Friday night parade before the bonfire on the Green. At the class meeting Saturday morning treasurer Harlow reported that, after making our yearly $2,500 contributions to the Dickey, Collis and athletic foundations, we’ll have a balance of about $22,000. Though down a bit in 2016, our class still ranks first or second in lifetime giving to the College. In the absence of challengers, you’re stuck with incumbent class officers.

On Saturday afternoon the football team fell behind 17-0 before beating Yale 28-27 in the closing seconds. That evening we had our own room for a convivial dinner at the Norwich Inn. After the meal we shared reflections on events and actions in our long lives that have meant the most to us and both the pleasures and problems of this late stage of our lives. Our next mini-reunion will be on the weekend of October 26-28, Homecoming 2018, with football vs. Harvard. Put it on your calendars.

Kayla McFarland has informed me of the passing of her grandfather, J. Leo Appel, on September 5, 2017. The College has informed me of the passing of Parton Crane Keese on August 25, 2017.

We live now in a parlous and unprecedented time which has drawn attention to a seldom considered aspect of the U.S. Constitution. The 25th Amendment empowers a majority of the president’s cabinet to remove him from office if they judge him to be unfit to fulfill its duties. When one of the White House staff mentioned the 25th Amendment to him recently, the president said, “What’s that?” Does this frighten you?

—Alex Hoffman, 96 Stickles Road, Hudson, NY 12534; twinksalex@comcast.net

I received a nice note from former U.S. Federal Court of Appeals Judge Lee Sarokin containing some wonderful memories. He, Joel Levitt and Frank Gilroy attended the memorial service for jazz pianist Jack English, with whom drummer Lee and saxophonist Roger Mathes traveled to Europe in the summer of 1949 as members of the Dartmouth Boptet. Dizzy Gillespie came to hear them at the Paris jazz club where they had a summer gig, and then invited them to sit in later with his band at his club. Lee wrote, “I’ve had many great moments in my life, but that still stands out as one of the greatest!”

When I responded to a note from George Woodwell (founder and longtime head of the Woods Hole Research Center), he wrote back, “A real letter! With enclosures! Astonishing! But then in Vermont they apparently still write them and use the ancient language free of ‘likes’ and vulgarity.” (That standard falls when one is writing about the present federal administration.) George mourns the fact that a benighted board of selectmen in his town of Falmouth, Massachusetts, has voted to remove two large wind turbines from 300 acres of town land, ending seven years of productive operation.

Michael Bongiorno ’88 wrote to tell me that his uncle, Gerry Sarno, had passed away in June. Gerry was a force on our winning football teams, received his master’s from Thayer and later served on the Thayer board of overseers.

Lynn Adams, daughter of Nev Chamberlain, kindly wrote to tell me that Nev, my predecessor as class secretary, passed away in May in Vero Beach, Florida, and will be interred in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I last saw Nev and his beloved wife, Randi, in Vero a year or so ago when Joan McIlwain, Jilly and Jack Harned and I joined them for lunch. I believe Randi’s address is still 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL.

The College informed me that Richard Bill had passed away in 2010.

I hope to see you in Hanover for our mini-reunion in October. Carpe diem!

—Alex Hoffman, 49 Maple St., Apt. 113, Manchester Center, VT 05255; (802) 362-2486; twinksalex@comcast.net

Pictures of Tom “Smiley” Ruggles and his Singing Doughboys, all attired in authentic WW I uniforms, graced the front page of The Concord Journal in April, when they marched and sang for the last time in the Concord, Massachusetts, Patriots Day Parade. (With all of them in their 80s, Tom said simply, “It’s time.”) Tom created the group in 1985 to be part of Concord’s celebration of its 350th birthday, and they’ve been at it for the ensuing 32 years, much to the pleasure of all local residents. This year they finished up at the Hunt Gym on Stow Street, sang “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” yelled “Hip, Hip Hooray” and serenaded Tom with “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” (Smiley is a man for whom that song could have been written.)

I spoke on the phone recently with Bob Miller, a lifelong resident and community leader of Buffalo, New York. Health problems now keep him in bed much of the time, but his spirit is strong and we had a good long talk. The outstanding playwright A.R. Gurney, who recently passed away, is the brother of Evie, Bob’s lovely wife. A.R.’s many plays, such as Love Letters and The Perfect Party, marvelously satirize the WASP culture familiar to many of us. They sufficiently upset his father, who thought he could identify many of his friends in the plays’ characters, that A.R. postponed producing one of them until his father had passed away. Twinks and I greatly enjoyed all we were able to see.

Cal Sia’s oldest son, Richard, has been an investigative reporter for The Baltimore Sun and the National Journal, and now heads a society of investigative journalists, all of whom must have strong stomachs. After exhaustive research, it was reported today (June 26) that Trump publicly told one or more lies every day for the first 40 days of his presidency and has slowed down only slightly since then. The task of following, fact-checking and reporting a continuous effort to make reality irrelevant, political truth seems non-existent and portraying an independent press as the enemy of the people must be horrific. Were George Orwell with us today, his next book might be titled 2017.

Sorry, that’s all the space the College allows for old classes.

—Alex Hoffman, 49 Maple St., Apt. 113, Manchester Center, VT 05255; (802) 362-2486; twinksalex@comcast.net

You have a new class secretary who is already behind in his duties. My faithful predecessor Nev Chamberlain and his wife, Randi, are now both coping with serious health problems, so at our October mini-reunion I was importuned to assume his task (having just retired as secretary of Tuck ’51). Since idleness is not helpful to a near 91-year-old declining brain, I’ll give it my best shot.

The mini-reunion weekend included the Dartmouth-Penn football game, an event that bore scant resemblance to the exuberant fall gatherings of our past. It was played on a cold, damp Friday night before a sparse, shivering crowd. The stands nearest the field house, which used to be filled with a cheering freshman class, were virtually empty. The only singing of Dartmouth football songs was done by our small ’50 delegation, led by the ebullient Tom “Smiley” Ruggles and his ever-resonant banjo.

Football aside, 15 of us had a very enjoyable time together, something for which to be grateful at this stage of the game. On hand were president Bob Kirby and Brownlee, Joel Levitt and Vita, Jack and Jilly Harned, Joan McIlwain, Tom Ruggles, Jacques Harlow, Doug and Meredith Smith, David and Karen Taylor, Joe Medlicott and Alex Hoffman.

We had a good class meeting. We are sound financially and continue to support the Dickey Center, athletic sponsors and Collis interns. The class of 1950 maples, now fully grown, continue to grace the south end of the Green. Reduced dues income simply reflects the loss of 58 classmates during the last 18 months. There are now about 250 of us still on the upper side of the sod.

These are not easy times for those of our vintage. Just among those present, within the past year Joan McIlwain has lost Bob, Tom Ruggles has lost Janot and I have lost Twinks. Many fill the difficult role of caring for an ailing spouse or companion. We now number about 250.

We enjoyed two good dinners together, one at the Inn, the other at Murphy’s Restaurant on Main Street, and a lovely Sunday brunch at the home of Doug and Meredith Smith in nearby Enfield. We will next gather on Homecoming Weekend in October.

Please let me hear from you. I wish you well, and will try to keep ’50 Class Notes in print regularly. Wear the green and hold memories of our inspiring days in Hanover, when John Dickey began his outstanding leadership and Dean Neidlinger kept order in the ranks with an even hand.

—Alex Hoffman, 49 Maple St., Apt.113, Manchester Center, VT 05255: (802) 362-2486; twinksalex@comcast.net

A long-standing assumption that Joel Leavitt, the current class tennis champion and golf enthusiast, is the youngest among us has been proved false. Tommy Ruggles has emerged as the holder of that title. Tom was born on February 29, 1928, and has been giving birthday parties every four years for quite a while. This year, after quizzing a number of town clerks in surrounding counties, he sent out 51 invitations. Seven, along with much older friends and family, attended his 22nd Leap Year party at the Concord (Massachusetts) Green Condominiums, a project originally built by Frank Harrington. The occasion made local headlines. Tom, with his famous banjo, joined his band, Strings ’n’ Things and sang songs reminiscent of the 1920s. “I’m a bit of a showman,” he modestly told a reporter.

On March 14 Randi and I enjoyed a lunch at Mulligan’s Beach House with Jack and Jill Harned, Alex Hoffman, Joan McIlwain (with the poignant memory of recently departed Bob McIlwain) and Twinks Hoffman. I felt a keen sense of nostalgia as Jack and I—once spry young fraternity brothers—were feeling our way to the table, Jack with his historic gold-handled cane and me with my rubber-tipped model. How lucky we were to have been able to do so after all these years. It was a grand occasion. Such good friends.

The Dartmouth Club of Vero Beach, Florida, sponsored a wine and cheese lecture by economics professor David Blanchflower. We and Joan McIlwain were photographed by Joanne Sardella, Joe’s daughter. She is secretary of the club and one of our favorite stockbrokers.

Rita O’Neil, who was married to Timothy Robert O’Neil for 69 years, has written to let the class know that Tim died on May 13, 2015. They met when she was 16 years old. The tone of her letter tells us that their marriage was made in heaven. Please read Alex Hoffman’s obituary of Bob McIlwain at dartmouthalumnimagazine.com.

—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@gmail.com

It seemed like a good idea at the time—my decision to not send Christmas cards this year. After all, many of my friends had chosen not to do so—mostly to avoid a time-consuming task. I would, instead, telephone a Christmas message—more friendly, more meaningful, more personal, I thought. What a good idea!

Am I happy for having done so?

No!

First: Phone messages do not follow traveling friends about the country.

Second: Phone messages saying, “Call me so that I can say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ are a bit tedious.”

Third: Multiple busy signals are time consuming and frustrating.

In short, it was a bad idea. Next year I will resume the old discipline and send Christmas cards.

But this column is supposed to be about classmates, from whom I have not received volumes of news.

Jack and Jill Harned have shared the good news that treatment of his lung cancer has stopped its growth and that a newly approved drug offers great promise for the future. We look forward to seeing them in Vero Beach, Florida, next winter. Don’t forget the hat, Jack.

Alex Hoffman has written a moving memorial to his great friend, Bob McIlwain, who died in October. Please read it online at dartmouthalumnimagazine.com, checking under the “Class Notes & Obits” link.

—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2892; ranevero03 @gmail.com

A call from Nob Hovde reveals that he and most of his family are doing well: that he is reading prodigiously but that he sometimes wonders if, after 80-plus-plus years, he has left a significant footprint in the sands of time. Good question, Nob. Many of us might wonder the same thing but to what avail? Some failures but more successes. Comparing oneself with heroes is futile. After all, as poet Thomas Gray observed, “The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”

Gerry Sarno writes a very sensitive note about older brother Joe’s recent death. Joe was headed to Holy Cross. The war had cost him a couple or more years. Gerry, then at Dartmouth, invited Joe up for a house party weekend. Joe loved the place, had a chat with Tuss McLaughry and changed his mind.

Joe Medlicott sends an article announcing that David Brion Davis has received the 2013 National Humanities Medal in a ceremony at the White House. The National Endowment for the Humanities writes that Dr. Davis, a former professor at Cornell and at Yale, has been a giant in the study of slavery and its abolition.

Clift Whiteman recalls our days of dignified debauchery at Dockside Grille here in Vero, Florida, before his move across Florida to Naples.

Ken Clark fears that as Clift slowly recovers from Joan’s death, his relentless pursuit of money for Tuck School will intensify.

With a heavy heart and with condolences to bereaved families I report the following deaths: Jim Birney on June 13, followed shortly thereafter by his beloved Bobbie; Newc Eldredge on July 9; Joe Sarno on July 18; John Morton on May 9, 2014; Cul Modisette in December 2012; Vinny Hill on September 27, 2012; and Bob Foster on October 23, 2014. May they rest in peace.

—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2892; ranevero03 @gmail.com

As I contemplated the approach of my 88th birthday following the death of my dear younger brother, David ’52, I thought, “It may be time for me to retire—to quit writing this column and to vegetate.” Then, fortunately, I read The Wall Street Journal article about Ed Gerson, secretary of the class of ’35 who still writes the Class Notes in this magazine. Though aside from Ed there are but two living members of ’35 remaining, he forges on and keeps in touch. How, then, dare I stop? Keep in touch, guys and gals. I need you.


Also, heartfelt thanks to Richard Tucker ’86 of Canada, who wrote that he enjoys reading the columns of earlier classes and appreciates the efforts that they represent.


Then, on a humorous yet also sad note, is the communication from an unnamed ’50 that said, “If you are looking for a date, short or long term, skip the bars, call your local minister.”


Clift Whiteman, who has recently lost his beloved wife, Joan, presses sadly on and has spoken with Fred Gamble, Bob McIlwain and erstwhile roommate Joe Medlicott.


Nob Hovde reports that son Marc is the successful builder of choice of million dollar homes in southern Maine and doing very well. Nob continues with various levels of volunteer work. He sounds and feels very healthy.


Frank Harrington’s close friend Rosemary Kip says that Frank has moved into the medical section of their condo. Frank reports on a recent highly enjoyable dinner with Joel Leavit and Veda together with the McIlwains and the Ruggles.


I look forward to reading the article in the current DAM titled, “Why Does Dartmouth Cost So Much?” I suspect that Alex Hoffman’s recently expressed thoughts may at least partially answer the question. He explains that in recent years the College has built “a costly, huge and still-growing academic and administrative bureaucracy, largely driven by political correctness, which is now about triple the size of the faculty.”


Bob Kirby, our class president, enthusiastically reports that 38 classmates together with 24 guests have indicated their intent to attend our 65th reunion in Hanover to be held September 25-27 this year. A very encouraging number. Most events will be held at or near the Hanover Inn. The College will provide physical assistance for those who need it.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@gmail.com


I hope that you will forgive my failure to produce a column due by December 28, 2014. A medical issue prevented me from writing. I intend to make my next deadline, which will occur on February 28. Best wishes.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@gmail.com


51 There’s nothing like a golf story to take the chill off of this stubborn winter. Tom Barnett (Houston) reports that Jack Weingarten shot his age (84) in their annual golf outing last fall! Jack’s round included a 39 on the back nine. Tom contributed generously to Jack’s retirement fund despite also shooting in the 80s. Al Brout (La Quinta, California) “just missed” matching Jack’s feat this winter.


Carl Glassberg (Clearwater, Florida) lost his wife, Irene, after a long illness. Carl has created a scholarship fund at Dartmouth in her memory. The Glassbergs’ ties to the College continue through son Andy ’80 and granddaughter Emily ’13. Emily is a Ph.D. candidate in biology at Stanford.


Don Cox (Concord, New Hampshire) has also spawned a Dartmouth dynasty. His daughter, Betsey Cox-Buteau ’77, continued the tradition and two granddaughters were in the classes of ’04 and ’11. Don’s wife, Carol, died last year and he has had some health problems but Betsey summed up his upbeat outlook on life as “he youthens!”


Mark Hatch ’80, son of our late classmate John Hatch, sent a thoughtful remembrance of “Uncle” Gary Mansur following Gary’s recent death. “Mugs” was John’s roommate and his “most loyal and enduring friend. I remember him as a good man, loyal, caring, humorous, warm and genuinely interested in how I was doing. How he loved Dartmouth!”


Other recent deaths include those of Frank Reynolds and Mike Harris. A celebration of Mike’s life was held in his beloved hometown of Ogunquit, Maine. Our class was represented by Joe Welch (Newburyport, Massachusetts) and Howie Allen (Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts).


It was fun to exchange updates with Dick McFarland (Excelsior, Minnesota) recently. We have both enjoyed stimulating work with foundations. Dick has retired after seven years on the board of the McKnight Foundation, having previously served on the boards of the Bush and Minneapolis foundations. He is now involved as a “non-paid, non-official advisor” to a group of nonprofits with special interest in education and affordable housing. The same issues are major concerns of the Evanston Community Foundation, on which board I serve.


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


This column is supposed to be about classmates. I don’t know very much about their current state since most (but not all) have decided not to let me in on their doings. A couple of exceptions are Clift Whiteman, who, thoughtfully, sent me a lovely orchid two weeks ago in celebration of my release from what turned out to be a stay in a hospital run by idiots. The orchid is thriving under Randi’s loving care, which includes one ice cube per day placed in the soil. The hospital, by the way, twice told me that I had a disease that might kill me—then said that my family doctor had been notified of my admission although he was no longer associated with the hospital. The facts: I did not have the disease, I did not die, my doctor is associated with the hospital and he was never notified of my admission. I was discharged shortly after the second misdiagnosis. Be careful of hospitals.


Joan Mauk called from her home near Cincinnati, Ohio, to share good cheer and to let us know that she was okay. 


Bob Kirby sent an email announcing that there was to be a class meeting on October 17-19. Unfortunately, this column will appear after said date. The alumni records office told me that a man named Hunter at 646-3200 was the person one should talk to about this. I called president Ray Devoe to share this information. He was not in and I have not heard from him.


I have previously mentioned Jim Birney’s wonderful book of poems. In future columns I will print some offerings from our talented and sensitive classmate. 


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@gmail.com


I am sorry for the abbreviated column in the last issue. In late January Randi awakened me at 7:30 a.m. by saying, “Honey, there is water in the carpet in my bathroom.” To capsulize, water had corroded a section of copper pipe beneath the concrete slab on which our house (like tens of thousands in Florida) is built. We lost our carpeting, the tile floor in the kitchen and front hall, the cabinetry in the kitchen and one bathroom, and airborne moisture caused $1,200 worth of damage to our 110-year-old family heirloom grandfather clock in addition to the major disruption of our well-ordered and aging lives. We were fortunate to be able to rent a house just around the corner from No. 1835 in which we lived for seven turbulent weeks. We are now back at home thanks to the valiant efforts of Keith Grella and his Service Master crew. He told us that he would have us back by March 15 (when the owners planned to return to our rented house) and he did! Truly a man of his word.


Frank Harrington called to offer his sympathy for this ordeal after reading the last “column.” We had a great chat. Frank is as well as his age permits—going to the gym as often as possible. We agree that the nation needs help and are both glad to be above ground.


We dined recently with Bob Mauk’s widow, Joan, an old and valued friend. She had called to break the sad news of the sudden death of Skip Fauver’s wife, “E.” Joan misses playing tennis as much as I do, but life continues to offer hope and challenges. Clift Whiteman, who with Joan now lives in Naples, Florida, reports having seen Nob Hovde and Harry VanBenschoten recently. Speaking of Nob, I called him a while ago. He answered the phone in an unfamiliar voice. I asked, “What the hell is wrong with you, Nob?” He said, “I must have a bad cold. I’ve been in bed ever since I got up this morning.”


Randi and I passed an especially pleasant evening meal with Bob and Joan McIlwain and Jack and Jill Harned. We all agreed that it’s good to be alive.


There was little or no talk of illness, which, of course, is all around us.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@gmail.com


“Da Prez,” as Tommy Ruggles likes to call himself, offers two tidbits that I pass on for the benefit of those of you who are not in his e-mail loop. First, to kick off our 60th reunion, which will take place next year, he hopes to assemble as many musical ’50s as possible for a concert with the Upper Valley University Chorus to be held in Spaulding Auditorium.


Volunteers seriously solicited! He got the idea in June when he met with Punchy Thomas ’49, who “more or less” ran the ’49 60th. Wow! I first met Punchy in 1974 when I attended the ’49 25th to get ideas for our 25th in 1975. For more about the concert, contact reunion chairpersons Walt and Ro Lindenthal or Tom. Second, for 23 years Tommy has led the Gentlemen Songsters (a.k.a. the Singing Doughboys) in the Concord, Massachusetts, Patriot’s Day parade April 20—the day the “shot heard ’round the world” was fired. Dick McSorley and Jacques Harlow have been among the group on many occasions. The singers have numbered between 31 and 54. Tommy provides World War I uniforms to all who join in. Musical ’50s are invited.


On June 14, as planned, Dolph Cramer departed Manhattan in his Model T Ford headed for Seattle, Washington. If the planned itinerary holds, the 55 Model Ts will spend June 24 in Iolathe, Kansas. Some 3,856 miles from New York, they should have been in Seattle on July 13.


I am indebted to Ginny Sarno for a very nice note in which she expressed appreciation for my efforts in writing this column.


Jilly Harned has to be an extraordinary photographer. She sent us a photograph of Randi and me, taken at a dinner party we attended last winter. If we felt as good as we look in this picture, we would try out for mixed doubles in the U.S. Open. Among those we saw at the party were the Fauvers, McIlwains, Joan Mauk, Harneds, Hoods and others who are noted on notes that, I am sorry to say, I have lost. Apologies. Let me hear your news.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


I don’t remember anyone named Granville Austin being in our class. I very well recall a fellow named “Red” Austin. The March 13 issue of the Valley News observes that, although folks still call him Red, Granville’s hair has changed color and that the White River Press has published his book, titled Retrieving Times. Having lived, among other places, in Norway, Vietnam, England, Lebanon and India, he chose his growing up years in what was then the bucolic town of Norwich, Vermont, as his subject.


Dolph Cramer’s Model T Ford, with Dolph at the wheel, joined 52 of the 54 “Ts” that left Manhattan on June 12 and arrived in Seattle on July 15. Four thousand or so miles! Remember, this guy is our age. He made it despite having to replace the engine (with outside help) in West Point, New York, after the first day. Dolph’s comment on the last night out of Seattle, “Our scotch is almost gone.” Bless you, my lad.


Speaking of cross-country trips, the Cramer adventure reminded Clift Whiteman of the summer of 1950. He and roommate Lew “Bud” Veghte drove a Model A Ford from New York State to Fairbanks, Alaska. Attempting to allow for contingencies, they strapped seven spare tires to the roof—an unnecessary precaution. The tires that left New York rolled, intact, into Fairbanks. Having failed to get the gold mining jobs that had lured them north, they accepted an offer of $2.75 an hour from a logging company, which then attempted to cheat them out of their wages. These intrepid Tuck School executives contacted the appropriate local official, who got them their money and, by the way, became the first congressman from Alaska when it achieved statehood. They sold the Ford in Fairbanks for twice what they had paid for it.


Norman Fiering ’56, director and librarian emeritus of the John Carter Brown Library in Providence, Rhode Island, is a founder of the Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy Society of North America. If you wish to learn more about this organization, Mr. Fiering can be reached at (401) 487-8008.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


Kudos to Ray DeVoe for his nostalgic and evocative letter to the class encouraging those who are able to be in Hanover June 14-15 for the 60th “Touch of Class.” To set the record straight, several people have observed that I coined that logo—not true. It was coined to publicize the 25th by the late Charlie Gardner, who did the creative work for that reunion.
Our youngest classmate continues to shine. Joel Leavitt’s exhibition of non-representational photographs of patterns and forms was unveiled on February 27 at the Mulry Fine Art Gallery in Palm Beach, Florida.


In the December issue of DAM I hinted that the 60th might be our last official reunion. Not necessarily, according to Jennifer Evans Casey, assistant director of class activities, who writes, “It may be your last June reunion (as currently the 65th, 70th and 75th are in the autumn) but you guys will always be welcomed back at Dartmouth!”


It was a cold and busy winter in Florida. On the east coast we dined with Skip and E. Fauver, Bob and Joan McIlwain, Gordie and JoAnn Hood, Joan Mauk, Dolph and Beatty Cramer and Joel Leavitt. On the gulf coast we dined with Charley Abbe, Fred and Posy See and Bob Kilmarx and Babs Beddoes. As the years roll on these friendships mean more and more. They are precious beyond words.


Of note! The College has recently honored Dr. Peter Kilmarx ’83, DMS’90, with the 2010 Social Justice Award. Peter is chief of the epidemiology branch of HIV/AIDS prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta.


The DAM decision not to publish obituaries in the future has met with strong disapproval from some of your class officers. Three of them to whom I have spoken are wondering for whom this magazine is being published. To assume that obituaries on a Web site will appeal to people who did not grow up in a cyberworld, not a few of whom have no computer, is to make a serious miscalculation.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


Joe Medlicott reports that our 60th reunion, held in June, was a resounding success thanks to the untiring efforts of Ray and Maureen DeVoe, who orchestrated an eventful three days. More than 120 classmates, wives and significant others attended. Highlights included an inspired hourlong talk by Dr. Kim; presentation of Class of 1950 awards to Gordon Hood, Frank Harrington, Dr. Bob Wilkinson and Fizz Nichols; a memorial service conducted by our new president, Jim Birney, whose always thoughtful and moving remarks were hamstrung by poor acoustics and a faulty sound system in Rollins Chapel; music by Tommy Ruggles and Lee Sarokin; a well-attended class meeting at which the gift committee voted to apportion $6,000 among the Collis Center, the Dickey Center and the Athletic Sponsor Program.


As an unwanted warmup for the acoustical problems at Rollins, a beer (which he does not drink) and a lobster (which he does not eat) stirred up Jim Birney’s gout and sent him for a short visit to Dartmouth-Hitchcock under the expert guidance of Hub Hood, Gordie and Jo Ann’s son, who was so soon to lose his beloved father.


The late Dick McSorley, posthumously gave to the class color posters made up from a lovely painting of Baker Library done by his wife, Edie. Tommy Ruggles and Joan McIlwain thoughtfully sent one to me. I’ve had it framed and hung in my study, where I see it every day. Yes, Tom, my heart and thoughts were with you all in June.


I have not often written of our classmate’s deaths in this column. DAM’s unfortunate decision to eliminate obituaries from the magazine has caused me to rethink the matter. Since not all of us have computers, I will report these sad events now and henceforth. Full obituaries will appear at www.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com. I strongly dislike and disagree with the magazine’s decision.


I am sorry to have to report the deaths of Richard Glenn Ceely, William R. Collins, Wiliam B. Gumbart, Gordon H. Hood, Anthony S. Poltrack, Charles H. Solberg, Thomas J. Sours and Robert H. Woody.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962: (772) 569-2893; ranevero03 @aol.com


The notes are short this month, as I recently suffered a flood in my home. I am hoping to be back at my computer in time for the next issue.


Recent deaths are Richard J. Arnold on December 9, 2013; Adolph B. Cramer on December 19, 2013; Warren L. Franz on December 19, 2013; Carroll A. Huntington Jr. on November 6, 2013; and Edward A. Sutton on December 21, 2013. Rest in peace, gentlemen.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03 @gmail.com


In a great note from Bill Pulley I learned that he had recently run into Robin Clayton, the late Gordon and JoAnn Hood’s daughter. She had produced a picture of a new building on the Beechwood High School campus (in Kentucky, I presume). Emblazoned on the entrance to the building was a sign saying, “Dedicated to Gordon and JoAnn Hood.” A fitting epitaph for a wonderful couple. Bill also sent me a photograph of himself, Gordon and Frank Harrington taken several years ago during a visit to the Pulley home in Cashiers, North Carolina. Bill and Martha Lee are in “reasonably good health,” although Bill suffers, as I do, from spinal stenosis. He keeps busy managing his commercial properties and through several involvements with Miami University (Ohio), including chairing the graduate school fundraising campaign.


A nice chat with Frank Harrington about the aforementioned picture divulged that he is now in reasonably good health but that he spent 10 days or so in the hospital a while ago. Frank reports that Rosemary is as lively as a kitten and into many activities.


Nob Hovde urges all, but especially sailors to read The Whiteness of the Whale by David Poyer. Nob describes it as “a readable Moby Dick and a great sea story.” He is, as usual, full of enthusiasm.


Ken Clark heeds my plea for news and sends me a lot. In my previous column, among others, I mentioned Charlie Abbe, Clift Whiteman and Joe Medlicott. Ken roomed with Charlie and has kept in touch. He spent time with Alex during his lawsuit against the College to restore proportionate alumni representation on the board of trustees. He talks with Clift frequently from his office and Joe visited Ken in Memphis, Tennessee, while accompanying his granddaughter Alicia. Ken copes with the loss of his wife of 59 years, Ellen, by continuing his law practice part-time and by skiing with his five children. He has every intention of skiing with his 10 grandchildren when he is 90. Good going, Ken.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03 @gmail.com


Jim Strickler was awarded the Humanitarian Medal of Mother Teresa by Atifete Jahjaga, president of Kosovo. Jim, former dean of the Dartmouth Medical School, became involved in Kosovo in 1999 when he began working with the International Rescue Committee in refugee camps to help those affected by the Serbian conflict. When that war ended, he led the creation of exchanges that have now seen more than 200 Dartmouth and Kosovar students and faculty learn from each other in recent years. Jim has helped start the process of rebuilding Kosovo’s healthcare system, which was decimated by the war. President Jahjaga said to Jim, “We are grateful to you for all you have done for the people of Kosovo.” Bravo! Jim.


You have probably noticed that Joe Medlicott, our great and loyal class scribe, has not turned out a newsletter recently. I am guessing that Joe would like to retire. Lord knows that he long since earned the right to do so. I would like to put my “guess” to the test. Will one of you step up and offer to Joe to take on the newsletter? Maybe one of the class ladies is clever with pen and ink. If I’m in big trouble for thinking out loud on this subject, so be it. But I think I’m right. And, speaking of Joe, he recently completed a two-week nostalgic tour of Europe, revisiting sites with which he first became familiar as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War ll. One such site, he reports, was the Remagen Bridge, over which, I believe, the first American troops passed on their way to Berlin.


Vero Beach, Florida, is now bereft of ’50s except for the Joe Sardellas, the Chamberlains and the H. Clifton Whitemans, who are now year-round residents here. Clift keeps busy tuning up his computer and he and Joan often join Randi and me for happy hour at the Dockside Grille, our favorite watering hole. The McIlwains, Fauvers, Freys and Joan Mauk have long since departed for northern climes.


I’m sorry to say that news of the class has been scarce of late. I leave you with more sad reports: The deaths of Merrill Boynton Jr. on April 13; Don Radley on September 26, 2011; and Austin Tobin on May 9.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com 


This will be the shortest column that I will have served up to you in the seven years since I began this tour. Part of the reason may be because I am getting a little bit old and a little bit tired. The main reason, though, is because—so are you. With but a few exceptions you give me no news. Let us fire up, gang. I want to see your name in print.


On the other hand, I had best sharpen up too. I cannot read my notes about a July 31 phone call from Frank Harrington, during which he told me something about a 6 no-trump bridge hand, doubled, which left him frustrated. I do recall, however, that Frank and Rosemary are fine.


Bob Kilmarx called. He was wondering if I had Tom O’Connell’s e-mail address. To my surprise, I did not. I did have his address and phone number. Bob still has his wonderful Nonesuch sailboat, which he repurchased several years ago.


Nob Hovde continues with his avalanche of humorous and informative e-mails. One contained a frightening prophesy delivered by a former accountant for IBM that the United States will become insolvent regardless of any congressional efforts to prevent it. Another, in a lighter vein, told the story of a distressed mother frantically telling her doctor that her little girl had eaten ants. The doctor assured her that it was all right—that eating ants would do no harm. But when mother further confided that she had administered ant poison in order to kill the critters, doctor changed his mind and ordered an ambulance. The rest of the “idiot” stories were great too. Thanks, Nob.


We continue to see Clift and Joan Whiteman. They took a recent trip across Florida to take a look at Naples. Clift says, “It’s alright.” But he still prefers Vero Beach.


In a last-minute e-mail Leo Appel, whose four daughters chose not to apply to Dartmouth, joyfully announces that his granddaughter Kayla McFarland of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is entering the class of 2016.


Finally, I am sad to report the deaths of Curt Kimball on April 19, 2009; Dick Udall on August 13, 2011; and Pete Bucklin on June 16. On behalf of myself and of the class, sympathies to their families and friends.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


There’s lots of news for this column, but quite a bit of it is about things that didn’t happen. For example: It was virtually cast in stone that that Gerry and Ginny Sarno were at long last going to visit Vero Beach, Florida. Friends had invited them to stay on Florida’s west coast and they were going to make the 150-plus mile trip across to the East. Not to be. Something or other happened—the west coast invitation evaporated—and the new plan put them at Sea Island, Georgia, instead, 500 or 600 miles from Vero. At least we had a nice telephone conversation. Then there was the visit from Dave and Karen Taylor, who contemplated a precedent-shattering trip to Florida, which never happened. Again, a nice phone conversation with Dave.


Dick Frey’s wife, Mary, called to say that they were planning an early departure from their winter quarters in Vero Beach in order to take up residence in a retirement home in Madison, Wisconsin—no visit with them.


Another phone event with Bill Turnio, who, with wife Mary, was actually in Vero but we didn’t get to see them due to scheduling problems.


Enough already! Randi and I enjoyed an excellent lunch with Bob Mauk’s widow, Joan, whom I first met when she was 14 and visiting her cousin, my best buddy Joe Eaton, a Harvard man.


Bob Kilmarx reports that his grandson Sumner is “loving and doing well at Dartmouth” and niece Annie McLane Kuster ’77 has been elected to Congress. Annie is the daughter of Mary’s sister Susan.


Bob McIlwain reports that Tap Dancing to Work, a Wall Street Journal bestseller, was written by Carol Loomis, a one-time roommate and maid of honor of wife Joan. Bob, no stranger to health problems himself, has been keeping a watchful eye on Clift Whiteman, who has recently been hospitalized and is, at this writing, in a rehab center.


I am saddened to report the death of our loyal class treasurer, Howard “Fizz” Nichols. His passing ended 13 years of debilitating and painful decline of health, throughout all of which he stalwartly attended to our class finances. More sad news includes the deaths of John Talley, Bushnell Keeler, Ray Marchant and Richard “Sal” Putney.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


On February 5 Frank Gilroy was presented with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Writing by the Writer’s Guild of America East. The award is given in honor of a lifetime body of work as a writer in motion pictures or television, and it was presented to Frank by his screenwriter and director son Tony. Congratulations, Frank.


I picked up my telephone answering device and was greeted by the velvet voice of Gerry Sarno. My return conversation with Gerry and Ginny, which lasted maybe 30 minutes, was punctuated with laughter. The loudest occurred as we recalled the Woodstock Inn occasion when Ginny tore up the several-hundred-dollar class of ’50 bar bill and dropped it down the front of her dress. The manager assured me that the class of ’50 would never again darken his door—but he relented. The bill was paid and all was well.


Paul Canada paid us a short but animated visit this winter. Age has not robbed Paul of his zest for life.


In the January column I told you that a photograph sent to me by Dave Grinnell had shown Warren Cox and Dave Pittenger seated at a Green Key party with their dates and apparently sound asleep. I stand corrected. Dave says that it was he, not Pittenger, clutching that Manhattan glass.


Bob and Joan McIlwain, Nev and Randi Chamberlain and Joel Leavitt and friend dined together at a local watering hole in February.


Superbowl Sunday in Vero Beach, Florida, provided us with a highly enjoyable yet bittersweet experience. “Hub” Hood, son of the late Gordie and JoAnn, invited us, the McIlwains, Skip and E. Fauver, Joan Mauk and a couple of Gordie’s high school friends to join him and his vivacious wife, Maggie, for the game. He and Maggie treated us to a magnificent spread. It took place in Gordon and JoAnn’s condominium and, at least for me, their now-silent voices were bouncing off the walls.


We sat with Joe and Eva Sardella at a Dartmouth Club dinner recently. Randi and Eva enjoy speaking in their native Norwegian.


A northern trip this winter served to reinforce Nob Hovde’s certainty that his move to Florida was the right one.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 North Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


A massive mea culpa for the misinformation that I dealt to you in the last ’50 column. Jim Birney did not resign and Ray DeVoe is not our new CEO. My sincere apologies. I had reason to believe I was reporting accurately. I was mistaken.


While disposing of some old papers dampened by Hurricane Irene’s high waters, Jacques Harlow happened upon his U.S. income tax returns for 1950 and 1951. They revealed incomes of $1,264.38 and $2,660 for those years—an impressive more than doubling in just 12 months! Those were far away and different days.


Clift and Joan Whiteman have at last signed a one-year lease on an attractive house in Vero Beach, Florida. We will welcome them on or about January 15.


Frank Harrington brought me up to date on himself and Rosemary by phone recently. Frank and I share the geriatric issues of restricted mobility.


Bill Pulley stays very busy on several fronts: managing his commercial properties, acting as the only living original member of Miami (of Ohio) University’s business advisory council, chairing Miami’s graduate school fundraising campaign. Bill, who received his M.B.A. from Miami many years ago, and Martha Lee celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary recently.


Bob and Joan McIlwain planned a December cruise from Florida through the Panama Canal to California, where they looked forward to sharing Christmas with offspring. Sandy McCulloch is the chairman of the board of visitors of the Dickey Center for International Understanding. Board members are appointed by the president of the College.


Dave Luce has sent me a copy of his 48-page (single-spaced typewritten) essay titled “Thoughts on Religion and Science and Nothing at All.” It is a scholarly work by Dave, who is associate professor emeritus, department of philosophy, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.


If you haven’t done so, read Culver Modisette’s bio in our 50-year book. I thought that I had led an interesting and somewhat unorthodox life but after reading about Cul, I feel like the man in the grey flannel suit. Fascinating! I have recent news from him of which you will read more in my next column. Space restrictions apply.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03@aol.com


Do you remember Edward “Ned” Weir? I do not—but he was a member of our class as evidenced on page 203 of the 1950 Aegis. “Pete” Henderson, secretary of the class of ’51 and an old and dear friend and fellow Theta Delt, has told me that Ned, who apparently died on February 1, 1970, has recently received an award. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Hill House High School in New Haven, Connecticut. He was captain of the baseball team and No. 2 running back on the football team. Ned’s cousin, thinking that Ned was a ’51, notified Pete of the honor. Pete checked with the College, found that he was one of us and wrote to me about it. It’s good to have old friends—thanks, Pete.


Dave Grinnell writes that, “Barbara and I have lived at Edgehill for eight years and have enjoyed the mother lode of stimuli provided by our location one hour from New York City. We all live in independent living with every level of assistance available should our status quo change.”


A recent lovely Florida springtime evening found Randi and me enjoying a dockside dinner with Bob and Joan McIlwain, Clift and Joan Whiteman and Joan Mauk.


The McIlwains recently entertained Jack and Jill Harned, who have sold their lovely home in Norwich, Vermont, and are preparing to move to Connecticut.


Following a lecture sponsored by the Dartmouth Club of Vero Beach, Florida, we emerged into the lobby of the Moorings Club to find Cissy Grant seated at the baby grand against which leaned “Mac.”


“Will you please play ‘I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen’?” said I. She did! There followed a Sunday afternoon type fraternity basement sing with Mac in the lead, the likes of which I haven’t heard in decades. Great fun!


Frank Harrington, bless his heart, who calls me “Uncle Nev,” continues to live in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with his effervescent Rosemary.


Joe Medlicott continues to teach at the College. One of his courses instructs how to write a memoir. On the phone Joe’s voice rings with a timbre that belies his age. The next column will acknowledge the names of our recently departed members.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03 @aol.com


Paul Canada stopped by for a brief but animated visit. He expressed sorrow at the passing of JoAnn Hood and recalled the cordial reception accorded to reuning classmates in California by her and Gordie’s son Hub. With 80 or more miles to drive before dark and failing eyesight, Paul left earlier than we would have liked. The next day Randi and I were treated to an excellent lunch with Jack and Jill Harned. They have decided to put their lovely house in Norwich, Vermont, on the market. It’s a familiar story. What once seemed an ideal size has become a bit too big. While we wish them good fortune in the real estate market, the class will miss the hospitality the place has afforded. We regretted not seeing Charlie Abbe this year but did enjoy a nice phone visit with him on the eve of his departure for the north, where he looks forward to “ice out” on the Maine lake on which his fishing sanctuary is located. New England humor! Bob Kilmarx and family have been maple syruping/sugaring in New Hampshire for years. To his chagrin, early on he mistakenly tapped an oak. News travels fast upcountry. On his next visit to the local hardware store, the owner, head down at his desk, offered, “Heard ya tapped an oak.” There’s no place to hide. Health problems don’t deter Bob McIlwain from hitting tennis balls. I enjoyed calls from Frank Dickinson and Frank Harrington and lunch with Joan Mauk.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893; ranevero03 @aol.com


A long note from Jacques Harlow provided me with news about the mini-reunion in early October. It was attended by approximately 15 classmates and their wives/significant others. Ray DeVoe, our new CEO, had planned for a conference call during the class meeting that would permit class officers who could not attend (Jim Birney and Nev Chamberlain) to participate. Apparently it worked for Jim—but not for me. The phone rang. I answered. I could hear a cacophony of voices including, I thought, that of Joe Medlicott—I repeatedly uttered “hello.” Then came a busy signal. I hung up. End of story. No more rings.


The weekend was enlivened by Jack and Jill Harned, who entertained the group at their home with their usual panache.


Charlie Abbe, a valued friend since high school, sadly informs me that Ken Clark’s beloved wife, Ellen, has passed away. Heartfelt condolences, Ken.


Joanne Sardella ’83, the daughter of Joe and Eva Sardella, is employed by Raymond James Financial Services and has recently given us some very sound financial advice.


Clift and Joan Whiteman have been to Vero Beach, Florida, several times in search of a suitable house. So far their efforts have been frustrated by difficult owners. We very much hope they will ultimately succeed.


After reading Bob Kilmarx’s story of reacquiring his old cruising sailboat, Bob Mauk’s widow, Joan, called to see if I had Bob’s address. I did. She expected to be back in Vero in early November.


Bob McIlwain reports having seen the Harneds, Hoffmans and Bob Kilmarx and Babs at Squam Lake in New Hampshire last summer.


We had hoped to pay a visit to Bill and Martha Lee Pulley at their home in Cashiers, North Carolina, last fall but could not because of my health.


Jim Birney has turned over his class presidency to Ray DeVoe in recognition of Ray’s recent significant contributions to class affairs. Jim reports that his health is improving but that Bobbie still suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome.


My daughter Lynn took a course with Joe Medlicott in Hanover several summers ago. Her comment was, “How lucky you were, Dad, to have had such a wonderful classmate.” Be of good cheer.


—Nev Chamberlain, 1835 N. Garden Grove Circle, Vero Beach, FL 32962; (772) 569-2893: ranevero03 @aol.com