These are precious days! There is something about reaching our mid-90s that really focuses our attention on unfinished business and unfulfilled “want-to’s.”
During the past year 11 of our classmates and three class of ’51 spouses have died. The most recent of these was Bob Pack, a renowned poet and recipient of the Dartmouth Award for Lifetime Achievement, who died on June 5.
“I love my life!” That’s how Dick McFarland summed up his current living arrangements and his continuing involvement in a satisfying array of activities in the Twin Cities.
A few months back I devoted two columns to the remarkable impact our class had in the field of international relations. That set me to wondering about the paths chosen by the rest of us and the difference we’ve made.
It was a treat to hear Betty Sutton’s voice calling from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, unchanged from all those years ago. She has moved to a senior living community near the house in which she and Jack lived.
Bob Pack, an acclaimed poet and teacher, has just published his 20th book of his poems and essays! It is titled Event Horizon: New and Selected Later Poems. Coming up in 2023: New and Selected Essays.
Continuing the theme of joy in old age, here are several more contributions from ’51 classmates who—well into their 90s—are still finding great pleasure in their daily lives, despite inevitable aches and pains.
I plan occasionally to devote this column to news of a ’51 classmate who has lived his life especially fully and, in his declining years, continues to do so. Finding joy in old age will be a theme in these reports.
When we left off last month I was describing President John Sloan Dickey’s remarkable impact on our class, notably in inspiring many ’51s to pursue careers in international affairs.
John Sloan Dickey’s strong focus on international affairs and his introduction of the “Great Issues” course made foreign policy a part of every student’s experience.