Class Notes 1953

This is my second Class Notes column as your class secretary. I’ll never be able to replace our beloved Mark Smoller, but I hope to follow his lead as I attempt to bring you news of the class of 1953 from Kendal at Hanover. Chuck Reilly could never have imagined this!

In the January/February issue of DAM Mark thoroughly recounted the history of the Clery Act, created by the late Howard Clery and his family. The Clerys lobbied the U.S. Congress for years before it finally became the law. Briefly, the Clery Act requires all colleges and universities to report annually any felonies that occur on or near their campuses.

Subsequently, Howard’s widow, Connie, received so much feedback from parents who have lost children because of hazing activities that she and her family created an addition to the act, called the Stop Campus Hazing Act. Connie called me recently to say that, after a great deal of help from senators and ’53 classmates, the bill was finally passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Biden on Christmas Eve 2024 as part of the Clery Act. Now all colleges and universities that receive federal funding must report all hazing. What a great victory for the Clerys and for all students and parents!

Sadly, I must report the deaths of a few more classmates since the last issue: Mark Smoller, as most of you already know, plus Tom Bagg, Jack Tukey, and Tom Wiley.

This has been an extremely cold winter in Hanover, many below freezing nights and days, and lots of snow. Have you noticed that the years are whizzing by faster and faster the older we get? Then why do you suppose the winter months seem to go on forever? By the time you read this, Hanover will be warm again.

Your classmates would like to hear what makes you happy, as well as what keeps you up at night. Take a few minutes to share it with them via our Class Notes.

—Donna Grant Reilly, 32 Penn Road, Apt. 418, Hanover, NH 03755; reillys5357@gmail.com

Editor’s Note: Secretary Mark Smoller wrote this column before his passing November 10, 2024.

Thirty-eight years ago, Connie and the late Howard Clery’s daughter, Jeanne, a freshman at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered in her dorm room. Devastated, the Clerys determined to devote their lives to improving the safety of college kids. They created the Clery Center and for many years lobbied the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would assist in this regard. The subsequent Clery Act requires all colleges and universities to report annually any felonies that occur on or near their campus during that year. It has been in effect for many years now and has been a huge help in keeping our kids safe. This year Connie Clery, having met too many parents who have lost children because of hazing activities, determined to help alleviate this problem. Through the Clery Center, she has created the Stop Campus Hazing Act which she has been able to get to Congress. She called me to see if I, as class secretary, could get her some more senators to cosponsor the bill. I contacted every Dartmouth alumnus who is a sitting senator; all but one responded and was happy to cosponsor the bill. As of now, the bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting approval by the Senate. Congratulations, Connie. I expect to report good news in my next column.

Ron Lazar has announced that our class meeting, which is to take place during Homecoming, will be accessible via Zoom to all class members who cannot be present at the meeting. We hope you will join us then. I note that the newly created Native American Academy held its first meeting. Congratulations and good luck!

Sadly, I report the demise of classmates Philip Fast and Thomas Dial and offer the condolences of the class.

—Mark Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10570

Thank you, Ron Lazar and Linda Kennedy O’Toole for pinch hitting for me and writing this column for the last issue of the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Unhappily, my wife, Bobby, as enthusiastic and loyal a Dartmouth spouse as there ever was, passed away after a long and courageous battle. She hosted 10 Dartmouth Alumni Club of Long Island meetings a year in our home for more than 30 years, hosted pool parties each year for accepted Dartmouth students for more than 30 years, and critiqued my interviewing for more than 60 years. Dartmouth has lost a most enthusiastic spokesman and supporter. Anton Phillips writes from the Netherlands: “I have been promoting the fact that the best way for people to fully develop is in a lasting relationship with their spouse, and therefore it is worth spending energy in sustaining that relationship. We have a nationwide campaign to reverse the trend of divorce as soon as things become difficult in a marriage. In Holland the rate is four of 10 marriages ultimately break up. Our aim is to bring back two in 10 in the coming five years, which would need rather a miracle.” Anton’s lifetime concern for the communal welfare is a tribute to Dartmouth for inspiring this value, still alive and thriving even in nonagenarians. News of our activities is hard to come by. Please send me whatever news you have. Our classmates would love to hear about you.

And, sadly, I must report the demise of the following classmates: Richard Mainzer, Allan Brewster, John Joy, Leonard Johnson, Anson mark, David Florence, Charles Buchanan, Edward Wood, Andrew Padegs, William Murray, Richard Davenport, Andrew Guntekunst, and Max Pepper.We offer our sincere condolences to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (516) 526-9130; dartmark@gmail.com

As I write these notes, winter is creating what is probably its last performance of the year as it blankets my house and environs with more than one foot of snow. I am reminded of the beauty of a winter’s day in Hanover.

Richard Cahn, though retired from the actual practice of law, continues to make his presence felt. He delivered a lecture at the Bard College Life Long Learning Institute in which he presented the Baby Jane Doe Case, 1983, on Long Island in which he was involved. This case was litigated in a long line of cases in which the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, recognized rights (such as a right to privacy) not specifically mentioned in the U.S. Constitution are nevertheless protected. There has been a lot of interest in this case in light of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe vs. Wade. Dave Cost Jr. has invited our class to a memorial service to be held at the New Mexico Museum of Modern Art in Santa Fe to celebrate his dad’s extraordinary life. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the Herve Wine Bar.

David Cost Sr. began his career as a banker, and at the age of 60 he attained an M.F.A. from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. For the next 25 years he wrote nationally published poetry, became a skilled photographer, and opened a printmaking studio welcoming artists from around the country to pursue their craft. Dave’s mono prints were exhibited in galleries. He published seven books of poetry, each of which included his art and design. Once again, that liberal arts education comes to the fore.

I received a lovely note from Joyce Trager, Tom’s widow, thanking the class for including her on our mailing list for Dartmouth Alumni Magazine and our ’53 Out, both of which she enjoys reading.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Here Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

Our wonderful 70th reunion was not just a social gathering of the class. We proudly unveiled a plaque located on the Green in front of Baker dedicated to President Eisenhower and his important “Book Burners” speech delivered at our graduation in 1953, the words of which are as relevant today as they were then. To place the speech in perspective, we enjoyed a very fine lecture by University of Virginia professor William Hitchcock, recognized as a foremost Eisenhower scholar. He was preceded eloquently by Dick Cahn, who spoke of the circumstances that inspired Ike’s speech. Professor Bruce Duthu ’80, chair of Dartmouth’s Native American program, spoke of the College’s relations with Native Americans since its inception. We were treated to a guided tour of the Native American exhibition at the Hood. To honor and help fulfill Dartmouth’s original commitment to Native Americans, the class has joined with the College to fund a Native American academy whereby each year chiefs from tribes around the country come to Dartmouth to meet with lawyers and others to discuss ways to help the tribes deal with issues relevant to their needs. In addition, head agent Ron Lazar reports that we contributed almost four times the goal set for our alumni fund, in which we had the highest participation of any reunion class and contributed the most of any 70th reunion class. In addition, we had a ball. Wow! Many thanks to Donna Reilly and her team for arranging this memorable reunion. Attendees were Vivian and Dick Cahn, Lynn Atherton, Roxanna Kopp Smith, Seth Carpenter, Kevan Carpenter, Marge Cook, Melissa Cook ’82, Al Davis, Joyce and Tom Duke, Margaret and Carl England, Jackie and Aaron Epstein, Dick Fleming, Ron Lazar, Deborah and Phil Lewis, Ross McIntyre, Helen Whyte, Sarah Melcher’82, Barbara and Bob Michael, Dick O’Connor, Granthia Preston, Donna Reilly, George Sarner, Rick Sarner ’77, Gil Shapiro, Karen Shapiro, Bobby and Mark Smoller, Woody Spurgeon, Joan Collins, Thelma and Fred Stephens, Tim Thomas, and Nancy and John Thornley.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (834) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

Aaron Epstein retired as a reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court but has kept his hand so to speak in the newspaper business by volunteering at an elementary school to tutor. Of course, after a lifetime of newspaper work, Aaron could not be deterred so he, along with his elementary school students, created a wonderful newspaper. The kids enjoy a taste of the entire newspaper industry by creating a newspaper in which they delve into topics in depth. Their writing is superb, and they cover all and any subjects they find relevant. What a wonderful legacy Aaron is passing on to these youngsters! Harlan Fair’schildren, with Granthia Preston, his wife, hosted a wonderful celebration of his life in accordance with his wishes: First there was a military funeral service and then a gathering at Kendal followed by a Quaker memorial service that more than 200 people attended. They were then treated to a buffet lunch. Harlan very much wanted to share his love of jazz music with his friends, so to top it all off that evening they were treated to a memorial concert by Harlan’s favorite group, The Fred Haus six-piece jazz band. Unhappily, I must add Anson Mark, Peter Mark, and Dave Donovan to our growing list of departed classmates and offer their families the sincere condolences of our class.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (834) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

Our big 70th reunion is fast approaching. The reunion committee under the aegis of Donna Reilly has been hard at work setting up a wonderful program for the weekend. As part of that program, Richard Cahn has arranged with the government department for a lecture by William Hitchcock, professor of history at the University of Virginia and the author of the bestselling book, The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s. Professor Hitchcock has accepted the invitation issued by Dartmouth’s Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences and our class to deliver a lecture on September 11 during our 70th reunion. His presentation will center upon the impact and significance of President Eisenhower’s “Don’t Join the Book Burners” speech, which President Eisenhower delivered at our graduation so long ago and Hitchcock extensively mentioned in his book. President Eisenhower had discarded his planned speech to speak extemporaneously addressing the nation regarding those who would destroy books that did not conform to their points of view. Professor Hitchcock has told us that he considers this invitation “a great honor” not only because he will “celebrate the reunion of the class that witnessed” President Eisenhower’s remarks, but also because Dartmouth has been enormously important to his family, as his father, David I. Hitchcock Jr. was a member of the class of 1950 and his grandfather was a member of the class of 1915. In addition, we will have a private session in the Hood at which Dartmouth’s extensive Native American collection will be on display. Bruce Duthu will speak to us in another activity. Once again, I emphasize, that all the events will be accessible to all and our stay at the Inn will be as guests of the College. More information regarding the schedule and events will be forthcoming in our ’53 Out. Please make your plans to be there, September 10 through September 12. I am sorry to inform you of the deaths of our dear classmates Joseph Stevens, Edgar Boody, and Frederick Gieg. We offer our condolences to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (834) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

I write this column as the autumnal colors sift through my window and I look forward to Homecoming. However, the big breaking news for the class of 1953 is that the dates of our 70th reunion have been set. Vice president Donna Reilly has graciously offered to chair the reunion. We shall convene on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, September 10, 11, and 12th, 2023. All classmates and widows of classmates will be guests of the College and will be staying at the Hanover Inn.

The theme of the reunion will be our commitment to the Native American community. We have tried to make certain that every event will be handicap accessible. We are trying to make parts of the reunion available on Zoom for those who cannot make it to Hanover. Look for more information regarding the reunion in this space in the coming issues of DAM as well as in ’53 Out. To have reached this great milestone is something very special. We hope you will all make every effort to attend. We know you will not be disappointed.

Dave Halloran received the Quilt of Valor Award, which honors those who have served in our country in various conflicts or wars. David served as a naval aviator. I am told that is a very prestigious honor. Congratulations, David!

I have been immersed in the writings of Neil Isaacs, perhaps our most prolific author. For this month’s column I shall spotlight Batboys and the World of Baseball. This book is for enthusiastic baseball fans. As a serious baseball fan, I found many stories I had never read before. Neil introduces us to the world of batboys; how they arrived at that position, how they were accepted into the inner baseball fraternity, and finally how they view the players and the players view them. Neil completed 170 interviews in writing this serious study of the subculture of baseball and its very special inner world. He takes the reader into the inner most soul of the game punctuating the book throughout with some very humorous anecdotes.

Sadly, I end this with the news of the deaths of our dear classmates George Passano and Richard Greene. We offer the condolences of our class to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

I had the pleasure of watching via Zoom Great Books, Great Conversations last week, presented by Adelphi University. Richard Cahn’sbook, Making Law: A Memory of Good Times, was the subject of the discussion. The author was the guest of honor. Richard read sections from the book and discussed varied and unusual cases in which he was the attorney of record who received judgments from the courts that created or altered the law beyond the particular case itself. He spoke of how he entered the practice of law and what he saw as his responsibilities in that regard. He told of his awe for the law and what the practice of law meant to him. He spoke of his first job working for the U.S. Department of Justice and the 60-year private practice that followed. His first case as a private attorney included an appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court in which Richard sued his hometown. This case was the first in which the courts were asked to rule on the fair and even representation of election districts. What followed was a discussion of some varied and unusual cases. When I read the book I found the different cases enthralling. If you would like to see the program, you can watch it at your leisure on tape. Please send me a note, and I shall be happy to send you a link to the tape. Peter Blodgett, following a request of his dad, our classmate Put Blodgett, has invited our class to a celebration of his dad’s life. The dinner will take place on Sunday, August 21, at 3 p.m. Fittingly, it will be held at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, which owes much of its shape and construction to Put. If you would like to attend, please send an RSVP to Peter at pwblodgett@gmail.com or P.O. Box 315, Thetford, VT 05074. Please indicate the number of guests and whether you would like steak, lobster, or a vegetarian dinner. Sadly, I must report the deaths of classmates Lee Dennis, Bill Hazelton, William Burns, John Koerner,and Fredrick B. Whittemore. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller,401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

Ice crystals hang from the trees; the ground is blanketed by a pure white overlay of snow. It is beautiful as I gaze out my window; however, I am looking forward to the coming of spring, which will have long since arrived when you read this. What is yet to come though is a program to be aired on zoom by Adelphi University, whose “Great Books” program has selected Richard Cahn’s book, Making Law: A Memoir of Good Times, to be the selection for this month. Richard will be a member of the panel that will be discussing the book on October 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. You can sit in on the event by obtaining a link from Richard. This is a wonderful book, an eye-opener in regard to our legal system, and should make for a very interesting discussion thereof. Speaking of books, our most prolific writer, Peter Bridges, has authored a wonderful novel, The Adventures of Aulus, and a poem, “The Old Poet’s Soliloquy,” both of which can be found in Ecclectica magazine. The Adventures of Aulus is set in the 15th century and takes place in Rome and along the Barbary Coast. It is carefully crafted historically and geographically with authentic characters who come alive and provide a wonderful drama of life in those times. It has relevance today and could be a foreshadowing of what we might be facing in the future. Due to Covid, our annual holiday party in Hanover was cancelled. Cathy Callender continued once more, and for as long as I can remember, to arrange for the annual holiday party, which was held as usual at the Yale Club in New York City. Many thanks, Cathy. I would greatly appreciate it if you, my classmates, would send me any bits of information regarding you or fellow classmates. I’d love to pass them on to you all. Unhappily, I must pass on one such bit of information, regarding the deaths of classmates Philip Beekman, John Horne Jr., Wayne Hansen, Edwin Grant, Francis L’Esperance, Richard Blum, and Harold Presser. We shall miss them as we offer our deepest sympathy to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

A weekend, cool and crisp, bathed in the brilliant sun of October, surrounded by leaves beginning to flash their vibrant colors; what could be better? Oh yes, a thrilling football game in which the good guys eventually defeated Yale in overtime to complete a perfect Homecoming Weekend. For the class of 1953 we enjoyed another productive class meeting at which we announced the completion and upcoming dedication of Put’s Path at the Mount Moosilauke Lodge. Present at the meeting in the ’53 Commons were Vivian and Richard Cahn, Harlan Fair, Dick Fleming, Marie and David Horlacher, Ron Lazar and friend Jane Lattes, Cynthia and Dick O’Connor, Donna Reilly, and Bobby and Mark Smoller. Making use of Ron Lazar’s expertise, classmates joined us virtually from their homes and participated using Zoom. In that group were Nathan Burkan,Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Joanne and Dave Halloran, Barbara and John Kennedy, Perry Free, Timmy and Gil Shapiro, Wade Sherwood, and Ann and Bob Simpson. We basked in the success of our Dartmouth Fund campaign this year, made possible by efforts of Philip Beekman, Richard O’Connor, Richard Blum, Richard Loewenthal, Frederick Stephens, John Avril, John Cernius, Thomas Duke, Carl England, William Friedman, David Halloran, Donald McMichael, George Sarner, Robert Simpson, Bernard Sudikoff, and Lowell Thomas, and discussed plans for a new and exciting project. To top it all off we enjoyed dinner at the fabulous ’53 Commons followed by an inspiring talk by professor Bruce Duthu ’80, chair of the Native American studies department. Describing his journey from the bayous of Louisiana to Dartmouth, Professor Duthu demonstrated a pathway by which Native students have taken advantage of opportunities and through hard work and adjustment to their new surroundings have succeeded in gaining the education and tools to assist their people. Professor Duthu patiently answered some difficult questions, explaining the emotions many Native students feel when they arrive on campus and how the Indian symbols have affected them. Once again, I sadly end this column with news of the demise of classmates, John Zimmermann and Harry Cherry. I offer the condolences of the class to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

He was a farmer. The woods and trees were his milieu. He was a native Vermonter who loved nothing more than to hike the trails and climb mountains, activities in which he participated eagerly until his untimely death. He donated hundreds of acres of woodland to the conservancy to ensure that they be preserved for future generations. It was, therefore, predictable that he would fall in love with Mount Moosilauke, its trails as well as the Ravine Lodge, early in his Dartmouth career. When the Ravine Lodge was being rebuilt recently, he supplied hand-picked wood from his own farms to be used for the building and offered his expertise to the planning and building of the project. He is Putnam Blodgett, past president of our class as well as a Classmate of the Year. It is in Put’s memory that we, the class of 1953, are honored to present to Dartmouth College the gift of Put’s Path, which will, when it is completed, be a beautifully landscaped roadway for skiers. It will run directly from the Ravine Lodge to the end of the College property and will provide an opportunity for skiers to ski right up to and from the Ravine Lodge itself. It will serve as a lasting legacy of Put’s love for the College and its wonderful surroundings. Put’s Path should be completed shortly, as construction is proceeding ahead of schedule. The real estate community in New York City must be in a high excitatory state. Bill Friedman is finally starting to wind down and move toward retirement. The dean of the commercial real estate brokers, he still goes into work three days a week. We hope he and Lynn get to do some good stuff with all their extra free time. And now, sadly, I wish to offer the class’ condolences to the families of Edwin J. Glickman, and Walter O. VomLehn. They will be missed.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066

As I sit here looking out my window, I am watching the snow fall gently over the already burdened limbs of the trees. It is quiet. Our neighbors with whom we share our space—the deer, and coyotes, the fox, and groundhogs—are out of sight, probably enjoying a good romp in the snow. I don’t mind being shut in a little longer as we remain cocooned any way by the pandemic. There is little for us to do, though with our vaccinations behind us, we are looking forward to becoming more adventuresome and moving on with our lives.

I continue to be impressed by my classmates’ concern for each other’s welfare, as they check regularly regarding our well-being, and am buoyed by hearing from our classmates that they are well and carrying on in as safe a manner as possible. Donna Reilly reports that though there had been a few cases of Covid at Kendal, they were taken care of and controlled well so all of our large class contingent is safe and well. As we say good-bye to each of our classmates, an event that, unfortunately, is occurring with increased frequently, I am in awe of how well each of them has made use of his allotted time to fulfill the potential about which President John Sloan Dickey had spoken at our graduation. Nor do I believe that our time has passed. Classmates continue to contribute to their communities and society in general.

Again, sadly, we offer our condolences to the families of those who are no longer with us: Clark Brink, James Coleman, Robert Heilman, John Kiernan, Hans Krehmer, John Meyers, Jack Patten, Herb Solow, David Ward, and John Williamson.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

It is strange having all of our fall meetings via Zoom. It is yet another fallout, though certainly not the most heinous from our epic battle with the Covid-19 virus. In what is relevant for this column, I think of the ’24s who have been deprived of the unique and wonderful entry into Dartmouth that we all enjoyed upon our matriculation. At the same time, I applaud the efforts the College has made to welcome our freshmen in as warm and memorable manner as conditions allow. I hope at some time during their college career, this dreadful plague will have run its course and they can partake in the subtle and not so subtle DNA of our alma mater. One of us who remembers those wondrous days is Anton Phillips. A native of the Netherlands, he has carved out a brilliant career in business. He writes that he has joined a group called Basic Income Earth Network. It is an organization that provides a way of answering poverty and giving more people a chance to live a productive life. There are chapters starting up all over the world. He writes that it will reduce by 60 percent the poverty in the Netherlands, where 1 million out of the country’s population of 17 million live below the poverty line. Ron Lazar writes, “We’ve done it again! Our loyal agent team of Dick O’Connor, Phil Beekman, Dick Loewenthal, Fred Stephens, John Avril, John Cernius, Tom Duke, Carl England, Bill Friedman, Dave Halloran, Don McMichael, George Sarner, Bob Simpson, Bernie Sudikoff, and Tim Thomas, along with 161 generous donor classmates, of whom 60 have given every year since graduation or missed only one year, raised $183,000. The great class of 1953 had the third-highest participation of 74 classes, 72 percent compared to the College-wide participation of 37 percent. We were also one of three classes to establish a year-out participation record. Fantastic! Thanks to all of the above. Sadly, I report the deaths of the following dear classmates and offer condolences to their families: Larry Barnett, George Middleton, William Stubbs, and Joe Stevens (honorary).

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

In these challenging times, Aaron Epstein has found a way to make use of his not unimposing talents. In a very newsy letter he writes that he is no longer reporting on the U.S. Supreme Court or the U.S. Justice Department. He has learned to work with kid journalists in the elementary school. “I choose them, teach them, assign them to stories, discuss their drafts, work with them to improve their reporting and writing, and, ultimately produce the final product in a high-quality newspaper available both in print and online. Everything is different now, of course. With schools closed, I had to cancel assignments. Instead, I’ve asked them to write personal journals about their changed lives. Eight of my staff of 18 are participating, and today I asked a few of my newspaper alums, now in middle school or high school, to contribute, too. Those diaries, I hope, can fill all four pages of an edition in early June.”

I am certain Aaron would have loved such an opportunity when he was in elementary school. When he is not busy with that he has become a gourmet cook. Perhaps he can have the kids taste his food and critique it in their paper.

I was delighted to hear from Anton Phillips. From Naarden, a suburb of Amsterdam, Holland, he writes that they have been dealing with the Covid-19 virus there as well and with many of the same problems we are experiencing here. They are actively tracing and testing, which has allowed them to reopen their schools. He keeps busy counseling young people on their choice of major in college and future careers, adding that he does this in his garden, keeping a safe distance. Congratulations to Dick O’Connor, our new class president, and Donna Reilly, our new class vice president. Our class is fortunate to have you both. Now, sadly, I have to report what has become an ever-increasing number of losses to our class. We offer our condolences to the families of Charles Talamo, Brandon Schnorf Jr., Peter Grenquist, Alan Miller, Thomas Trager, Fred Pollard, and Robert Morris.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

Our class has suffered a huge loss. Our dear president, Allen Collins, has passed away. He wore the green with dignity and conviction. To my knowledge he is the only person to have held all of the offices: president of the Alumni Council, president of the Association of Alumni, and head of the Alumni Fund—and that was not all. He was ubiquitous, managing to attend every class function or gathering, always accompanied by his warmth, his wit, and his camera. He was a district enrollment director and very active in the Hartford, Connecticut, club. We shall miss him sorely. His life was celebrated by his family, at which his children, 11 grandchildren, and the following members of our class participated: Put Blodgett, Margie Cook, Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Dick Fleming, Sharon ’83 and Ron Lazar, Dick O’Connor, Donna Reilly, Thelma and Fred Stephens, Joan and Bernie Sudikoff, and Nancy and John Thornley. Put Blodgett had agreed to assume the presidency of the class; but we have since learned that he passed away on March 3, 2020. On the positive side, our class enjoyed two holiday luncheons; one in Hanover at Kendal and the other in New York City at the Dartmouth Club. Both events were well-attended. I am very happy to recommend to you a new book by our newsletter editor, Dave Halloran. Dave combines beautiful photographs as well as videos to produce a novel in ebook format, An Eternity Soaring Through the Universe. The inspiration for the book came from the words of scientist and Jesuit theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who concluded, “We are not humans having a spiritual experience; we are spirits having a human experience.” You may find it will expand your imagination and perhaps your convictions as to what eternity might be like. This has been a particularly difficult time for our class. In addition to Allen and Put we have lost the following classmates: William Andre, Jim Washburn, Daniel Ernst, Len Gochman, John Buchanan, Herbert Borovsky, and Winfred Case. Our thoughts and condolences go out to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845)603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

The sun was shining in Hanover. The colors of the season surrounded us, glistening with their warming tones. The town was awash with “Blue Jacketers” and “Green Jacketers” gathered from near and far for Dartmouth Homecoming. As game time approached, you could feel the excitement and enthusiasm in the air. The class gathered for its 66th annual meeting. In attendance were Put Blodgett, Vivian and Richard Cahn, Allen Collins and Sue Schlott, Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Harlan Fair, Dick Fleming, Ron Lazar, Dick O’Connor, Bobby and Mark Smoller, and Jody and Jack Zimmermann. Ron Lazar dubbed us “The Happy Class,” pointing out that 92 percent of our class contributed to the Dartmouth College Fund this past year. He reported that we have won the Peggy Epstein Tanner ’79 Award for having the best donor retention class after a reunion. We also learned that the class has donated 428 books to the College libraries in the name of our deceased classmates. In addition, individual classmates have donated 63 books in the name of other classmates and 18 books have been given in honor of our class presidents, making a total of 509 books donated to the Dartmouth libraries to date. In high spirits after the victory over Yale, we met at the ’53 Commons and enjoyed a fun dinner there. This year our holiday luncheons, one at Kendal and the other at the Dartmouth Club of New York, will take place on the same day, December 11. Kudos to Joanne and Dave Halloran, who have been sending medical supplies to Jonathan Un angel para Venezuela, an organization that provides food and medicine to the needy in Venezuela.

The flags flew at half mast to mark the death of Robert Henderson, a former trustee of the College, and holder of an honorary degree from Dartmouth. Bob contributed much of his time to Dartmouth affairs as well as to many other charitable endeavors. I would also note the passing of Thomas Gil, Stanley Westberg, Thomas Clark, and Urban Schreiner. Our class offers its heartfelt condolences to their families. They will all be missed.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; marksmoller@gmail.com

Richard Cahn has authored an important book, All Rise: An Elegy for the Justice System, which is soon to be published. In it he recounts six bitterly fought, high-visibility public policy cases that he handled during a long and distinguished career that included many appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court. He wrote, “The stakes were high, not just for the contending parties but for the public, and no one could have predicted the result in any of them with any kind of certainty.” Richard leads us through the anatomy of each case, replete with all the drama, emotions, and significance involved. It is written with elegance and with Richard’s obvious devotion to the law. I loved it and put it down only when my eyes begged for a rest. I was fascinated by the paradox of the intricacies of the law and yet its inherent simplicity (see the ball; hit the ball). Don’t miss this one.

I sing the praises of Eliza Whittemore, Marion and Fred Whittemore’s granddaughter, and Grace Replogle, Jeanne and David Replogle’s granddaughter, who have just graduated in the class of 2019. Congratulations to all, and good luck as they begin their great new adventure in life. Moving ahead to Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 12, the class will be meeting in the Paganucci Room of the 53 Commons on Saturday at 10 a.m. The game with Yale kicks off at 1:30 p.m. We will meet for a reception after the game in the Paganucci Room, followed by dinner at the same location. We hope to see you then. Unhappily, I acknowledge the demise of dear classmates Donald Berkowitz, William French, Lowell Holloway, Dick Joslin, Tom Kelley, Stewart Matthews, and David Picker, and offer our condolences to their families.

—Mark Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

One of the beautiful things about a liberating education is that when you no longer can ambulate with the same dexterity as you did previously, and have time to ruminate when “retired,” you write to share your experiences. Through the years classmates who are amateur writers have provided lessons of life, great adventure stories, and thoughtful discourses on society. Ambassador Peter Bridges has inspired a raft of young people with his experiences as an officer in the foreign service.

Dick Calkins, an attorney, has written a wonderful book, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. It is an important book to read if you have any interest in our system of justice. In fact, it is an important commentary on our entire social system. I enjoyed it and could not put it down. It read like a novel, yet it is a real-life drama. I recommend it enthusiastically. Donna Riley has written another very important book, Learning the Hard Way: A Caregiver’s Struggle with Alzheimer’s. Ultimately this book is not exactly a blueprint of how to live when a spouse becomes an Alzheimer patient, because each person’s journey is somewhat different. It is, however, a liberating document that lays it all on the line with a loving understanding of the patient and profound consideration of the welfare of the caring caregiver. It is a book that should be read by all, as we are all affected in some manner by this horrible disease. And Bruce Sherman has written How Grandparents Can Handle Grandkids’ Issues, From Cults to Visitations. Bruce writes that the book is a “reflection of the increasing role being played by grandparents as a result of soaring divorce rates and dysfunctional families.” You can read my critiques in full for the first two books on Amazon.

This has been a very tough two months for the class as we have lost classmates Warren Babcock, Russ Cook, John Cunningham, Stanley Kimmel, David Martin, and David Stowe. They will be missed. We send our sincere condolences to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

The years have thinned our ranks, lined our faces, and turned our hair, but they have not lessened the joy of seeing our classmates and reconnecting with them. It was obvious that time had not dimmed our spirits. Indeed, it only enhanced those qualities, which made this reunion, in a sense, grander than all others. It was certainly the happiest that I can remember. From the time we boarded the bus to Mount Moosilauke until the last ’53 left town, our spirits were high as we basked in the light of Dartmouth and shared our stories. The evening and dinner at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, with laughing, singing, and dancing, set the tone for the weekend. We shared a fun bus ride and delicious meal and were introduced to the new lodge. And what a lodge that is! How welcoming were its gorgeously placed timbers! What an entrée to such a singular weekend! Our Saturday class meeting was fun, as were the tours, the panel, and the singalong that night. Associate professor of anthropology Jeremy DeSilva treated us to a brilliant lecture, “Underground Astronauts: The Search for Early Human Fossils in South Africa.” He held our rapt attention as he related his and others’ efforts to find and identify human and humanoid fossils. Many thanks to chairman Put Blodgett and his hardworking committee of Dave Halloran, Bob Henderson, Allen Collins, Dick Fleming and his attendance committee, Forest Anderson, Dick Blum, Peter Bridges, Leo Clancy, Bob Malin, Don McMichael, George Sarner, Fred Stephens, Bernie Sudikoff, and, of course, Angela Stafford ’91. We had a great time. Kudos to Ron Lazar and his wondrous group of agents: 72.4 percent of our classmates contributed to the Dartmouth Fund this year, a record for reunion classes. And with 130 fewer members this year than at the last reunion, we gave $100,000 more. Remarkable! Sadly, I must report the loss of our dear classmates David Lewis, Kelly McBride Jr., Pete Patterson, Prasong Sukhum, Lee Tuttle, and Ed Weltman and offer the condolences of the class to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845)603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com

The sun shone bright on the Hanover Plain as it did that Sunday morning in 1953. And as on that auspicious occasion, the horns announced the start as the piper piped the happy procession across the Green, followed by the faculty dressed in their colorful robes, smiling like a group of newly minted parents as they introduced their progeny for the first time. There followed the honorees, the beaming members of the class of 2018 merrily wending their way to their well-earned seats. It has been 65 years since we paraded into the Bema for the last time as students and had the honor of hearing President Eisenhower send us off and on our way. So, watching five of our own receive their diplomas brings a special joy for us all. Included in that joyous procession were John Anderson, Jimmy Fair, Cortland Begor, Tiger Henderson, and Jaime Eeg, grandchildren of Alice and Forest Anderson, Ann and Harlan Fair, Lois and Adolph Franz II, Carol and Bob Hendserson, and Sylvia and Ralph Heyman. We all share a pride in them as they continue the legacy of our class and join us as loyal Dartmouth alums. Congratulations to all.

Back in town in time for graduation was Harlan Fair, who had just completed a 70-mile hike across Spain with his dear friend Granthia Proctor. Could they be in training for the Mount Moosilauke climb at our wondrous 65th reunion this September? By the way, the reunion should be spectacular, with Put Blodgett leading the way. Please see the ’53 Out for more information. One of Andy Warhol’s famous Marilyn Monroe paintings will grace the campus shortly, a gift to the College from Audrey and Ted Spiegel. In accordance with their wishes, it will be hung, fittingly, in the 1953 Commons.

Sadly, I offer our class’ most profound condolences to the families of our dear classmates Norman Carpenter, Scribner Fauver, Brian Menides, James Porath, James Steubner, and Warren Wentworth. They will be missed.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

Dubbed “mediocre” when we arrived on campus, we must have been inspired by our alma mater to rise above our modest beginnings. Distinguished jurors, respected writers for film and the print media, diplomats, captains of industry, altruists, actors, pioneers in science and medicine, authors and teachers have marked our stay on this planet. As careers come to an end, it has been interesting to watch them morph into other areas of interest.

For instance, after a successful career in the business world, Steve Pearsall has written three novels, the last of which, Ithaca, I read and enjoyed very much. And Peter Bridges, having served our country as an ambassador, has become a prolific author, writing articles and books on his adventures in the foreign service and on the joys he has experienced hiking the mountains of the world. Many of those read like fiction, and just this month Eclectica magazine featured two articles of Peter’s. One is a fictional piece titled “Envoys” and the other is a nonfiction account of his life in the Moscow embassy titled “James and the Goons.” I enjoyed both and recommend them to anyone who is interested in the intrigue of the foreign service.

David Horlacher, the Christian A. Johnson Visiting Fellow and professor of economics at Middlebury College, Vermont, has marked his last exam and given his last lecture. His long and distinguished career included, among other things, his appointment as chief of the population and development section of the UN, where he served on missions to the Soviet Union, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Thailand and Malaysia. What’s up next, David? Back to what makes us who we are. Check your calendars and make your plans, as chairman Put Blodgett has a gala reunion planned for our 65th in Hanover September 28 through 30. He also has a special pre-reunion event planned at the magnificent new Moosilauke Lodge for June 27. More information will be forthcoming. Hope you can join us.

Sadly, I conclude with our condolences to the families of our dear classmates Barlow Goff, David Replogle and David Lewis.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

The mist was rising over the glass-like river as I drove to the College this morning for the Class Secretaries Association meeting. Meager flecks of browns and reds reflected in the water, festooning the shoreline and creating a counterpoint to its serenity. It was easy to forget the turbulence in our world and think back to a more gentle time, less complicated by the cacophony of our present life. The beauty of this place is that it has progressed with the times yet retained so much of what made it so appealing 68 years ago. I note with pleasure the completion of the new Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. For many, its predecessor welcomed them for the first time to the great, wonderful outdoors. From its initial planning to its completion, Put Blodgett has been an instrumental contributor supplying his know-how as well as the majestic timbers from which this magnificent lodge has been constructed. We have been here in Hanover for a couple of weeks, and the leaves are at last creating their colorful landscapes. Our classmates have returned to Dartmouth for Homecoming and our class meeting and dinner, a chance to once again share the magic of Dartmouth. With the Paganucci Room of the 1953 Commons readied, the following arrived for either the meeting, the dinner or both: Bobby and Skip Adams, Put Blodgett, Allen Collins, Alice and Forrest Anderson, Peter Anderson, Margie and Russ Cook, Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Harlan Fair and Granthia Preston, Dick Fleming, Marita and Len Gochman, Lillian Goss, Holly Goss Betts and Paul Betts, Carol and Bob Henderson and granddaughter Noelle Henderson ’20, Barbara and John Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr. ’86, Liliane and Ron Lazar, Sharon Lazar ’82, Elizabeth Watson and Bill Murray, Cynthia and Dick O’Connor, Marilyn Paganucci, Caroline and Jack Patton, Ann and Bob Simpson and granddaughter Kylie Simpson, Thayer School, Bobby and Mark Smoller, Joan and Bernie Sudikoff, Jeff Sudikoff, Jane and Joe Stephens, Jean Vitalis, Paige Whittemore ’20, and Jodie and Jack Zimmermann, Joan Collins and DavidMcKee.

Sadly, I must end by offering our sincere condolences to the families of our dear deceased classmates Burton Bernsten, Richard Conn, Gerry Grady, William Liebovitz, Jack Newton, Tim Reed and Prasong Sukhum.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

The winter is wrapped up except for a report on our 17th consecutive class ski day. Dave Donovan, who has hosted the event with his wife, Cynthia, for each of those 17 years, writes that after last year’s dearth of snow, they happily awoke to a Nor’easter that dropped about a foot and a half of new snow at Mount Sunapee. The conditions were delightful. The number of skiers has declined, with only Put Blodgett, Dave Donovan, Dick O’Connor and Allan Newton skiing this year. Joining the skiers for après ski cocktails were Cynthia Donovan, Al Collins, Marge and Russ Cook, Harlan Fair, Granthia Preston and Barbara Newton. They finished up the day with a delightful dinner at the Millstone Restaurant. Many thanks to Cynthia and Dave for all their efforts in making the arrangements. By the time you read this, our annual Dartmouth College Fund drive will have been completed for the year. In anticipation of another banner year for our class, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our class agents, who have through the years led us to such Olympian performances. Many of them have been agents since our graduation. This year’s group is headed once again by our head agent, Ron Lazar. Our participation chair is Allen Collins, with major gifts overseen by Phil Beekman. We have four regional agents: Dick Blum, Dick Lowenthal, Bob Malin and Fred Stephens. Our local agents are John Avril, John Cernius, Dick Conn, Tom Duke, Carl England, Bill Friedman, Dave Halloran, Bob Henderson, John Kennedy, Don McMichael, John Newton,Dick O’Connor, Tim Reed, Dick Replogle, George Sarner, Dave Stowe, Bernie Sudikoff, Lowell Thomas and Ed Weltman. Thanks for taking on this difficult but so important task and doing it so well.

Sadly, I end these notes with our sincere condolences to the families of our dear classmates who have passed away: David Folger, Jackson Hall, John Harris and George High.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

In June of 1951 a giant semi pulled up alongside my house in Brooklyn, tooted its horn a few times and Leo Clancy stepped out. He was driving that behemoth to California as his summer job, foretelling both figuratively and literally the beginning of a long journey that would take Leo Clancy to London, Paris, New York and, ultimately in retirement, Palm City, Florida. After chairing the capital campaign that provided funds to build six different libraries, Leo concentrated on raising funds for an adult literacy program. For this he was awarded the 2017 Kiplinger Literacy Award. Noreen Fisher ’76 in presenting the award said, “Leo Clancy’s commitment to the adult literacy outreach initiative of the library foundation was instrumental in the creation of the program that has allowed many Martin County residents to learn English.” Congratulations, Leo! Once again Peter Bridges has recorded some of his adventures, this time in Prague, where he headed the embassy’s political and economic division while it was under communist rule. Believed incorrectly to be a spy, perhaps even the chief spy by the StB, Prague’s equivalent of the KGB, Peter was tailed at all times during his tour of duty. You can read this fascinating piece in the journal American Diplomacy. It is titled “Runs, Hikes & Cops in Bohemia.” Do I sense another book coming, Peter? Cynthia and Dave Donovan are at it again. They are hosting our annual ski day on March 16. They’ll be on the slopes at Mount Sunapee, New Hampshire, followed by après ski at their home, after which they’ll adjourn to a restaurant in New London. I’ll report on the event in our next notes. It’s great to hear of our prowess on the slopes. I hope to have a report on our tennis players in a future issue. With great sadness, I offer our sincere condolences to the families of our dear classmates Donald Bigham, Bob Douglass, Dave Siegal, Emil Frohlich, Clyde Claus and William Beck. They will be missed by us all.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

Each month for the past 19 years I have sung the praises of our wonderful classmates who have achieved great things or are involved in one creative project or another; however, there are two men who have become the heart and soul of our class: Dave Halloran and Allen Collins. Year after year Dave has turned out a world-class newsletter while proffering the feelings of our class personally to each and every one who might need a bit of bolstering. He writes lyrically with warmth, genuineness and humor.

The other, our president, Allen Collins seems to be ubiquitous. He attends all events, large or small, offering the friendship and support of our class. Because of his travels the class of ’53 is represented everywhere. In addition, he is the center of a mailing operation that communicates to our membership, in real time, all the breaking class news that comes our way. Kudos to them both. How fortunate we are to have them!

Our peripatetic ambassador, Peter Bridges, prolific author of essays and books, has just completed a third essay titled “My Family on the Roads.” It joins two others, “My Family on the Water” and “My Family on the Rails.” You can find these on the electronic journal, Eclectica. As usual Peter takes us along with him and his subjects on an interesting trip, making use of his central theme to bring in the historical, societal and environmental aspects of the times. They are written beautifully and are worth your time to read. And speaking of writers, Dick Cahn wrote to tell me how excited he was to interview and write an in-depth piece about Jeh Johnson, secretary of homeland security, for the Journal of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Sadly, I close these notes acknowledging the profound sympathy of the class to the families of our classmates who have left us. They are Paul Arenberg, Frederick Bush, Clyde Claus, Lawrence Harrison, Mayo Johnson, Frederick Miller, Peter Patterson and Richard W. Badger.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

It was a cool Sunday morning, June 12, parents and friends already excitedly gathered in their seats, when the sounds of the bagpiper echoed ’round the Green, signifying the start of Commencement Day exercises. The faculty filed in, dressed in their glorious garb. The honored guests had been seated and the 50th reunion class had reenacted their walk of 50 years prior. And now the great class of 2016, soon to be newly minted alums, began their procession.

Can you imagine the joy in the hearts of Nancy and Gene Gabianelli as they saw their granddaughter, Anna Grace Gabianelli, her baton, with its name boldly engraved, in hand, lead her classmates to their seats; or of Lillian Goss, making the trip from Westport, Connecticut, to Hanover to share in the joy of her grandson, Nathaniel Goss, during graduation? And we have one other grandchild, Andrew Beaubien, grandson of a late honorary member of the class, Jean Kemeny. We salute them and wish them well as they begin their next great adventure.

Dave Replogle created a scholarship in 1988 as a graduation present to his son, John ’88, the last of his sons to graduate from college. According to John, his father wanted to leave a legacy, the passing of the torch, so to speak—he wanted to leave a Dartmouth legacy and perhaps celebrate his last college tuition payment. This year John completed the funding of the scholarship during the first year at Dartmouth of his daughter, Grace ’19, in honor of Dave. Congratulations to all!

Sadly, I offer the class’ profound condolences to the families of our dear classmates who are recently deceased: Wallace F. Ashnault, William I. Borman, Martin R. Klemperer, James D. O’Hara and Peter M. Mattoon.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

As I write this the snow is falling heavily and, unbelievably, the temperature is supposed to go up to 50 degrees today.

Our honored and esteemed classmate Peter Bridges wiled away his time during a similar snow event in Virginia by writing a brief memoir of his first two years in the U.S. Foreign Service, which were spent on the old Soviet desk in the U.S. State Department. It is a fascinating article in which he recounts some of the inner workings and machinations of our Department of State. I would heartily recommend it to you. You can find it in the new issue of the journal American Diplomacy.

Harlan Fair writes, “I spent two weeks in Cuba with my companion, officially to visit my grandson, Jimmy Fair ’18, who was studying under a Dartmouth program with the University of Havana. We traveled from Canada as individuals. There are almost no Americans traveling outside of tourist groups. This gave us complete flexibility. We stayed in Casa Particulares, a type of B&B, for $30 a day. The Cubans are friendly, happy and industrious. We spent a lot of time in Old Havana and learned as much as possible about the culture. The country is quite safe to walk around as compared to many of our cities, due to no guns and harsh penalties for violations. There are no motorized boats in Havana: Cuban nationals are not permitted to board motorized boats. We went on a field trip with Jimmy’s class, and the two Cuban professors had to receive a last-minute approval to board a boat with the class. The country is particularly colorful and attractive. Infrastructure problems abound. The original colonial buildings are slowly being brought back to their original charm. Great music. Love the 1950s cars.”

Look for more information regarding our sensational max-mini scheduled for October 3-6 in New York City. For complete up to the minute information please contact Charles Buchanan at charlesbuchanan53@gmail.com.

We conclude sadly with our profound condolences to the families of our beloved classmates Richard R. Kuhn, John D. Camp, Lawrence E. Harrison, Paul R. Bousquet, Charles R. Noll and Harold W. Presson.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

With the passing of Dick Beatty I am reminded that he and Van Cochran during the summer of 1957 explored the Homathko Icefield in British Columbia, and, in Van Cochran’s words, “We accomplished the ascent of our second virgin summit, a mountain of around 10,000 feet that we named Mount Dartmouth. Although technically easier than the previous peak, it was a rather long climb and entailed some interesting switches, including a snow saddle inclining to 60 degrees and a summit pyramid of steep and rotten rocks with some exposure over an impressive north face.” He goes on to say they built a cairn at the peak and were delighted that the name, Mount Dartmouth, was recognized by the Canadian government.

Bruce Sherman writes, “I have just published a book in Spanish titled Are You Ready for Kids? The book is intended to target late teen Hispanic girls, engaged couples and young marrieds. It provides a perspective on the huge impact that kids will have on every aspect of one’s life and to be sure one’s ready for them.”

Put Blodgett, who returned to his farm immediately after graduation and has worked to preserve the green of Vermont since, was just inducted into the Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame. He has also been the Northeastern Farmer of the Year. In a recent interview Put stated, “We’re only here a short period of time; try to leave it a little better than we found it.”

From the far West Fred Dorkin writes that he sees Harry Jackson from time to time. Harry lives outside Port Angeles, Washington, in a restored cabin with a view of British Columbia. Harry’s grandson, Drew, a shortstop for the Everett AquaSox, has won the most valuable player award in the Northwest League Class A League this year, his first in professional baseball.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY, 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

Sitting on the beautiful Green on a glorious day, taking in another wonderful Commencement Day exercise, I took in the pomp and ceremony, the speeches and, above all, the people who make this annual event so special. I was able to reflect back to many other commencements that I have attended and realize that though the people had changed and the speakers had been good and bad, there is a sameness to it all. Smiling parents and grandparents, filled with pride at their progenies’ accomplishments, happily talked among themselves, and the students, joyful and ebullient, conveyed to all of us a sense of hope and renewal as they prepared to depart into the unknown world. There were the people on the dais, their professors and other wise persons ushering them into their great adventure of life with praise, sage advice and inspirational talk. Emotions radiated throughout the Green. I found a certain comfort as I sensed the stability of process. In spite of the dynamics of new ideas and new demands, this was the base from which our leaders were taking off as they had for so many years before. It was truly inspiring.

I spotted Lillian Goss, who was attending her granddaughter’s graduation. Sorrowfully for us, Lillian will be leaving Hanover and heading to Connecticut shortly. If anyone is interested in buying her home on Goose Pond in Hanover or her house in Wilder, Vermont, please get in touch with her. She will be missed. Also leaving Hanover are Bonnie and Dave Siegel. They are heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma. They too will be sorely missed. We hope they will continue to contribute their time and effort for our class. After 20 years of dedicated service Robert Douglass has stepped down as chairman of the Downtown Alliance of New York. In her tribute to Robert, Joan Lappin, the president of the alliance, said, among other things, that the mark which he has left upon Manhattan, the city and the state was indelible.

Sadly, I must report the deaths of Curt Bury, Bruce Holt and Sam O’Shea and offer, on behalf of the class, our sincere condolences to their families.

—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com

The New England Society in the City of New York honored Fred Whittemore by bestowing on him the Reginald T. Townsend Award for his significant support for higher education and conservation in New England. As founding member, president and chairman of the Watch Hill Conservancy, which is dedicated to the mission of conserving Napatree Point and the natural environment of Watch Hill, Rhode Island, Fred is also a founding trustee of the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, a nonprofit land trust dedicated to preserving open space and clean water. Fred currently serves on the boards of the Tuck School as well as New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business Administration. His many other contributions to Dartmouth are well documented. Congratulations, Fred.


William Hutchens has written a book, An Artist’s Life: Frank Townsend Hutchens, about his great-uncle Frank Hutchens, an artist who was a member of the Impressionist school of art. Bill spent more than 10 years researching and writing the book. Remarkably, he sent professional photographers around the world to photograph those of his uncle’s works that he did not possess, and together with hundreds of worn writings that he transcribed, he was able to piece together the artist’s life and work and produce a beautiful book. Truly a labor of love! Chris McConnell ’71, reporting of the events leading to and including the presentation of Dartmouth’s Social Justice Lester B. Granger ’18 Award for Lifetime Achievement to Connie Clery, wrote in part, “Connie was perfectly poised as she accepted her award and thanked Dartmouth for everyone’s commitment to campus safety, and especially on behalf of her beloved daughter, Jeanne, and her wonderful husband, Howard. During a subsequent panel discussion, including all award recipients, Connie provided a passionate and eloquent description of the Clery story and their resultant life’s work. Everyone was riveted. At the end the audience rose in a spontaneous and heartfelt standing ovation.”


Sadly, I must now announce the loss of our dear classmates Addison L. Luce Jr., Thomas C. Song, Henry Edler and William Vitalis. I offer on behalf of our classmates our most profound sympathies to the families and hope that time will ameliorate your sadness and leave you with only the pleasant memories.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


I received from Ton Philips the following letter, which I have excerpted for space. The letter says it all.


“To all my classmates of Dartmouth 1953: Seventy years ago today my city was liberated by the 101st U.S. Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles.


“I was 12 at the time. Our city, and specifically the Philips factories, had been bombed twice, with many civilians living near the factory killed. My father had been a hostage for five months the previous year, and had escaped a second arrest by climbing out of his office window. In an attempt to get my mother to reveal where my father was hiding, they arrested her and took her to a concentration camp. Miraculously she was released after only a week. The camp was subsequently moved to Germany. Of the 97 women in her barracks, only 17 survived.


“On September 18, 1944, we woke up and heard the American paratroopers who had landed the day before about 20 miles north of our town, Eindhoven, had liberated us. They were digging foxholes so they could defend the city in case of a German counterattack. Later that day Field Marshal Montgomery’s 2nd British Army reached Eindhoven. We watched as the tanks moved north to reach Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, about which the film A Bridge Too Far was made.


“The following day our city was bombed by the Germans. Five bombs fell in the garden of the house of my grandparents, where we lived during the war, but no one in our family got hurt. A short time later my father turned up. He had been hiding near where the paratroops had landed.


I am writing you all this to express my gratitude to America and the Americans who liberated us.


The war experiences we had endured were a major incentive for my parents to engage in the work of Moral Re-Armament as an attempt to make sure that such a war would not occur again. And at least in our part of Europe, we have had peace since 1945.


“I and many in Holland and other European countries are tremendously grateful. Thank you, America.”


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


I can think of few things that can stir the old juices and educe feelings of pride more easily than when a grandchild is accepted to Dartmouth. It is an opportunity to revisit those halcyon days and to relive through young and unjaded eyes a time in our lives when it was all in front of us. Oh, the pleasure of sitting on the Green on a lovely Sunday morning, surrounded by so much that remains a blissful memory as we delight in seeing a grandchild march up to the Old Pine to receive his or her diploma. What could be more beautiful than taking in the pageantry of the occasion and empathizing the feelings of those young men and women as they begin their journeys in life. Such an occasion was shared by seven of our classmates this June as they witnessed their grandchildren accept their degrees on such a beautiful Sunday morning in Hanover. I can sense what traversed the minds of Tom Bloomer, Allen Collins, Gene Gabianelli, Tom MacCrea, Jack Morris, George Sarner and Gill Shapiro on that beautiful occasion as their grandchildren Kelley C. Bloomer, Ross A. Collins, Eugene J. Gabianelli, Lela M. McCrae, Lucy E. Morris, Lauren C. Sarner and Jonathan S. Lewycky proudly accepted their hard-earned diplomas. Congratulations to all!


Byron Menides, chief financial officer of Global Poer Networks wrote in part that this was his 11th year as assistant Worcester Polytechnic Institute football coach and most likely his last. Byron, I’m certain your teams learned much more from you than only some X’s and O’s, and they too have gone forth with some of the some of the green stamped into their RNA.


Sadly I must end this by reporting the demise of our dear and beloved classmates Edward J. Quinlan, Gaylord W. Jones, George N. Nevers and E. Montgomery Robinson. On behalf of our class we send our heartfelt condolences to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


“In pursuit of excellence, Dartmouth recognizes with deep appreciation the extraordinary achievements of David Halloran ’53 as 2013 Class Webmaster of the Year.” The citation continues by enumerating all the wonderful aspects of the website, stating, in part, that it was heartwarming and inspiring. We expect nothing less from the most honored class in Dartmouth’s history. Add this to our sensational class newsletter, of which David is the editor, and one begins to appreciate the effort, love and commitment David has for our class and the College. Congratulations, David! President Allen Collins reports that the class itself garnered some well-deserved kudos. We hosted the highest number of classmates ever at a 60th reunion as well as the largest total attendance including spouses. We also now hold the record for the largest Dartmouth College Fund figure ever achieved at a 60th reunion, with a staggering, record-breaking participation percentage of 75.2 of our class.
And while we are recognizing awards, Bill Freedman called my attention to a dinner, the autumn leaves gala benefiting two of New York’s premier not-for-profit, independent, enriched living communities for older adults, which was held at the University Club in New York City and at which Phil Beekman was honored with a lifetime achievement award. We salute Phil for all of his eleemosynary activities throughout his life.
Rummaging through a library looking for a book to read, I came across a volume titled Me and Ted Against the World. What drew my attention was the author, Reese Schonfeld. Though it was published in 2001 and would obviously not be considered news today, for me it was news. For anyone interested, it is a fascinating history of the founding of CNN. In it Reese transports us through the formation of the news network as it germinated from a far-out idea of his to the full-fledged, successful network it became. He pulls no punches as he relates all the machinations, wheelings and dealings and all the obstacles he overcame to bring CNN to what it was when he left the channel. I commend it as fascinating reading.
—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive; Jericho, NY, 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com



The fall is upon us, signaling exciting sports activity, Dartmouth night, Homecoming and the naming of our Classmate of the Year. This year our committee named two outstanding classmates for this distinguished honor. Put Blodgett and Allen Collins now join the ranks of those distinguished classmates who have previously been so honored. Allen is the only Dartmouth alum who has held all three of the following positions: president of the Alumni Council, president of the Association of Alumni and chairman of the Dartmouth Fund. Put has served our College, the greater Hanover community and the states of New Hampshire and Vermont as a woodsman, farmer, ecologist, ski racing official and artist. 


Congratulations!


Many thanks to Lore and John Dodge who hosted a fabulous maxi-mini-reunion at the spectacular Mount View Grande Hotel in Whitefield, New Hampshire. There were 28 attendees who enjoyed excellent weather and a wonderful program of golf, tennis, a super lecture on New Hampshire’s grand hotels and fabulous meals. In addition, Lore and John had a super barbecue at their home for the class.


Grafton County, New Hampshire, has named courtroom No. 1 in the Grafton County Courthouse the Hon. William Reynold Johnson Courtroom in his memory. A gifted and devoted jurist, a brilliant and humane individual, Bill served with distinction as an associate justice of the N.H. Supreme Court.


President Jim Yong Kim visited Donald Goss at his home. They discussed many different aspects relating to the College, with Donald offering President Kim his personal observations on a number of subjects. The visit continues to add to the already fast-growing perception of Dr. Kim’s grace, energy and determination to learn everything that he can about Dartmouth. 


Allen Collins’ granddaughter Katelyn Collins Parizeau ’10 co-managed the Big Green Bus in its vegetable oil-fueled 12,000-mile trip across the United States last summer. It sounds like great fun for a worthy cause.


Sadly I must relate the news of the death of our classmate Howard Elton Clark Jr. I offer our sympathy and condolences to his wife, Dona, and their children David, Suzanne and Brian.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Neil Isaacs has added two new books to his already not unimposing bibliography. His new novel, The Doaker’s Story, is all about sports and journalism and has received rave reviews. The other book is The Package and the Baggage, a guide for couples based on his 20 years of clinical experience. I expect to review them later on.


Cynthia and Dave Donovan have put the call out for their annual Ski ’53 Day. It will take place at Sunapee on February 10 with the downhillers meeting at the mountain at 9:30 a.m. Skiers and non-skiers will rendezvous at the Donovans’ home for après ski cocktails, adventure stories and fireside chats after which they are all off to an early dinner. Overnight guests are welcome at Chez Donovan. 


Cathy Callender once again organized the annual holiday luncheon at the Yale Club on December 16. Twenty people enjoyed a most convivial lunch. Fred Whittemore emceed the event as each participant was asked to offer to our classmates his personal comments and observations.


On the same day, in another venue, the Hanover Inn, another annual holiday luncheon was in full swing. Under the aegis of Bonnie and David Siegal, this gathering welcomed 40 guests, among whom was College president Jim Yong Kim. President Kim spoke of the financial state of the College. Donna Reilly arranged the entertainment, which consisted of piano playing by Dennis Thron’s son, David, who never disappoints, and a wonderful performance by Marita and Len Gochman, who created a hilarious skit in addition to rewriting “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music to fit the occasion. Four shopping bags of food and $350 were raised for the Haven and a good time was had by all.


The entire class offers its prayers and good wishes for the speedy and complete recovery of our president, John K. Springer.


Sadly I must report the deaths of the following: Douglas Cassel, Phil Elbert, Bud Orr, Sherwood Silitsky and Sid Widrow. I offer the sincere condolences of our class to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


As I write these notes admissions has just notified the applicants of its decisions for the class of 2014, so it is fitting that I recall the beautiful thing that the College did in 1949. It recruited and put together a class of young men who, 61 years later, are still fulfilling their not unimpressive potential by providing leadership to the College and to our society, something they have supplied during this entire span of post-college years. It is appropriate therefore that on May 25 there will be a dedication ceremony at Thayer Hall at which time Thayer will be rededicated and named the Class of 1953 Commons.


Speaking of leadership, Chuck Reilly has been elected to the prestigious Stephen F. Mandel ’52 Society. Dartmouth established this society in honor of Stephen F. Mandel ’52 to recognize volunteers who provide visionary leadership in raising gifts for Dartmouth through the Dartmouth College Fund. Congratulations, Chuck. You have inspired and shepherded our class through some of its finest years.


Vice President Allen Collins has ascended to the presidency of our class, assuming that role because of the very premature and sad passing of John Springer. Allen is as experienced a leader as there is, having served as president of the Alumni Council, president of the Association of Alumni, chairman of the Dartmouth College Fund for the entire College for two years and chairman of our 50th reunion. Lots of luck, Allen, in your endeavor to lead our class as it continues its record of excellence.


Congratulations to Jeanne and Dave Replogle on the election of their son John ’88 to the board of trustees of the College. It is exciting to have a scion of our class carry on the legacy of Bob Douglass, Dick Lombard, Bob Henderson and Andy Sigler, who previously served as members of the board of trustees.


With great sadness, I must report the deaths of Robert L. Chiesa, Dan C. Dutcher, John B. Huck, Thomas C. McBride and George D. Weston. On behalf of our class I offer our sincere condolences to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Fran L’Esperance has sent me word of a special award he has received. The Rank Prize for Optoelectronics was presented to him at a lavish ceremony held at the Royal College of Physicians in London on February 8. The event was attended by a number of members of the British Peerage. Fran, who is a professor of clinical ophthamology at Columbia University School of Medicine, began the first FDA-approved trial of corneal surgery using photorefractive keratectomy, the predecessor of today’s LASIK corrective eye surgery. Because the individuals whom he treated experienced severe discomfort he adapted another procedure in which the cornea was incised without disturbing the outer layers and the mid-cornea was treated directly with the excimer laser to correct the refractive error. He named this procedure Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratectomy. One million people are treated with LASIK in this country every year. The Rank Prize is considered by the British to be the world’s most outstanding award in optoelectronics and England’s response to Sweden and Norway’s Nobel Prize. Congratulations, Fran!


Harlan Fair is employing his knowledge and skills to better the human existence by working with Engineers Without Borders as a member of a team who have expertise in engineering, hydrogeology and public health. He has undertaken a project to secure a reliable and safe drinking water source in Puerto de Valle Guanajuato, Mexico, a small village. It obtains its water from an unreliable community well, one apparently with an excess of coliform bacteria and nitrates, as well as various minerals including an excess of fluorides. The project requires taking water samples and having them analyzed as well as designing and building a new water source while educating the local populace as to its need and its ultimate worthiness.


Tom Bloomer and Bonnie Siegal are scheduled to meet with our College executives to discuss the results of their class survey on bonding. They have acquired by expert analysis some interesting information, which we hope will be useful to other classes. Well done, Bonnie and Tom!


Sadly I have to report the death of Fred Walsh. We offer sincere condolences to his wife and daughter.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


I enjoyed a very interesting evening last night, virtually spending it with the totally dysfunctional Eugene and Coppola O’Neill and his two sons. I owe that wonderful experience to a play by Lars Loren, the noted Swedish playwright. I read that play, And Give Us the Shadows, and another, Autumn and Winter, in a book by Marita Lindholm Gochman in which she accomplished the difficult and exacting translation from Swedish to English. Even more than that, her work involves the conveyance not only of all words but also the communication of the subtleties that Loren has expressed in Swedish to an American audience in English. Marita has worked with Loren for 30 years translating his works into English. And to top it off, when the play was produced, the lead actor became ill and our illustrious thespian Len Gochman stepped into the breach and proceeded, without any rehearsals or preparation as an understudy, to perform brilliantly. Bravo to both of you!


’Tis the season for our annual Christmas parties, and we did not disappoint. Thirty alumni, wives and widows came to the Yale Club in New York City to enjoy a lovely luncheon. President Al Collins welcomed us and Fred Whittemore delivered one of his poignant poems. Cathy Callendar, along with an assist from Bob Malin, arranged the luncheon. The writer is especially happy that the piano was arranged at no cost to the class. The successful team of Charlie Buchanan and Phil Beekman previewed the coming maxi-mini to be held in Philadelphia, the final details of which will be announced shortly. And at Murphy’s in Hanover 22 of our group convened to celebrate the season and to enjoy each other’s company. Many thanks to Bonnie and Dave Siegal for making the arrangements for this event.


In this happy time of the year we appreciate our good health and longevity as we mourn the loss of the following classmates: John L. Runyon, Hazen V. Hatch, William H. Barlow and Raymond S. Alexander. I offer the condolences of our class to their families at this time.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Billed as the sensational 60th, our 60th class reunion surpassed its billing in every regard. Harlan Fair’s efforts along with Allen Collins and their group of volunteers during the past two years produced a wonderful event for everyone who was fortunate enough to attend. Fred Stephens and his committee encouraged 121 classmates—a record for 60th reunion classes—to attend, bringing the number of attendees including wives and widows to 216, another record. At the same time Ron Lazar, assisted by Bill Chamberlin and his gang of 40, inspired a gift from 72 percent of our classmates for another record contribution to the Dartmouth College fund of $600,000.53.


There were superlatives all around. Len Gochman produced and directed and spoke at a beautiful and memorable memorial service ably assisted by Ron Lazar and John Kennedy. Poignantly, the chair usually occupied by Donald Goss remained empty.


We met on Monday night at Sarner Underground, a beautiful new facility, the funds for which were donated to the College by George Sarner. I must say that spending a good part of our reunion in the 1953 Commons as well as Sarner Underground provided for me a very special feeling.


Bob Simpson organized a golf outing for 15 while Jody and Jack Zimmermann set up tennis for eight. Six classmates and two wives made it to the summit of Mount Moosilauke led by Put Blodgett, and several others made it to the halfway mark. Remarkable! Bonnie’s busses were once again invaluable.


Our class meeting in Moore Theater was wonderful, kicked off by the Aires, who presented an array of Dartmouth songs, and followed by a talk by Christienne Hardy Wohlsforth. All business was accomplished in an hour, as President Collins moved everything along with dispatch.


A limit on words prevents me from naming everyone in the class and in the College who were responsible for making this event so wonderful.


With great sadness, I report the passing of classmates Mario “Buzz” D’Avanzo, Overton Tony Chambers II, Ted Spiegel, Oliver Conover, David Stiff and Joseph Parker. We offer our most profound condolences to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Dreams, creativity and enthusiasm are neither lost nor dulled with time. Retired Marine John Joy, living in a home he built himself, continues to fulfill his dreams. After retiring from teaching at the University of North Carolina, where he taught theater to a multitude of aspiring actors among whom is Tony Award-winner Beth Leadel, John returned to his roots and moved back to his ancestral region near Buffalo, New York. There he acts and teaches acting in a most unusual company, the Torn Space Theater, a group that seeks out unusual venues in which they can create a total harmonic theatrical experience between the dialogue, the sets and the very venue, all of which engender an active intellectual as well as emotional response to its productions. John is preparing to play in a yet-unnamed production that will take place in an abandoned Catholic church and will run from August until February. His past credits there include the role of Hagg in Samuel Beckett’s End Game, for which he was nominated for the equivalency of a regional Tony. John is thoroughly enjoying pulling together all of his talents, energies and dreams.


Peter Bridges is another classmate who continues his involvement in those areas of his interest and passions. When he is not climbing mountains, he writes books and shares his wealth of knowledge about international affairs. Once again, while visiting his beloved Rome, Mary and Peter visited their son Andrew ’92 and wife Maury ’92 and their son Roland in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. While there Peter gave a lecture on failed states at the American University in Kosovo. He writes that the university has an agreement with Dartmouth that will bring Dartmouth students there to study as well as some faculty members.


Bonnie and Dave Siegel have announced a partial schedule for mini-reunions this fall: Colgate, Nancy Johnson; Penn, Donna and Chuck Reilly; Columbia, TBA; Cornell, Bonnie and David Siegel; Princeton, TBA.


I must close with unhappy tidings once again. We mourn the loss of our classmates Bradford Edgerton, Karl G. McGhee and Robert L. Lambert and offer our class’ sympathies to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Our mantra today remains unchanged. It is and has always been to offer our best to our society, to create, produce, engender, launch, institute, design, devise—you get it—provide leadership in every sphere. In that regard president Allen Collins offers congratulations to the entire class for our performance in the 2011 Dartmouth College Fund. Our participation at 72.1 percent was a new non-reunion record for our class. Although we concentrated on performance this year, our dollar achievement was the highest since our last reunion. Our success this year came not only from the consistent supporters of more than five decades, but many of you stepped back into the fold to help us achieve our personal goal. Thanks to all of you and welcome back to many of you. The class and the College appreciate your involvement.


He continues. In late July Bob Simpson and I toured the nearly completed 1953 Commons. It is spectacular. A far cry from the tin trays and the occasional food fights of more than 50 years ago. By the time you read this article we will have enjoyed the dedication on September 9 and the class reception and banquet following the ceremonies. The main theme was profuse and ongoing thanks to the class of 1953 for its vision and resourcefulness in making the transformation of Thayer Hall possible.


Speaking of leadership Brock Brower, a leading intellectual and author since his college days, continues to add to the treasury of American literature. He has been working on two new novels. Overbrook Press is republishing his 1972 novel, The Late Great Creature, which was originally published in 1971 and was nominated for the National Book Award. His novella, Blue Dog, Green River, was published just a couple of years ago. We look forward to those two new ones, Brock!


Very sadly I must announce our classmates who left us this past month, and for whom we unabashedly mourn. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of Peter Wagner, John Thim, Stanley Jackson and Donald Bacher and acknowledge their contribution to the rich history of our class.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


In a year when most of our classmates have achieved octogenarian status, the energy, spirit and production of our class remains high with a large number of us still actively engaged in productive pursuits.


For instance, the Hon. Peter Bridges reports, “In October [2011] I had an interesting trip to the Republic of Georgia. I was invited to lecture at universities in Kutaisi and Tbilisi after the Georgians learned that the officer from the American embassy in Moscow who accompanied John Steinbeck to Georgia in 1963 was still on earth. I also discussed early contacts between Georgia and America, beginning with an American who visited Tbilisi in 1804, when Georgia had just lost its independence to Russia. Today, both government and people are keen on developing contacts with us. My host had just come back from eight months at the University of California at Santa Cruz.


“I also spent two days in the region of Svaneti, which features mountains higher than the Alps and old towers, not to defend against invaders but because of blood feuds. The road into Svaneti has been rebuilt, and in hopes of attracting more tourists the government is repairing the old towers and building new guest houses. I want to go back and do some hiking in Svaneti. Anybody interested?”


With a year and one half to go before our 60th reunion, president Allen Collins has appointed Harlan Fair chairman of the reunion committee. Harlan is hard at work organizing the most exciting 60th reunion yet. Please make sure to save the dates: June 10 through June 13, 2013.


On the other hand, such longevity status brings with it the loss of classmates whom we hold dear. We never become inured to this situation so it is with great sadness that I acknowledge the following classmates who have left us recently, and offer the sincere condolences of the class to their families. They are Richard L. Core, Walter Rod Jennings, Karl G. McGhee, Dudley R. Williams, Frank G. Willard, John E. Crisp, Harvey W.F. Mason, Peter S. Spalding, Clifford H. Rusch, James A. Rose, Gilbert S. Osborne, Frederick Chase Jr., Chester F. Caswell Jr.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Almost 60 years removed from our years on the Dartmouth campus, we ’53s continue to take the challenge that President Eisenhower laid before us at graduation as we continue to make worthwhile contributions to our society.


John C. “Jack” Zimmermann has worked on a solution to one of our nation’s biggest issues. How do we improve graduation rates among at-risk inner-city students? The Jones-Zimmermann Academic Program is a proven path to getting below-grade middle school students back on track to graduate. In place now for 10 years via three university/inner-city scholarships, they have produced an astounding 85-percent graduation rate.


Additionally, David Godschalk,the Stephen Baxter Professor Emeritus at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has co-authored a book titled The Dynamic Decade, which tells the story of the sweeping makeover of the 200-year-old campus of UNC. Six million square feet of new buildings were constructed and a million square feet of historic buildings were renovated during one vibrant 10-year period. To make this massive growth work required bold thinking, to which Dave was a major contributor. The book offers valuable lessons to all concerned with sustainable university growth.


Once again the class with the most reunions in Dartmouth’s history enjoyed two wonderful holiday parties. Thirty-four gathered at the Yale Club in New York City on December 12 and 21 at the Parker House in Quechee, Vermont, on December 13 to renew friendships, exchange stories, adventures and successes, and enjoy rekindling relationships that have endured 64 years since we first met as freshmen in the fall of 1949. Many thanks to Cathy Callendar and Bob Malin in New York and Bonnie and Davie Siegal up in Hanover for making all the arrangements. Speaking of reunions, have you signed up yet for our sensational 60th? Great plans are afoot to make this reunion the most interesting, the most exciting, the most compelling, the most restful and the most enjoyable ever!


With sadness I note the passing of three of our classmates; Pierce Law, Robert Yates and Albert Murphy, and offer our sincere condolences to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


’Tis the season! It’s 20 degrees outside and the wet Long Island winds are letting me know that it is winter. The holidays are upon us. Admissions has spoken, at least as far as the early-decision candidates are concerned, and our first-year students are home for their first holidays enthusing over their first term at Dartmouth. In Hanover about 30 arrived at the Hanover Inn for our class Christmas party. Under the aegis of Donna Reilly the event was orchestrated by emcee Chuck Reilly. Our guests were treated to a lovely meal and a piano performance by David Thron, Dennis Thron’sson. Government professor Linda Fowler held them rapt as she dissected the recent election and tried to make sense of it for everyone. President Allen Collins spoke and the guests brought food and goodies for the Haven, an annual tradition.


Back in New York Cathy Callender organized, with the help of Bob Malin,a wonderful holiday party at the (Yale) Dartmouth Club. Twenty joined together in a upbeat event in which everyone, each in turn around the huge table, spoke of his activities and interests. Fred Whittemore, our emcee, read a delightful poem of his own. Larry Barnett made it all the way from Spain, out-traveling Floridian Bob Malin and Philadelphian Ray Alexander.We welcomed to our group a newcomer, Bob Morris, who told us of his activities as an obstetrics/gynecology professor. He spoke of studying and trying to help reverse the downward trend of men in his field. He also spoke of the successful stem-cell implant performed for his heart. Nathan Burkan related his interests in the Civil War and how he helped found the Civil War Forum of metropolitan New York, an organization that meets each month to discuss various aspects regarding the Civil War. There will be more to come regarding these classmates’ activities in our class newsletter.


Sorrowfully, I have to report the demise of Richard Lerner, and offer the condolences of our class to his wife, Carol, and their children.


Our best wishes for a healthy, happy and peaceful 2011!


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com 


What age and time could not accomplish, Mother Nature attempted. She almost succeeded in derailing our annual ski day at the Donovans’ by provoking an untoward storm just one day before the event. This storm, certainly unique for this year, precipitated a postponement of the day for one week due to hazardous road conditions. Twenty-four had originally signaled their participation in at least some portion of this event prior to the storm; one week later 17 stalwarts mushed out to the Donovans’ seeking exercise, mirth and camaraderie. They were not disappointed. Partygoers were Marion and Put Blodgett, Mitzi and Fred Carleton, Bill Chamberlin, Russ Cook, Cynthia and Dave Donovan, Ann and Harlan Fair, Barbara and John Kennedy, Barbara and Alan Newton, Marilyn Paganucci, and Bonnie and Dave Siegal. Some skied, more sated themselves with après ski cocktails and a lovely dinner at Lake Sunapee Country Club.


Harlan Fair,our chairman, writes that plans are being finalized for our 60th reunion, June 10-13, 2013. Activities will be centered around the Hanover Inn corner, with reunion headquarters being the Paganucci Lounge of the Class of 1953 Commons. Breakfasts and one of our banquets will be in the ’53 Commons. Newly renovated New Hampshire will be our residence hall. The Hanover Inn, also recently renovated, is perfectly located for our events. We will reserve rooms at the available hotels as needed. We have scheduled events at other significant newly constructed buildings on campus: the 1978 Life Sciences Building and the new Black Family Visual Arts Center. We are planning some interesting seminars in addition to our usual impressive memorial service, hiking on Moosilauke, and lunches at Tuck, the Medical School and Thayer.


Dave Halloran reported via Bert Melcher that Hank Edler was to be honored at the Colorado Governor’s Mansion on April 18 for his steadfast and outstanding contributions to the Dartmouth Alumni Association of the Rocky Mountains (DARM). The honor came in the form of the Wheelock Award for Lifetime Service to DARM. Hank is the second-ever recipient of this prestigious honor, which was bestowed unanimously on Hank by the club’s board, according to its president, Dr. Ray Gottesfeld ’73.Way to go, Hank!


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com


Peter Bridges, a career diplomat and former ambassador to Somalia, has authored a new book. He has written two other books as well as more than 70 articles that deal with history and diplomacy. He discussed and signed copies of his new book, Donn Platt: Gadfly of the Gilded Age, at the Library of Congress. It is a biography of Donn Platt, whose many interests led him to work as a diplomat, journalist, humorist, poet, playwright, Army general, strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln and critic. Through Platt, Peter is able to convey much of the corruption and injustice of the Gilded Age. Ray Alexander—who hasspent his entire career in the healthcare profession as a CEO of Mt. Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a teacher at Wharton, Columbia and Wisconsin Medical School Hospital; a commissioner of health and medical insurance for the New York City Department of Health; and an author of many articles relative to this field—has written a book titled Risk Management in Healthcare Institutions. Both books offer the wisdom of their authors’ experience as well as their scholarship. Almost 60 years out and still contributing. What a class!


Harlan Fair reports that our sensational 60th is coming along well. Fred Stephens and his crew have more than 100commitments so far. Come join us. After 60 years we know how to do it right! You’ll have a great time. We also know holiday luncheons. There will be one on December 16 at noon at the Yale Club in New York City and one on December 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Parker House in Quechee, Vermont. Look for more detailed information in our ’53 Out.


Allen Collins was proud to accept an award on behalf of the class from the College at Class Officers Weekend. The award read, “In Pursuit of Excellence: Dartmouth College recognizes with deep appreciation the extraordinary achievement of the Class of 1953. Special recognition for strong efforts in building and maintaining class community.”


Sadly I report the passing of our classmates Philip Fenton and Richard Dosik, and offer the class’ most profound sympathies to their families.


—Mark H. Smoller, 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com