Class Notes 1978

First, some news: John Brenner has an “intriguing” second act as senior vice president at CVS Health, overseeing enterprise litigation. “Just as I was beginning to get the hang of retirement,” he wrote. Congrats, John!

Fifty-odd years ago, we got “The Letter”: our Dartmouth acceptance. I asked for memories in 25 words or less.

“Ecstatic,” “elated,” “excited,” and “absolutely thrilled” came up (Susan Kepes, J. Michael Brennan, Rich Sinnott, David Master, Brooks Clark, Rick Beyer, Therese Ojibway, Jim Lattin, David Hathaway, Nick Sakhnovsky, Bill Cunningham).

So did “relieved” (Craig Douglass, Brian Litscher, Amy Simon Berg) and “gratified” (Will Fraizer).

Walter Malmquist got the letter after morning assembly at school and “enthusiastically mouthed ‘Oh yeah!’ while exhaling to the pit of my stomach.”

Hamp Bekarian had to wait two extra weeks for international mail to arrive in Lebanon, but “it was worth it.”

“When life began,” Geoff Crew wrote, “suddenly nothing to really stress over.”

“A tremendous glow and a profound feeling of thankfulness,” wrote Dave King.

Jim Mizes: “Tears of joy and immense pride; my parents beamed and then worried about how we would pay for it.”

David Wright “literally jumped in the air in exultation.”

Lisa Kaeser “skipped class to drive to post office, opened letter in lobby, drove home to call Dad, then to school, where I pounded on my brother’s chemistry classroom to tell him.”

Cay Wieboldt Kendrick “burst into Mom’s sewing group, waving the letter and yelling, ‘I got in!’ ”

Todd Hemphill: “Principal walked up and told me. I ran through the school halls screaming.”

Doug Brown “drove to the commuter train station to pick up Dad while flying a ‘D’ sweatshirt from the car’s antenna.”

Kevin Hoffman: “Mom came to swim practice and announced that I ‘got mail today.’ The envelope had been steamed open and badly resealed. Her smile gave it away.”

Jack Reeder “circled the neighborhood in my VW Beetle to intercept the mail, a cream-colored envelope with a beautiful green return address. My heart was racing as I tore it open.”

Christine Hughes noted “the most lovely, deep, forest shade of green. I’ve been in love with that color ever since.”

Todd Baker “pulled out my white Dartmouth T-shirt with the green collar and green tab. It felt great.”

Harvey Weinberg “headed to Hanover with Dad soon after. We bought green and red Dartmouth T-shirts. Why were they selling red shirts, and why did I buy one?”

Sharon Lee Cowan: “The envelope contained information about freshman trips. Since I needed money more than a hike up Moosilauke, I resigned myself to working that week. Dumb decision.”

And the letter itself? Bill Buonanno says, “I framed it!” Jeff Miller did too: “It endures along with the memories.”

Dave Casper “brought it back to ‘Western Civ’ class at Whitefish Bay High School. My teacher went to laminate the letter—still have it.”

Jon Keeve sums it up: “Very excited to be accepted, though I could not have imagined how it would change my life.”

Send news!

—Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com; Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com
 

It’s mailbag time—and yes, it’s still a mailbag even if nothing came in by actual mail. I’m old school. The year 2023 was the “Summer of Love” for our class. Timothy Patrick-Miller and Patricia Molina wed in May on the island of Bonaire, Netherlands, where they live. That’s technically spring, but “it’s summer year ’round here,” Tim points out.

Rick Kimball and Rose Repetto were married in July in Pebble Beach, California. “Smallish wedding but a small Dartmouth crew,” Rick wrote before the event, “Rick Spier, Ed Hill, David Dietze, Dave Clark ’76, Mark Weld ’76, Milton Harsh ’76, Peggy Tanner ’79, Ellie and Phil Laughlin ’88, and daughter Jaki Kimball ’16.” He added, and I sincerely hope this is now out of date: “I haven’t yet figured out the honeymoon!”  

Scott Marber writes: “Born out of a pandemic where we’ve been together 24/7/1095, I’ve married the love of my life, Elizabeth [Simon]. It’s taken me two-thirds of a lifetime and two previous marriages to wrap my arms around what deep love is and how to be a good partner. If you’re lucky enough to find someone made for you after you find out who you are, grab them and don’t let go. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Thanks for those thoughts to keep us warm through a cold winter and best wishes to the happy couples.

In other news, Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, was quoted in a recent New York Times article about the color pink, pegged to the new Barbie movie. “Pink is the most controversial color in fashion history,” said Steele, author of Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color. “It has so many contradictory meanings. It has fully entered our bloodstream like a virus and now different variants keep emerging.”

Fashion, history, and science: the liberal arts education on display. Thank you to Steve Strauss, newly appointed Eastern Seaboard correspondent for Class Notes, for that item. Steve will be keeping his day job as executive director of the Empire State Passengers Association—“a volunteer network of citizens, founded in 1980, constantly working to improve and expand Amtrak and public transit services across New York State.” Whew.

I leave you with a lovely note from Alvaro Saralegui on the theme of keeping in touch. “Not long after Covid began a group of ’78s, all members of Heorot, had a Zoom call to catch up,” Alvaro writes. “Two years later we are still meeting—weekly. We were not confident when this virtual ‘house meeting’ began that a weekly cadence would last nearly this long. The attendees change but the individuals with the best attendance records include Rich Lougee (founder), Stu Boyd, Andy Cutler, Tripp Peake, Doug Bradley,David Dietze, John Harvey, and myself. Interestingly, after doing some research through alumni records, we realized that this group also had the worst class attendance records when they were undergraduates.”

It’s never too late. Send news!

—Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com; Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Thank you for the wonderful stories of your most meaningful travels, sent in response to my call. It’s a secretary’s challenge to do them justice, so let’s get started.

But first, some news: Gerry Widdicombe has been named chief financial officer of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District, which oversees a 138-block area of the nation’s capital, including more than 500 properties and 24 acres of parks and open space. Gerry has served as the group’s director of economic development during the last 20 years. Congrats, Gerry! And thanks, Steve Strauss,for sending.

Now, ’round the girdled earth we roam.

Jim Mizes writes: “So blessed to regroup with Frank McNerney, Drew Breen, and Buck Kelly last fall in Sunriver, Oregon.”

Geoff Crew writes: “Dashing off to yet another visit to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Observatory in northern Chile…black holes and all that—66 big radio telescope dishes at 5,000 meters in one of the stranges places on the planet.”

Wendy Muello writes: “Maggie Fellner Hunt and I went to Cuba on the Dartmouth alumni travel tour in March. It was six days full of art, history, and culture, including a tobacco farm and cigar-making lessons. We got a good sense of life in Havana through the years of feast and famine and of the hopes and dreams of young artists and performers there.”

Doug Benham writes: “My wife, Diane, and I spent February in New Zealand, a major bucket list destination for me for a while. We rented a camper van, did a lot of hiking and some kayaking.”

Don Hunton and his wife, Nancy, made their long-planned trip to New Zealand a few months later: “This may be a ‘small’ country by some measures, but in terms of its vast beauty it’s a very large small country.”

Duane Peterson visited Hiroshima, Japan, this year. “I’ve been an anti-nuclear activist my whole life, and I finally got to the site of the first atomic bombing and heard firsthand from folks who suffered that catastrophe. Now I’m again working to keep the memory alive to prevent humans going there again.”

Barbara Dau writes: “Moab, Utah, in the spring or fall earns the description ‘Awesome!’ The red and yellow sandstone canyons and arches surrounding this hip town are a hiker’s paradise that will make you wish you had been a ‘rocks’ major.”

Bruce Davidson’s most memorable trip was in 2018, to Antarctica—“the only place on the planet without countries, currency, or weapons!” Also along was a group of Buddhist monks, “whose daily prayers for world peace also brought us fabulous weather.”

Marc Brovender and his wife, Mary, after a tour of southern Iceland last August, spent lastNew Year’s Eve in Reykjavik for “three great days (albeit very short ones) of scenery, museums, beer, bonfires and fireworks, beer, and absolutely phenomenal meals.”

Karen Kurkjian writes: “My most memorable recent trip was two weeks in Alaska last summer to hike, bike, and visit our daughter who was working there. Still plenty of wilderness left there—gorgeous!

And we’re just getting warmed up! More, much more, in the next issue.

—Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com; Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Class of ’78s continue to amaze, achieve, and represent. Huzzahs to Alfred Nicol, whose second act as a poet, after a career as a printer, is winning him renown. “Wiseblood Books has published my translation of Cent visions de guerre by Julien Vocance,” Alfred writes. The book, whose English title is One Hundred Visions of War, is a series of haiku written in the trenches in 1916. Some of the earliest haiku ever written in the West, these three-line poems “break all the traditional rules,” including the requirement that haiku speak of the beauty of nature, to “present images of the carnage and brutality of war, witnessed literally from ground level.” In his preface, Dana Gioia, former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, writes: “Alfred Nicol has restored a lost masterpiece to English-language memory.” Alfred and his wife, Gina DiGiovanni, live in Newbury, Massachusetts, in a renovated 1810 house with “room for our two granddaughters to run around in the yard.”

Congratulations to professor Michael Day, recognized as a Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Faculty. In addition to teaching rhetoric, composition (including the equivalent of “English 5”), digital rhetoric, and technical writing at NIU from 1999 to his retirement in summer 2022, Michael secured the university’s sponsorship and hosting of the Allerton English Articulation Conference, which advances standards for the teaching of college English. Retirement means, among other things, more time for travel and photography; check out Michael’s Facebook page for examples of his stunning work.

In the latest stop in a global business career, Peter Tagge has been living and working in Algeria since 2019 for the French multinational group Avril, managing a food processing unit. “There are daily challenges of all sorts, but overall very interesting and worthwhile,” he writes. Peter travels frequently to Romania, where he and his wife, Camelia, have family, and Watertown, Massachusetts, near where son David, 14, is at the Lycée International de Boston. “Unless anyone is specifically headed to Algeria to experience the Sahara Desert or multiple Roman ruins, I am a bit off the main track, but all classmates and friends passing through, please call!”

Maggie Fellner Hunt sent a beautiful photo of six great friends—Ann Hoover Maddox, Harriet Travilla Reynolds, Liz deMurga Spradling, Lissa Howell MacCallum, Heather Mayfield Kelly, and herself—taken last August against the magnificent backdrop of the Grand Tetons, near Maggie’s home in Jackson, Wyoming. “We hiked to Phelps Lake in Grand Teton National Park, floated down the Snake River, but mainly talked and talked (no surprise there),” Maggie writes. Watch our class newsletter for this and other images of ’78s at their best.

Finally, you have probably seen the flood of coverage about the 50th anniversaries celebrated last year, including the Native American studies program, Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, women’s athletics, and coeducation. Class of ’78s were involved in all of these, and I’m going to be reaching out to them to share their stories for a future column, so stay tuned.

Send news!

—Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com; Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Greetings, ’78s, and thank you for the flood of great stories you sent in response to my first plea for news. If this keeps up, the next six years are going to be a lot of fun.

Fresh off our 45th (okay, 44th) reunion in June, I asked you to riff on the theme of connection and reconnection. You had a lot to say.

Many of you wrote warmly of the “peaceful, easy feeling” of being with classmates you hadn’t seen in years. Vicki Smith and David Shoemaker gathered over reunion at Vicki’s home in Lyme, New Hampshire, with Jack Manheimer; Wendy Muello and her partner, Peter Gair; and David’s wife, Candace. “Our stories were shared with lots of love and the enthusiasm that comes with swapping tales with best friends,” Vicki wrote. David added, “So affirming to realize that, after not seeing each other for so many years, we’re still great friends and can pick up as if no time had passed.”

Bill Petit, who attended reunion with his wife, Christine, and their son, Bill, wrote that it was “fabulous” to see his freshman basketball teammate Sterling Edmonds for the first time since graduation: “still with a great smile and a freakishly fit physique!” Sterling and his wife, Regina, were attending their first-ever reunion thanks in part to Sharon Lee Cowan, who as a reunion volunteer had contacted Sterling and other McLane freshman dormmates to rally them. Sharon and her partner, Andrea Vincenzi, made the trek from Italy, their first reunion since our 25th.

Will Browning reconnected with Steve Bova, whom he hadn’t seen in 40 years, over lunch in June with their spouses and Will’s daughter, a Dartmouth ’22. Will and Steve first met in spring 1976 on the French language study abroad in Blois led by John Rassias.

Moving north was a recurring theme. Lynda and Mike Pittenger, who moved in 2020 to Cape Elizabeth, Maine, near all three children and six grandchildren, are also near old friends that they can see regularly, including Cindy and Bill Dexter, Cindy and Bob Gross, and Randi and Willard “Bollie” Bollenbach. Lynda retired last year and Mike consults on cybersecurity.

Jane Kirstetter Ingram reconnected at reunion with Martha and Mark Arnold, old friends from Chicago Booth business school. The Arnolds have just moved from New Jersey to Eastman in New Hampshire, not far from Lake Sunapee, where Jane and her husband spend time.

There were some regrets. “Didn’t attend [reunion]. Wish I had,” David Master wrote from Denver. “Miss Hanover and have only fond memories of four long years there.”

Jeff Miller and Harvey Weinberg also missed reunion, but they reconnected during the spring when Harvey contacted Jeff about fundraising. “Our conversation—Harvey’s voice has not changed at all in these past decades—immediately brought me back to all that was fun about those late 1970s,” Jeff wrote. “It confirmed my intention to be in Hanover for the 50th (as will Harvey) to celebrate what was and what is.”

Send news!

—Anne Bagamery, 13 rue de Presles, 75015 Paris, France; abagamery78@gmail.com; Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

On the cusp of our 45th (sort of) reunion I asked classmates, “What’s next?” and told them they had three words to respond. Here are the answers in the order received, with my occasional editorial comments in parentheses.

Anne Bagamery wrote: “Seize the day.” Steve Strauss wrote: “Travel, activism, learning.” Jim Mizes wrote: “Love, laughter, learning.” “Lenny Weiser-Varon wrote: “Colonoscopy.” (Two words short!) Brooks Clark wrote: “Into happy retirement.” (Brooks has just retired from the University of Tennessee.) Tom Castle wrote: “Grandkids visiting Florida!” Maggie Fellner Hunt wrote: “Family, friends, travel.”

Jim Lattin wrote: “Hemingway got six.” (Stop complaining!) Wilson Neely wrote: “Beat actuarial expectancy.” Mike Brennan wrote: “Work, sports, travel.” Vicki Smith wrote: “Time well spent.” Will Fraizer wrote: “Mentoring, teaching, and traveling.” Geoff Crew wrote: “No worries, hakuna matata!” Dan Galyon wrote: “Maintaining a pulse.” (Aiming high!) Melinda Kassen wrote: “Enjoy third act!” Kevin Hoffman wrote: “My best me.” Lisa Kaeser wrote: “We love New Hampshire!” Bill Petit wrote: “Time with son!” Sharon Lee Cowan wrote: “M.A. in art history.” Will Browning wrote: “Off to Mexico?”

Annie Kuster wrote: “Save the world” (Ambitious!) Steve Damron wrote: “Publish my book!” Lauren Tanny wrote: “Back to traveling!” John Jordan wrote: “Teaching ’23s leadership.” Steve Cuervorst wrote: “More chaos, naturally.” John Larson wrote: “Love, geology, work.” Mark Arnold wrote: “Pennsylvania-New Hampshire two-state solution.” Mary Thron wrote: “Thoroughly enjoying life!” Jim Friedlich wrote: “Death at 110.” Jack Reeder wrote: “Italy and Greece.” Harriet Schwartz Crew wrote: “Retire Geoff, travel!” Glenn Swartwout wrote: “My next book!”

Scott Axford wrote: “No, thank you.” (One curmudgeon in every crowd.) Wendy Muello wrote: “Learning, travel, purpose!” Amy Simon Berg wrote: “Time will tell.” Steve Ornstein wrote: “Gratitude every day.” Pierre Kirch wrote: “Veni, vidi, vici!” Peter Vaughn wrote: “Dartmouth fellowship period.” Cotton Smith wrote: “Carping more diebus!” Richard Hoeg wrote: “Grandkids, owls, nature!” David King wrote: “Retirement on horizon!” Richard Yocum wrote: “Failing my retirement.” Michael Yoshii wrote: “Retirement (sort of).” Burke Whitman wrote: “For common good.” Helen Lukash wrote: “Adventure, reflection, perspective.”

Bill Dexter wrote: “Play. Play more.” Judy Osher wrote: “Calm, caring, joy.” David Master wrote: “Love, work, knowledge.” Carol van Dyke wrote: “Hubby retirement, adventure travel, declutter.” (Stretching the boundaries, but we’ll allow it!) Anne Barschal wrote: “3-D animation.”

Funny, thoughtful, eloquent, and occasionally enigmatic: The class of 1978 44 years out.

Just received the sad news that John Mares passed away from pancreatic cancer last November. On behalf of the class, I want to express condolences to his friends and family. Look for a remembrance on the class website: http://1978.dartmouth.org/in-memoriam.

Finally, I had a chance to catch up with Fletcher Colcroft IV after many years. Fletch headed off to Sumatra shortly after graduation on a Rockefeller grant to study the rodent population there and lost touch with many classmates. He is currently working on a novel, a roman à clef based on a recent journey in his yacht, Occam’s Razor, down the Intercoastal waterway to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Rumor has it one of the characters is based on Lenny Weiser-Varon. “It remains to be seen whether that character will have legs or be yet another Fletch in the pan,” says Lenny. Stay tuned!

Send news.

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Here’s a ’78-at-45 reunion planning update from the virtual desk of the quartet coordinating the efforts of many, co-chairs Steve Adnopoz, Barb Kelly Hack,and Todd Anderson and class president Barbie Snyder Martinez.

“We present this update as the Omicron variant is just beginning to take hold in the United States, and even the experts at this point have no real idea where the pandemic is likely to go from here. So, with fingers crossed and faith in our ability to adapt as needed, we plunge ahead with planning the best damn 45th reunion possible for the class of ’78 this coming June! The dates are June 16-19, and the link to reserving your place(s) can be found on the ’78 class website at https://1978.dartmouth.org.

“Reunion festivities actually will begin a day early with a joint ’76-’77-’78 Moosilauke-palooza starting on Wednesday, June 15, that will include all the trimmings—Ravine Lodge meals (green eggs and ‘Talmadge fingers’!), bunkhouse overnight accommodations, the Schlitz movie, Doc Benton story, and, of course, a hike up to the Moosilauke summit. Thursday evening the class is invited to the idyllic riverside home of Drew Rockwell and Bartie Leber for a welcome-back reception—the third such gathering that Drew and Bartie have hosted. This truly is a don’t-miss opportunity to see the Connecticut River from a different and quite wonderful perspective—the perfect venue to shake off the rest of the world and slide into that ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling of ’78 at 45!’

“The rest of the weekend will include Friday lunch and a special presentation at the ’78 Life Sciences Center, Saturday picnic on Baker lawn with the classes of ’76 and ’77, the College’s alumni celebration and pyrotechnics display Saturday night, the inimitable Scott Axford leading us in our traditional—and incredibly meaningful—Sunday morning memorial service, as well as the ’78 golf outing, alumni row, and other College-sponsored activities sprinkled throughout the weekend. Tune in, turn on, drop out—just don’t miss it! We look forward to seeing you there!”

In other news Jan-Michele Lemon Kearny has been named deputy mayor of Cincinnati. She was appointed to the city council in 2020 and won a full term in November. “The election was my first run for office, and I finished first in a field of 35—that was a surprise to me!” Jan-Michele is also the owner of the Cincinnati Herald and the Dayton Defender, weekly newspapers aimed at the Black community. After Dartmouth she earned a master’s in counseling and consulting psychology from Harvard’s graduate school of education, as well as a J.D. from Harvard Law School, graduating in the same class as her friend, President Barack Obama. “Dartmouth is a big part of our lives: My daughter, Celeste, graduated with the class of 2019, and son Asher is a high school senior.” Jan-Michele plans to be in Hanover in June for the Black Alumni at Dartmouth Association reunion being organized by Ricki Fairlee.

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

I handed over a big chunk of this column to our esteemed class president Barbie Snyder Martinez. Here’s what she has to say.

“By the time you are reading this, many of us will (I hope) have gathered in Hanover, in person for the first time in nearly two years! Thanks to mini-reunion chairs Harriet Travilla Reynolds and Ann Hoover Maddox for coordinating a fun weekend and most of all to hosts Bartie Leber and Drew Rockwell for hosting us at their lovely home post-game! After several fun virtual mini-reunions with Mark Lennon, Marc Capobianco, and Valerie Steel, it was great gathering together at Dartmouth! If you have a talent, hobby or area of expertise you’d like to share via a virtual mini, please contact Ann at annhmaddox@aol.com.

“Speaking of opportunities to get together in person, save the dates June 15-19, 2022, for ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling: ’78 at 45!’ Plans are already in full swing, and, if past experience running a class reunion is any indication of things to come, with reunion ‘veterans’ Barb Kelly Hack, Steve Adnopoz, and Todd Anderson (with a combined six reunions between them) heading up our 45th (yes, I can do math and it will technically be our 44th) we’re all in for a great time! While most of the key positions on the reunion committee have been filled, there’s always room for more ’78s to join in. Maybe you are retired and have a little more time on your hands or can’t commit to a big role but want to help out. Please reach out to Barb at bkellyhack@gmail.com.

“The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of coeducation at Dartmouth and Chris Simpson Brent and Mary Kendall Brown are representing the class of ’78 on a committee planning events, including some during next June’s reunions for the classes of ’76, ’77, and ’78, the first three classes to matriculate women.”

Thank you, Barbie!

I asked Jim Lattin what’s going on in his life way out there on the left coast. His response: “Marilyn and I decided that after 18-plus months of Covid restrictions, it was time to attend to some deferred maintenance: having the house tented for termites, doing repair work (new windows and a new patio door), and some painting. We are learning (the hard way) about the impact of the pandemic on supply chains: New windows require a 26-week lead time and other materials are similarly unavailable either because factory supply chains are below capacity or shipments are held up off-shore waiting to be unloaded. I’m sure we are not the only ones dealing with this.”

As Jim thoughtfully notes, Covid has caused far worse problems for many. Still, it is fascinating to see all the unexpected ramifications it has had.

Send news.

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Did you know that Diane Boyer started skiing at age 4 and has worked for the family skiwear and active wear business for 49 years? “Pretty scary, right?” says Diane. “It started out as child labor.” I caught up with her in a recent episode of “’78 Conversations” (you can check out the video in the “Classmate News” section of our class website.) Diane has been president of Skea (Skealimited.com) since 1992. “I do a little bit of everything, from packing boxes to designing to handling finance—and that’s what keeps it interesting.” She lives in Vail, Colorado, which shut down early last spring after a Covid outbreak and has yet to bounce back. The pandemic made it a harrowing year for her business, but she used the opportunity to ramp up direct-to-consumer sales. Diane remains a passionate skier and outdoor enthusiast. She is actively engaged in promoting skiing for women and families and four years ago was inducted into Colorado Snowsports Museum Hall of Fame. A recently minted grandmother, she says she hopes to keep giving back to the sport and stay on the slopes. “My dream is to be able to enjoy the mountains and outdoors for as long as I can.”

After a highly successful career in advertising that culminated in being president and chief creative officer at Publicis, the fifth-largest agency in N.Y.C., Rob Feakins shifted course six years ago to found a consultancy called For All Humankind. (www.forallhumankind.com). He calls what he does “issue-raising.” Based out of Westport, Connecticut, he shoots and directs mini-documentaries for nonprofit causes and adventure companies. “I find the work constantly inspirational, whether filming former poachers turned entrepreneurs thanks to training or a homeless vet who earned two college degrees while sheltered with a charity or filming hospice caregivers trying to find a new normal after losing a teenage child. I find the struggle of life fascinating and often wonder if, raised in their circumstances, I would have overcome their struggles and persevered. I often think not.”

I saw Steve Bova in March on the 78th day class Zoom and was fascinated to hear about what he is doing. “At Tampere [Finland] University my research group is working on methods to leverage cancer genome evolution to benefit high-risk cancer patients. We are piloting a system in metastatic prostate cancer patients that attempts to straddle improved clinical trial practice and basic science research.” Steve currently spends six to eight months a year in Finland and the rest of the time working from home in Baltimore.

Good news for our upcoming 45th reunion. It’s on—in person! (You remember “in person,” don’t you?) The reunion is scheduled June 16-19, 2022. Yes, yes, math heads, that’s a year early. We will once again gather together with the classes of ’76 and ’77. Reunited and it feels so good!

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

As I write in December I wonder about the state of things as you read this. Have you had your vaccination? Did we turn the corner? Are we on the road to herd immunity? No way to know from this vantage point, but fingers crossed as the snow is melting and the flowers blooming that life is returning to normal for all of you. One good thing about 2020 was the positive attention that Frank B. Wilderson III’s book Afropessimism drew from many quarters.Blending groundbreaking critical and theoretical reflection with moving passages of memoir, the book was longlisted for the National Book Award and featured in The New York Times and The New Yorker. Covid-19 did not stop Frank’s international book tour. He “visited” four continents and gave more than 50 bookstore and university launch presentations. UC Irvine (where he works as chair of African American studies) named him a chancellor’s professor. This title is bestowed on professors who have demonstrated exceptional academic merit and whose continued promise for scholarly achievement is unusually high.

In the early days of the pandemic, looking for something to keep me from going crazy, I started a history livecast called History Happy Hour with my friend and fellow historian Chris Anderson. Well, lo and behold, we have now done nearly 50 shows, interviewing an amazing array of authors including Chris Wallace, Adam Hoschschild, Andrew Roberts, Hampton Sides, Lynn Olsen, and Susan Eisenhower. We broadcast weekly on the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours Facebook and YouTube pages. Jim Lattin has been a loyal viewer and a number of other classmates have tuned in as well from time to time. It’s been great fun, a yearlong history seminar. And its not too late to participate—all the programs are archived on the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours website (stephenambrosetours.com).

We have learned of the deaths of three more classmates. Dr. Jared Bremer of Newton, Wisconsin, died on October 8. Paul Johnson of Nashua, New Hampshire, passed away on August 1. Paul Nemcek of Prior Lake, Minnesota, left us on November 21. I want to express condolences to all their friends and families. Look for remembrances of them on the class website: 1978.dartmouth.org/in-memoriam.

Continuing on this somewhat uncomfortable topic for a moment: As you have probably noticed, we instituted a new policy this year of emailing the entire class every time a classmate passes away, both to make sure people are notified and to seek comments and thoughts for their remembrance on the in-memoriam page. I want to say thanks to class president Barbie Snyder Martinez for the work she has taken on writing these missives, to Brooks Clark for making sure they go out, and to web guru Dave Hathaway for making sure we stay current on the website. Your efforts are appreciated by all!

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Four classmate stories below in the time of Covid.

Things got crazy this spring for Frances Hellman,who wears multiple hats at University of California, Berkeley as a physics professor, staff scientist, and dean of the division of mathematical and physical sciences. “All my various jobs were managing to coexist until Covid happened, at which time my dean job multiplied about tenfold, worrying about remote teaching, international students, research shutdowns, helping staff and everyone else to work remotely. I am working seven days a week, long days, for months now, on Zoom calls continuously. It’s exhausting and not sustainable, but necessary right now. The good news is that I live in the Berkeley Hills, where my husband and I are able to take beautiful long walks almost daily.” Frances is currently vice president of the American Physical Society and will become president in 2022.

Philip Flink says,“I have been hiding out with my wife, Anne, and our four dogs during the Covid pandemic in Dorset, Vermont, and have absolutely no desire to travel anywhere else. It’s beautiful here, very little Covid, and people are still respectful of each other and remain vigilant. The family (including our first grandchild, born last November) comes and visits on occasion to add some spice. Whenever I get restless, I walk out my door and take a hike with my dogs in the surrounding hills and mountains. I have also managed to cut and stack multiple cords of firewood from all the storms this last year. I cheated, as my family bought me a hydraulic splitter last holiday season. It may not be for everyone, but works for me and, I hope, Anne.”

Rick Spier says, “Patricia tested positive for Covid-19 in early March. While she didn’t get seriously ill—no fever, shortness of breath, or cough, she was severely fatigued for about eight days. All the while, of course, she was worried that any moment might be the one in which she might go into a steep downward spiral, so the fatigue was compounded by extreme existential stress. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, although it took another five days for her to fully recover her energy. Since we were cooped up in the same house together, I presumably had it, too, but was completely asymptomatic.” Rick suggested I ask classmates who’ve had Covid-19 about their experiences—please feel free to share.

Jim Bullion says, “Ellen and I moved back to Hanover in January and bought a house out near Lyme, New Hampshire, in May. It’s wonderful to be back ‘home’! We are both still working so this isn’t retirement yet but it will be a great place to stay forever! Kids are doing great. Our middle girl, Callie, is heading to Afghanistan in October for a nine-month tour as an Army intelligence officer doing signal intelligence work. Our youngest, Kate ’16, Th’18, got Covid but kicked it off after about a week and is fine now. Let us know if you’re in Hanover!”

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

What will you no longer take for granted in 2021?

“Hugging,” writes Anne Bagamery. “I never realized how much that simple act meant,” agrees Scott Marber. “A handshake, hug, or kiss as a greeting,” says Marc Brovender. “From grandchildren to 93-year-old Mom!” adds Barbie Martinez.“Touch,” is Chris Hughes’ answer. “Sterling’s first grandchild is due in July. We so hope to be able to touch him.” For Amy Berg it is “being in a crowd,” while for Harriet Reynolds it is “the din of happy voices” in a playground. Helen Lukash and Jim Vailas point to in-person visits with friends—“whether with food and drink, outdoor fun, or a laugh or cry,” adds Melinda Kassen.

Travel and cherished activities top the list for some: “rowing” (Brooks Clark); “live performing arts” (Alan Reynolds); “spring skiing in Vail [Colorado]” (Diane Boyer); “going to the range with my son to hit practice balls” (Bill Petit); “being able to jump on a plane and go see my 97-year-old mom” (Jim Bullion); “international travel”(Doug Barham). Will Fraizer agrees, saying, “to travel when and where I want and to see parts of the wider world again.” Richard Heath cites “the ability to use any form of public transportation without taking some significant form of health protection.” Maggie Fellner Hunt says, “What I miss and will never take for granted again is the ability to make plans.”

“I will no longer take the flu shot for granted,” comments Carolyn Kelley Evans. “That I’ll even make it to 2021,” quips Rick Barrows.“The time that’s left,” says Robert Kaler. Lisa Kaeser writes that after 20 years at National Institutes of Health, “I shouldn’t be surprised by anything. But I will no longer take it for granted that if you do the studies and present the data, people will listen to scientists. (Lysol, really?)”

“The future” is Michael Elitzer’s laconic response. “The right to vote,” comments Neil McCarthy. “Civilization,” says Len Weiser-Varon. “Covid-19, relative to some of the historic pandemics, is fairly nonlethal. If something combining stealth transmission and greater harm to humans came along, all our know-how might not preserve us from calamitous depopulation.” Jim Lattin says he has a “newfound appreciation for the sudden perishability of abundance: how quickly the things that surround us and that we depend on can suddenly disappear from our lives.”

“I will no longer take for granted accurate and independent local news” says Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, parent company of The Philadelphia Inquirer and a 501c3 dedicated to sustaining local public service journalism. “Covid-19 has been a gut-punch to an already challenged local news industry. When I went to shelter with my family at our farm outside of Woodstock, New York, my beloved Woodstock Times announced it was ceasing publication. Dozens of publishers have followed suit. These past few weeks have reminded me just how fragile are these great American news enterprises and how vital their survival.”

Let’s remember!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Our 60s are a time of transition—and it’s not always easy.

Amy Simon Berg writes to say “My husband Eric died in 2017 after several years of suffering with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). ALS is a cruel disease and if any classmate or a loved one has the disease and wants to contact me, please do.

“On the more positive side, I retired from DuPont after 38 years and live in Pennsylvania near Wilmington, Delaware (and active with Dartmouth Club of Delaware). My daughters and I are rebuilding our vacation home in New London, New Hampshire, and I plan to spend more time there. Last summer I chatted with Mike Morgan at the bakery that he and his wife run in New London. Jane (Kirrstetter) Ingram, Jill (Eilertsen) Rogers, and I skied together last January in Maine. Kathy Maher and I visited True North Ales, the brewpub that Jill and Gary ’77 Rogers started in Ipswich, Massachusetts. By the time this is published, I will have returned from a six-plus-week trip to Australia and New Zealand and will be making plans for my next adventure!”

Sharon Lee Cowan retired a few months ago as head of communication for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Europe and Central Asia. She and her 16-year-old daughter, Masha, have relocated from Budapest back to Rome, closer to husband/dad Andrea Vincenzi. A family jaunt to Paris in November featured drinks at the home of Anne Bagamery and husband Bob Marino, capped by the de rigueur visit to the class of 1978 balcony!

Dave Taylor reports that he is winding down as a cardiac anesthesiologist in Rochester, New York, where he lives with his wife, Linda. His thumbnail update: “Beat back prostate cancer. One son is a married Ph.D. physicist in Dresden, Germany, the other is a microelectronics engineer in Cambridge, Massachusetts.”

It is my sad duty to report the death of two classmates. John David Shaw died in Hanover on August 1, 2019, and Athena “Tina” Robinson Randolph (married to classmate Tommy Randolph) died in Florida on October 15. My deepest condolences to their friends and families. Look for remembrances of them on the class website.

Dave Hov and wife Shaun Smith, now both retired, made a deep dive into WW II this summer, touring the D-Day beaches with retired British Gen. Graham Hollins as their guide. Dave brought a lengthy list of places to visit. “He looked at my list, sucked in his breath, and said, ‘We are not going to do all of this.” Nonetheless, they managed to cram quite a bit in. Then they visited champagne country, where they crammed in some bubbly as well.

The trip reminded Dave that as a high school senior visiting Bordeaux, he came across some old German grenades on a windswept beach near a bunker. “I threw them against the side of the blockhouse to see what would happen.” Nothing—but honestly, dude, it is amazing you ever made it to Dartmouth!

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

One of the joys of this job is discovering the incredible work being done by some of our classmates. I recently received a press release about an exhibition of truly striking nature photographs by Mark Lennon (www.marklennonimages.com). But his day job is what really blew me away.

Mark calls himself a matchmaker. He is founder and CEO of IRN—the Reuse Network. Every year IRN matches millions of pounds of surplus furniture from U.S. schools, hospitals, and companies with worldwide charities for disaster relief and economic development for needy communities.

When I caught up with Mark recently, he was on site in New Bedford, Massachusetts. “We are sending old furniture from the Boston Public Schools to charities in a bunch of different countries, on the order of 25 tractor-trailers of furniture.”

He was running a recycling cooperative in Concord, New Hampshire, back in 2002, when Boston University asked him to recycle a parking lot full of old dorm furniture because it couldn’t find an organization willing to take it. “We knew there had to be a better solution. So we started making calls to national and international nonprofits that provide relief and development on a national or global scale.” What he found was that there was lots of surplus furniture available, and lots of organizations that needed it, but no one to put them together. “Good furniture kept going into dumpsters, and kids kept doing schoolwork on wood planks.”

Lennon stepped up. Since 2002 IRN has shipped more than 6,000 tractor-trailers of furniture to charities around the world. Seventeen floors of furniture from Philadelphia shipped out to Nicaragua. A dormitory full of furniture from a Massachusetts college went to an orphanage in Haiti. Two hundred sixty pieces of furniture from an elementary school in New Mexico went to a primary school in northeast Kenya. “Classroom materials are solid gold to the charities we work with. They really concentrate on doing things for the children, and some of the pictures we have seen show kids working at desks made out of chunks of wood sitting on sawhorses. To replace that with these kinds of desks is really fantastic.”

Oh, and about Mark’s photography? He focuses on the natural world, offering different and sometimes startling ways to look at it. He says, “I don’t really care if my photographs are beautiful. I do hope they are arresting, in the sense that a viewer may pause and say, ‘Wow, that’s out there?’ And perhaps, after that, be a little more open to seeing and appreciating the marvels in the natural world that are all around us every day.”

Mark ended a recent email to me by saying, “Thanks for doing what must at times be a pretty thankless task.” Don’t let anybody in on my little secret—it’s not thankless at all when you come across stories such as this one.

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

There was no shortage of replies when I asked classmates about their favorite off-campus hangouts.

Top vote-getter: Peter Christian’s. The carrot cake clinched it for Neil McCarthy and Barnaby Levin. “The closest thing we had to the Oxford Ale House in Cambridge, Massachusetts,” said John Hugo. The best reason to remember PC’s with love came from Dee Flint: “Wooed my girlfriend, who later married me, over the cheese-and-bread board and dark beer.” So Libby Flint presumably has fond memories as well.

The Talley House in White River Junction, Vermont, was a close runner-up. David Master liked that “you could stretch a cup of coffee for hours without getting kicked out.” But it wasn’t the coffee that elicited the most comments. “Nothing like chili and a Moonlight—a.k.a. chili from Millie—at 4 a.m. Saturday to set the stage for pre-football Kappa Sigma burgers and beer,” wrote Rick Spier. “Where else could you get a chili Moonlight at 3:30 in the morning served by the Lizard Lady and sitting among Count Basie and his orchestra?” asked Rich Lougee. “Most of the details of these little side trips are not crystal clear,” admitted Jim Lattin. “For the record, I no longer eat my chili with mayo, no matter how much beer I’ve had.”

Joseph Sullivan favored the A&W: “Was it Mondays you could get hamburgers and hotdogs, five for a buck?” Walter Malmquist mentioned the Village Green. Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney frequented the Pizza Hut in White River Junction. “It felt like going to a five-star restaurant!” Paula Mcleod couldn’t quite remember the name of her favorite: “That restaurant on the side street with the extremely laidback (stoner) staff.” She asked if it might have been Hal’s. Anyone recall?

Top outdoor haunt was the Union Village Dam in Thetford, Vermont. “Nothing quite like skinny-dipping in Vermont on a hot summer’s day,” said Helen Lukash. That might explain why Michael Whitcomb says he “studied” for hours on end there. Other blue sky faves: The Skiway (Melinda Kassen), the sailing team boathouse (Isa McNamara), and Franconia Notch (John Larson). Sharon Lee Cowan fondly recalled a wooded area about half a mile from Hanover: “The water flowed over huge rocks, so you could sort of body-raft downstream.”

Last word on this topic goes to Gary Sobelson, who voted for the White River Junction bus station, “ ’cause a trip to there meant that my hometown honey, Carol, now wife of 40 years, was arriving in town. Of course, the Thursday or Friday trip was way more exciting than Sunday.”

In other news, a shout-out to Geoff Crew for his work on the Event Horizon Telescope team that recently came up with the first pictures of a black hole. Well done!

I recently received word that Doug Kubach passed away last summer. Condolences to his wife, Suzanne, and their three children. According to Doug’s obituary in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “His life’s work was improving education through innovations in technology and assessment.” It also mentioned that he hated the word “whilst!” Farewell, Doug.

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Marilyn and I had the pleasure of staying with Brooks Clark and his wife, Karen, when we were traveling through Knoxville, Tennessee, in October. Brooks arranged for me to speak about the Ghost Army at the East Tennessee Historical Society. The audience of 120 included classmate William Pender, who has been pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville for the last 10 years. William graduated with the ’77s and tends to hang out with members of that class for some unfathomable reason! Brooks just celebrated his fifth anniversary as project manager for alumni communications at the University of Tennessee, where he says he is using the Dartmouth alumni playbook to advantage. Karen is chief information officer for OrthoTennessee, which runs several orthopedic clinics in east Tennessee.

Working on the Class of ’78 Bunkhouse in May was an eye-opening experience, not in the least because it afforded me the opportunity to spend time with many classmates I barely knew or didn’t know at all as an undergraduate. I really enjoyed becoming acquainted with Tom DeCarlo,my work partner for the week. Tom and his wife, Hillary, live in northern Vermont, not far from the Canadian border. “We are still searching for the sweet spot for our semi-retirement years. We spend a lot of time with our animals (two dogs, two horses, two goats, and a cat) and taking care of 36 acres of forest and fields. And then there’s the gardens and Airbnb apartment that attracts many mountain bikers lured to our world-class Kingdom Trails.” Tom invites classmates to stop by for a visit, and adds that one goal for spring is to bike to Moosilauke, hike the mountain, and then bike back (not all in the same day!).

Mark Graber recently wrote to say he is determined to be the last member of the class still in the workforce. (You’re going to have some competition on that one, Mark.) He is a professor at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, where he focuses on constitutional law “and anything else in which ‘constitutional’ is used as an adjective.” He has not one but two books this year. He coauthored Constitutional Democracy in Crisis? which examines “the rather poor state of constitutional democracy around the world,” and wrote The Constitution of the Confederate States, which he has subtitled “Everything You Want to Know About the Constitution of the Confederate States and at Least 500 Pages More.” He is married to Dr. Julia Bess Frank, Harvard ’73, a psychiatrist at George Washington Medical School, and they have three adult daughters.

The big news in the life of the Beyers is that we have moved to Chicago, a city with 167 breweries. (That’s not the reason for the move, but it is still awesome to consider!) So the address at the bottom of the column has changed. Please use it to send news. Or come have a beer with us.

—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com

Writing this column is so much easier when people send news. So now I will hand you over to my correspondents.

Todd Baker: “I have accepted an appointment as a senior fellow at the Richman Center for Business, Law & Public Policy, a joint program at Columbia University’s business and law schools. As with my stint as a senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, I’ll be researching and writing about financial technology, financial services, banking, employer-based programs, and the financial challenges of low-income, working Americans. Diane and I will be splitting our time between Berkeley, California, and temporary lodgings in Manhattan.”

Ann Hoover Maddox: “Harriet Travilla Reynolds and I met up in Hanover for a long weekend, originally focused on a day of painting at our new Class of ’78 Bunkhouse. While that job was postponed, we were able to make headway on preparations for the bunkhouse dedication weekend, meet with the caterer, check out accommodations near the lodge, and meet with Tim McNamara (facilities manager for the College) for invaluable help. We had dinner with pal Nick Scheu, who runs a small garden design and maintenance business in New Hampshire and Vermont. His son, Sam, is in year four of vet med school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He plans to practice large-animal medicine back in Vermont and New Hampshire after graduation next May. Son Ben has begun a master’s program in athletic training, sports medicine, and education at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. While he completes his degree(s), he will be working principally with the ski team. Nick reports that, ‘Every day I am appreciative of the glories of working in nature and in my clients’ landscapes. A great life so far!’

“Nick directed us to one of his clients, Blue Loon Bakery in New London, New Hampshire, the latest adventure of classmate Mike Morgan and his wife, Laurie. Harriet and I were lucky enough to arrive just as a tray of butter croissants came out of the oven, as the bakery can hardly keep up with demand! Laurie is the talented baker behind this establishment, and Mike (who was about to head out in the great company van on a flour run) said they try to use local ingredients as much as possible, including coffee from a local roaster. Check out their Facebook page for mouth-watering photos and videos of pastries, breads, and pretzels (as well as Nick’s landscaping and window boxes). Mike and Laurie’s four children are thriving and help out when they can.”

Fritz Rohlfing: “My latest is that I have been appointed to serve as a director of the Atherton Family Foundation. The Atherton Family Foundation is now one of the largest endowed, grant-making private resources in the State of Hawaii devoted exclusively to the support of charitable activities. The website address of the foundation is www.athertonfamilyfoundation.org. My day job continues to be litigating business and real property cases in state and federal courts.”

Follow the example of these good folks and send news!

—Rick Beyer, 190 Bridge St., #4409, Salem, MA 01970; rick@rickbeyer.net

My last column reported on favorite hideaway study spots back in the day. But since I couldn’t cram (get it?) all your responses into that column, here’s some lagniappe!

Geoff Crew recalls “an ungodly number of hours sitting at a computer terminal on the third floor of Wilder.” Drew Baker got serious work done at Edgerton House, the Episcopal student center. “Pretty secure and good for the soul. Nobody ever suspected I would be there.” Valerie Steele wrote many papers at the Village Green. Maybe I served her there once! Ralph Blanchard studied in his room, despite the fact that there was always a risk of getting dragged into a hearts game. Jim Lattin could be found in the sociology lab in the basement of Silsby, while Walter Malmquist was on the third floor next to the soda machine. “No distractions, and the same favorite study place as the woman whom I would marry but had yet to date.” Which sounds like a distraction to me!

In other news, Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) has been honored by the Dartmouth Club of Washington with its 2018 Daniel Webster Award for Distinguished Public Service. I caught up with Annie recently at the home of Rob Gifford and Clare Sokoloff in Newton, Massachusetts. Annie was rocking Massachusetts Rep. Joe Kennedy’s baby to sleep and contemplating her upcoming hip surgery (now six weeks in the past). The occasion was a fundraiser that featured Kennedy as the main speaker. Other classmates in attendance included Chris Hughes, Ellen Meyer Shorb, and Peter Lewitt.

Peter was one of no less than four ’78s mentioned in the same New Yorker article back in April. Dan Reicher, Rob Portman,and Tony Anella were the other three. They probably never imagined that when they canoed the length of the Rio Grande back in 1977 that their adventure would end up in the pages of a national magazine 40 years later. The article opened with that long-ago journey but focused primarily on a Rio Grande trip Dan led this past winter for American Rivers, an advocacy group.

Congratulations to Mike Carroll, whose new novel Zero to Fifty is available in bookstores and online. “A light summer read set in Saint-Tropez and New York” is how Mike describes the book, adding with keen author insight: “The hardcover edition can also be used to weigh down a towel on the beach or as a substitute for charcoal when barbecuing.”

Finally, it is my duty to issue an official apology to Win Craven.In last month’s column, I reversed his first and last names and called him Craven Winfield. This clearly should be the name of a malicious banker in a Jane Austen novel and just as clearly is not one of our classmates. I’m sorry about the mistake, Win, and as sure as my name is Brick Eyer, I will never make another such error as long as I live.

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 190 Bridge St., #4409, Salem, MA 01970; rick@rickbeyer.net

In the waning days of 2017 I asked classmates to share highlights of the year. The resulting deluge was too much to squeeze into one column, but here are a few headlines.

Chris Hughes was one of many who ranked the reunion as one of the year’s highlights. Jim Friedlich reconnected there with his Butterfield neighbor and freshman advisor David Shribman ’76. They had plenty to discuss, since David is now editor-in-chief of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Jim is CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, parent company of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Drew Rockwell and Bartlet Leber enjoyed hosting the reunion party at their beautiful Norwich, Vermont, home. They also hosted the wedding of Ben Gifford (son of Rob Gifford and Claire Sokloff) to Sydney Thomashow.

Travels abounded. Jackie Kaiko visited Iceland with 29 Dartmouth women from a range of classes. Sharon Cowan traveled to St. Petersburg for the 50-year anniversary of a study-abroad program there. Carol Van Dyke made it to the Pyrenees and Provence, then biked the 200 kilometer Petit Train du Nord through Quebec. Ralph Blanchard, who has already run a marathon in all 50 states, made progress on his goal of running one in every possible continent, ticking Asia, South America and Oceania off his list. “All that’s left is Africa.”

Class authors were busy. Brooks Clark wrote Sally’s Genius. Valerie Steele came out with a revised edition of her book, Paris Fashion: A Cultural History. Jim DiNardo, chief of cardiac anesthesia at Boston Children’s Hospital, published his fifth textbook on pediatric anesthesia. I wrote Rivals Unto Death. Millard Coffin authored his first art catalog essay, arising from taking five artists on a two-month, sub-Antarctic research voyage. And Richard Hoeg joined the ranks of the published by contributing photos to a children’s book, But That Is Not Me!

Russel Petter launched a biotech startup. Steve Ceurvorst started a green energy investment fund. Geoff Crew continued to work with other scientists on getting the first ever photo of a black hole.

Anne Bagamery celebrated her daughter Caitlin’s master’s from University College London. Rick Kimball’s daughter Jacki earned her master’s in computer science digital arts at Dartmouth. Peter Kelemen’s daughter graduated from Reed College and is working and teaching on an organic farm. Jim Lattin had hip surgery on his 35th wedding anniversary, which he and his wife, Marilyn, now refer to as the “titanium anniversary.”

Audie “Tod” Lenagh Bakewell sent greetings from the heart of the Alaska Range with perhaps the most joyous news item of the year. After years of heartaches and disappointments, he and his wife, Jenny, have had their first child: Augustus Audubon Rodina Lenagh Bakewell. “We’re way at the nether end of the bell curve for parents’ ages for their first-born. But as good health and good genes run in both families, the two of us are expecting to shepherd this, our last best hope against the darkness, well through his formative years. Wish us well!”

We shall! Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 190 Bridge St., #4409, Salem, MA 01970; rick@rickbeyer.net

“Busted!” writes Ray Sweeney. “I thought I might manage to get through my entire career without a Class Notes entry!” Sorry, Ray, but nothing can protect you from your intrepid class secretary’s insatiable hunger for news! Ray was responding to a note I wrote after learning that he and Dean Richardson ’74 are co-chairs of the department of clinical studies at New Bolton Center, which is the equine and farm animal department of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “Dean is the chief of surgery and I am chief of medicine in the department’s teaching hospital for large animals,” writes Ray. “We both have been on the faculty here for over 30 years, working as clinicians in the hospital, doing research and training veterinary students.” Ray’s wife, Corinne, is also on the faculty at Penn Vet. “We have two kids (Ray and Corinne, very original) and one grandchild with another on the way!”

The illustrious Brooks Clark has penned a new book, his fourth by my count, including A Lifetime of Total Recall, a biography of his mother. This one, Sally’s Genius, tells the story of American University education professor Sally Smith, who founded the innovative Lab School in Washington, D.C. “My friend since kindergarten, Randy Smith, read my mom’s biography and asked me to write his mother’s biography,” writes Brooks. “I immediately said yes. It turned out to be a perfect M.F.A. project for my degree in nonfiction writing, which I received in December 2016. This is what I love to do—researching and connecting the dots of people’s lives. As I said to the American University alumni mag, every person I interviewed (including my older brother, Stocky) said, ‘Sally changed my life.’ ” Books by Brooks are available on Amazon.

The accomplished and generous class of ’78 set a new giving mark for a class celebrating its 40th reunion with donations totaling $6.19 million. And that doesn’t even include the $1,007,124 donated by 268 classmates for the 1978 Bunkhouse at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge ($92,876 to go!). Thanks to the donors and those who work so hard to manage these campaigns.

I reached out to our new class president Barbie Snyder Martinez to see what she plans for her term. She wants to continue Dave Graham’s emphasis on inclusion and reaching out to all members of the class, whether we knew each other during our undergraduate days or not. To that end, Barbie says, her themes will be “congregation, celebration and collaboration!” She aims to encourage ’78s to congregate formally and informally, to celebrate milestones together and to collaborate on how to handle Act 2 (or in some cases, Acts 3, 4, and 5) of our lives as we march through our 60s and beyond. Barbie wants to make the official class adjectives “accomplished and generous” to extend well beyond fundraising and into helping each other with the challenges we face through our 60s and beyond.

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 190 Bridge St., #4409, Salem, MA 01970; rick@rickbeyer.net

We came. We saw. We celebrated. Great attendance and energy at the class of ’78 40th (okay, 39th) reunion in Hanover. A few highlights: the climb up Moosilauke on the most gorgeous day imaginable, the lawn party at Drew Baker and Bartlett Leber’s lovely Norwich, Vermont, manse on the Connecticut River, a tour of the campus steam tunnels (a must if you haven’t done it!), the pop-up art exhibit put on by the classes of ’77 and ’78, an intriguing late-night book discussion hosted by Nick Sakhnovsky and Anne Bagamery and the class dinner on Saturday night on the lawn between McNutt and Robinson.

This reunion marked the end of Dave Graham’s tenure as class president. Those of us who participated in class officers conference calls cannot forget his constant concern with “distant and disaffected” classmates and how best to reach out to them. Give a rouse, give a rouse, with a will to someone who has served the class with great passion for the last seven years.

The king is dead. Long live the king! Or in this case, the queen. Barbi Snyder Martinez is the first woman to become president of our class. Barbi also happens to be the very first member of our class ever I met, at a dinner for incoming freshmen hosted by the Dartmouth Alumni Club of Rhode Island. She is a superb choice as class president, where her clear-eyed intelligence and sparkling enthusiasm will serve her (and all of us) well.

Now, something for math fans! “Although I majored in mathematics” writes Randy Shwartz, “followed by graduate study in pure math, only about 20 years ago did I seriously delve into the history and culture surrounding math. Since then I’ve become one of the relatively small number of specialists in the mathematics of the medieval Arab world.” Randy recently attended and spoke at the 12th Maghreb Colloquium on the History of Arab Mathematics, held at the University of Marrakesh in Morocco. “These conferences are small, reflecting the difficulties that people in developing countries face in this type of work. Many precious manuscripts have been lost or destroyed through the centuries and more are threatened by today’s violent conflicts in the region. My own presentation, ‘Ibn al-Haytham Extended: Spherical Optics in al-Mu’taman and Harriot,’ described how the solution of a set of difficult geometry problems in Cairo in the year 1021 helped inspire further work in Europe that lasted into the modern era and stimulated the birth of differential calculus.”

A few weeks before reunion Barbara Moses celebrated her 60th birthday by organizing a trip to Provence and Costa Brava with a bevy of friends. My wife, Marilyn, and I came along, as did ’77s Richard Mark, Maura Harway and John Donvan and ’79 Linda Button (WDCR compadres all). Our hikes took us to breathtaking perched villages and stunning coastal cliffs along the Mediterranean. Best of all, I came away with a new appreciation of rosé!

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 190 Bridge St., #4409, Salem, MA 01970; rick@rickbeyer.net

The countdown is on. Just four months until “40th Reunion: Carpe D’78.” Many classmates want to see you there. Have you registered yet?

Our class is working to raise one million dollars to finance and build a bunkhouse at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. Moosilauke was an important part of the first-year experience for most of us, and we hope that rebuilding the lodge and bunkhouses will engage a large portion of our class. The target is 78-percent participation. We also hope to collect stories or short anecdotes about your experiences at Moosilauke that we can share at the reunion next June. Some of these stories will be filmed in a series of interviews with classmates. If you have stories you would like to share, or if you would like to nominate someone for an interview, please send your stories and nominations to the following email address: d78bunkhouse@gmail.com.

After many years as a Wall Street Journal executive and media investor, Jim Friedlich has taken over as CEO of the Institute for Journalism in New Media in Philadelphia. The institute is dedicated to the future of journalism and is also now the owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Jim told the Inquirer that the main reason he took the job “is a passion for journalism and its future. I’m quite optimistic about the future of journalism, provided that we all execute well.” Jim lives with his wife, Melissa Stern, an artist, and their 22-year-old son, Max, a senior at Wesleyan. The family splits its time between their home, a loft space in New York City, and a working farm in Woodstock, New York. He is in regular touch with Ross Eatman, Gordon Smith and Sen. Rob Portman.

As Damon Runyon said, “He who tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted.” In that spirit I want to let you know that I have a new book just out. Rivals Unto Death is a dual biography (pardon the pun) of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Nobody else has done anything on this topic recently, right? At just over 200 pages, it offers an accessible and, I hope, entertaining look at their 30-year rivalry for people turned onto the story by all the Hamilton hoopla. I am very excited that bestselling nonfiction author Hamilton Sides, one of my favorites (In the Kingdom of Ice, Hellhound on his Trail,) has offered some lavish praise for the book: “In Beyer’s fine hands, the long feud between Burr and Hamilton seems part opera buffa, part Greek tragedy. As the pages keep turning, we feel ourselves pulled along on a collision course—one that still has powerful resonance today.” And it also features sex and violence! Please buy lots of copies.

Send news! And register for reunion!

—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net

Time to make plans to attend to our 40th reunion (which will actually be our 39th reunion) this June in Hanover. It will be a three class affair, with the classes of ’77 and ’76 also along for the ride. Charlie Allison, Barbara Kelly Hack, Keith McCrae and Steve Peseckis are working hard to put the reunion together, and if you are interested in helping, I’m sure they would love to hear from you.

Barbara was down in Rio this summer cheering on her son, Austin, who rowed in the Olympic U.S. men’s eight. The crew rowed an amazing race in the repechage (semi-final) to get into the final, where they finished a close fourth. Barbara summed up her 16 days in Rio this way: “We’re so excited they had the opportunity to be here racing at the Olympics! What a trip. Nipped at the finish, but that doesn’t detract one bit from our immense pride.

We lost another classmate this summer. Tim Moore of Bradford, Vermont, passed away on August 4. A native of nearby Woodstock, Tim dedicated his life to firefighting in the Upper Valley. He served at various times as a Hanover firefighter; lead instructor at the Vermont Fire Academy; deputy fire chief in Bradford; fire captain in Corinth, Vermont; and fire chief in Thetford, Vermont. A post on the Corinth Fire Department Facebook page said that Tim’s dedication “has created a lasting positive impact, and he will be fiercely missed.” At Dartmouth he lived in Russell Sage freshman year, joined Zeta Psi and was in the French language study abroad program. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, and children Nathaniel and Rebecca.

The New York Times ran a charming story in July about Therese Ojibway and the dozens of exquisite miniature fairy houses she built along a hiking trail in New Jersey’s South Mountain Reservation. “Delicate creations made of natural material,” tucked into tree hollows or roots, they have enchanted visitors of all ages. Therese is a special education teacher whose son, Clinton, has autism. Therese started building the houses five years ago, inspired by stories such as Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina. “I started looking at the hollows of the trees and thought, ‘If I were a fairy I would live there,’ ” she told the Times.

The Mount Desert Islander (a slightly lesser known paper than the Times, but nonetheless faithfully serving the people of Bar Harbor, Maine) reported Mike Coffin came back from Tasmania, Australia, this summer to visit his native state and give a talk about the possibility that the Earth will soon face a new mass extinction, a subject he first talked about at TEDxHobart in 2014 (youtube.com/watch?v=3vyreb8y_zg). Mike is a marine geoscientist at the University of Tasmania Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in Hobart. He has led or participated in 32 research voyages in the Pacific, Southern, Indian and Atlantic oceans. If only he got frequent floater points for those, he would be set for life!

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net

As this column goes to press, class mini-reunions are taking place around the country. I am counting the hours until I head off to the New England gathering on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I’m pretty sure that Lenny Weiser-Varon is already dreaming up some humdinger puns to try out on us all. It has taken loads of work to organize each of these get-togethers, and I think it is appropriate to give a rouse to all the people who devoted hours and hours of effort to make them happen: Paul Ehrsam (southern central region); Dave Graham and Michael Whitcomb (West Coast); Barbie (Snyder) Martinez and Todd Anderson (New England); Jody Dietze, Marco Zarbin and Tom Hopkins (Mid-Atlantic); Park Dougherty and John Glaser (Southeast coast); Steven Peseckis and Keith McCrae (eastern Midwest). I’m sure there are many others who contributed as well. Thanks for working hard to bring classmates together!

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine has presented Bill Dexter with its Founders’ Award, which goes to the person who “exemplifies the best that a sports medicine physician can be and do.” For the last 20 years Bill has been the director of the sports medicine program at Maine Medical Center. He plans to step down in the fall. “The award was so unexpected and quite humbling,” he writes. “I have had a great run—an enormous amount of support, terrific staff, residents and sports medicine fellows and am so grateful to have had lots of talented folks around me over the years.” Bill and his wife, Cindy, have downsized from house to condo and recently celebrated their 35th anniversary. As for the future, he says he is “in the process of building Dex 3.0.”

Frank Wilderson was in Hanover recently to deliver the annual William W. Cook lecture. Frank is a professor of African American studies, drama and critical theory at UC Irvine. His talk, given to a packed room in Sanborn House, was titled “Afro-Pessimism & the Paradox of Affirmation.” The talk was part of an extended speaking tour that has taken him across the United States and to Canada and which will send him to Germany and Brazil before it is done. Frank and his wife, Anita Wilkins, are both accomplished poets. They’ve been together for 19 years, and wed three years ago “when the German government told me that a common-law partner was not good enough for us to get the spousal health benefits” during a fellowship there! He has a daughter (from his first marriage) and granddaughter who live in South Africa. Says Frank: “Like nearly everyone in the class of 1978 I just turned 60 years of age (on April 11) and am pondering what that means.” As I write my 60th birthday is just eight hours away, so I know exactly what he means.

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net

More than 100 classmates and spouses gathered in Hanover last November to christen a rowing shell named after Marc Farley. Brooks Clark, Chris Riley, Bob Shuman, Jim Bassett, Barbara Kelly Hack, Rob Wilkes and Jim Bullion rowed the Marc W. Farley ’78 and other shells at the annual Gardner Cup Alumni regatta. Afterward, Gwen Farley and Bob Shuman made remarks before the formal christening. Gwen remembered a meaningful alumni row in 2013 and how much the river and Dartmouth meant to her husband. “Now, with this boat, Marc will never have to leave this place.”

Dartmouth means a lot to many of us, and with this issue of DAM looking at reasons to love Dartmouth, I reached out to see what ’78s think. The one thing mentioned most was people—“not just the classmates, dorm mates and fellow students who became our friends and partners,” said William Frazier, “but the great professors who taught, entertained, inspired, cajoled and supported us.” Michael Whitcomb mentioned friends made at school, as well as “so many amazing alumni whom I wish I knew back in the day and who keep Dartmouth vital and relevant.” Said Rick Spier: “I love Dartmouth because of the people with whom I shared it.”

Many also touched on the place itself: “the unparalleled beauty of the Hanover Plain and its pristine environment with each seasonal change,” as Kevin Hoffman put it.

Some folks shared remarkably specific reasons for loving Dartmouth. For Allesandra Gelmi it was “Thayer cafeteria Line 4” and “Beta parties.” Jerry Kortekamp remembered that he “could buy booze at age 18 in 1974, now none can on campus!” Janie Erwin Hammet cited “the legacy of John Rassias,” while Jim Lattin proclaimed: “It is the birthplace of the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System—the original ‘cloud’ computing!”

And then there are the possibilities that Dartmouth offers. In the words of Kevin Hoffman, “As Ted Geisel famously reminded us, ‘oh the places you’ll go’—the opportunities that Dartmouth opened up for us and the places around the world where many of us have traveled and lived as a result.” Owen Astrachan pointed to “the best of local and global outside-the-classroom education and engagement, from study abroad to Tucker Foundation.”

Frank Setian gets the final word on this topic. “For me, the lyrics to ‘Dartmouth Undying’ tell most of the story. Building a passion for academic excellence and lasting friendships for life completes it.”

News update from Andy Welch, who retired in 2014 as director of admissions at the Geisel School of Medicine. “I stayed retired for a while, but missed working. I’m now working part-time at the college of our choice as a pre-health advisor. The Dartmouth undergraduates are an amazing group. It is a joy to spend time with them!” Andy has also partnered with Tuck and Geisel faculty member Michael Lewis, M.D., to form WLL Consulting (medicalschoolconsulting.com), doing premed advising with individual clients.

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net

David Locke Hall has a new book out based on his experience as an assistant U.S. attorney in Delaware. “As I approach 60 I find myself telling stories. Crack99 is a good story, so I told it. It involves the quest to arrest Xiang Li, a Chinese cyber pirate who trafficked in more than $100 million in stolen software. That investigation was my last as a federal prosecutor. The book tells the story of the investigation and prosecution, explaining the current state of software piracy and cyberintrusion in general, particularly what’s emanating from China. It is a significant problem, resulting in hundreds of billions of dollars in stolen intellectual property, not to mention the threat to national security from the loss of our military’s technological advantage. And yet, there is no national strategy to deal with the cyber threat. As a result, Xiang Li is the only cyber pirate ever lured from China for prosecution in the United States. That’s not a good record. Badly needed is a national strategy to defeat this threat, coupled with the will to execute it.” The book is published by W.W. Norton & Co.

Congratulations to Bill Petit,who has been awarded the Connecticut State Medical Society’s highest honor. The organization bestowed Bill with the Paul Maloney Award for service to his patients, the community and medicine in general.

Class vice president Barbara Dau is stepping down after eight years of service as a class officer. “It has been a truly rewarding experience—people might be surprised just how much fun being a class officer is. I reconnected with old friends and established new friendships at the same time as providing service to an institution that I love.” Thanks for all the hard work, Barb, we’ll miss you on those conference calls! Michael Whitcomb says he is “delighted” to be coming on as class VP. “In recent years I have become more engaged with our class and had the pleasure of working with Jim Lattin on the class survey for our 35th reunion. I believe Dartmouth can still resonate as a vital part of our lives. There are so many great members of our class community I wish I had known better (or at all!) back in the day. So why not help to make those connections now for all of us?” Hunt Melville has also stepped down after three years as class webmaster; we are grateful for his effort and expertise. Pressed for some parting words, he offered this: “Strive against the bureaucracy…and question your conventional wisdom.” Good advice for us all.

Just around the corner: Don’t forget that Saturday, November 7, is the day the new rowing shell Marc Farley ’78 will be dedicated in Hanover following the Gardner Cup Class Day Regatta. There will be a class of ’78 reception and dinner afterwards.

A late six-word entry from Rick Spier: “The Legend of Shane the Piper.”

Send news!

—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net

And now for something completely different. A few weeks ago I issued the class of ’78 a challenge: Can you tell your life story in six words?


W. Scott Axford: “No, I am sorry, I cannot.” Audubon “Tod” Lenagh Bakewell: “Still roaming ’round the girdled earth.” Anne Bagamery: “Midwestern girl goes east, keeps going.” Rick Beyer: “The Ghost Army changed everything. Wow!”


David Casper: “Everything better due to Dartmouth experience.” Brooks Clark: “Much done, much yet to do.” Mike Coffin: “Peripatetic internationalist, at sea and ashore.” Geoff Crew: “Random walk through physics with family.” Paul A. Ehrsam: “Life has been good. Few regrets.”


Mark Felder: “I came…I saw…I left.” Nancy Freedman: “So many roles, so little time.” Susan Kepes: “California college tour exciting and bittersweet.” Kevin Hoffman: “That is just some people dreaming!” Chris Hughes: “Navy brat. Found home port. Lucky.” Dave Jones: “Been there. Now here. Good run.” Cay Kendrick: “Living in Maine. Vacationland. Two kids.” Charlie Kreter: “God made me the luckiest person!”


John Larson: “Why not? I’ve never done that.” Miles LeBlanc: “Great plans. Life begs to differ.” Jim Lattin: “Embraced my inner nerd. No regrets.” Helen Lukash: “Made in Vermont, tempered at large.” Lisa Miles McNamara: “Dartmouth spouse, three kids, always adventures! Walter Malmquist: “Born blessed…great family and friends!” David Master: “Perspective and balance: love, work, knowledge.” Jeff Miller: “Post-retirement: Fulfilling work, fuller life. Kids!” Wally Morgus: “One run, three hits, no errors.” Chris Morris: “Life too serious to be taken too seriously.” (I told Chris, “That’s eight words.” His reply: “I’m no Hemingway!”)


James Newman: “Studied hard. Aimed high. Great view!” Brian Pilcher: “Run like 16 so I am.” Kay McKusick Ralston: “Love, joy, family, generosity, appreciation, fun.” Marva Stevens Ray: “Empathy directs us to the mountaintop.” Jack Reeder: “Son, husband, father. Student, worker, advisor.” Trish Singer: “Happily employed Vermonter with grown children.” Mark Spradling: “Family first, always; we’ve been blessed.” Glen Swarthout: “Theory of consciousness, immortality and everything.” Tom Swartwood: “Jersey boy. Iowa. What the hell?” Leonard Weiser-Varon: “Buddy. Budding pen. Bad puns. Bedpans.” Charlie Wise: “Sought challenges, adventure, variety. Did okay!” Craig Woods: “Went to Dartmouth; changed my life.”


As for the rest of you: If you didn’t submit anything but now feel inspired by seeing your classmates’ responses, no worries! Send your six words to me and they will appear either in a future Class Notes or in the class newsletter put out by the fabulous Helen Lukash!


Next month, back to our regular format. Probably. Send news!


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


Can it be 40 years since our first Winter Carnival? There are some among us who still aren’t ready to go on the record about that weekend. “My memories include stuff that probably should not appear in print,” one wrote. Others are more forthcoming. Mark Germano will never forget “Cheech and Chong in Webster Hall, Dean Brewster’s keg bus cruising Hanover.” John McPhaul was amazed by the creative ice sculptures materializing outside dorms and fraternities. “I particularly remember an amazingly rendered immense, prone Viking snoozing up against a keg of beer.”


Paula McLeod remembers being besieged with calls from high school girlfriends who suddenly wanted to come visit for the weekend. “Several of them did make the trip, although after saying hello on Friday my recollection is that I didn’t see them again until Sunday. They didn’t actually ‘stay’ with me. Wonder where they went? Maybe I should ask them!”


Michael Day, director of first-year composition in the English department at Northern Illinois University, recalls that the drama department staged the musical Man Better Man by professor Errol Hill, the first tenured African-American faculty member at Dartmouth. “Man Better Man was set in Trinidad, had a lot of voodoo and great music in it and featured professor Bill Cook as the Obeah man. Chip Shoemaker and Kyle Grimes were in it, along with many others whose names I have forgotten. The performances and cast party for that play were a welcome alternative to the frat row scene.”


Now to the present. From class president Dave Graham: “Seven of us had a wonderful chance to conduct a focus group with 19 current students for WOW78 (my sharing wisdom initiative). Michael Whitcomb, Chris Simpson Brent, Todd Baker, Scott Chronert, Dean Stephens, Doug Ireland ’77 and I had an engaging two-hour conversation about career planning, guidance and the role for alums like us. The students were engaging and engaged. You’ll be hearing a lot more about this in 2015.”


Finally, it is my sad duty to report that we lost another classmate last fall. Morris Gibbs passed away on October 28 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Michael Glass, who saw Mo at a Sigma Nu Delta reunion just two days before he died, is one of many who mourn his passing. “Mo was a lifelong bachelor, but it would be wrong to think he left no family behind. Mo’s friends were his family and Mo’s family was quite large. It included many who knew Mo from childhood and those who met him along life’s path; in high school, at Dartmouth and during his long career at Hewlett-Packard. From his Wisconsin home he traveled to all parts of the country to visit his Dartmouth family. West Coast? Southeast? New England? No friend was too far for Mo to visit. He was exceptionally generous with the things he had to share, which were a huge heart, a deep well of kindness and the most precious of commodities, time.” What a lovely tribute.


Please send news!


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


Forty years ago next month we all descended on the Hanover Plain from ’round the girdled earth to begin our Dartmouth College adventure. Seems like only yesterday. What stands out in your memory?


John Brennner recalls, “Pulling out of Hanover at some ungodly hour of the morning headed to my freshman trip at the College Grant, seated next to Rob Hendren (M.D.), who promptly fell asleep with his head on my shoulder. When he awoke about an hour later his opening remark, delivered with perfect Boston grace and aplomb: ‘Pardon me, have I been drooling on you?’ Welcome to Dartmouth.”


Barbi Martinez recently wrote about her freshman trip on Facebook. “Freshman trip (and hiking) was one of many ‘firsts’ in my ‘Dartmouth experience.’ Not only was it wonderful to do something out of my comfort zone, learn the alma mater and eat green eggs and ham, but it was amazing to start college with an instant group of friends, including the late, great professor John Kidder (whom this economics major would otherwise never have met).”


My own freshman trip memory involves the telling of the Doc Benton story at the Ravine Lodge. At the climactic scary moment, the vivacious young lady sitting next to me (you know who you are!) leaped into my lap and threw her arms around me. After four years at an all-boy’s high school, it was a welcome introduction to coeducation.


“First thing I did when I moved into my room in Hitchcock,” writes Jack Manheimer, “was set up my stereo and put on Europe ’72 (Grateful Dead). Within minutes Vicki Smith, hearing the music, was at the door. In the words of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca), that was ‘the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’ Along with Steve Maynard and David “Chip” Shoemaker, we shared many Dead concerts in the ensuing years, including a memorable show at Dartmouth in 1978.”


One of Stephen Chamberlain’s favorite memories is from freshman football. “In those days there was a separate freshman squad. We played our games out on the practice fields in back of where Thompson Arena now stands. Of course there were no locker-room facilities out there and so at half time the woods were the replacement for bathroom facilities. Sports Illustrated did a story on Ivy League football and what should they publish in it? A picture of the whole freshman squad, lined up, backs to the camera, facing the woods, captioned ‘Halftime in Hanover.’ It is interesting to think about the future occupations and positions of some of those whose picture was taken that day.”


Send your memories of freshman year for future columns and the class newsletter. 


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


We’re in the middle of an election year, in case you have somehow managed to tune out the barrage of political ads. In the tightly contested race for governor of Illinois, Republican Bruce Rauner is trying to unseat Democrat Pat Quinn. “First run for elective office and enjoying it tremendously,” writes Bruce. “I retired in October 2012 as chairman of venture capital firm GTCR after 32 years there to become a full-time public servant. My wife, Diana, and I have dedicated much of our lives to education reform (early childhood education, charter schools, merit pay, tenure modification, teacher recruitment and training) as well as healthcare and conservation issues. We won the Republican primary with 40 percent of vote in four-way race and are leading our incumbent governor in early polls. Dave Casper and Charlie Denison are helping lead our campaign along with a major boost from Steve Kaiser, Jeff Immelt, Jeff Nadherny and many others. We hope to make Illinois a national role model for state government transformation—follow us at joinbruce.com.” 


In a slightly lower-profile race, after three decades working in various educational capacities, Nick Sakhnovsky is a candidate for the Broward County school board in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is the sixth-largest school district in the country, with more than 200 schools. The election is in August, and he would appreciate any support that classmates can offer. You can reach him at nicksak@bellsouth.net.


Charles Allen is facing a bit of culture shock. After living for 13 years in Geneva, Switzerland, he has moved back to the United States to take a new position with his employer, Bunge Limited, in St. Louis, Missouri. “In the past I covered Western and Eastern Europe. My new beat will be North America, Brazil and Europe. Our re-encounter with America is going rather well. The new house is a project in its own right and we are now closer to my parents and our six children (combined total).”


Devotees of the class Facebook page know that Rich Hoeg has devoted himself to nature photography since retiring. Living in northern Minnesota, this often takes him outdoors in temperatures 30 degrees below or colder to capture the perfect shot. Now he has published a new book titled Amity, featuring his amazing winter photos of the Lake Superior wilderness. It is available on Amazon.


After more than 20 years as editor of the class newsletter, Brooks Clark is turning over the keys to Helen Lukash. Brooks has been pouring heart and soul into the newsletter since 1992. “Can you believe it?” he asks in wonder. “It doesn’t seem that long ago.” Brooks will remain as a classy communications coordinator. Actually, that’s class communications coordinator, but you have to admit, Brooks is pretty classy! Helen says she is “still very much a fledgling, but looking forward to transitioning into full-flying mode.” If anyone with graphic design skills wishes to work with Helen as a co-editor, please email her at hlukash@gmail.com.


From class president Dave Graham: “Can we ’78s convey wisdom, as opposed to knowledge, to the current crop of undergrads? Should we even try?” If you have ideas, contact him at david.graham4@comcast.net.


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


Burke Whitman resigned last September as CEO of Health Management Associates Inc. to accept a recall to active military duty. He writes, “My first assignment has been in the Pentagon as senior action officer for the greater Middle East region, where I have helped shape national strategy and policy during a period of transition in the region and in our U.S. presidential administration. My second mission (May through early 2010) is to serve with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Afghanistan as Afghan forces officer. I am responsible for partnering with Afghan forces in our combined operations and for mentoring to enhance their capacity and capability. The call to serve again with our terrific young military members has been irresistible. The service and leadership opportunities have been rewarding, and I expect they will continue to be. I look forward to staying in touch! Semper fidelis, Burke Whitman, colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.” E-mail Burke at burkewhitman@yahoo.com.


Carol Hillman Van Dyke reports: “At the DOC Centennial Celebration Woodsmen’s Weekend held in April in Hanover several ’78s competed as part of the mature chubber/over-50 alumni teams. Competing on the Wicked Wussies women’s team were Holley Allen ’79, Amy Haak ’80, Cay Wieboldt Kendrick, Joan Crane Barthold ’79, Lex Bond Bundschuh, Carol Hillman Van Dyke and Laurel Smith Donahue ’80. Though alumnae results are not official, Cay won the chain-throw event and Carol and Lex teamed up to win the doubles canoe event. Competing on what became affectionately referred to as the Old Farts team: George Kendrick ’77, Chris Mumford ’77, Chuck Sherman ’66, Neil Van Dyke ’76, Steve Thompson, Put Blodgett ’53, Pete Bundschuh and Jim Stein ’79. Many thought this was one of the best post-graduation gatherings ever, and everyone enjoyed mingling among the great u-grads.”


Excerpted from the Providence Journal: “U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente will step down as Rhode Island’s top federal prosecutor in June 2009.” As he stated: “It has been a great privilege to have served the country, the Department of Justice and especially the people of Rhode Island.” During his tenure, which began in 2004, Corrente led Operation Dollar Bill, the long-running statehouse influence-peddling probe that landed several Rhode Island state officials in federal prison for selling their offices. Bob will return to private practice in July.


Dr. William Dexter, director of Maine Medical Center’s family medicine-sports medicine program, recently was presented the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity Lifetime Achievement Award. Bill becomes only the fourth Mainer to receive the honor since its inception in 1999. Bill was chosen because of his extraordinary contributions to fitness programs in the state as well as his special role as a teacher of sports medicine to fellows and residents at the hospital. “Dr. Dexter brings a vision and passion to his work that’s truly contagious,” says Ann Skelton, M.D., chief of family medicine at Maine Medical Center. Congratulations, Bill!


—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 261-3580; davidhov@comcast.net


Brian Litscher writes: “I have been spending my spare time still involved with music. I have performed in musicals for Berkshire Theater Festival (Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Playhouse) and Barrington Stage and am now performing in a newly written comedy musical revue about the trials and tribulations of middle age titled I Know I Came Here for Something, which has been extended three times over the summer.” See Brian’s pics at www.taconicstage.com.


Fritz Rolfing sends news from Honolulu: “Our eldest child, Renate (25), graduated from the Manhattan School of Music and is now in the master of music program in collaborative piano at the Juilliard School. Son Frederick (22) completed a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Hokkaido, Japan, and will resume his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young. Frederick’s younger brother, Markus (19), has survived his plebe summer at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. My wife, Deon, and I traveled with my 80-year-old father to Annapolis at the beginning of July for Markus’ induction into the academy, which included a private swearing-in ceremony administered by my father (a retired Naval Reserve captain) in his tropical white uniform. Our youngest, Marissa (16), is starting her junior year at Punahou School and plans to excel at all of her siblings’ accomplishments.”


Marc Brovender is now working as a financial planner and investment advisor at Thorndike Co. in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. Marc remarried Mary Howe on February 15. Congratulations, Marc and Mary!


Jonathan Keeve, M.D., reports: “As a distinguished visiting scholar for the Orthopedic Trauma Association, in May I volunteered for two weeks performing trauma surgery in Landstuhl, Germany, on wounded servicemen and women from the Iraq and Afghan conflicts. It was a sobering experience to see and treat the devastating injuries sustained by the members of our armed forces. I returned humbled by their dedication and sacrifice. I am glad I did not see Burke Whitman or Jim Bullion at the hospital. I spent a few weeks in Myanmar last year as a volunteer, training surgeons in fracture and trauma surgery. This was my fourth mission to a developing country and it continues to be one of my major interests when not saving money for college tuition. My day job continues to be practicing orthopedic surgery in Spokane. My wife, Tonya, and I have two sons who are better musicians, skiers and runners than I. Our oldest Philip is also substantially taller than his father and will be applying to colleges this fall, and I am glad to say that Dartmouth is on his list. I could see him on the crew team, like his surrogate father, Jim Bassett.”


Carolyn Kelley Evans is moving to Tennessee. Her husband, Jim, is already there, working on his accent. Their daughter Gretchen (Smith ’10) just finished her exchange year at Dartmouth. She is a neuroscience major and an Alpha Phi. Daughter Elizabeth is a Dartmouth ’13.


More next time. Cheers.


—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 261-3580; davidhov@comcast.net


It started with a photo from Bruce Rauner captioned “A group of 1978s got together for three days skiing in Salt Lake City. A good time was had by all.” Pictured were Andy Ebbott, Ray Boniface, Bernie Drury, Jeff Nadherny, Jeff Crowe, Bruce Rauner, Brian Deevy ’77, Bollie Bollenbach, Bob McCarthy, Mark Bernfield and Fred Seligson. When asked for amplification Jeff Crowe wrote: “Two groups of ’78s were skiing in Utah earlier this month and happened to bump into each other in the Salt Lake City airport at the start of our respective trips. The impromptu reunion naturally led to the two groups skiing, imbibing and dining together. The picture will show that we are not the best looking bunch of guys in the world, but we had a lot of fun.” 


Bruce then responded back to Jeff: “Our Theta Delt gang has been going out west together for many years as I know your Phi Delt gang has as well. Bumping into you and Face in the airport while looking for Andy was quite a twilight zone experience. Despite minimal hair, maximum middles and creaky knees the gang held up well—could even stay up past 9 p.m. once or twice for annual hearts tournament in front of fireplace.”


The class has at least three classmates running for high office. John Carney is running for Congress in Delaware www.johncarneyforcongress.com; Rob Portman for the Senate in Ohio www.robportman.com; and Annie McLane Kuster for Congress in New Hampshire www.kusterforcongress.com. I bet we’ve got others out there as well, so please send in your info.


Contrary to what you might suppose from Facebook, Todd Baker didn’t just get married. He reports: “Diane and I are back living in Berkeley, California, our home base in the 1980s and 1990s. Both girls are in college (at Trinity and U Chicago). I am doing corporate development for TD Bank, based out of Toronto and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which means that I travel a lot. In fact, my true home sometimes seems to be 30,000 feet above Chicago. If you want to see what Diane is doing, check out www.thebrushguard.com.”


David (Jody) Dietze, president of the Dartmouth Club of Suburban New Jersey, reports: “The club’s annual alumni seminar, snowed out in February, has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 15, in Princeton and will feature professor Don Pease on Norman Maclean ’24, prolific author of such stories as A River Runs Through It. It’s a great opportunity to relive the Dartmouth experience and catch up with fellow classmates. To attend, contact Dave at ddietze@ptview.com.” 


On a much sadder note, Will Yancey passed away February 11 in Dallas. Our hearts go out to his widow, Carol, and son Michael. A complete obituary will be posted on the DAM Web site. Memorial gifts may be made in Will’s name to: Order of the Arrow, Circle Ten Council, 8605 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235


—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 643-8040; davidhov@comcast.net


Congratulations to Michael Chandler, of Mebane, North Carolina, on being named National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Builder/Advocate of the Year at the National Green Building conference this spring. This is on top of winning a DOE Energy Value Housing Award and the NAHB Green Building Professional of the Year Award at the International Builders Show this January. The local green building council that Michael co-founded also won NAHB Green Building Program of the Year at the National Green Building convention. 


The National Association of Railroad Passengers council of representatives, the governing body of the largest passenger train advocacy group in the nation, elected Steven Strauss to the council as an at-large representative. Steven began his career working for New York City’s bus and subway operators for 18 years, serving in a variety of positions—including nine years as an assistant director of government and community relations at NYC Transit. From 2002 to 2008 he served as a board member of Empire State Passengers Association. In 2008 he moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the D.C. Department of Transportation, where he is a special advisor on Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority and regional transportation. 


David “Jody” Dietze provided updates on many of our classmates: Several are accomplished marathoners. “Wild” Bill Cody is a veteran, and finished his second Boston Marathon with a swift time of 3:24:21 on Patriots’ Day this past April. Meanwhile New Providence, New Jersey, resident Tom Hopkins is training for a marathon to be held at the New Jersey shore. Bill’s oldest, Vaughn, is finishing her first year of college at Reed in Oregon, and his son Bryce is an accomplished skier and tennis player in high school at Moorestown, New Jersey. Tom’s oldest is just finishing up at Princeton, his middle one is at Dartmouth, and his youngest is in high school.


Bill Cunningham, now residing in Boonton Township, New Jersey, is active in the Dartmouth Club of Suburban New Jersey and recently organized for the third year in a row its annual wine-tasting event; this past April he “instructed” on the reds and whites of South America! Attendees included Evelyn Yee Peos and husband Charles Peos ’77.


John English, a primary care physician outside Philadelphia, plans to join Bill Cody and Jody Dietze on their second annual assault up Mt. Marcy in the Adirondacks, New York’s highest peak, in late June.


Finally, Tripp Peake reports: “I am the regional alumni district enrollment director, which basically means I coordinate all of the alumni interviews for about 150 applicants from western Massachusetts each year during both the early decision and regular decision cycles. As part of that, I always end up doing 15 to 20 interviews and write-ups myself. It’s pretty time consuming, especially during January and February. I really enjoy it—I get a chance to meet some great kids and also stay connected to the school.”


Keep writing!


—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155; (571) 643-8040; davidhov@comcast.net


I was delighted to run into Ben Stutz at the N.Y.C. bat mitzvah of Barbara Moses and Matt Grayson’s daughter Lizzie. Ben has lived for more than 25 years in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Cynthia Gulick ’80, a doctor of osteopathic medicine. Their oldest son Trevor is graduating from Dartmouth in June, while son Reed starts at the College in the fall.


Ben emailed this update: “I practiced law for four years before jumping into renovation of vintage apartments, converting some to condos. My wife and I also built and expanded her medical practice, which I manage, and which has about 50 employees. I continue to be involved in real estate projects and I have a really cool bar, Kelly’s Olympian, which is oriented toward Portland hipsters with contemporary (loud) bands and decked with motorcycles hanging from the ceiling. I ride bikes (it’s a Portland thing), grow pinot noir grapes and make wine (it’s a Portland thing), drink perfectly roasted and pulled espresso (it’s a really snobbish Portland thing) and ski a lot at Mount Bachelor, three hours from our house. I love my life and my family and look forward to continuing the journey.”

Sharon Cowan writes that she and her 10-year-old daughter Masha just moved from Rome to Budapest. “Still working in corporate communication for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. I’ve transferred from headquarters to our regional office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Andrea—my partner and Masha’s dad—stayed in Milan for his work, so we’ve joined the ranks of 21st-century Skype families. So far, I have to say we are really enjoying Budapest, which is far more functional than Rome. My new job is far more hands-on than my previous role and will probably entail a lot more travel. Two weeks in Romania coming soon, for example. More as it happens!”


Ever wonder where your class dues go? Last year our class provided funds to allow prospective student-athlete Jeremiah Douchee to visit Hanover from his home on Chicago’s south side. Now Douchee, valedictorian at Hales Franciscan High School, is playing defensive end and plans to major in biology and anthropology. He dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. “I feel like I have to perform and make a difference and show other African Americans that there are other things to do in life,” Douchee told a reporter. A story we can be proud to be part of.


Regarding my ongoing thread about the reunions, Steve Adnopoz, Mara Dinsmoor and Scott Axford all say that they have attended every single class reunion. Scott wondered if I raised the question simply to gin up responses. It’s sad to be so transparent! 


In the last Class Notes I incorrectly identifying Genet Ide Duke’s niece Maisie Ide ’16 as her daughter. “We need to get this corrected or my brother will have my head on a platter!” Genet wrote. Well, as long as it is not my head. Maisie is a wizard skier, and no wonder. Her parents are Arthur “Bud” Ide ’80 and Lisa Ragen Ide ’84, both Dartmouth ski team members. Noting the error was in the March/April issue, I hereby apologize and resolve to “beware the ides of March!” 


Send news! 


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


Leading off with news of the class of ’78 TNG—that’s “The Next Generation” for those of you who have failed to watch enough Star Trek re-reruns.


When President Obama signed a student loan bill into law in August, one of those present was Ricki Fairlee’s daughter Amanda Brown ’07. While at Dartmouth Amanda interned at then Senator Obama’s office. That led to high-powered gigs at the White House and the Department of Energy, and during the last campaign she was political director for Rock the Vote. “She is a millennial advocate and serves on a committee for youth advocating education,” says Ricki. Meantime Ricki’s younger daughter, Hayley Brown ’14 (who sat on a panel at our reunion with trustees David Hodgson and Rick Kimball, among others), is in Ghana working with World Partners in Education.


“It looks like I am finally done with educational expenses after 24 years,” writes Scott Riedler. “My eldest, Kiersten, will finally be drawing a paycheck as an ear, nose and throat/head-neck surgery resident at USC, where she just finished med school. And younger daughter Stephanie ’11 finished her master’s in education at UCSD this month. Even accounting for inflation, the $4,000 per year for tuition at Dartmouth when we were there was a true bargain compared to what I’ve paid. For comparison, UCSD charged me $600 per year for med school in 1979, now more than $20,000 for my daughter’s grad school. I would hate to be starting this process now.”


At our 25th reunion my daughter Bobbie had the good fortune to meet Johnny Bundschuh, the son of Lex and Pete Bundschuh. They went on to become close friends and classmates at Tulane. This summer Bobbie jetted out to Osaka, Japan, for Johnny’s wedding to Yuri Takekabu. Bobbie reports that the ceremony used “elements from Western weddings, Japanese weddings and some of their own ideas. They wrote their own vows. Johnny said his in English and Yuri said hers in Japanese.” And Lex even wore a kimono for the event! The newlyweds will continue to live in Japan, where Johnny is teaching English. 


Duane Peterson, CEO of Suncommon, was on the cover of Vermont Business Magazine this month. His company is equipping hundreds of houses with solar panels using a business model that requires no up-front funding from the homeowner. Dan Reicher, executive director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford, returned to Hanover this summer as part of the “Leading Voices” lecture series. His topic: “Smart Policy and Finance for Clean Energy.” Glen-Martin Swartwout shared the news that he is filming a television series on “the unfolding development of my theory of everything.”


And finally, returning to the topic of Star Trek reruns, I watched a bunch one weekend in Maine this summer with Barbara Moses and her husband, Matt Grayson, as they were taking a break from the rigors of N.Y.C. Barbara is on the faculty at Seton Hall Law School, where sadly she does not require students to face Star Trek’s famous Kobayashi Maru “no-win” scenario. Ah, well….


Please send news! Next deadline: October 21. Cheers!


—Rick Beyer, 34 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421; rick@rickbeyer.net


Most important! Mark your calendars: Our 35th reunion will be June 14-16, 2013. In Hanover. Be there.


In news from the Hawaiian Archipelago, Fritz Rohlfing was honored to chair the Hawaii for Romney campaign this year for the inaugural Hawaii Republican Party Presidential Caucuses. 


Dr. Dan Gaylon writes about the upstate New York neurosurgical practice he helped build during the past 23 years. “Since its inception Empire State Neurological Institute has been innovative. Today we are one of the last full-service, nonacademic neurological practices based in New York State.” Dan promises that, “Eventually, I will get to a reunion.” Dan, do it in 2013!


Melanie Rios sends “some news from me: I’m working as executive director of a sustainability education center and eco-village outside of Eugene, Oregon. I’m heading to Boulder, Colorado, this summer to help my youngest son find a home where he’ll be studying quantum chemistry and renewable energy at Colorado University on a National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship. Any classmates in Boulder? It’d be great to connect.” Connect with Melanie at melanie@rios.org.


A round of snaps for Bill Dexter, M.D., who has recently been named president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine. In his day job Bill serves as director of the sports medicine program at Maine Medical Center and as medical director of the University of Southern Maine’s athletic training education program and team physician for its department of athletics.


John Mares writes, “Greetings from Ithaca! Even though we’ve lived in Big Red country since moving here in 2000, I have managed to keep the Big Green shining brightly. I just loved wearing my Dartmouth rugby cap around the Cornell Law School during their big reunion weekend! My roller-coaster invention has come a long way since the late 1990s. It is now officially labeled the 4th Dimension roller coaster, and the eighth one is scheduled for construction in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during 2014. (My most recent coaster here in the United States is the Green Lantern at Magic Mountain.) In the meantime I am co-authoring the new Barron’s LSAT review book due for publication fall 2013 and I am working in the intellectual property commercialization area.”


From Mike Urban, “I have more good news to share: My novel Drake’s Coffin was recently named a finalist in action/adventure by Next Generation Indie Book Awards. On an unrelated note, have you noticed that many of the men in our class have a strange resemblance—portly, gray beards, thinning hair, a certain ‘I don’t give a shit anymore’ aura. Is this a class phenom or merely the result of hard living in our youths? Something to ponder.”


Hmmm, I resemble all that except the gray beard—where did I go wrong? Sigh. Well, my next deadline for submitting Class Notes to the alumni magazine is August 28. Send me a note, while it’s still warm.


—Dave Hov, 6742 Towne Lane Road, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


Our 35th reunion is set for June 14-16, 2013. Mark your calendars. Jim Bassett and Christine Simpson Brent have stepped up to the plate as reunion chairs, and they welcome all the help they can get, so if you have ever wanted to “fix” something about reunions or have invented the better mousetrap, please contact Jim (jamesbassett78@gmail.com) and Christine (csimpsonbrent@yahoo.com). 


Now, more class news. Steve Strauss reports: “Gerry Widdecombe and Lisa Kaeser joined me at the Dartmouth Club of Greater Washington’s annual Daniel Webster dinner honoring three Dartmouth members of the U.S. House of Representatives including John Carney,Michael Capuano ’73 and Charles Bass ’74 (the fall opponent of our classmate Annie McClane Kuster).”


A big round of snaps for Ricki Fairley-Brown: “I have joined the ranks of many magnificent women who have survived breast cancer. After a bi-lateral mastectomy, six rounds of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation, I am blessed to have cancer-free scans and a clean bill of health. I believe God has given me a gift to be able to choose life and make decisions that will maintain peace in my life. Between my fourth and fifth rounds of chemo, I started my own company, Dover Marketing. I am very blessed to be working on the advertising for the Obama campaign, a breast cancer awareness campaign for the Centers for Disease Control and the marketing efforts for the Latin American Association and a Broadway director, Kenny Leon. I look forward to our 35th to give in-person thanks and hugs to all my Dartmouth prayer warriors.”


Snippets from Ray Boniface’sletter on thespring 2012 Alumni Council meeting: “During the weekend I was frequently asked ‘What is with you ’78s…your class is so amazing!’ Not sure if this questioning was prompted by Rick Kimball’s election to the board of trustees (joining six or seven other ’78s it seems) or despite same. The Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center continues to shine as a focal point of Dartmouth pride. In any event, our class continues to make quite a mark on Dartmouth. Steve Mandel did a superb job presenting the trustees’ update and continues to inspire confidence that Dartmouth really has been in good hands during his tenure. Strong contingent of ’78s attended, including Anne Bagamery, Diane Boyer, Dan Reicher, Jeff Crowe, Steve Mandel and Rick Kimball. It’s terrific to get a chance not only to see old friends, but to become better friends with classmates who may have just been acquaintances before. Remember this point as you consider whether to attend our reunion next year!”


Speaking of our reunion, Brooks Clark requests: “As we look toward our 35th reunion, please e-mail me your freshman trip memories, with pictures if you have them, for a special edition of the class newsletter” (brooks78@aol.com).


My next deadline for submitting Class Notes to the alumni magazine is October 28. Send me something about how you plan to spend the holidays! Phone calls and paper mail welcome.


—Dave Hov, 916 Rail Court, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


Dear classmates, this will reach you in late April. I hope, wherever you are, the birds are singing, the flowers are in bloom, trees are budding out and your favorite baseball team is beating the pants off the competition. What a great time to commit to coming to our 35th reunion, “The Tapestry of Our Lives,” June 13-16! More on this later, but first, the news.


Got a great note from Charlie Wise: “Hope Dobrow, Amy Dunbar, Ann Hoover Maddox, Jeff Petrich and I joined soon-to-be Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster in Washington, D.C., on January 3 at Annie’s new office in the Cannon House Office Building for her open house and swearing-in celebration. The ’78s gathered for a quick photo as Annie headed to the Capitol Building to be sworn in as the new representative of New Hampshire’s 2nd District. We were joined by Annie’s son Zach ’11, who had flown in the night before from his ski coaching job in Jackson, Wyoming (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree—or something like that). It was an inspiring and heartwarming day. Congrats and bravo to Annie.”


Rick Beyer’s first independent documentary The Ghost Army had its theatrical world premiere March 7 at the Salem (Oregon) Film Festival. It will air on PBS later this year—the exact date and time are still to be announced. The film is about a handpicked group of WW II G.I.s, many of them artists, who used inflatable tanks, sound effects and impersonations to fool the Germans on the battlefields of Europe. It is entirely supported by individual donations, including from many ’78s who have generously stepped up with a contribution.More on the project at www.ghostarmy.org. Way to go, Rick, and special thanks to Mark Tomizawa, who introduced Rick to the topic eight years ago.


Brooks Clark forwarded some classmate relocation intel: “Steve Pahos recently moved to Vienna, Virginia, from Chicago, and Ricki Fairley just moved to Annapolis, Maryland, from Atlanta.” For Steve and Ricki, a belated welcome to the greater metro D.C. area!


Okay, here is my final pester on reunion. My next deadline for submitting Class Notes to the alumni magazine is April 28. Anything you send me by then will appear in the July DAM, just after reunion. And while I always want to encourage submissions to the Class Notes, I’d rather see and talk to you in Hanover at reunion. As would just about all of your classmates. So please, make our day. See you in Hanover.


—Dave Hov, 916 Rail Court, McLean, VA 22102; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


Jim Friedlich and Rob Portman, who met as ’shmen in Butterfield Hall, got together for breakfast in New York City in December. Jim, a former Wall Street Journal executive and New York-based media and private equity investor, joined a group of fellow supporters to celebrate Rob’s recent election to the U.S. Senate. In his comments to the group including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John Thune (R-SD), McGraw-Hill chairman Terry McGraw and former American Express CEO James Robinson III, Rob spoke movingly about the need for greater fiscal responsibility and true bipartisanship in Washington, D.C. “It was a proud day to see my freshman hallmate elected to the U.S. Senate,” said Jim. “Neither of us looks any older, but Rob at least is wiser.”


Under class president Dave Graham’s aegis (note the clever use of the yearbook name…) the class is kicking off a series of mini-reunions to encourage us to get (re)acquainted after all these years. (As I commented after the last big reunion in Hanover: It’s amazing all the wonderful people in our class that I never met as an undergrad.) The first 1978 night class mini was hosted by class VP Barbara Dau Southwell on February 26 in Bethesda, Maryland (a Washington, D.C., suburb, for those who are geographically challenged, but also a town in its own right). Attendees included Charley Wise and wife Cheryl Newman ’76, Lou and Debbie Harmon Duff,Dan and Pam Daniels Drumheller, Hope Dobrow and Steve Goodman, Lisa Kaeser, Ann Hoover Maddox and Mark Hansen.Barbara’s midnight après-party analysis: “Well the last guests left about 20 minutes ago, so that means it was a good party. Hope made wonderful gourmet treats and brought excellent wine. Lisa had a fabulous beer lineup that was a great hit.” And everyone thinks life here in metro D.C. is all about politics. Hah.


Well, another Winter Carnival weekend has come and gone. I’m still looking for a decent DVD version of Winter Carnival to replace the dilapidated VHS recording I made from broadcast TV in the mid-1980s. I don’t know what it is—the cheesy football analogies, the background shots of the College, the snippets of Dartmouth songs or the on-again, off-again romance with the happily-ever-after ending in a house on Lyme Road. “How refreshing and youthful…” as my 20-something kids freely quote. Sigh.


Everyone, this is important. I finally am getting with the last decade, technologically speaking, by getting a gmail account. So all of you need to update your address books with my new eddress: davidthov@gmail.com. (Note the middle initial. As amazing as it seems, there is in fact another David Hov, out in Phoenix, Arizona, who apparently got the eddress I wanted. So be sure your important updates for the Class Notes don’t go astray. Send them to me, david with a “t,” today!) Now, write! 


—Dave Hov, 7840 Virginia Oaks Drive, Gainesville, VA 2015; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


The Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center dedication and mini-reunion November 4-6, 2011, was a huge success. Classmates have already received the special newsletter full of pictures and people from the event. Others can find the newsletter online at the 1978 class website, www.dartmouth.org/classes/78. Thanks to all who participated, and especially to the many who helped plan and execute this great weekend.


In other Upper Valley news (courtesy of the Valley News) “Bill Bender’s company Sola-flect recently won one of two awards nationwide from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the next generation of ‘concentrated solar power’ technology. Bender’s innovative design cuts costs by using 65 percent less steel than traditional solar installations. A Rutland [Vermont] native, Bender first took a solar technology course while in college. Then he largely forgot about it, working instead as an international consultant for food and nutrition policy in developing countries and founding a successful web analytics company. When he, his wife and their four children (now ages 7 to 19) bought a house in Norwich [Vermont] in 2000 he realized that the sunny, south-facing roof of his hilltop home would be ideal for a home solar installation. So, with his children’s help, he began tinkering in the back yard, now a test site for mirrored panels that reflect and concentrate sunlight, much like a giant magnifying glass, which concentrate enough light to heat a black metal receiver to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, or to start a piece of plywood smoking in less than two minutes.”


As undergrads, Mark Hartman and I used to share rides to Hanover from Connecticut, as well as singing in the Glee Club. In response to one of my shameless inquiries for news, Mark wrote: “I have a new position in the global patient safety organization at Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am responsible for all safety aspects of a drug in development that Lilly hopes will be a major advance in the treatment of diabetes. After not singing much since the Dartmouth Glee Club, I am singing again in two choirs through my church—and loving every minute of it! My wife, Laurie (Komornik) Hartman ’80 continues to work as director of care at Grace Community Church in Noblesville, Indiana, where she applies her skills as a counselor in a pastoral context. We have three adult children. David, 26, is married with one son (our first grandson!); he and his wife are preparing to serve as missionaries in a community development capacity in a South Asian country. Marian, 23, is teaching English as a second language and is planning to pursue graduate studies in sociolinguistics. Lisa, 20, is a sophomore at Purdue University and is studying elementary education.”


This DAM will be arriving in your mailbox around Winter Carnival, and my next deadline is February 28, so go to your computer or writing desk right now and send me your favorite Carnival reminiscences.


—Dave Hov, 6742 Towne Lane Road, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


Dear classmates, this will reach you in late June Here’s hoping you had a great time at our 35th reunion. And whether you did or not, it’s never too soon to start sending in vignettes of yourself, your family and your Dartmouth friends. Also, a huge round of advance snaps to Chris Simpson Brent and Jim Bassett and the whole reunion planning team for organizing an awesome time! Now back to the news.


Tom Swartwood is now teaching entrepreneurialism fulltime at Drake University, where he’s been teaching just one course a semester for quite some time. As Tom noted, “We’re never too old to learn new tricks or to find our way. By the way, had a great dinner with Mike Whitcomb earlier this year while in San Fran.”


Brooks Clark on his new job: “In February I started working at Shelton Group, an ad agency focused on motivating mainstream consumers to make sustainable choices. Our offices, with bicycles hanging on one wall, are in a loft on the second story of a 1923 building in Knoxville, Tennessee’s ultra-cool Old City. I am managing editor of Shelton Insights, an online publication that gives a marketing edge to corporate sustainability officers, utility energy-efficiency managers and green product managers, builders and architects. Have already tapped the expertise of energy-efficiency expert Dan Reicher, solar-power CEO Duane Peterson and EnergyStar builder Michael Chandler. After a job interview in McLean, Virginia (before I signed on with Shelton), I had lunch with Steve Pahos (who moved from Chicago to northern Virginia a few months ago). It was great to catch up with Steve over burgers and chili at the Vienna Inn, a favorite destination for Karen and her family when she was growing up in Vienna, Virginia.”


Many, many mini-reunions have been happening all over the world this year. The Metro D.C. 78th Night gathering included John Carney, Hope Dubro, Amy Dunbar, Annie McLane Kuster, Jeff Petrich, Steve Strauss, Gerry Widdicombe, Charley Wise,yours truly and assorted spouses. If you see John Carney at reunions, ask him about his membership in the Chicken Caucus.


Jon Neiditz has joined Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton’s Atlanta office as a partner on the global sourcing and technology team. Jon was previously a partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough and co-leader of the firm’s information management practice. Jon is a leading national commentator and influencer in information management and in organizations’ movement toward all-electronic documents systems and cloud computing, mobile payments and mobile health. He is also active in the local community, as chair of the Georgia Charitable Care Network and former chair of the Atlanta Regional Health Forum.


Next deadline for Class Notes is June 28. My thanks to Rick Beyer, who has foolishly graciously volunteered to take over as class secretary. So unless there is a surprise last minute write-in campaign at reunion, look for Rick’s byline and contact info in the next edition! 


—Dave Hov, 916 Rail Court, McLean, VA 22102; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


With just minor arm-twisting, class VP Barbara Dau Southwell provided the following in mid April: “In an effort to knock off a priority on my bucket list, I’m spending a month in the remote Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The monument is part of the Colorado Plateau, a geologic area distinguished by yellow, red, orange and grey-green sandstone canyons and cliffs of awesome beauty that I have explored during the last two decades, most often with Mindy Kassen, who taught me my wilderness skills. Days are filled with canyoneering (technical down-climbing) through the slot canyons that make this area famous, slickrock hiking and searching for traces of the Anasazi Indians who once lived here.


“Due to my serious addiction to indoor plumbIng, camping out has been minimized; most nights I return to a rented—and renovated!—Mormon settler home in Escalante. Settlers are gone, but evidence of modern polygamy practice abounds. This disturbing and intriguing fact is offset by the availability of margaritas, not a given in this part of the world. Best of all may be the experience of living off the grid, although I am not sure my kids and husband would concur.”


And from Cleveland.com: Former National City Bank chief Peter Raskind will guide the Cleveland, Ohio, school district while it searches for a new leader. Pete volunteered to work for just $1. He did the same thing while serving as interim chief of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority from December 2009 through May of last year. “Priority No. 1 is to do our very best to assure high-quality educational opportunities for Cleveland’s kids,” he said in an interview. Raskind, who joined National City in 2000, after 17 years with U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis, was named chief executive officer of National City in July 2007, added the title of chairman five months later and served until the bank was sold to PNC Financial Services Group at the end of 2008. 


Do check out the new and improved class website, www.dartmouth.org/classes/78. It has better pictures and great stuff about all the class mini-reunions this winter. And while you are there take a moment to verify/add your email address to the online listing so you will continue to get up-to-the minute news about everything ’78.


Speaking of mini-reunions, looks like the dedication of the 1978 Life Sciences Building will be the weekend of November 5, which is also a home football game (Cornell is the victim). Mark it on your calendars and let’s see how many of us can get there.


Oh, if you didn’t see it last time, please make a note of my new email address, davidthov@gmail.com. Clever readers will also note a new snail mail address with this issue. 


—Dave Hov, 6742 Towne Lane Road, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com


I’m writing this a week before the mini-reunion for the Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center, which promises to be an awesome time, with many classmates in attendance. Look for more on the mini-reunion in the next DAM and on the class website. 


On the current news front, Sheldon Ceaser writes, “During the past 26 years I have been practicing internal medicine in Chicago. Although it hasn’t been easy I have enjoyed the privilege of becoming a physician. I have always had a great rapport with my patients and colleagues, but I was never completely satisfied and I did not find it to be fulfilling. Although adamantly against alternative medicine in the past, because it was not validated by scientific methods, during the past 10 years I have found myself integrating alternative modalities into my practice. Surprisingly, I have found some of these to be quite effective. My level of satisfaction has increased considerably and my patients’ overall outcome has improved drastically. Furthermore, seven years ago I became aware that I had an ability to treat emotional and mental imbalances. I have had amazing success with patients who were suicidal, depressed, suffering trauma related to war or to Hurricane Katrina. I have helped those grieving the loss of love ones and coping with daily stresses. Knowing that I am able to help those with their emotional and mental problems has made the practice of medicine infinitely more satisfying.” Contact Sheldon at stceasermd@aol.com.


Now, this is Dave again. For those who didn’t know me as an undergrad, I was a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chronicler. I spent my weekends observing the behavior of my brothers and their guests, and diligently reporting the minutes of their activities to the assembled brotherhood at the next house meeting. It was a rare occasion when I would be honor-bound to do minutes on myself. This is one of those times. On October 22, 2011, I was joined in holy matrimony with Shaun Smith ’80. Among those in attendance (and from whom you can get more details) were Clare and John Foote, John Evans, Eric Nelson ’77, Liz Gray ’80 and Sally Sandercock Michler ’80, as well as many friends and family, including my daughter Sara and son Loren and Shaun’s daughter Amanda Johnson. Photographs (and possibly the unauthorized video of the whole Hov clan dancing to Steve Martin’s King Tut) will be posted to the class website, www.dartmouth.org/classes/78, censors willing. 


Being married to a Dartmouth woman is opening up whole new perspectives on life for me, which will undoubtedly sneak into future columns. In the meantime, this will be arriving in your mailbox mid to late December, and my next deadline is December 28, so please go to your computer or writing desk and send me some news about yourself and your family right now before you forget. Holiday stuff, winter vacation plans, upcoming anniversaries and children/grandchildren news are all fair game.


—Dave Hov, 6742 Towne Lane Road, McLean, VA 22101; (571) 643-8040; davidthov@gmail.com