Class of 1923
As was suggested in these notes last time, a short biography of one or two men will appear in each issue instead of brief notations about a number of men. After ten years of knocking about in the wide, wide world, some real successes have been attained, and the story of how they got there is likely to be interesting. The order in which these biographies appear is unimportant, since the fields in which men have cast their lots are manv and varied.
Ten years, almost to the very day, after Lloyd Kellock Neidlinger was graduated from Dartmouth, he received the appointment of assistant dean of that college. For Pudge, those ten years were just a journey away from home and back again; a journey which led over a road not always smooth nor well marked, but which brought this friend of ours back to Hanover and to the desk of the much respected Craven Laycock.
Pudge was born in Brooklyn, N. Y„ on December 23, 1901. His family moved to East Orange, N. J., soon after, and his early education was obtained in the Columbian Grammar School and the East Orange High School. Then there were four successful years at Dartmouth, in which Pudge distinguished himself as a good student and a stellar athlete. Playing on one of the worst football teams Dartmouth had known in many years, he received mention by the recognized football authority of that day as being all-American material, really an accomplishment. The most interesting thing to me about his hockey career was that the man who competed with him for the position of goal tender, and replaced him as often as not, became one of his warmest friends.
Graduation, and then the journey began. First Pudge returned to East Orange, where in a short time he became general manager of his father's factory, the Peerless Tube Co. The stability of this man prevents him from making changes loosely or rapidly. That quality keeps him at it until he is thoroughly convinced, so for more than four years he worked for the Peerless Tube Co. Those who knew Pudge well felt an inconsistency about this line of endeavor for him, a fact confirmed when he decided to study architecture. That was creative and seemed more to the point. But there were other things to think about. Two years after graduation a young lady by the name of Miss Marion Walker of East Orange became Mrs. Lloyd K. Neidlinger, and about the time this turn to architecture was made, Miss Mary Ann Neidlinger took her first look at this world of ours.
Resourcefully, Pudge made arrangements at Princeton to show the boys of old Nassau how to play football in the fall and hockey in the winter, a happy arrangement which made possible post-graduate work in the Princeton Architectural School. Two years of this and then a connection with Harper & West of Boston, where practical architectural experience was obtained. This arrangement provided that coaching at Princeton should continue in season, however, an activity helpful financially and good for the spirit.
It was the fall of 1929. The market had begun to crack—there was confusion and the economic pyramid began to totter.
Holy Smoke, it's twins, delivered spick and span right into the Neidlinger house- hold. Sally and Susan arrived September 28, 1929. In commenting on this later, Pudge once said, "You know, what may appear to be dire calamity at one time mayreally be fate's kindest stroke."
The partnership of Harper & West was dissolved, and Pudge was forced to find new employment. Coaching continued at Princeton, which helped to hold the wolf at bay, and after a time a connection was made with James H. Ritchie & Associates, also a firm of Boston architects. The light of substantial income had just begun to shine in the not too distant future. Four years of practical architecture had had its beneficial effect, but now another offer came,—not one of large financial return, in fact almost a denial of that,—an offer to aid in the administration of affairs at Dartmouth. The hills of New Hampshire won the decision, and now we find Pudge back in Hanover, occupying a position for which he is admirably suited, competent beyond a doubt, eager to give the College the best of his life and efforts.
Below is a letter recently received from the dean's office:
September 27.
"There is not much that I can write atthis time about my new position. Myfriends in the harsh unscholastic world whorefuse to take seriously this unexpectedchange in my station have been calling methe 'Green Dean,' and I feel very greenindeed. However at least I am not blue, forthe delights of being settled again in Han-over with some permanence you can easilyimagine.
"We are established in a comfortablehome on College St., next cloor to theGraduate Club, which was in our day thePresident's house. It is a location '23 mencan easily find, and has the added advantage of being convenient to my office.
"I am enjoying my renewed acquaintancewith professors oj our time and other Hanoverians who have, through my frequentvisits, been casual friends.
"Gradually, under Craven's kind tutelageI am learning the business of being anacademic dean. I am impressed even at thisearly stage with the interesting variety ofthe work and with the sympathy and con-sideration given all undergractuate problems not only in the Dean's office but inthe meetings of the faculty committees responsible for most actions. The responsibility of advising 2000 boys, rather than theimportance of being such an advisor, alsoimpresses me.
"I am intense now in absorbing in a fewshort months all that I can assimilate ofCraven's technique and experience. I cannot conceive of ever being more than animpersonator, and a poor one, if I attemptto imitate him. 1 hope I shall be able todevise some happy combination of qualities which will retain the prestige anddignity of the position I inherit and makethe best use of the more intimate contactwith undergraduates which I may expectthrough being more nearly their contemporary.
"Pudge"
Secretary, Box 14, Wall St. Station New York
