This tribute, written to Natt Emersonas he lay critically ill in Dick's House, westill wish to address to him after death.
IT is GOOD to address this to him, for Dartmouth friends to read, and add their own endorsement of these words.
Early last month it seemed hardly possible to doctors or friends that Natt could survive the immediate effects of a very serious operation. His condition remained critical, day after day. Attending physicians and nurses agreed that never had they seen a man show such unconquerable resistance, such good sportsmanship in accepting things as they were, sudden and almost hopeless as they were, yet making from them great good nature for those terrible days and nights, and high confidence for the future.
It is at once a privilege and a sad duty to recall in these columns, of which Natt has always been such, a fine and helpful friend, the numerous things, far too numerous to be entirely listed, for which Dartmouth is eternally indebted to him. Service on the Alumni Council, its president for three years .... elected secretary of 1900 at graduation .... still directing class activities at the 35th reunion in June .... years of time and energy devoted to the Boston Alumni Association .... climaxing a successful business career with retirement to a home in Hanover .... taking on this job and that in Hanover until his leisure hours from Dartmouth duties were few .... it was a life he loved .... busy in the Outing Club, directing the business affairs of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, active in faculty and community groups ....
pleased with the records of his sons, John '38 and Bill '34 ... . enjoying life with his charming wife to make his Hanover home the retreat for evenings of solid reading, or the gay center for visiting friends among the alumni
All of this changed overnight. The sadness to us, his close friends, is lessened only by the knowledge of the happiness which was his in Hanover. As this is written it is directed straight to you, Natt. We want to tell you that Dartmouth College is built and strengthened by rare men like you.