1930
There is so much in the way of big news this month that it is tough to decide where to start. Births are big events any time, especially for the interested parents, but we have had a lot of them. Our postponed Fifteenth Reunion is coming up, according to present plans, in July 1946, but we've had two reunions already. The succession of John Dickey '29 to the Presidency is known to all of you now, so it seems to us that the return of our servicemen to civilian life rates first place in the column this month. They are getting out fast now, (not fast enough for those still sweating out points or awaiting transportation), and those who were on the home front are as glad to have them back as they are to be back.
At the New York class dinner last night (November 8), fifteen of the thirty-three present were in civilian clothes or just a short time away from them. Bill Jessup received his discharge at fourteen hours that very day. Lt. Pat O'Brien, our latest bridegroom, was in Navy blue, and Major Bill Lucas looked grand in his uniform. The following wore their honorable discharge buttons: Eb Blake, whose English bride is due in the U. S. next January; George Scheller, Pete Lillard, Pat Weaver, John French, Art Behal; Bob Bottome, who will return to Caracas in December; George Morris, Ed Schuster, Brownie Brown, Al Fisk and Al McGrath. Vic Borella was there, having returned' from Washington to Rockefeller Center, and the old standbys, Fred Page, Fred Bowes, Dud Day, Shaw Cole, Charlie Humiston, Lee Eisler, Dave Rubin, Dick Blun, Wally Wasmer, Bud Ackley, Dick Tilt, Art Browning, Bob Chittim, Ave Raube, Ken Johnes, Charlie McDonough and Bud French. Bob Winter was in town the day before, having just returned from Bermuda, but he didn't like the cots in the Hotel Pennsylvania and went on home to Newcastle. Chick Pooler missed the dinner but dropped in later while a few of the boys were still hanging around the bar. Nobody would believe his story that he lost thirty-five pounds in the Army.
Charlie Widmayer and Alex McFarland report they bumped into Bob Jordan in Boston, fresh from the Pacific. Sam Butler was due to get out of the Navy, around November first. George Kisevalter planned a long vacation in Nebraska before getting back into engineering, probably in New York. Paul Hoffman received his Navy discharge after three years of service, as C.O. of a P.C. in Atlantic convoy service, and in the Pacific as C.O. of a P.G.M. (gun boat).
Jack Fitzpatrick says he is enjoying the luxuries of civilian life again after forty months in the Air Force, twenty of which were spent in England with a fighter group, as group intelligence officer. Milt Fleischman is back again in the same business, but has changed the name of his company to Florshield Products Corporation. He expects to move his family out to California soon. Charlie Rauch expected to be out of the Army early in November, and then settle down in Farmington, Conn., if he could find a house. Hank Ekstrom was working in the office next to Charlie, renegotiating for the A.A.F.
Howie Eldredge got out October 8, and was looking forward to seeing the Yale game. We didn't see him outside Portal 30 between the halves, but did run into Major Les Godwin, just back from Brazil, and sundry other Thirtymen who made the class dinner.
Julia Gould reported on October 19 that Red is on his way back from the Pacific. On October 8, a B-29 took him from Guam to Saipan, where he expected to leave by boat ten days later, but she advised that he had not returned up to the time of the dinner last night. Buzz Morley was discharged October 5, and is back at Morley Bros., in Saginaw. Ex- Lt. Comdr. Bud Fisher wrote from 310 Sherman St., Joliet, Ill., "Please note the simplification of my title to just plain Mister. I feel nearly as awkward in civilian clothes as I did in uniform in March, 1942. Am on terminal leave which is the practical equivalent of being a private citizen except the Navy is paying me for accumulated leave. I returned to the West Coast early in June, thus finishing two tours of duty in the Pacific, the last on a destroyer escort. Before leaving California I saw Chuck Faye in San Francisco and learned some of the perplexities faced by a war-time business man. Have become associated with Folger Adam of Joliet, engaged in the manufacture of locking devices and other prison and institutional equipment."
A note from Lt. Ed Warren advises that he is in North Carolina hoping for the news that will make him a civilian again, needing a few more points. This seems a little rough on a guy who was inducted back in March 1941.
Elsewhere in this issue you will read about the plans for class reunions next summer. Before the December issue reaches you, however, we hope to send out a newsletter on this important subject, the Class Memorial Fund and the various news items that limitations of space prevent our including here.
Ewing Burns announces another addition to his family, Frederick Ewing, born June 24, 1945. "It's a little difficult getting used to a boy after three girls, especially the plumbing," says the happy daddy. Art Olsen says "My only news item is the arrival of my little daughter, Karen, on August 12. That makes a family of three, two girls and a boy."
Pat Weaver's discharge from the Navy was timed so he could be home for the birth of his son, Trajan Victor Charles Weaver, on October 20. Pat has returned to the American Tobacco Company, in charge of advertising, so maybe that " L.S.M.F.T." will be abolished and perhaps we'll have Luckies at our Reunion Banquet again next summer. Which reminds us that Sam Adams telephoned the office while we were enjoying our first real vacation in three years last' summer. And Carl Haffenreffer, who was in New York last week, says, "With government contracts down to a trickle, we are devoting our entire efforts to research engineering and design work in laminating plastics. Also, I am giving more attention to 'Rich-Creamy & Mellow.'" Hi, neighbors!
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
Secretary, 99 Hudson St., New York, N. Y.
Treasurer, 443 Nyatt Rd., Barrington, R. I.
