1915
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Phil Leary on June 30, 1945, just fifteen days after he had been present at the Boston reunion held in lieu of our 30th Reunion. A detailed account of his death will appear in In Memoriam for October.
This month's news concerns itself chiefly with the two reunion gatherings—one at Boston and one at New York, both held on June 15, and both well attended.
First, (because it was the one I attended) the meeting at Boston:—Thirty-eight of the class turned out at the Parker House for a before-dinner gathering, a fine dinner, and then an impromptu and typical '15 song fest and session afterwards. While no attempt was made to hold a class meeting, President Bill did preside at the festivities, called on each member present for a few words at the dinner, and we voted, as a recommendation for the executive committee, that $500 of the class funds be given to the permanent Memorial Fund of the Class. Later action of the executive committee will be recorded in this column.
Gathered around the board were: President Bill Huntress, Treasurer Chan Foster, Secretary Don Bennink, Executive Committeeman Norvie Milmore, Regional Vice President Sid Crawford. Strange fate kept Regional Vice President Walt Meader away, for after getting all the arrangements for the meeting underway, Walt was stricken ill, and couldn't be there to see his plans work out in to the best meeting we have ever had in Boston. Letters from Regional Vice Presidents Hubie Sargent, Casey Jones and Fletch Low were read, regretting their inability to get there. The rest of the stalwart thirty-eight included: Speed Henderson, Sid Bull, Johnnie Johnson, Dick Wyman, Al Sherman, George Simpson, Hap Leonard, Nut Norwood, Bob Fitts, Leon Tuck,. Dale Barker, Howie Wing, Ashley St. Clair, Russ Rice, Art Nichols, String Downing, Howie Stearns, Ray King, Russ Chase, Jack Mason, Eben Clough, George Martin, Ed Dewing, Hal Claflin, Earl McAndrews, Ben Slade, Duze Lounsberry, Duke Sullivan, Butch Fonda, Adam Sutcliffe, Pete Winship, Bud Doe, and the late Phil Leary whose death is reported above.
News came thick and fast at the meeting. I learned with pleasure that Sid Crawford's boy, Bruce, has gone to Hanover for the new class entering July 2; (his son Sid Jr. is still in prep school but with eyes on Dartmouth); and added to Bruce Crawford, Duke Sullivan's boy Alfred and Ray King's son-yes, Ray Jr. were likewise on the rolls for entrance on July 2.
During the course of the evening, the names of all our classmates in the service were read and tribute paid to them, and it seemed to all that a class thirty years out of college with eighteen on the service roll really was right in there pitching. Five of them have now left the service, the last one being Thornt Pray, who returned to civilian life on that same date.
Actual news on the future for a reunion in Hanover was still lacking, and I can Only repeat what has been written before—that as soon as the green light is on, the College plans a general reunion of all classes—and we'll be in as one of those which missed.
As for the boys who were there, swell. But we had some fine cards from those who wanted to and couldn't—and they missed a good time. Kike Richardson was out of town; Jack Bowler couldn't get away from Hanover; Howie Fuller was tied up in Washington on his new job at GHQ. Kell Rose and Jonny Mullin sent cards telling us that they couldn't be with us and in New York too—as did Dick Luddy. Harp O'Hara had signed to come, but illness of his mother prevented; Max Wilcox, Ray Russell and Ernie Boyd also were absent, not from choice, as they had planned to come—yes, Bob Bigelow also sent in a "yes" card.
Back to more news gathered here and there as we milled around: George A. Downing, String's son, left Kimball Union in June at the end of his first semester of senior year to join the Navy—anhe'll be at Dartmouth after the war. Art Nichols's son, Art Jr., acting secretary of 1945, dropped in to meet his dad's classmates. Russ Chase Jr. is in the Seabees 150 miles north of Manila at last accounts. Yes—just hit the card from Ed Shea, regretting that he couldn't be with us. One of the missing was Stu Hill, who after a number of years in Colorado, had just gotten back, all set to be with us—and landed in the hospital. He's on the mend, though, and we sent him a little remembrance for the evening, and a note from him sounds as if he were getting along fine. Although far away from Boston, Ralph Sawyer wrote to Bill Huntress and expressed the hope we'd have a reunion before '50. Don't we all!
Chan's treasurer's report was healthy and strong —hence the vote to put some of it in the Memorial Fund. The secretary's report was mainly reading letters and wires, and reviewing the boys in the service. Dale Barker reported for the Alumni Fund as Kell's representative—and you've heard about that anyway—but the latest says we have made a good showing.
Around the country it was pretty hard to get a gathering outside of Boston and New York. So said Fletch, Hubie Sargent, and Phil Alexander, who replied to my letters.
Two of Gil Campbell's boys—Gilbert M. 3rd, and John M. graced the Springfield Union in a special article June 21. Gil Jr. is a Sergeant and a graduate of the gunnery school at Las Vagas, Nev. John is a first lieutenant—bombardier-navigator in the air forces, and both have seen service overseas, but .were at home together when the story was written.
Now for the New York gathering, and our re- porter is Vice President (senior grade) Charlie Comisky. Twenty-eight sat down for dinner there, and included, Ralph Brown, Tracy Brownell, Gus Braun, Dick Clarke, Russ Durgin, Red Folan, Bob Fredericks, Mai Frederick, Charlie Griffith, Jack Healy, Jim Killeen, Phil Murdock, Don Law, Dick Luddy, Roy Lafferty, Kell Rose, Carl Swenson, Ed Sanborn, Herb Widman, Bags Wanamaker, and Dan Waugh. Others who came in for a time but couldn't stay included: Leo Burt, Al English, Jonny Mullin, Turk Turner, Harry Ellms. Those who had said "yes" but couldn't make it at the last moment were: Beards Ruml, Dick Coon, Pete Cannon, Carl Gish, Bill Nissen, Dick Scharmann and Jim Forrestal who was in town, said he'd try to make it—but couldn't get away. Art Hornblow left earlier in the day not knowing of the gatheringuntil it was too late to change his plans to go to the Coast.
At New York Charlie Comisky acted as master of ceremonies, and Jack Healy read Chan's treasurer's report. The gathering likewise, as in Boston, voted to recommend a $500 addition to the Memorial Fund from the class funds, Charlie Grif- fith speaking on the matter. Kell Rose gave one of his usual fine talks for the Alumni Fund—and from here we know what a wonderful job Kell has again done in this vital part of class work.
I just learned a third person close to the picture this week that Eben Clough left the Internal Revenue Service this past week to enter business. He becomes part owner assistant treasurer and general factotum (or something) of the Boston Mill Remnant Company in Boston.
Change of addresses this month include, as perhaps you noted at the top of the column, the secretary who is now at the Bay State Building, Law- rence, Mass., having entered the private practice of law on July 2 after twelve years as Division Chief of Internal Revenue; Bob Fredericks, 36 Hopke Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.; Frederick P. Lowe, 579 S. Wiliard St., Burlington, Vt; David H. Markham, Box 68, Checotah, Okla.; Brig. Gen. Howie Fuller, 2017 Munitions Bldg., Washington, D. C.; Dr. Arthur G. Boggs, c/o E. M. Dow, 57 Pleasant St., Newton Center, Mass.
A NICE SUMMER POSE, the above photograph of Donald C. Burnham '14, member of the class's Executive Committee, is just right for an August issue. It is the second picture of a 1914 committee member to appear in a contemplated series.
Secretary, Bay State Building, Lawrence, Mass. Treasurer, 31 State Street, Boston, Mass.
