1909

We had a fine turnout at the Boston Alumni Dinner. Twenty-three people were present, considerably more that other classes about our time. If we could only get them to turn out for the Alumni Fund as well as they showed up for this we could soon change our standing with the group. The following fellows were present: Walter Brown, Hal Clark, Doc Perley, CadCummings, Ned Ford, Oliver Greenwood,Allen Newton, Harry Floyd, Sandy Hooker,Bob Holmes, Gordon Weinz, Lynde Tucker,Abbott Thayer, Plum Leighton, BertrandFrench, Dick Lord, Howard Spaulding, HerbHawes, Mike Farley, Art Swenson, BernardScidly and Wallie Ross.

We missed Bob Burns, but he was taking a vacation for himself—a fishing trip in the South; more power to him! We had a swell time and were sorry to miss a lot of the others who are generally with us.

Herb Hawes reported he and Chappelear had seen Frank Austin in New York and had a fine time with him. Frank has advanced to the job of Purchasing Agent for the New York Central We learned that the sons of Wilbur Bull and Joe Worthen were doing well in athletics at the college. Ben Scully, MikeFarley, Cad Cummings and I reported we had grandchildren in the family.

A card from Jim Greenbaum from Mexico says he had a bad case of the flu and had been to Arizona and from there headed for Mexico City with the usual stops, having a fine time and recuperating fast.

Sorry to report two more deaths in the '09 family. Doc Kilburn died on February 3, 1947. He was taken suddenly at the Springfield Hospital, where he was a member of the staff, with an attack of coronary thrombosis. He had a previous attack; but after having had cardiograms taken he was assured his heart was in excellent condition. It also developed he had diabetes. His wife was assured there was nothing for her to worry about but, apparently, his blood vessels had weakened from the spasm he had had so that when the next attack came he was unable to stand the pressure. He had built up a very fine practice in and about Springfield where he had specialized in the field of urology. A Testimonial is being compiled by the Academy of Medicine, and as soon as a copy is available I will see that it is entered with the "In Memoriam" article. I lived with Ira freshman year and became very much attached to him, and I find this was the sentiment of all with whom I have talked. He had an exceptional disposition and was always ready to be of help to anybody who needed it whether in a medical way or with a friendly pat on the back.

Another member of the class to pass on was Fred Plummer who died of a heart attack in Austin, Texas, on February 17, 1947. He was born in Etna, N. H., and his body was brought back there for burial. A letter from ElbertDole indicated that he and Frank Cory were pall bearers at his funeral which took place on February si. We heard very little from Ted after he left college but he, apparently, did exceptionally well for himself in life. He was a research geologist, and Professor of Petroleum Engineering at Texas University at the time of his death. He was personally responsible for the establishment of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University and was its first chairman. He was the author of innumerable papers dealing with geological research, and had been widely recognized for his outstanding work in connection with the recovery of salt water in oil wells.

A card from Hal Hall addressed to DickLocke stated he has at last been given a clean bill of health by the Veterans' Association and was going out into the business world. This is good news because he has been in the hospital now for a great many years and has held up well and kept his spirits in spite of it. His address, which he would like to have some of you use, is 25 Midland Avenue, White Plains, New York.

A note from Phil Chase states he is getting along in fine shape in spite of still another operation to remove a tumor from his jaw along with the extraction of a tooth. Good luck to Phil and I know he will be glad to hear from any of you who will take the time to write him. His address is 715 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, Conn Walter Brown is now out of government service and is back again with the United Fruit Company, and is located at 183 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Mass.

Secretary, Wm. Filene's Sons Cos. 426 Washington St., Boston, Mass. Treasurer, 16 Wall St., New York 15, N. Y.