1905
Under date of June 6, the Concord (N. H.) Monitor had an account at some length, the first paragraph of which is as follows:
"Walter M. May, who will retire as Deputy State Commissioner of Education June 30, after 31 years of service, was honored by educators and state officials at a testimonial dinner at the high school last night.... Following the dinner Mr. May was presented with a leatherbound volume of testimonial letters."
Andy MacMillan, who was present, has sent me a brief account of this pleasant affair. "I was happy to have the pleasure of attending both as a friend of Walter's and a representative of Dartmouth, class of 'O5. I do not hesitate to say that it was one of the finest testimonials that I have ever attended. Over 300 people were there, mostly teachers, school superintendents and educators from New Hampshire and surrounding states. He was presented with a very lovely combination television, radio and phonograph set. It was a fine dinner,—many speeches, to which he responded in a manner that was not only a credit to him, but to his '05 class." Heartiest congratulations, Walter, for this well deserved honor!
Mildred and I found the Alumni Officers' Meeting in Hanover May 18-19 a very enjoyable affair. This is not the place for details, but the meetings were interesting and President Dickey's talk at the joint dinner very enlightening. It was pleasant to be in Hanover on a quieter occasion than a reunion. However, there was much of the best sort of reunion spirit, and we enjoyed particularly the company of Gib and FlorenceFall, Sliver Hatch with his son from Guatemala, C. C. Hills and his good helpmeet.
Sadly I have to report the deaths of two of our class wives. Marion Knibbs passed away on May 25. On June 8, Henry Hobart's wife, whose stage name was Olive Tell, died as a result of a fall. She had ppeared in such films as The Scarlet Empress and The Trialof Mary Dugan. Mrs. Knibbs had been a great worker in the church and in many charitable organizations in the city and was respected and admired by a large circle of acquaintances and friends.
Tub Besse represented the class at these two funeral services. A note from Tub in early July told of Bill Knibbs' retirement July 1 from the Otis Elevator Company. A big farewell party was tendered him at the Dartmouth Club with some 80 associates of the company present. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy retirement, Bill.
Tub further reported, I'm happy to say, that he himself was feeling in better health.
In a note passed along to me, Ed Gilbert states he's had a busy summer both with his business and his acre-sized garden. He adds that Walt Conley and wife are spending the summer at Sebago Lake, Me., but that Walt was expected back to catch up with haying, spraying and other odd jobs on his farm. Ed added that his daughter Elinor had been accepted at Cornell.
Doc Loder is reported as making a good recovery from a very serious operation. He had an abscessed lung which had to be removed. He expects to resume his practice after a vacation in the healthful air of Maine.
Pink Laing writes that he had a delightful visit on May 22 and 23 with Ned Estes, who was then making a transcontinental jaunt by train. Pink and Ned roomed together at the Delta Tau Delta house their senior year.
On July 7, Cornell University formally named its administration building EdmundEra Day Hall. The trustees stated that this action was to commemorate the achievements of Dr. Day during a period of the university's greatest development. The name of the hall will be carved at the east and west entrances and inside the building will be placed a bronze plaque, a lasting and fitting tribute to our beloved Rufus.
WALTER ABBOTT CONLEY '05
Born in Maine, married to a Maine girl, often returning to Maine to fish and swim, Walter Conley has now transplanted much of the Maine environment to his 21-acre farm in the hills of New Jersey. "With outstanding distinction he has practiced his profession of bridge and structural engineering in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York State.
Son of a Portland oil wholesaler and retailer, "Walter came to Dartmouth, tall and strong, levelheaded, friendly and democratic, except in politics (he's from Maine, you know!). By his Senior year through persistent work, he had become Varsity fullback along with our Bill Knibbs, and a member of Paleopitus and of Casque and Gauntlet Senior Society.
He remained a year longer in Hanover than the most of us, in order to collect an extra degree, Civil Engineering, at Thayer School.
Walter joined the American Bridge Company and spent 18 years with them, designing and estimating bridges and examining and reporting on existing bridges.
In 1924 he became associated with J. B. French, Consulting Engineer, and in 1929 entered into partnership with Mr. French. They maintained an office until 1940, specializing in railroad bridges and ferry car float bridges.
In 1940 as a consultant to the Federal Shipbuilding Company, Kearny, N. J., he designed what is probably the largest concrete shipway and fitting-up basin in the country. Off and on during the years he assisted other engineers in the design of many bridges of every type. From mid-1941 to 1946 he was with McKiernan-Terry of Harrison, N. J., where, as head of a special engineering force, he designed secret machines for the Navy. The last job was a variable length, aluminum suspension bridge for the Army.
After a long and varied and withal very interesting career in his chosen field, he retired December 31, 1946, to his farm, a beautiful spot with rolling fields and a wood lot containing some majestic trees. His engineering skill now finds scope in designing and making labor-saving attachments for his own tractor, or making wrought iron objects, or advising on his neighbors' mechanical problems. In his woods, too, he has constructed a pool, to which he has diverted water from his "babbling brook."
On this 21-acre farm, Walter raises some extremely good apples, endeavors to keep the several acres of woodland in accordance with forestry principles, raises a few vegetables, has extensive flower gardens, and, until recently, has enjoyed horseback riding.
He is Tax Assessor for the Township of Morristown, N. J., and lives the life of a country gentleman. However, he does roam far afield. He visits Hanover and Lake Sebago near Portland, and the Dartmouth Club of New York quite often. They have travelled each year for several weeks, visiting the national parks, the Canadian Rockies, the Southwest, and the islands of the Caribbean. He and Mrs. Conley look forward to seeing new parts of the world in their sunset years.
It was in 1910 that Ethel Blake of his native city and Walter married. Their son, Walter Jr. '36 is married, living in Chatham, N. J., and associated with the Air Reduction Company. Their daughter Janet is now Mrs. A. P. Spence Jr. of Darien, Conn. There are three grandchildren.
Distinguished in his profession, a member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers, our classmate travels with pride over many bridges of his own design. And yet, more than most, he has learned the art of living a sensible and enjoyable life.
Who's Who in '05
Secretary, 358 N. Fullerton Ave., Upper Montclair, N. J. Treasurer, 8027 Seminole Ave., Philadelphia 18, Pa.
