1929
This month we continue the annual FatherSon Issue of 1929 class news with the letters which had to be held over because of lack of space in the April column.
James E. Cavanaugh 28 Dryads Green Northampton, Mass. —James E. Cavanaugh Jr. 51 48 Sachem Village —John C. Cavanaugh '55 106 Gile
"I can highlight the last year with three main events I was married in August to Betsy Brady on Governor's Island, N. Y. I started my second year of Medical School here at Dartmouth and I have recently been accepted at Harvard Medical School for the completion of the first lap of my training. In passing I would like to mention that the main problem at the moment is finding a place to live in Boston. If any_ alumni have any suggestions, we would certainly appreciate hearing about them. I am looking forward to introducing my wife to you all at the next reunion. Jim '5l.
Johnny '55 speaking: "As far as my work goes, I'm not inclining in the footsteps of my father, who as you know is a doctor, but I m concentrating more on English, History, with the latter in mind for a major. The profs up here I consider nothing short of terrific, and I guess I was really lucky in getting exceptionally fine ones my first semester. For extracurricular activities, I get my kicks out of working on the Jacko lit staff, as well as ing my hand at set-painting for The Players, which I find is really loads of fun as well as lots ot work. I hope to do some real acting next year in the organization. I'm really glad to finally be near some real snow for a change! Down home in Northampton, Mass., we only have some haltbaked suggestions of the real stuff, and of course living in Florida before that gave me absolutely no chance to ski, which I am really devoted to. If you asked me how I like Dartmouth—there would only be one fanatic answer—l live tor it' It was instilled in me from birth, and now that I'm here it lives up to all previous expecta-tions—the great football weekends—Smith (which, being at home, is seventh heaven!!!)—opportunities etc I've made many acquaintances with 29 sons, among them Carter White, son of BrooksWhite Of course the thing which I really like up here is the spirit—it catches—(like the measles you might say!)—anyway, when I ever go away from Hanover on weekends, etc., I can always spot the Dartmouth guys in a crowd. They re all a pretty terrific bunch."
Father Elie '29 reporting: "I attended Freshman Fathers' Weekend, Feb. 15-17, which in three years has become an institution which I can highly recommend. If any of the other eight Twenty-Nine fathers of '55 were there, I did not see them. I did enjoy seeing Dr. Frank P. Foster, however, skiing on Oak Hill with his entire family. It was 'back to College' for a weekend, so to speak, with classes, meals at Thayer Hall, dormitory rooms and a good schedule of hockey and basketball games, plus a well-rounded I particu- larly enjoyed a full day of skiing with my two sons. My dormitory roommate was George McGregor, Brown '3O. We slept on comfortable cots in our sons' study at 106 Gile. I dont know where we would have put Jim Campion, father ot the third roommate, if he hadn't had his own bunk at home. The two fathers found out how they stood the first night, after being tucked away in the study, when voices of the three roomies in the bedroom were discussing whether they should open the window in our room. The matter was neatly settled when one voice came out with, Hell, no at that age they don't breathe.' The next day, I really felt my antiquity when freshmen gasped at my reminiscences of such historical data as in our day, we ate in Commons. . . . Reed and Crosby were dormitories .. . history was taught in Wentworth .. . practically no students had cars at college.' But there was a bit of satisfaction in the parting note of one of the roomies, that these fathers have worn us out!' I hope that Jim and John have found time to write. Next August I expect to be competing for 'class grandfather. Marj and Julie, aged 12, are fine. At present, my young daughter has aspirations for Smith.
Dr. Irving M. Le vitas 24 Lyons Place, Westwood, N. J. —John H. Levitas 55 102 North Mass.
John '55 reports: "College has been a new and exciting experience for me, and I am glad I decided to attend Dartmouth. I wanted to attend an Ivy League school and thought Dartmouth would offer as much or even more than the others. Since coming here, I have participated in intramurals and have been working in the production department of radio station WDBS. Taking advantage of the climate, I have also been learning to ski and enjoy it immensely. Outside of college, my two main hobbies are stamp collecting and golf. My father interested me in the game of golf, and I have been playing it for about two years. My father spends most of his spare time at this sport, and we frequently play together. Two summers ago, at the Hackensack Golf Club, we won a father-son golf tournament. As I live approximately 17 miles from New York City, I have occasionally seen Broadway plays, and in the summer I have often watched major league baseball games. I have many friends in the class of 1955 and am rooming with two swell roommates. On the whole, I believe Dartmouth offers a good education, excellent extracurricular activities, and valuable friendships."
Irving M. Levitas writes: "As regards my son John, he is really working hard and shows signs of doing very well once he gets on to the ropes. Coming from a public high school where things were pretty easy, the competition in college is naturally a lot tougher. I don't envy these boys today—we were lucky_ to have been in school during the roaring twenties when the outlook was so bright. The future for these fellows is naturally clouded. They are much more serious than we and their education will be better rounded. _ But then again as they don't know what normal is, there is no use worrying about them. In general, they are as good or better than their parents were. This generation of children are a great bunch from what I've seen. Everyone seems to take delight in talking down the youngsters but believe me, our prohibition age group were no roses compared to these kids."
Brooks C. White 30 Grotto Ave., , . , Providence, R. I. —Brooks C. "White, Jr. 55 401 Middle Mass.
"To start off with I had two choices when it came to picking colleges last year. They were Dartmouth, where father had registered me in 1946 and Amherst. When it came time to decide I really had trouble. With a little family coaching I did pick Dartmouth and after the first week of orientation I was not only sure that this was the right choice but the only choice. As for my vital statistics, I am 18 and nearly draft bait. I graduated from Suffield Academy in Suffield, Conn., being the first one in six years to come up here. My major activities there were swimming and the yearbook. Both of these I would like to take up here at Dartmouth. So far I know only two sons of '29ers. They are Jim and John Cavanaugh. I do hope, though, through our picture for the MAGAZINE, to get to meet some more, especially the ones in my own class. I have, however, through Father and the Rhode Island Dartmouth Alumni, been able to meet a lot of sons of other classes. I am only sorry this freshman class is so big for I will surely never get to know all my classmates, which I would like to do. I have been just a
"grinding" freshman so far and my activities are limited to work in The Dartmouth Christian Union and helping the D.O.C. with the center-ofcampus statue at Carnival time. It is rumored that upperclassmen have it easier than we do and if that is true maybe next year I could extend my activities some more. As you probably know, last weekend was Father and Son Weekend up here at Dartmouth. Father was not able to make it though. He is one of those insurance men who always have a schedule a long and I was sorry but he just could not fit it in.
Carter White."
Brooks White informs us: "Resigned from the Park National Bank, Holyoke, Mass., in Jan., 1949, after 10 years as Executive Officer. Joined the Roderick Pirnie Estate Service (Mass. Mutual) in August '49. Children: Carter, 18, Priscilla, 10, Linda, almost 5, Geoffrey, 9 months (already entered in '73). Needless to say, spare moments are few and far between but we expect to be on hand for the 25th."
Kingsbury Nickerson 101 Kent Place Blvd., Summit, N. J. —William H. Nickerson '55 110 Middle Mass.
Nick '55 writes: "As far as interests go, up until the end of February I was spending every free minute on the ski slopes. I had been waiting all winter for good snow, and it finally came. On crutches, however, snow seems less desirable, being either dangerously slippery, or very slushy. But even a broken ankle cannot discourage me, and I expect to be skiing as much as ever next year.
"My other hobbies are photography and, if it <:an be called a hobby, tennis. I am not very good at either one, but sometimes I like to think I am. "In college I can truthfully say that I like all my subjects—at least this semester. All my professors are very interesting. The subjects I like most are English and Spanish, and I have been thinking seriously of majoring in English. I like to read, and I sometimes like to think I can write. My only objection to majoring in the subject is that, unless I am going to be a writer or an English teacher, I don't know what good the courses will do me. Some people say we go to college to get an 'education' and to learn things. Others say we should prepare ourselves specifically for what we intend to do afterwards. I don't know which is right.
"I like Dartmouth very much. Before I came I was sure that I would like it, and I was not disappointed. Some of my Exeter friends had told me that Dartmouth was a 'country club' and that there was no work to do, and that everyone was a drunkard. I quickly found that it was not so. "One of the things I like best about the College is the outdoor atmosphere. Every weekend in the fall you can see boys with packs on their backs heading for the woods. In the winter almost everyone at least makes an attempt at skiing, and I can just imagine what the spring will be like. As soon as I get off these crutches, I hope to be going on some of the hikes myself.
"I am proud to be at my father's college. Ever since I can remember, he has talked about it, and I have always naturally known that Dartmouth was the only college I ever wanted to go to."
Father Kingsbury '29 writes: "Bill started his career about 19 years ago in Plainfield, N. J., and I suppose went through all the normal phases of early childhood, many of which, of course, seemed quite extraordinary to his own parents. He went through the early years of grade school at Plainfield, but at the tender age of nine, his 'old man' ran off to the wars and Bill was transplanted to California for approximately three and a half years. He attended the public schools there for a time and was later put in the Norton School for boys in Claremont, Calif., for a two-year stretch. After the war, he was turned East with his family and for a few months it looked as though he was going to finish his secondary education at the Greenwich Country day school, but that was soon interrupted when his 'old man' again transplanted him to Pittsfield, the second year of high school and then on to Exeter for two years before entering Dartmouth. Bill's parents are naturally prejudiced as to his good points and feel that ultimately he will take his place as a very good citizen. His scholastic aptitudes seem to run to the languages, and his outside interests at present to be pretty highly concentrated in the direction of amateur photography, skiing, tennis, and the acquisition of low cost automotive transportation."
H. Ogden Morse Whitehall Rd., South Hampton, N. H. —H. Ogden Morse Jr. '55 303 Richardson
"As I sit in my room in Richardson Hall writing this letter in response to your request, the bell in Baker Library strikes 5 o'clock, and I am reminded of my first days at Dartmouth. I must confess that many of those days are rather hazy, but through my recollections of them run the strains of the chimes on Baker and the sign of sunlight on the campus. The moment I landed in Hanover, I was busy carrying furniture for upperclassmen, which was followed by registration and my first classes. Every day and every moment was packed with something to do. They revived fall baseball this year, and I spent some great afternoons on the diamond with Coach Eddie Jeremiah. I think we can look forward to a good team in coming years; in fact, the Class of '55 seems to have produced good athletes for most of our teams. The Father-Son Weekend turned out exceptionally well, and I am sure that all the fathers went home much impressed by their stay here. Father stayed in my room and went to classes with me. I know he enjoyed following the schedule and engaging in the activities in which he participated when he was here. We all regretted the fact that President Dickey was sick and unable to speak at the supper in Thayer. This weekend is a great event and I hope it will continue and become a tradition at Dartmouth. As you probably know, my father is principal of the Amesbury Junior High School in Amesbury, Mass. What you do not know is that he has developed a culinary ability during the summer. My father, brother, and I are running a small roadside stand in Amesbury, which is not far from Hampton and Salisbury Beaches. We sell fried clams and an assortment of sea food. We did quite well last summer and hope to expand this year. We took some liberty with the family name of Morse and called the stand The Morsel with this slogan: 'What foods these Morsels be.' If any of the alumni would like to see the 'old gent' with an apron around his waist, I hope they will drop around and see us some time. H. Ogden Morse Jr. '55."
John H. Brabb 1321 Berkshire Rd. Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. —John H. Brabb Jr. '55 307 Richardson
John '55 speaking: "I am very happy to have the pleasure of answering your letter and pleased to see that the Class of '29 is interested in the sons of their classmates. I am just another "Vox Clamantis In Deserto" who likes Dartmouth and the beautiful green hills that surround it. After my studies are over, I find many outside activities to keep me busily engaged. Besides being a member of Army R.O.T.C., I also participate in the Dartmouth Christian Union. On the days when there isn't any snow on the ground for skiing, which are rare, I enjoy playing hockey on Occom Pond. When the weather isn't good, I always find time to play basketball in Alumni Gym or even settle down to a friendly bridge game. My father, as you know, is a proud member of '29. After a long day at his law office, he enjoys talking to people all over the country. Dad is a radio ham, and this hobby takes up most of his spare time. He also holds the rank of Lieut. Commander in the Naval Reserve. On Monday afternoons, he can usually be found at the Dartmouth luncheon with the rest of the Detroit alumni. I am in the Class of '55 and very proud to carry on the family tradition. I don't think that there is any college that comes close to Dartmouth. It is not only the most liberal college in the country but also has an excellent staff of professors and administrators. It is men like that contribute greatly to the all-around education of Dartmouth men.
John H. Brabb Jr."
Harry T. Lewis 1755 Glencoe St. Denver 7, Colorado —Harry T. Lewis Jr. '55 105 Wheeler
Harry Jr. writes: "I was pleased to receive your letter and I am glad to be able to contribute to your article. I think the Father-Son Issue of the '29 Class Notes is an excellent idea. First of all, I'll begin with the vital statistics. I was born on Feb. 1, 1933. I have an older sister who is a senior at Middlebury College, and a younger brother, who will be a member of the class of 'SB. We have lived in Denver, Colorado for the past 16 years. My father is a C.P.A. and at this time of the year he always has plenty of work in helping clients brave the hazards of filling out tax forms. My outside interests center mostly around skiing and Mountain climbing. I was on the freshman ski team prior to Jan. 14. On that day I was racing on one of those hideously narrow eastern downhill trails when I misjudged a turn and landed in s©me trees. The result of all this was two broken legs and seven-teen days in Dick's House. During this period I had to take my finals there, and it was a rather chaotic ending to my first semester at Dartmouth. My Dad still skiis a great deal, but I'm beginning to find it a bit difficult to drag him up some of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks. We spend most of our spare time in the summer up at our cabin, fishing in Colorado's depleted trout streams and just relaxing. Being a member of the N.R.0.T.C., I probably won't have to worry much about what I'll be doing the first few years after college. I am interested in business administration and I would like to follow Dad's footsteps and go to Tuck. Even though Colorado is 2200 odd miles away from Sanover, Colorado is still well represented at Dartmouth Due mainly to the excellent work of the rolorado Alumni, a large group makes the pilgrimle to Hanover each year. Dartmouth has a great mmv opportunities and advantages available, and Although I have been here but one semester, I have grown to like Dartmouth and New England very much"
Harry T. Lewis Jr."
Harry, Sr. speaking: "Gretta and I weremarried in Hanover in 1929, before I graduated We have three children, Margaret, a Senior at Middlebury, 2 „ Jr.—Dartmouth '55 and Charles, a Sophomore at East Denver High School. Perhaps the only unusual thing about us is that the whole family skiis—the children all race. Those of us who are in Colorado start in October and continue until late June and the two in New England ski when there is snow. The only college Harry Jr. ever showed any interest in was Dartmouth and apparently he finds it even better than he expected. He was trying out for the Freshman ski team until about a month ago when he missed a turn and broke both legs. Spent three weeks in Dick s House taking his finals there but recovered sufficiently to have a girl up for Carnival. Harry Jr. is 6 1 tall, weighs about 185 and judging by first semester results, not only bigger than his old man but smarter. During two Summers while in High School he was a counsellor in a boy's camp in Michigan Has been a junior representative on the boards of the Southern Rocky Mtn. Ski Assn. and the Colorado Mt. Club. Has climbed a dozen or more of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado Gretta and I are looking forward to seeing England aeain in June when we attend Margaret s graduation from Middlebury, this will be the first time we've been back since "1929. I'm a C.P.A. and am now a partner of Hamma and Nelson, CPAs having been with them since 1937, except for a 3 year interlude with the Army.
Harry T. Lewis '29."
"PS See Bill Condon '29 from time to time. He is a chest surgeon and seems to spend a good bit of his time telling various conventions of his colleagues how to do it.
HET"
THE HANOVER BRANCH OF HIS FAMILY: Dr. Ellie Cavanagh "29 takes time off from his practice in Northampton, Mass., to visit with (I to r), his daughter-in-law, the former Betsy Brady, and sons John '55 and Jim '51, second-year medic. Betsy and Jim, who were married last August, live in Sachem Village.
Secretary, 75 Federal St., Boston 10, Mass. Treasurer, 1728 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh 17, Pa. Class Agent, 10 Cranston Rd., Winchester, Mass.
