1952
This installment of the '52 gab column sees your reporter at sea in no uncertain terms, with regular communication channels closed down to a mere trickle. As a result the "Uncle Sugar Mail," as the Navy would have it, is at a premium, but two deliveries in the last month brings, nevertheless, quite a bit of news much of which belongs here.
Jack Shuman, fresh from OCS at Newport, has himself a temporary shore billet at the Naval Air Station in Glenview, Ill. CIC School is the reason, but more than that he says and I quote, It's advantage? Obviously location 1000 miles from salt water, unquote. Thanks to Jack I am able to add to the list of those already mentioned here previously as OCS students. Pete Smith, Pete McSpadden,Herb Katz, Jack Collins, and Jim "Oars" Toffey can be included as prospective Navy personnel. Speaking of oars, I received word somewhere along the line that Jack Uncles has decided he likes salt water but not the Navy Blue and hence is in the process of becoming a hired hand for the Treasury Department as a Coast Guardsman.
Moving West, Bob Prew writes that Monsanto in Springfield, Mass., and a PG in History at Notre Dame have kept him busy since graduation. Seems that enroute to the land of the "Fighting Irish" earlier this fall via the rails Bob bumped into Alf Gundersen. The latter was returning from a summer at school in Norway. Through the same correspondence word comes that Chuck Schuck is now A/3C Schuck at the Sampson Air Base in New York. Speaking of the services, BillBiddle, Al Davis, and Rog Steinharter are all interning at Fort Dix where they are taking up the finer points of Army life. Jay Anderson can also be found "on location" at Camp Devens doing the same.
Back in the New Hampshire and Vermont area Bill Quimby's address is now care of Kimball Union Academy. .He has assumed duties there as mathematics teacher and coach.
A short note from Al Reich indicates that he traveled considerably throughout Europe this past summer. His letter was postmarked Germany, but he wrote that Oxford was his next stop for a little serious studying and that's where he is now.
Bill McAndrew writes from the Med School that Hanover is much the same save for the dearth of '52's. He mentioned one item that might be of some interest to those of you who do not read the Daily D this year. Apparently the "progressive" method of indoctrination sans the Vigilantes was not a complete success this fall. Reference to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and a newsletter from the College seem to verify this in that the incoming class apparently missed more than ever the sense of rivalry that used to exist between the sophomores and the freshmen. As for the pros and cons of that argument I guess that all of you are familiar enough with the subject so that there is no need for further elaboration. According to my information the UGC is again working on the problem and a revised system will be put into effect next fall.
As of this writing the marriage rate of the class has not diminished appreciably and in fact holds its own with last month's announcements. Ensign Jack Fessenden took the walk up the aisle with Joyce L. Peters in Augusta, Maine, on October 13. Bob Austin and Jeanne W. Feight were married in Dayton in September. Doing the honors as best man was Chuck Queenan while Dave Swaine and SteveMandel donned tails to assist as ushers. Charlie Best and Gertrude A. Slater were wed the same day in Dallas, Texas. Two weeks later Dick Bressler took Carol Leighton of North Haven, Conn, to be his lawful wedded. Ken Heusinkveld and Dass Joan Stuern tied the knot October 11. Ensign Bill Rook and Anastasia Payne took the vows on October 5. Rusty "Sultans" Jackman and Jean M. Rodgers were also married at a double ring ceremony in Concord, N. H., on October 4. George Sadler was among the ushers. Rusty is wearing bell bottoms and is at the Navy Music School in Washington, D. C., at this writing.
On the waiting list for future nuptuals are at least three more '52's. Tim Jameison's and Sally R. Weber's engagement was announced on September 30, while John Watson's enoafement to Ruth M. Goodrich and Al Sherburne's to Mariel A. Bither were announced in October.
As for the loose ends, saw George Grosshans for an hour or so during the Newport stopover. He's also riding an oiler and by now is taking in the sun and the sights in the "Med." Also saw Gene Klenk, Ensign USNR, on the USS Cabot not long ago.
In conclusion, in view of the mail shortage and a request from the editors, this column will run a little shorter than usual this month. The request is due to the fact that this is the annual Alumni Fund Issue. Our turn is coming up in another few months so take a quick gander at the preceding pages as to what it's all about. As to just what part we play in the over-all production, that information will be left to a letter at some future date. The whys hows and wherefores will be explained at that time.
That about does it for this month, and this year as a matter of fact. To you all the best of the season's greetings: Here's hoping there's some snow for the ski bums during the holidays!
GOLD BAR ADDED: William R. Guggisberg '52, USA, received his gold bar when he was commissioned second lieutenant after graduation from the Engineer Officers Candidate School, Ft. Belvoir, Va.
Secretary,USS Nantahala (AO-60) c/o FPO, New York, N. Y. Treasurer, 203 Chase House, Hanover, N. H.
