1939's Advanced 15th
The Class of '39's Frantic Fifteenth came to a close on Sunday morning, June 21, completing three wonderful days with some of the nicest people I have ever known. Our only regret was that each and every member of the class could not be present with us. 193 classmates and wives were present as of Saturday morning,. but at least a few came in later' in the day. The Class occupied the Fayers, and overflowed into Topliff and New Hamp. Some of the smart ones, remembering how lovely Hanover can be in June, came, back a day or two early. By 4 o'clock Friday afternoon the atomic drink of Charlie Gluek, "Gluek's Stite," in the small green can, was flowing freely in the tent which was strategically located, between Middle and North Fayer.
Attired in creW hats and beer jackets, class uniform for the festivities, most of the; boys looked just about the same. Some looked four years older than they did at the tenth, but the gorgeous '39 wives all looked four years younger.
The first scheduled event came around 7 with a lobster dinner served in the class tent with everyone assembled. There was a certain amount of riotous singing during the meal at no extra charge. It was no trouble at all to recognize classmates and even remember first names, once you could see their identification badges.
President and Mrs. Dickey, aided by Sid and Mrs. Hayward, received the returning alumni in their garden, and then came the Alumni Dance in Commons, now called Dartmouth House. Later in the evening high level meetings were continued in the class tent. Many '37's and '38's came by when the beer ran Out in their tents, and old friendships. were renewed with those in these older classes.
One of the highpoints of the weekend came on Saturday morning when some fine member of '13 greeted a group with, "Good Morning, Children"! At 11 the whole gang was assembled on campus for the Class Picture, followed by the Class Meeting in Dartmouth Hall directed by Chuck Grant. Treasurer Don Wheaton reported we had assets of $5,840.15 in the bank as of June 1, 1953. Let's not question the old money bags as to how he got so much money, but it sure looks like a good healthy balance. Tom Brooks made a few stupid remarks that got by as a secretary's report, but he did convey to those present, the greetings of Red Jensen who could not be with us. Sign cards were passed around so each man could send a line to Red. Your new Executive Committee who will serve until next Reunion is as follows: John Perry Boston, Dick Clark Boston, Bob Sullivan Chicago, A1 Bodge Los Angeles, Bob Dickgiesser New Haven, Jack Coulson New York, Irv Naitove—New York, Roger Harrison New York, Charlie Neer-New York, Jack Graham Philadelphia, and Jim Corner -Wilmington. Bob Dickgiesser was designated temporary chairman, until the committee can organize and select a permanent chairman, secretary and treasurer. Any suggestions for the good of the class should be directed to this group, and may the Lord have mercy on their souls. Following the short meeting movies of "the kids" taken during senior year were shown. Very interesting.
The wives were included at the luncheon of the General Alumni Association this year, and a picnic atmosphere prevailed as some dined around the track and others ate outside on the gym lawn.
Early in the afternoon festivities adjourned to Oak Hill where the beer barrel was set up, swimming available at nearby Storrs Pond, and the important raffle for prizes took place. Beautiful gifts were being passed out so fast it looked like the $9 suit sale at Filene's. Among the big winners was Phil Dressier who won Dick Brooks' reunion cartoon reproduced below. Buzz Waters won the Toro Power Mower, Sally MacMannis won a lovely antique sewing machine so now she can make all Bert's clothes. Hank Conkle won perhaps the most useful of all, a night in George Hanna's motel in Keene, very close to North Carolina. Tom Burrell came off with a handsome brass spitoon, and Walt Darby won a mutual fund share to start his fortune. Just about everyone won something and all seemed delighted with their winnings. A chicken barbecue was served on the premises, and the party broke up in the early evening, moving back to the tent or to the Players' wonderful production of Mr.Roberts.
Unofficial votes established some of the following titles for Reunion: Most relaxed Pep Gray; Most Unchanged Dick Brooks; Most Hair Sam Dix, runner-up, Hank Merrill; Most Worried Phil Sanborn; Best Dressed Bob MacLeod; Best Bicyclist Moose Wyman.
Saturday night tenting was featured by the bumps and grinds of Bob Field, the Tub Thumping of Dick Brooks, the continuous bicycle riding through the tent of MooseWyman and the piano music until 4:30 a.m. by various artists, plus noisy visitors from everywhere.
Sunday morning found the class starting to depart, all feeling it had been a tremendous reunion and a perfect weekend. Our salutations to Walt Magee and his committee of Jim Fuller, Junie Merriam, Bob McCarthy,Bob MacLeod, Howie Chivers (and others?) for a most excellent job.
Time was taken at 11 to hold a Memorial service in the Bema along with the classes of 1937 and 1938 for our deceased classmates. Those so honored were:
Theodore S. Bourn Jr., Arthur A. Bright Jr., Paul H. Cash, Lester T. Chase, Robert H. Chase, P. E. Gordon Clark, Paul B. DeWitt, Joseph L. Egan Jr., Henry B. Flannery, Albert D. Foster, Raymond L. Frese, Philip W. Hiden Jr., Herbert M. J. Illfelder, Theodore K. Johnson, William V. Jones, Osmo O. Linden, Miles H. McNally Jr., James M. Mathes Jr., Lloyd W. Nash, John Newman, Charles H. Palmer, Woodrow W. Russell, Sanderson Sloane, Jerome N. Straus, Herbert Vander Vate Jr., John H. Vaughan, Robert G. Whidden, Robert V. Yevell, Ward B. Zimmer.
The roster of 1939 men who attended reunion is as follows:
Russell Fette, Ray White and wife, John C. Lee and wife, Bob Wing and wife, George Gray and wife, Jack Vincens and wife, Charles Gluek and wife, O. S. Haverfield, Bill Green, Fred Upton, Sam Dix, Herb Nichols, Bill Coleman, Dick Ruebling, Bill Carter, John Page and wife, Stan Brown and wife, Bob Elkins and wife, Hank Schueler and wife, Phil Johnson, Phil Dressier and wife, Pete Cardozo and wife, Merton Tarlow and wife, Hank Glovsky and wife, Phil Sanborn and wife, Gardner Ferguson and wife, A1 Abbott and wife, Larry Vulte, Bill McCarthy and wife, Jim Schoffield and wife, Dick Brooks and wife, Tom Brooks and wife, Jim Sampson and wife, Bob Loughry and wife, Jim Corner and wife, Bill Hayward and wife, Bob Richman, H. H. MacGilpin and wife, Bob Jessup and wife, O. P. Richardson and wife, Gordon King and wife, John Mitchell and wife, Muggsy Bly and wife, John Egbert and wife, Charles Grant and wife, Bob MacLeod, A1 Loberg and wife, Irwin Naitove and wife, Bill Prudden and wife, John Perry and wife, Bert McMannis and wife, Louis Merriam and wife, Endy Smith and wife, Dick Shaw and wife, Walt Martin.son, Frank Farnell and wife. Hank Merrill and wife, Cornwall Miller and wife, Skip Morse and wife, Ed Wells and wife, Tom Burrell and wife, Joseph Urban and wife, Duke Lyon and wife, Hugh McLaren and wife, George Hanna and wife, Don Wheaton, Bob Field and wife, Louis Highmark and wife, A1 Lansberg and wife, John Gauntlett, Jack Coulson, John Cathcart and wife, Walt Darby and wife, Bud Griswold, John Fitzpatrick, Richard Baldauf and wife, John Cumming and wife, Bob Dickgiesser, Hilleary F. Hoskinson, Henry Conkle, Dick Jackson and wife, John H. Gaul, Donald R. Gray and wife, Howard Chivers and wife, Bud and Booe Clifford, Ralph Wright, Grover Spillers and wife, Bob Timbers, Frank H. Valier, Sam Thurm and wife, John Kulke and wife, Richard Wyman and wife, Ed Waters and wife, Theodore G. Wolfe and wife, Andrew C. Ruoff and wife, Harvey L. Rohde and wife, Earle W. Robinson and wife, Joe Batchelder, Robert F. Brown and wife.
This is the last go for your secretary. Have a good summer. It's been real, believe me!
THE LAST WOEOS HE SAID DOCTOR,WERE 'LET'S PLAY CHUG-A-LUG WITHA DIXIE. CUP HOLDER LIKE WE DIDBACK IN GOOD OL' THIRTY- NINE ?"
CLASS SECRETARY
