1915
REUNION message from Dale Barker:
"You are presumably reading these Notes a week or so before our big' 40th in Hanover, and — we hope - your arrival there. Many of you have anticipated your return to Hanover and sent in your Declaration of Intentions and room reservations, and are duly booked. It is possible and very probable that there are still some of you who could not commit yourselves up to this point but who, because of a change in plans or circumstances, are now in a position to attend all or a part of reunion festivities. Obey that irrestible impulse and come. Send a wire if possible to 1915 headquarters, Fayerweather Hall, announcing your arrival and you will be welcome and provided for. The program has been arranged for your pleasure and the success of the efforts of the committee can only be judged by the size of the attendance.
As Kike Richardson put it in his April 15 announcement: "Three days of renewing associations, which commenced nearly 44 years ago, will wipe out all depreciation taken in prior years." Another way of saying that the bond we created when we all signed up as freshmen is stronger than ever, as you'll find out when you start mingling with the old gang again. Come on - let's go!
A good example of loyal boosting came in from Shorty Gray. Says Shorty: "Give me a list of classmates in the Washington, D. C., area and I'll try to get 'em together towards attendance at Reunion."
Russ Durgin expresses appreciation for the numerous birthday cards received from Classmates. Russ' son Larry, who graduated from Dartmouth in 1940, has a real man-size job, being pastor of Central Congregational Church in Providence - the largest church of its denomination in the city.
The Class of 1915 can well be proud of its standing at the head of the list of class bequests (exclusive of Alumni Fund and Memorial Fund gifts) for the seven months ended January 31, 1955.
An interesting account appeared in the February 24th issue of the Bennington (Vt.) Banner of the origin and present-day prominence of the Henry W. Putnam Memorial Hospital as a health center.
"An outstanding example of the high calibre of men on the present staff is the chief surgeon, the fourth since the hospital's founding, Dr. D.Dexter Davis. Dr. Davis came to Putnam Hospital in 1942 after serving for many years as chief surgeon at the Brooklyn, N. Y., Hospital and as professor of surgery at the Medical College of the State University of New York. He received his Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth, his M.D. from Columbia is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery."
Doc and his fellow staff members are justifiably proud of the department of surgery at Putnam Hospital.
A card from Duze Lounsberry, in a Pan American Strata Clipper somewhere over the Pacific, says he and Helen were en route to Japan to see a couple grandsons they'd never seen. Says they'd keep on going west to arrive in Hanover for reunion! A later card from Takanaga Mitsui reports a visit from Duze and wife and a later one from Dick Redfield and wife, as well as one from Lloyd D. Brace '25, one of the Trustees. Mitz says his office looked like a Dartmouth Travel Bureau! Mitz also says he's working hard so he can come to reunion - a good example for the rest of us!
Art Nichols says he thinks the birthday card idea is "the greatest notion since our Kentucky ancestors conceived the idea of distilling Bourbon." Have the same effect, Art?
A couple o' comic cards from the ChanFosters from Paducah, Ky., were a riot. Wish I could reproduce one of them!
Sid and Doris Crawford, with the family up and out on their own, have joined the many others who now find the old homestead too big to rattle around in alone and have put theirs on the market in Worcester, Mass. Sid says, "You can bet your life, if we're within striking distance, we'll be there." (Reunion, that is.)
A couple interesting photos appeared in a recent issue of the General Electric News. The one labelled "Now" shows String Downing and his brother with a couple co-workers at a G.E. anniversary gathering. The other, labeled "Then — 1919," shows the same foursome when they started out together in the Materials Testing Laboratory of G.E. some 36 years ago. It is striking in that all four adopted the same poses as in the original photo. It is easy to see (from the original) where String got his nickname!
We are all saddened by the sudden passing of Jim (Speed) Henderson, the details of whose death appear elsewhere.
This is being written just prior to the annual Alumni Officers meeting in Hanover, which your scribe is looking forward to with much anticipation. This year, it's sort of a preview of things to come in June!
Casey Jones says he'll try to make reunion, although it comes at a tough time for him to get away - the height of his busy season.
A card from Johnnie and Bea Johnson describes Hong Kong as "fantastic." Johnnie says the "buys" there are irresistible and he'll be lucky to get out with carfare. Says they'll be in Hanover even if they have to thumb their way. (Which brings back memories of Johnnie and me thumbing our way back from Montreal one weekend back in those halcyon undergraduate days!)
Warren Montsie says that while he'll be recuperating down on the Cape in June, to keep him on the list of "possibles," as he sure wants to get back for at least one or two days for reunion.
An interesting letter from Mrs. Dorothy (Franklin H.) Rohrs tells of her activities as supervisor of Hearsts' Magazine subscription service in department stores, a job she has held since 1946. Inasmuch as her territory covers New York, Pennsylvania, New England and Eastern Canada, she is kept pretty much on the move, although headquartering in New York City.
John Loomis reports a trip to Florida where his youngest son, Frederick G. '48, was married to Miss Marilyn Till at Bartow, Fla„ on April 12. Fred is now practicing law with his father - "naturally a pleasant relationship as far as I am concerned," says John. Fred's brother John Jr. (1915 class baby), was best man at the wedding. John says despite the hole in his time and pocketbook he'll be at reunion!
A big turnout of Dartmouth men, under the auspice.s of the Dartmouth Club of New York, paid their respects to Bob Blackman, the new football coach, and his staff at a gala luncheon at the Hotel Statler here on April 27. The luncheon also instituted the first of a series of awards to Dartmouth alumni of outstanding accomplishments in this area. Coach Blackman was most favorably received and made a fine impression on this his first appearance before the alumni in this area. He has an adroit sense of humor, talks well, and gave evidence of knowing his job, as well as the task ahead. He has a capable looking staff and all signs are that Dartmouth football is in good hands. Those '15ers present to help make the affair a success included Charlie Comiskey, Marv Frederick, Carl Gish, and Phil Murdoch.
Poem of the Week:
Don't worry if your job is small, And your rewards are few; Remember that the mighty oak, Was once a nut like you.
I like the nostalgic note (even though with a sigh of regret at its passing) of Maw Frederick's reprint of the old College Hall's menu with its cents column - not a dollar in evidence! - in his April 18 News Letter.
And not that it has any bearing whatsoever on one's decision to attend reunion - here's another "Quotable Quote": "All animals but man know that the principal business of life is - to enjoy it!"
See you at Reunion!
New addresses: Gerald F. Cobleigh, 57 Main St., Nashua, N. H.; Voyle D. Rector, 1109 Maple St., S. Pasadena, Calif.; Lowry R. Lytle, 400 S. Burnside, Los Angeles 36, Calif.
Secretary, 301 East 53rd St. New York 22, N. Y.
Class Agent, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. 70 Pine St., New York 5, N. Y.
