1929

Since Bill Andres began the annual FatherSon letters tradition six years ago, the number of '29 sons in each class has grown so large that we cannot possibly include each year in the class notes, due to space restrictions, letters from all the '29 sons in College and from their fathers. In fact, the editor informs us that we shall even have to hold several of the '59 letters over until next month.

We sincerely regret that letters are not included from Chan and Joey Bete but Chan has written that Joey decided to leave college in November to enlist in the Army and "get it over with."

Before giving you the letters for the Class of 1959, we would like to pay our respects to those other '29 sons who are still undergraduates in College. They are, by classes:

1956 - Flynn, J.L.; Hatfield, W.L., IV; Hubbard. J.R„ Jr.; Kier, P.S., III; Morse, L.W.; Sherman, G. W.; 1957 - Clements, D.; Hume, R.W.; Jeffery, R.F.; Johnston, G.W.; King, C.W., Jr.; Nord, R.K.; Pritchard, D.F.; Turnbull, J.R., Jr.; 1958 - Brandt, R.C., Jr.; Buffington, R.C.; Friend, R., Ill; Hoffman, D.I.; Jameson, P.C., Jr.; Jaquith, P.C.; Sharpe, S.W.; Spetnagel, E.L., III.

We now give you the sixth annual fatherson letters for the Class of 1959:

Arthur J. D'Elia 575 Main Street Michael T. D'Elia Harwich Port, Mass. 4 Fayerweather

Son: It seems that only yesterday I was sitting at home reading of the sons of '29ers in the Class of 1958. Now, here I am, completing my first semester at Dartmouth, and being asked to write my own letter as a member of the Class of 1959. Without further introduction, I'll start in. Born in Norwich, Conn., in July of '37, my family and I moved to Cape Cod, Mass., only a year later. We've been there ever since.

I attended the grammar, junior high and high schools in Harwich and was graduated with the Class of '55. I wish to express my gratitude here and now to the teachers who helped me not only in the classroom but, more important, in the many phases of outside activity which go along with high school. I made many friendships among the faculty there which I hope will never be broken.

A little more about the family! My dad, of course, was '29 at Dartmouth and '33 at Tufts Medical. He is now a general practitioner in Harwich. It was in Norwich that he met and married Helen Tirrell - Mom. She had attended Boston Art School and still does some painting in what little spare time she gets.

There are six little D's. The oldest, Art, is now a sophomore at the University of Maine and a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Ellen, my twin sister, is a freshman at Simmons College in Boston. There is a gap of four years between the twins and the next in line, Maria, a freshman at Harwich high. Although her grades are the best of any of us so far, she insists that she wants to be a ballerina and college does not seem to interest her now. Frances, now in the sixth grade, is doing well, too, but she's a Texan at heart and her big ambition in life is to have a horse of her own. The baby of the family, Joe, is the last immediate hope as a future Dartmouth man. However, at this stage it's pretty hard to convince him not to be a Marine and we'll have to wait and work on him later.

So far at Dartmouth I have found the going rough. But that was to be expected, and I am looking forward to improvement during second semester. Maybe I'd better wait until grades come out this one.

I have not decided as yet on a major. It doesn't look as though I'll follow in my father's footsteps. French seems to be the most likely major at present, but that is by no means final. Aside from the studies, which aren't going too poorly, everything is fine. I love the life and have not been sorry for a moment that I chose Dartmouth. The fellowship, the oftcited but nevertheless singular spirit, and the friendliness of the faculty and administrators have im- pressed me the most.

Father: Your letter came during a winter snowstorm on Cape Cod which is most unusual for the Cape (the snowstorm). As there were no patients about, I thought I would dash off a few thoughts while I could in response to your request about Michael '59.

It seems that from childhood Michael was interested in entering Dartmouth and applied himself in such a manner that he was admitted from a small high school (Harwich) directly into the freshman class. Also he did well enough in his math to be in the high super-de-luxe math course in his freshman year, but is having a real struggle in mastering this particular course in college. He has been certainly well-indoctrinated in Hanover for I don't believe there is a more loyal son of Dartmouth anywhere. He is most proud of his class which he says is outstanding both scholastically, athletically and in the number of good fellows. Strangely enough he was assigned a room in Fayerweather almost next to and identical to the room I had my senior year at Dartmouth.

For the past fifteen years, in company with Dr. Joseph Kelley '27 of Orleans and Attorney Ken Wilson '29 of Hyannis, I have served on the Admissions Committee for Dartmouth on Cape Cod and interviewed many young men some of whom have graduated from the College and some of whom are still students. Recently, we have organized the Cape Cod Dartmouth Club which is to be affiliated with the Boston Dartmouth Alumni Assoc. and was proud and honored to be elected treasurer (there is no money in the treasury at present). Surprisingly enough there are about 100 names on the list of Dartmouth men in this area.

I must end my letter to you with a brief story about a liberal arts education which some of my patients and friends have found to be interesting. Just a few years ago a Mr. P. went into the Cape Cod Hospital as an in-patient and was very indignant because he was unable to obtain a private room at the time, as none were available. Mrs. P. was even more indignant and bent my ear no end because her husband was in a ward and not a private room. She was told that the next day he would be placed in a private room which would then be available. On entering the front door of the hospital the following day, Mrs. P. was awaiting me and I honestly dreaded seeing her because I did not know what she was going to say, as she seemed quite excited. She grabbed me by the arm and said, "Dr. D'Elia don't you dare to move my husband out of that ward." I replied, "How is it that yesterday you wanted your husband in a private room and raised a terrible fuss over it and today you want him left in the ward?" "Why," Mrs. P. said, "the Rev. Dr. Parkes who used to be President of Wheaton College is in the next bed to him and is lecturing to him constantly and he is getting a free college education and that's why I don't want him moved."

Allen R. Finlay Old Sudbury Road Richard R. Finlay Wayland, Mass. 304 North Fayerweather

Son: The spirit and enchantment of Dartmouth has always been imbued in my blood because of my father. However, even though I know dad wanted very much for me to follow the trail he blazed to Dartmouth, he left the decision of which college to choose up to me.

Ever since I entered the public junior high school in our home town of Wayland, Mass., my desired goal was Dartmouth. At the beginning of my sophomore year I transferred from Wayiand High to Noble and Greenough, a private school in Dedham, Mass. While attending Wayland, my chief interest, beside studying, was basketball, which I continued to participate in at Noble's. During my few years at Noble's many of my friends tried to convince me that Harvard (please pardon the reference) was the only college. However, their pleas were in vain, for in the spring.of 55 I had achieved my goal: Dartmouth.

Returning home from an extremely pleasant and exciting summer trip to Europe, my parents and I set out for the Hanover Plain, which is now my second home for the next four years. After a bewildering Freshman Week things settled down and studying became my major occupation. At the present, my interests lean toward the field of Chemical Engineering. I have also joined the Naval ROTC program which I feel will be a great advantage to me after I graduate and before settling down to earn my own living. Even though studying takes up quite a bit of time, I am also a member of WDBS Radio, and the Winter Carnival Publicity Committee. Furthermore, I am participating in rifle competition on the freshman team.

I have already felt the magnetic personality which surrounds every activity of the College. Hanover may be isolated, and situated in the bad weather belt, but this makes no difference for it doesn't take long for one to be charmed by her. Whether the love for her stems from the relaxed country life or from any number of her other personalities is really of little importance. What's important is that there is a "Dartmouth Spirit."

The opportunities of Dartmouth are unlimited, and it will be impossible for me to take advantage of all of them. However, I do know that I cannot be a part of the College without being influenced by the infinite activities of the College. My desired goal now is to uphold, as an undergraduate and future graduate, the traditions, and respect the name Dartmouth represents.

Father: We can dispose of the vital statistics quickly by simply stating that I was married to Lucy Allen Morrill of New York City and formerly of Birmingham, Ala., July 23, 1932. We have four children, ranging in ages from Dick, 18, the cause of this letter, through Stuart 14, Allen, Jr., 11, and Susan 8. The two middle boys are presently attending the Fenn School in Concord, Mass., and Susan is in the third grade of the Wayland Elementary School. We have lived in Wayland since 1940.

I can remember the naive approach which we once had to the raising of children; i.e., that they just grow up easily and naturally. 'Taint so! Once they approach the school age the troubles seem to begin and grow worser and worser. Perhaps this is less true in other parts of the country where private schools are less existent, providine the easy way out when the usual questions of public school adequacy develop, as seems to be typical of most smaller New England communities - and, I might add, larger ones where the problems seem insurmountable for anyone wishing a top-grade education for his children.

The upshot of all this is that, following a turn at two or three other local civic endeavors during the early war years, I became a member of the Wayland School Committee in an effort to see whether something could be done about these problems. There followed nine years of membership on the School Committee and several since then on the School Building Committee.

In Dick's three years at Noble and Greenough, he developed a clear-cut leaning toward the sciences and his progress in that direction may be best summarized by his taking of first prizes in each of the spring science exhibits - in biology, chemistry, and physics. His interests along these lines have continued in Dartmouth. Beyond this I feel sure Dick's letterwill better describe his activities in Hanover to date.

Back to Wayland: We are currently engrossed in major long-range plans for - expansion and immediate construction of an additional elementary school followed shortly by a second one. In addition to these efforts I was completely surprised recently by appointment to the State Board of Education which just goes to show how totally naive my original approach to raising children was.

Apart from the routine of everyday life, we have had the good fortune of enjoying two trips to Europe, one in 1939 when we barely got out of Germany before the war started. On the second trip, when Dick accompanied us, it was a real inspiration to watch his development under exposure to so many different experiences. One other highly in- teresting experience for me was a trip to Japan and Hawaii in 1952.

Robert S. Monahan 8 Conant Road Robert E. Monahan Hanover, N.H. 208 Hall

Son: At the moment I am in the midst of my first exams here at Dartmouth, waiting for them to terminate and at the same time waiting expectantly for my first Winter Carnival as a student.

Looking back on my semester's work and the too-short weekends, I can truly say that in my own mind I have chosen the right college. Having lived in Hanover since 1947 has at times made me forget the advantages which Dartmouth has over many other colleges. I have taken them for granted and not really thought about them until I went away to school for my last year before college.

While at Phillips Exeter Academy I learned many things about Dartmouth by contrast, mainly that Dartmouth has a unique standard of students which I believe is tops. Here you don't find any extreme characters, but only well-rounded individuals, all of whom have many common interests.

There are other obvious assets to Dartmouth such as its compact size and interesting campus. But the main advantage of this college, I feel, is that the individuals are those with whom you will come in contact during the future. This is shown especially by the high percentage of the Class of '29 who are now very successful.

I represented Hanover High in skiing, basketball, track and football but because of a football injury in my knee I have not been able to participate in college sports to any degree. So now I am devoting my spare time to Cabin & Trail and a little skiing this winter.

But right now I have two more exams to think about, so I will have to close with the hope that the Class of '59 will live up to the traditions and standards of former classes here at Dartmouth.

Father: Having a freshman son on the nearby campus isn't all it's cracked up to be. The Monday wash is larger than usual. The spare room is filled with weekend dates. And when they're not here the family car is apt to be on the road. Embarrassing questions are sometimes asked about this professor or that '29 father of a classmate. Difficult questions must be answered about some fuzzy point of College

But Alice and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Having a son in the freshman class throws a different perspective on many campus activities. Although Bobby lives in a dorm, he does get home for meals so we have some lively conversations on why certain things are done in certain ways. And sometimes I'm stumped.

Having kept a personal diary throughout my college years I find it rather interesting to compare what we did exactly thirty years ago with what my son and his classmates are now doing. The very marked current difference is the much greater time and effort which we spent as D.O.C. "heelers" in preparing for Carnival. Of course, too much of this comparison can get boring to the present college generation.

But times are changing and I suppose we should change with them. However, for my part I'm glad my four years on the campus were back in 1925-29, although I'm delighted to relive that period with our oldest son in his four years on the Dartmouth scene.

John C. Payne 1010 Park Road, N.W. John C. Payne Washington, D.C. 201 College

Son: As I stepped off the train at three o'clock one morning last September, a cold gust of wind and a hazy, blue mist that surrounded the station assured me that I was in New England. I found enough strength to drag by bags from the train to the station lobby, and after several cups of coffee, I became dimly aware that I had finally reached White River Junction, a magic name to any Dartmouth man who has ever traveled by train to get to Dartmouth. Almost all of the enthusiasm with which I had begun the journey from Washington, D.C., had left my body.

My first impression of the college was made that night. That cold fog which lay like a blanket on the silent streets of Hanover and which hid most of the houses from view made the town seem more like a ghost , town in a cowboy movie than like a college community. However, the next day disproved this impression, and I immediately began to develop others.

Since I have been at Dartmouth, three things have impressed me most about the College. The first was the atmosphere of friendship that greeted every new student. Everyone went out of his way to make the other fellows welcome. You met hundreds of people a day, and although you never remembered their names, you had the feeling that you were already part of the College. I think that the Sophomore Orientation Committee is responsible for achieving a great deal in making all of the freshmen feel at home. Even those who were in no way connected with this organization welcomed us just as heartily. This atmosphere did not cease after a few weeks either. It is still part of the college life. There is no bitter competition between fraternities, organizations or classes. It adds a lot to the college life.

The second most important impression made upon me by Dartmouth was the keenness of competition, and the amount of independence confronting a student. In the beginning, every student that you meet seems to be another John Stuart Mill, and you wonder just how you will ever hold your own. Soon you learn that everyone else feels just as inferior to the other fellow as you do, and you gain a little more confidence in your abilities to compete against them. The real problem though is how to handle the independence that you have suddenly acquired. This problem of independence is a double-edged sword. The first thing that must be overcome is the realization that you can do practically anything that you want to do. There are neither parents nor headmasters to tell you what can and can't be done. There is the problem of seeing the limits must be set to certain things if you plan to study. That problem is solved by limiting everything to Saturday night. Then, oh brother!

I think that one of the most important courses given by the College to help entering students to solve these problems is the Individual and the College. This course consists of lectures given by certain individuals invited by the College to speak to the freshman class. It aims at suggesting solutions to those problems which I have mentioned and also solutions to the other problems that normally face fellows of our age. Although many of the fellows don't agree with the lecturers, they are stimulated to thinking about these problems realistically, and that is what a college should seek to achieve:

One other course that I think has developed my thinking quite a bit since entering Dartmouth has been Philosophy 1. I have become interested enough in this field so as to think seriously of taking a modified Philosophy-Pre-Med course as my major.

Since I have been here I have had little time to participate in many extra-curricular activities. However, those activities in which I have participated have added a lot to my college life, and have been interesting in many respects. At the moment, I am a member of the freshman track team, the Dartmouth Outing Club, the freshman Inter-Dormitory Committee, and a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Although I have been here at Dartmouth a relatively short time, I like it very much. I think that it is a great college. It would be a better college however if some kind-hearted soul built a girl's college a few miles from Hanover!

Father: I become increasingly aware of many changes, in the world, in me, and in Dartmouth College as I reflect that it was thirty years, a generation, ago that the Class of 1929 trudged through the snow to the events of its first Winter Carnival; it is earnestly to be hoped that the present freshman class may have known the wonder and delight which many of us then experienced.

My son John in the Class of 1959 will, I believe, view the contests and spectacles with the added zest of more complete fellowship in the college community. He has benefited from the practical application of Dartmouth's long-standing liberal tradition to local campus matters in the fullest sense. The long range effects of this wise policy cannot be minimized just as they cannot be fully visualized in detail. More fully rounded, more social, more responsible citizens of their communities, whether of college, city or national extent, must emerge from this process.

May John and his fellows avoid the errors into which I have fallen and may they recognize and grasp more eagerly the vast opportunities for service which are opening before them.

John D. Pillsbury 461 Powhatan St. Naval Base Judson A. Pillsbury Norfolk, Va. 308 Massachusetts

Son: Some twelve and a half years after graduating from Dartmouth, my dad volunteered for the United States Navy. He has been in ever since and has never regretted it. ] think this has been true mainly because (1) he has felt he is serving our nation as best he can; (2) the work has-been interesting for him and "right up his alley," and (3) he and the family have gained a wealth of experience — and enjoyed it! through traveling. As it is this last point that especially applies to me, I would like to enlarge upon it for a moment. For me to reminisce over all my travel experiences would not be interesting, to be sure; there was one tour of duty, however, which was unforgettable, both from the point of view of the fun we had and of the lasting mpression it left on us. I was going into the eighth grade when we went to Hawaii. The influence upon my life during the next three years was tremendous. I cannot know, much less write here in a few words, exactly what is was that I valued so much there. Certainly it was a combination of factors. I can't help remarking on the people of the Islands, however. It is dangerous to generalize, yet I feel I am justified in saying that they were a happier, easier-going, more congenial people than I'd ever encountered before. This fact appeared obvious in many respects, chief among which were the race and nationality relations. Hawaii has been called the Melting Pot of the World, not only because 'of her remarkably -varied collection of races, religions, and nationalities, but also because of the surprising lack of prejudice and discrimination among them. This lack, however, is surprising only at first; in a matter of days - even hours - one finds himself completely overlooking any lines of color or belief, and all become part of one happy family. This is not true, of course, to a point of perfection: There are still those who go to the Islands with the set idea in their heads that they are better than any- one else. Nevertheless, I think everyone can, as we did, strengthen his faith in world peace and brother- hood through the lesson Hawaii presents, in her unassuming way, to the world.

I chose Dartmouth as my college entirely on my own. Dad was careful never to say a word, but I had no trouble detecting his joy once the decision was made. A few fellows up here told me after I arrived that I would hate college at first, then grow to love it. I was crazy about Dartmouth from the start, however, and it has been growing on me ever since then.

It would be hard to distinguish one "love" from my active interests here at Dartmouth; but if I could, I think it would be swimming. I was fortunate to have swum on the freshman team th: s year under the invaluable coaching of Karl Michael '29, along with my friend Al Snider, our captain and stalwart freestyler. Incidentally, it may interest you men of '29 that Al is just the same as I understand his dad to have been: robust, optimistic, always cheerful. Al's spirit was the backbone of our team.

The freshman glee club has been a lot of fun, too. My subjects are really enjoyable - so much so that I'm having difficulty pinning down an interest in one of them for a major. It looks as though it'll probably be philosophy or maybe English. My Philosophy I course this past semester, under Prof. Mandlebaum '29, was very enlightening, as was also a terrific English seminar course under Prof. McCallum, whom my dad and probably many others of you had while you were here.

The ministry, or some type of missionary work, is what I am aiming toward. It is not an easy goal, and lam a long way from realizing it; but I feel that through such work I can perhaps do a little good in my own small way.

Perhaps the most valuable experience for me at Dartmouth has been the integration of personality and of ideas. Both the guys and the faculty are swell people. We freshmen have become a part of the Dartmouth spirit of fellowship which is so familiar to you of '29. I would like to add here that I feel Dartmouth has every reason to be proud of her denial of those same barriers of prejudice and discrimination that are denied in Hawaii.

My girl being close by at Middlebury, I have had the biggest problem which freshmen have to face licked from the start. Of course, college is a change, an adjustment, and I've let a few small things get the better of me. My folks, however, have given me some valuable advice in letters which has opened my eyes to a more mature attitude. It's funny how long it takes a fellow to realize how much his parents have done for him.

Father: A New Hampshire farmer whom I had known since I was a boy was told one day by a mutual friend that "Jack's son has quite a scholastic record." The farmer paused significantly and then asked, "Who was it Jack married?"

And that's about the size of it. I married Jean Adams from Quincy, Mass., who was a blind date from Wellesley at our Spring House Party in '29. We were introduced by Johnny Hubbard who was best man at our wedding five years later.

Judson was our second-born, and a chip off the Adams' block. He plays several musical instruments, sings fairly well, and has always been a good student. (He was valedictorian of his class.) He likes jam sessions, swimming, tennis and religious activities.

As a Navy junior, he has lived five years in Washington, D.C., three in Hawaii, and the past three in Norfolk. The social adjustments to these various environments has resulted in a mental outlook that is quite mature. All in all, I would say that Jud is one of Pillsbury's best.

Next month: Letters from Al Snider '59, Millard Tucker and son Dave, and WallaceWillard and son Wally Jr.

Secretary, Center Rd., Woodridge, Conn.

Treasurer, 1728 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh 17, Pa.

Bequest Chairman,