1924
One of the frustrations of writing this column is that any mention of current events is ancient history by the time the MAGAZINE is in your hands. But I can't refrain from mentioning my experience in the blizzard of March 16, when I drove down with Professor Sykes of the Music Department to give a Hanover Holiday program to the Charles River Dartmouth Club. A bow to Butts Lamson for being there, although his good wife was ill at home: to Doc Christophe who came in later in the evening; to Red Moloney, with whom I talked over the phone. Sorry not to have seen or talked with other classmates in the area, such as Ed Marshall who has lived in Wellesley Hills since 1938, whence he commutes to Boston to exercise his duties as Controller in a business firm (record not clear which one, Ed). He has recently passed one more birthday milestone - as who has not?
Sorry to have missed Jim White and his lady when here early in March. I suppose my phone didn't answer, for I am out more than I'm home lately. Try me again, Jim. I tried to reach Ken Davis when in Manchester the other day, but failed in the short time I had while there on business (testing babies for adoption). I hear he had to lose a leg, amputated below the knee, as the unhappy end of his long troubles with the skiing accident reported here. I'll try again, Ken. I'm sure many of the class will want to know of this recent development; we all send our regrets that it has to be so.
Skiing is still hot news for Dartmouth as I write these notes. One final report on RuffMiller's Olympic-star-son Ralph Jr.: he was the only American to finish the slalom of the 1956 Kandahar Championship in Italy in midMarch; finished 20th and 16th in combined time against top competition where Toni Sailer, triple Olympic winner placed 34th. In domestic matters, Betty Miller recently visited her daughter and four children after returning from seeing the Olympics with Ralph and Ralph Jr., still in service.
Other sons of '24 who are athletes of note: I have reported the star swimming of Dick; now must mention Bill Buchanan's son Bill Jr., who is a top pole-vaulter. He did well in the Harvard meet, also tied for second at the I.C.4A meet in New York, where the proud parents watched after flying in from Wisconsin where Bill is president and treasurer of the Appleton Wire Works (producing for the paper-manufacturing trade). Their first watching since young Bill was in prep school. And I think we ought to include Peter Robinson '54, scholarly son of Robin and Ellen here on the Hanover faculty; he takes time off to climb the highest and toughest mountains he can find - and that's athletics with an added touch, to me.
Robin has just been appointed the successor to our present Registrar, Bob Conant. He'll use his love of working with figures to set up a new machine system for academic records with a new installation of IBM machines next November; new title will be Associate Registrar until Mr. Conant retires in 1958. Some of you may not know his father was both an alumnus (1890) but also briefly a member of the faculty. Robin is past-chairman of the Mathematics Department (1943-7), chairman of the Division of the Sciences (1951-5), retiring director of the Great Issues course for seniors, president of the local chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, supervisor of college examinations - and holds all records for membership on committees, too many to mention. Peter graduated in 1954, is completing a Master's degree on a Fulbright scholarship in New Zealand; Julia is a student at Rad-cliffe College.
A full obituary for Harold Collins appears in another column; our sympathy is being sent to his family and the Memorial Book is being purchased. We all regret to see the ranks thin by one more, again.
Merce Bowers sends a nice long letter; would that we had dozens like it. Especially as in this case it takes me back to good times we had here as students. He left The Meyercord Company, Chicago, last year after 25 years, up to status of district manager for the Middle Atlantic States. He has come out of a year of retirement to get back into work for a realty firm in Jenkintown, Pa. They also have bought some lots in Florida, between Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, and will develop that as a refuge in winter. Now they live on the Atlantic on Long Beach Island, N. J., and are having the fun and work of remodeling - "nine months of the hardest work we had ever done in our lives" - but very satisfying. Good for you, Merce and Lou Ann. Their Sara Joan has finished college, is married and has two children.
Roily Barker, whose son I have had in class, has spent the past thirty years in secondary school education - twenty of it in the English Department at Montclair High School, and the past eight as director of guidance. The son has had his military service for four years, found himself a good wife, and graduates this June. Their daughter is a freshman at Rochester. The Barkers, Van Huycks, Grahams and Chitticks all summer at the same place on Cape Cod. They may see me there this summer - unless the Red Moloneys have a better offer. Roommate George Traver, still a bachelor, lives near Roily now - but on vacation this winter and off touring Europe. Real rough?
Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd., Hanover, N.H.
Class Agent, 328 Orchard PL, Ridgewood, N.J.
