1951
As we hit the linotype keys this month, it is with the happy view of a Fifth Reunion in only a few short weeks. Don't forget the dates - June 14, 15, 16. Most of the affair will be fun of whatever sort you choose, but we would appreciate your indulgence for a moment on a business matter. The class at the time of reunion elects an Executive Committee composed of eleven members of the class. This group in turn selects from itself, or the class at large, the chairman, secretary, and treasurer. According to our constitution the other jobs such as newsletter editor, and class agent, are appointed by the Chairman. Pete Henderson, at 818 Bryant Avenue, Winnetka, Ill., is heading up the five-man nominating committee, and would very much appreciate any suggestions you might have of '51ers who might be unusually qualified for one reason or another to serve on the Executive Committee.
There is still plenty of time to let Bob Bowler know you are coming to the fanatical fifth if you have not already done so. Bowler's Bearcats seem highly enthusiastic about the prospects of having a great turnout next month.
Let's now jump into a little jubilant news for you May flowers. We've had several repercussions from the mention of Buck Scott, wife Liz, and large family. However, none of them are more serious than having a bunch of eager '51s out trying to raise bigger and better families. Nels Bellesheim writes from Paramus, N. J., that he and Betty have at least tied the record of the Scott's. Betty came through with a nine pounder, by the name of Lynn, on Feb. 22. That's #4. who joins Nels, Jr. (5), Karen (4), Susan (2), and poor old father, probably about 95½ by now. Nobody knows just what the Bellesheims are going to do with this tribe over reunion, but thev will be in Hanover for the big event. Anybody else have a group this big or bigger?
Another definite family man is Will Rowe. The good picture we have in this month's column certainly attests to this fact. This family has a continental flavor since Will's wife, Mae, hails from Greenfield. Mass., and the American International College. Little girl, Gail, was born in Japan, while the Rowes were there with the Navy 3½ years ago. And last but not least, son. Bruce, was born last July stateside. Will is just finishing up a three-year business training course with General Electric, and recently was promoted to supervisor of statistics of the wire and cable department. The Rowes will be up for reunion, will you?
Word from one of these sources reports that Mort Biggs is currently engaged in working for his Masters in history at Columbia. Congratulations are in store for Don Herdeg whose engagement was announced early this spring to Esther Simon of Wilmington, Del. This couple is planning on tripping into matrimony early enough in May so that June 14 and 51's Fifth can be included in their plans. Don, along with classmate Don Snell, is with General Electric in Schenectady, N. Y. Their motto is "Progress is our most important product," while we think that for the moment ours is "Reunions are a helluva lot more fun."
One guy who is making a lot of progress out in sunny Pasadena, Calif., is Ted Glasser. Ted is with the electro-data division of Burroughs Corp., as head of a computor design group. The article we read in the "Machine Design Magazine" of Jan. 10th reports the Glasser family still consists of wife, Ann, and dog, Asta.
March 9 saw a pre-ceremonial party in Chicago. Some of the windy city boys figured they had better round up the tribe before reunion. Naturally, Jean and Bob Bowler were there full of pep and enthusiasm over a sell-out crowd... he was even replete with C & H sugar cubes with his picture printed on the wrapper. Tom and Fran Barnett interrupted their moving to Park Forest, Ill., to attend the gala affair. Bob and Joan Hopkins were there for their first midwest social appearance. They have just purchased an abode in Northfield, Ill. Dav King and his wife were there while Casey and Donna McKibben journeyed down from Milwaukee to sip a few cool ones with the group. One of the most important men at the affair was Dick Dunn, and of course, wife, who is assistant city manager of Oak Park, and who was extremely influential in seeing that the party was not raided. To round out the group, the Wilson Crosses were there, along with Al Katz, Tom Flack, Ron Thorburne, in town on a naval cruise, Dave Phillips, Dave Hilton, Jim Bovaird, reunion commander Herb Knight, and thinning treasurer, Pete Henderson.
Important Reunion Message - If you have not contacted Bob Bowler about your reunion plans, please do so at your earliest convenience. Bob would also like to hear from anyone who has open space to Hanover or needs a ride. Your prompt attention to these two items will save Bob a lot of last minute shuffling. You might be interested to know that the classes of 1947, 1952 and '53 will be reuning over the same weekend we are.
Congratulations are certainly in store for Joe McDonald and his good wife who were blessed with twin boys, Bryan and Douglas, in August of last year. The twins join Michael (3½ and add up to a nice group of prospective Dartmouth students. After sleeping on the warm sands of Hawaii in the service of Uncle Sam's Navy, Joe joined the investment firm of Francis I. Dupont & Co. This tour has included four months in New York in training and now the whittling away of a niche in the financial world as a peddler in West Palm Beach, Fla. Last summer Joe built a new home and it is now official that any visiting or traveling classmates are welcome. That sounds like a pretty good one to us for next winter.
Nobody in Minneapolis had enough nerve to have a pre-reunion party in their home as did Herb Knight with the Chicago group. But we did have a gathering at the University Club here in the twin cities. The affair was master-minded by Dave Wiggins, and although we don't have too many '51 ers here, the group was somewhat noisy and enthusiastic. It was good to see Jack Gannon who has recently arrived to manage the office of International Paper Company's milk carton plant. Others on hand for a short one were Joyce and Rail (Dick) McFarland, Mary and Walter Bush, Kay and Ev O'Dell, Barbara and Ace Mueller, and Mary and Dave Leslie. Incidentally, Ace has finally been called into service, and will be leaving shortly for California, and the sunny clime.
We've been gabbing long enough for this month, so let's put on the brakes and call a screeching halt for this month. Better plan on coming up to reunion even if it's just for a few short hours. We're sure you would enjoy yourself. See you in June.
Two 1951 families, the Bill Ruggs (right) and the Ted Weisses, stand in front of the Weiss home, designed by Ed Eichler's father, in Palo Alto, California.
Secretary, 5932 Grimes Ave., So. Minneapolis 10, Minn.
Class Agent, 64 Winter St., Leominster, Mass.
