Thayer School

Hanover Plain is the scene of extensive construction activity which is reaching a peak as the various contractors strive to get their buildings closed in before winter arrives to stay. The 23-degree temperature in the first week of November was a strong reminder of the weather just ahead.

Dick Olmsted CE'33, Business Manager of the College, has the responsibility under the Trustees Planning Committee for the planning and execution of the mammoth build program. While the Hopkins Center, Wigwam Circle dormitories, Math-Psychology and Medical Science buildings take shape, Dick is involved in the planning and design of other new facilities. The new Field House to the south of the hockey rink is of particular interest. Dick and Nan travelled in Europe last spring.

John Minnich CE'29 has been retained by Dartmouth College as a consultant and has assisted in several areas, especially on foundation design and construction. Roy Stifler CE'47, as District Manager of the Guild Construction Company, was in general charge of the pile-driving for Hopkins Center. PhilJackson CE'44 visits Hanover quite often as vice president of Wexler's Construction Company. This firm is building the new dormitories, having previously completed the Choate Road dorms, and the Medical Science Building. It is of interest to note a few consequences of the construction which may refresh some alumni memories. The famous Bissell Hall bench mark went with the demolition of that building, but was reset in the corner of Wilson Museum. The new dorms west of Thayer lie across the old Thayer School base line, and this week the bench mark maple tree was taken down. A large parking lot has replaced the Wigwam apartments to the south of Thayer.

In the October news your correspondent neglected to note that Professor of Electrical Engineering Al Wood worked with Professor Heckbert in the summer session.

The many friends of Gil Tricco EE'48 will be saddened to learn of his death which was reported in the October issue of the ALUMNIMAGAZINE. We were also shocked to learn that Alfred Case ME'50 died on July 11, 1960 as a result of an automobile accident. The appointment of Tim Ryerson ES'61 as a Graduate Assistant in Research was reported in the October notes. It is with a great sense of loss that we must now report Tim's death resulting from an automobile accident following the completion of the summer session. The Trustees of Dartmouth College approved Tim's appointment posthumously, in recognition of his ability and great potential. We regret the untimely ends to the careers of these three young Thayer alumni.

Also, we must report the passing of Emeritus Professor Charles A. Holden CE'01 on October 12. Professor Holden was known to many generations of Thayer School students as Professor of Civil Engineering, and as Director of the School from 1918 to 1925. After his retirement he was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature, from Hanover, for many years.

Two Thayer alumni meetings were held in October. In Boston on October 11, 1960, at the time of the annual A.S.C.E. meeting, Dean Bill Kimball CE'29 and the following had a fine dinner and informal talk at the Parker House: Paul Barnico ME'51, NickCostes CE'51, Warren Daniell CE'50, NormFalkin CE'48, Charles Hitchcock CE'39, FrankKillilea D'60, John Lovewell CE'48, ByronMcCoy CE'34, Dick Rice '44, Russ StearnsCE'38, Bob Treat CE'50, Al Wilsoii CE'47.

It is with some dismay that we note how few pre-1940 grads attended.

The annual meeting of the Dartmouth Society of Engineers was held in New York on October 19. Dean Kimball spoke about the new Environmental Engineering program which at present is in the planning stage, and discussed general plans for the Thayer School. Jess Davis, President of Stevens Institute of Technology, and an overseer of the Thayer School, spoke on opportunities and needs of Thayer, and problems of admission and supply of engineering students. Bob McIlwain TT'51 described the D.S.E. Thayer School enrollment program which he heads.

These officers of the D.S.E. were elected: President, Robert Barr CE'42; Vice-President, Robert Mcllwain TT'51; Treasurer, Dekkers Davidson CE'53; Executive Committee, Paul Barnico ME'51; Overseer of Thayer School, Herbert Darling CE'27.