1931
Secretary,36 Shaw Drive, Wayland, Mass.
Class Agent,Potdevin Machine Co.200 North St., Teterboro, N.J.
These notes are being written on AprilFool's Day but there is nothing April Foolishabout the statement that you have been responding wonderfully to my suggestions thatboth you and your lovely wives send in newsabout other classmates, members of your family and of yourselves because it's true - thenews has been coming in fine.
In the last issue I said that this columnwould be a cinch to write because I hadreceived answers from all of you to whom Ihad written plus letters from some wives andthat the column would be comprised of thatmaterial alone.
I want to retract the statement just a littleso that the contents of a note made immediately after a phone call I received on February 20 can be reported as follows: -
Had a surprise call from Bill Steck on February 20 while he was in New England which his sons and daughters cover pretty well for him. Papa Bill phoned from son Bill's (Dartmouth '59) apartment in Cambridge where he is studying Architecture at Harvard. Margie lives in Boston and will probably teach here in the New England area. Suzy is at Smith and Pete is a freshman at Hanover. Bill saw all four children during this trip, the main reason for which was to attend the Freshman Fathers' weekend at Hanover. Wife Elizabeth will be chairman of the Smith Alumni Committee for the next four years — so all the Stecks are obviously quite busy.
Bill's firm represents John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in his area so it was natural for him to get together with V.P. Johnnie Boermeester while in town.
There are twelve sons of 1931 fathers at Hanover in the Freshman Class and of the ten living fathers Bill reports that he met nine. How's that for loyalty to both their sons and their alma mater!
Hart Gilchrist and Bill met at the Alumni Council meeting which is held every other year out of Hanover and this year was held in Cleveland. Hart practices law in Denver and has been quite active in Dartmouth matters in his area and he sees Bill Grant frequently.
Bill's son Pete is on the Freshman swimming team. He swam on the 200 yard free style relay team that broke the college freshman record at the Deerfield meet recently. This is probably the best-ever freshman team since they hold all the college freshman records, except the butterfly.
Now as originally planned here is news from two ladies who wrote about their families so nicely.
The first letter was received from Margaret garret Bean (Mrs. Delcie D. Bean Jr.). "Your '31 column was irresistible, as evidenced by my sitting down and writing as a Dartmouth wife, to give you news of my '31er.
"Jack and I have our home here in Jaffrey, N. H., where his business is, too. We are both actively involved in the community and love it. Four of our children are in the local schools.... Mark started first grade in September, Chris is in the sixth grade, Betsy a freshman and Ellen a sophomore in Conant High School. Some of Jack's '31 friends are familiar with the Conant High cheering song! Our oldest daughter, Alice, graduated from Wellesley in June and is now working at the Harvard Law School for two professors ... one a strong Republican, the other an equally strong Democrat! It's an exciting place to be right now ... shades of Mr. Kennedy. Our son, Delcie, is a freshman at Harvard and trying to apportion his time between "living" and being a student! He decided on Cambridge for very intellectual reasons ... GIRLS! But understandable enough, after three years of Exeter. And having grown up in Jaffrey, the metropolitan area is very exciting.
"In February Jack and I will have been married twenty-three years, which amazes us. We're beginning to think we might make a go of it! Seriously, with all the activity of living, the years have gone fast... but they have been good years and we're still excited about what's ahead.
"With the children older and less absorbing, and the business more (or less) established, we have time to enjoy more reading, etc. I've caught Jack's enthusiasm for national and international affairs, and he's caught my enthusiasm for fudge sundaes. Fair enough!
"We really look forward to the MAGAZINE and news each month. This is our way of saying thank you. Please feel free to use any part (or none) of this to fill up whatever space needs filling.
"Our best wishes to you and all '31ers and '31 wives and families."
Now for a few quickies and then to bed.
Bill Wilson advises that Johnny Benson's financial report indicated that we are in good shape. Last June the class voted to pay off the remaining debt to the College for the class book. Bill therefore authorized John to act accordingly and last night John advised me that this has been done, thus the last detail of the Class Book is now completed and once again (and I know I speak for you all) it can be stated that Dick Holbrook did an outstanding job and we all thank him greatly!
An apology to Adrian O'Keeffe for not spelling his name correctly in several reports. I of all people should not drop one "f" out of your name as I have done, Adrian, because I have the double "f" combination in my own. My secretary finally caught my error when she spotted the recent news item reporting that you have been named head of the advance gifts division of Boston College's $40 million 100 th anniversary development program. Best of everything to you in this work. I'll be more careful in the future.
At a dinner meeting on March 15 I was seated next to Mr. Byron S. Pardee, assistant vice president of the Chase National Bank, N. Y. Naturally the name of Vick Rockhill came right up since he is president of Chase International Investment Corporation. We discussed you pretty roundly that night Vic and if your ears didn't burn then I guess they never will. More about Vic from Beany Thome or me later on.
Lastly a note about myself — there will be a public announcement made soon to the effect that "At the Boston Gas Company Directors' Meeting on March 23, 1961, the following action was taken: Willard C. Wolff was elected Vice President effective June 19, 1961. He will be responsible for sales."
I seem to have the fifteen year itch. Fifteen years with Brooklyn Union Gas Company - fifteen years with Bryant — and now goodnight.
