1916's Forty-Fifth
Not long ago Johnny Pelletier in a letter remarked, "Only a couple of weeks to our Fabulous Forty-Fifth. And I hope it will be just that!" Well, I am sure that Johnny Pell and all the others in attendance will agree that it was "just that."
What could be more delightful than the Hanover Plain in the month of June, with such companions as Perc and Aline Burnham from far away Washington state, Carl and Lucille Eskline and Dan and Jean Dinsmoor from California, Ben and Edna Eastman from Double Eagle Ranch, Godley, Texas, and all the good classmates from the intervening states. From beginning to end it was "delightful and delectable."
Nothing was missed, from the fine round of alumni reception, luncheon and dinner, the informal visit to the President's beautiful garden and the Class Dinner, at which Anson Bates recounted the Santa Maria story, Eddie Jeremiah '30 regaled us with droll stories of his athletic experiences and President Dickey rushed in to say hello between courses of his wife's dinner party. The class meeting was presided over with direction and aplomb by retiring president, Stewart Paul. He offered an opening prayer, received the various reports and then read the citations which were awarded by their grateful classmates to Stirling Wilson, retiring secretary, after fifteen years of service and to Alec Jardine, retiring as class agent after almost a decade of arduous work. Stewart, in his farewell address, modestly disclaimed credit for having been an active executive because of pressure of work as president of Gettysburg College; the Class, led by Gran Fuller, shouted down this self-effacing statement and enthusiastically praised the Paul administration and its achievements. General Paul was presented with a handsome leather airplane luggage bag to facilitate his numerous trips by air. Bequest Chairman Charlie Brundage described some methods of assisting the college through bequests, and emphasized the importance of such gifts, both large and small, pointing out that a bequest does not necessarily imply large sums.
John Stearns proposed that Artemas Packard, professor of Art at the college, be made an honorary member of the class. Professor Packard is a member of the class of 1916 at Harvard. The motion was unanimously carried and the secretary sent a letter to Prof. Packard cordially welcoming him to the fellowship of 1916. The class was saddened to learn that Carl (Abe) Lincoln had died at his home in Fall River on June 12. He and Elizabeth had planned to attend Reunion. The meeting adopted a resolution of sympathy to Elizabeth and her family. The class sent flowers and Jess Fenno, who was Abe's best man (and Abe was best man at Jess' marriage), attended the funeral on June 14.
There were moments of levity at the meeting. Dick Parkhurst had been at some pains to learn whatever had become of the statue of the discus thrower which the class had presented to the College upon its graduation and -which was kept on display at the gymnasium. Over the years the statue had been snitched by over-zealous underclassmen and generally bandied about, much like the Sabrina of Amherst-Williams fame. Dick wrote to Red Rolfe and had a reply to the effect that the famous statue had lost an arm and had become so disfigured that it was finally destroyed.
Some of the class apropos of other matters, had started bragging about the number of their grandchildren. The question of supremacy was finally resolved and the brown derby (with a rabbit in it) presented to Bill Gaylord - the figures, though probably not the final ones, are nine children, eight living, all married but one, and 22 grandchildren.
Bill McKenzie, chairman of the nominating committee, submitted the following slate of new officers and they were duly elected by the assembled gentry: President, Richard Parkhurst; Secretary, William L. Cleaves; Treasurer, Arthur J. Conley; Class Agent, James A. Shanahan; Bequest Chairman, Charles E. Brundage; Class Newsletter Editor, F. Stirling Wilson; Executive Committee, Edgar A. Craver, chairman; Samuel E. Cutler, Daniel S. Dinsmoor, Ralph H. George, Edward H. Gumbart Jr., Clarence A. Palmer, and F. St. George Smith Jr.
The Memorial Service in the Chapel was a beautiful and solemn occasion, conducted by the Reverend Fred Berthold Jr. and our president. The singing of Malotte's "The Lord's Prayer" by Ken Tucker was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
After the picnic at Loch Lyme the formal reunion ended on a most pleasant note, a festive gathering at the Brundage Ski Lodge upon the kind invitation of Charlie andEdna Brundage. The assemblage was in good voice, led by the redoubtable Jack English and the time passed all too quickly.
For the record, 144 members of the class have died and there are 245 of us left. There were 67 members present at Reunion, together with 48 wives, four other family mem- bers and three wives of deceased classmates, a total of 122. It was especially gratifying to see this last named group - Mary (Mrs. Donald Fuller). Ted (Mrs. John F. Gile), and Alice (Mrs. Theron Walker) and we were only sorry that more of these ladies could not be there.
While our class did not break any attendance records, as it did at our Fortieth, we did have a distinction that we believe not one of the classes, even the youngest of the reuners, could claim. As he had done several times before George Kreider arrived in Hanover on his motorcycle, having traveled the 1300 miles from Springfield, Ill., in three days. The picture of this young Lochinvar and his trusty steed appears in this issue of the MAGAZINE.
Two classmates, Spike Drenan and Fred da Costa were back for their first reunion. It was also an especial pleasure to welcome to the '16 fellowship Stewart Paul's wife, Louella and their daughter, Mrs. Nancy Arnold Gorman; George Paine's wife, Frances; Pete Cleaves' sister-in-law, Catharene Cleaves, and Freddy St. George Smith's daughter, Mrs. Audrey Taylor, also attending their first reunion. Ev and Clare Parker came from Denver and their son, Ted Parker '64 attended reunion with "the old folks."
Between 45 and 50 of the die-hards and their spouses repaired to the Loch Lyme Lodge for the post reunion. I say, is "repaired" the proper word? They all seemed to be in pretty good shape considering what they had been through. As these notes are being written some of the folks are basking in the warm sunlight, others strolling to the golf links or are otherwise abroad in their motor cars. The formal bar, presided over by Maestro Jim Coffin has finally shut down, Sam Cutler, at long last at the end of his arduous duties as reunion chairman, and Cliff Gammons have gone fishing. And so in the expectation of a fine catch of bass for dinner tonight the story of our Fabulous Forty Fifth comes to an end.
Proudly displaying its class banner, the Class of 1916 posed for its 45th Reunion picture.
George Kreider '16 had the unique distinction of arriving for his 45th Reunion on a motorcycle. His trip from Springfield, Ill., a distance of 1300 miles, took three days.
CLASS SECRETARY
