1904

It is with great sadness that we bring this report to the class. Beck, our devoted secretary for 25 years has gone on to meet his departed classmates and prepare a place for his remaining "boys and girls." Harry Becket Johnson lovingly far beyond the line of duty served his classmates, his college, and all the activities in which he engaged. The world became a better place to live in because Beck was a part of it. Burial was in Vero Beach. Cloyd T. Maynard represented the Class at the funeral. The heartfelt sympathy of all his "boys and girls" is extended to his devoted Sally. May time and the Supreme Ruler ease her heavy burden.

Mrs. Johnson wishes to acknowledge through this column her thanks for all the kind notes of interest, sympathy and Christmas cards which at this moment she is unable to do personally. At this time of confusion some of her Christmas cards were sent and some were not. We understand, Sally. Sally's sister, Mrs. Stanley Joslin, of Southbridge, Mass., came January 6 to live with her through the winter.

Harold G. Sharpe died November 16 at the Long Beach Veteran's Hospital in Long Beach, Calif. "The Major" led a very active life and will be greatly missed by his many associates. The sympathy of the Class is extended to his widow and family.

News has just been received of the death of Helen Hastings (widow of Alfred), after a long illness, last February, in Mansfield Center, Conn. Also, the death has been reported of Mary Willis (widow of Ned) early in 1964 in Concord, N. H. Our sympathy goes to their remaining families.

Present address for Frank H. Stowell, Old Quarry Road, Guilford, Conn. Address furnished by Bruce Sanborn. Thank you, Bruce. Ellen Hinman is living this winter with her daughter's family in Dixfield, Maine.

We were pleased to receive a cheerful note from Jared P. Hatch who is living in a residence club in Santa Monica, Calif. Jerry reports that he is enjoying very good health and wishes to correct an impression that has erroneously gone abroad that he is very much of an invalid. We wish we could receive more cheerful notes like this, Jerry.

On our trek to Florida, Geneva and Leon dropped in on Dr. David and Mildred Ford. Now there is a very happy couple living in an apartment in the beautiful Guardian Manor Inc. with all their needs cared for by the management. Though Dave has been blind for ten years, they derive great enjoyment from their memories of world-wide travels and the services they have rendered as doctor and nurse in many parts of the world. We had a delightful visit.

The Florida sunshine is doing wonders for this ancient character. Wish more of you could come and enjoy it with us. Remember our current address is 702 South "J" St., Lake Worth.

A very fine memorial sketch of BeckJohnson has been written by Robbie for the In Memoriam section of this issue. Robbie has extended his more formal obituary with other recollections of Beck that will have special meaning for 1904, and we are happy to present them here:

After preparatory years at Kimball Union Academy, Beck entered Dartmouth in the fall of 1900. Here he at once began to form intimate friendships for which his earlier active years had left little opportunity. His warm nature and many fine characteristics met with ready response among his classmates and he soon had a host of friends whose devotion he treasured for the rest of his life.

Beck was Secretary of the Class-of 1904 from 1919 to 1934, during which period he issued four class reports, and from 1954 to 1964. His magnum opus was the fiftieth-year report which he volunteered to prepare, believing that it was much needed, even before he had been elected Secretary at the Fiftieth Reunion of the Class. It was a stupendous piece of work, about an inch thick, containing records of the accomplishments and doings of all members of the Class for whom records could be procured, stories of all the reunions and round-ups of the Class, general records of the Class as an organization and a great many pictures taken from undergraduate days to the fiftieth anniversary of graduation. In the preparation of this great volume Beck's devoted wife, Sally, contributed a very large share. She prepared the manuscript, handled the proofs, and attended to many details.

Other products of Beck's interest and industry were several volumes containing over a thousand photographs of the members of the Class, singly and in groups. Beck's camera accompanied him at every gathering of the Class and he also obtained pictures from many others. These volumes of pictures were deposited in the College library when he attended the 60th reunion last June. ...

Beck's patriotic and civic activities in many good causes seem endless. During the first World War he served in France with the ranks of First Lieutenant and Captain. He was a member of the staff of General Dawes and was stationed in Paris for 14 months in the Purchase and Finance Division of Ordnance. It was while he was in Paris that he, in collaboration with Colonel Hinman and Captain Logan, also of 1904, sent the famous cablegram to President Hopkins - "We are fighting this war to make Hanover a safe place in which to hold reunions."

His demanding business and the other extensive activities did not prevent Beck from knowing the joy of living. He was a jovial companion at many reunions and on other occasions. His spirited rendition of My Irene" was demanded at every class gathering. He was an athlete in his undergraduate days and later continued his interest in sports, although usually as a non-participant. He was a skilful fisherman and loved to follow the brooks in favorite haunts in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the wary trout.

Beck's correspondence with the members of his Class and the widows and relatives was prolific. Countless hours often extending far into the night were devoted to writing the many longhand letters of friendship and sympathy which came from his pen. He had affection for all and everyone loved him. A few words he wrote for the fiftieth anniversary report of the Class, slightly paraphrased here, are revealing: "As the name of each classmate has come before me in the preparation of this report it has brought a flood of memories of boys who were gay, careless, sincere, indifferent, studious, purposeful, generous, friendly, ambitious, weak and strong, but all with some qualities to admire, and these qualities along with the fact that they belonged to 1904 have been enough to bring real affection for each and every one of them." Beck's last letters to the other class officers brought word that he had not enough strength left to continue his secretarial duties, and he asked that his Associate Secretary, Leon Webster, carry on for him for at least a few months.

Ralph Glaze '06. Details in '06 Notes.

Secretary, 702 South J Street Lake Worth, Fla.

Treasurer, Box 406, Morristown, N. J.