1912
For three weeks following Christmas the Reaper took a real toll from our Class. Russ Wylde left us the day after Christmas and Jack Park on the last day of the old year. Then on January 5 Leonard Wood passed away and on the 14th both RuellGibbs and Ernest McLaughlin completed their tours of duty on this earth. Added to these we note with sadness the sudden passing of that 1913 stalwart, Warde Wilkins. A rare and beautiful book has been added to the Baker Library in memory of each departed '12er. A gracious note of appreciation was received from Wilhelmina Wylde, formerly one of the Cotton twins of Lebanon, N. H. Also from Elizabeth Park a note asking the name of Jack's memorial book, and adding "for one with true understanding and sympathy with all fellowmen, and what is more worthy in a man for a living memorial? As today I realize an added meaning to the song 'Men of Dartmouth,' her Class 1912 letters giving that strength, unto the grave, for us left." Leonard Wood's sister sent "many thanks for the beautiful memorial for my dear brother," and Hazel Gibbs added her thanks and "my best to all 1912 friends."
On the lighter side, Roy Lewis reported right after Christmas that the weather in Venice, Fla., was wonderful, that he was playing golf almost daily, that Ben Adams and Harrie Chase had arrived and ScottieRogers was to come. Then the axe fell, for late in January Roy wrote that the house in Lebanon had been ransacked and burglarized! That on top of his disastrous fire of 1964! In closing, Roy and Floppie were anticipating a luncheon gathering with the Smiths, Townsends, and Lincolns at the Pink Jewel "if the crick don't rise."
Tracy Sanborn continues to write a series of monthly commentaries on the ancient legendary and historical aspects of Freemasonry published by his Lodge, shovels snow from two porches and a walk, and in summer helps care for his ten flowerbeds, hedges and shrubs. Most refreshing of all were his closing words: "The sunshine of life to you and yours." Al Smith is gaining momentum in his role as Bequest Chairman and reports an increase of replies over 1962 and 1963 to his letters of appeal to us graying classmates. Yet, he says a lot of the class are procrastinating.
Just too late for the February column came a letter from Hippo Marden. Officially retired from industrial medicine, he is now serving as the local school physician but he also substitutes for his successor at his former industrial job while the latter is on vacation. That means no reunion in Hanover in June for him. Baby sitting for five grandchildren keeps him from any desire to go South, he says. Here is another fellow in the 70's who shovels snow and mows grass and hasn't had a coronary, viz., ChetHaycock. He admits his main interest is four grandsons, ages 7 months to 9 years. And out of the frigid (and I mean frigid!) State of Minnesota comes news from Billand Margaret Middlebrook. Working for the Foundation as he does, Bill sees a possibility of a mission to Indonesia or to some Latin American country and adds that "we do want to get away from this, subzero weather and will before long, if nowhere else than into Mexico." Better come to Maine in August. The water is fine!
Ned Richmond has been baching it, cooking his own meals except for dinners, while Leona was on a tour, in Europe. By now they should be reunited in Moorestown, U.S.A. Ned is planning on Ocean Springs, Miss., in April where he will continue his researches for the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory as official Research Associate, devoting himself mostly to a supplementary list of the Horn Island plants and animals. Edith and Dutch Waterbury have been on the move again to his old love, Puerto Rico, but that was back in December. No news since. Virginia and Mark Reed continue to be confirmed travelers. Last month it was Mexico and Guatemala by air with side flights to Chichen Itza and Cozumel. In May they are booked for Europe again: Crete, Jugoslavia, and the Salzburg Festival. We'll be thinking of you in June.
Rol Sturtevant's wife Alice writes that because of Rol's arthritis she has to handle his correspondence, even though they are enjoying the sunny climate of Tucson. Rol has been unable to make the long trek to Hanover although Orton Hicks '21 promises them both a very good time. Chuck Tanger checks in from Lancaster, Pa., with sympathy and an invitation to enjoy his housekeeper's hospitality. It sounds like a knockout as her name is Mrs. Thunderbird. Helenand Jimmie Cleaves went south for the winter to Center Sandwich, N. H., from their home in North Sandwich, N. H. They both love this country living, winter as well as summer, and admit keeping "remarkably well and contented."
Clif Sugatt was laid low right after Christmas with an acute bronchitis. Katharine keeps busy with church work while Clif plays golf two or three times a week during the season. They were in Spain and Portugal last autumn and were called to Ohio in June because of the illness of Katharine's sister, thus missing the first class reunion in a number of years. It's to be Hanover this June, however. Boss Geller was invited to Hanover for the "Dartmouth Horizons" program in February. Hope you made it, Boss. Modest Lyme has just admitted that Sinclair Weeks' latest, "Richard Bowditch Wigglesworth, Way-Stations of a Fruitful Lifetime," which came off the Harvard University Press at Christmastime contains in the forefront a generous acknowledgement to H.L.A. of Northwood. Congratulations!
Irene Drake called the Secretary recently as she passed through Hartford, but found him out. She was en route to Valhalla, N. Y., to visit her brother. Failing to supply the Valhalla address, my intended invitation to stop on her return went begging. Irene is a most loyal '12er. Visa Thrush (Dinny Jones' widow) writes from Peoria, III., that she has had to restrict her activities since a fall in New York in May 1964 where she went with her sister to attend the national convention of the American Red Cross and take in the World's Fair. It was while visiting the latter she accidentally fell. Then she was very ill for three months following a shot of tetanus antitoxin. Now she admits her travel days are over but she sends her kindest regards, particularly to the C & G group with whom she had some "grand times." Last, but not least, an orchid to Marion Pond who just added $l5OO to her Carl F. Pond 1912 Memorial Fund making it now the magnificent sum of $3000.
Secretary, 136 Steele Rd. West Hartford, Conn.
Treasurer, 4 Bank Building, Middleboro, Mass.
