1943
Five years ago this month this column carried news about Maurie Dampier in his new role as vice president of the ladies' sportswear division of Catalina, Inc. Now Damp appears in a full page of "Women's Wear Daily," including a fine picture, as senior vice president of Catalina with the striking and dangerous headline, "Do women really know what they want?" Damp replies, as befitting the suave guy he is, "They certainly do". . . and proceeds to tell the reader why he is giving wool doubleknits to the new generation of young women. Somehow, and without any real reason, I think Damp must be ideally suited for his job. Imagine the problems of marketing products for women. Only a guy like Damp could handle it.
Been some time since we've heard from Dale JRuedig. Now an attorney in Galesburg, Ill., Dale has joined the Knox College faculty as lecturer in business law, department of economics and business administration. Dale is a partner in the Galesburg law firm of Hanlon and Ruedig, has a law degree from the University of Michigan. At Dartmouth he was manager of cross country, and one of his charges was Paul Hanlon, who is now his law partner.
Very sad losing Will Gray, whose obituary appears elsewhere in this or a subsequent issue. Warren Kreter '42, who was his catcher, said he was the best pitcher in 1942, with a terrific curve ball which he threw with one finger. John Koslowski wrote me about Will: "I was terribly sorry to hear about Willy Gray. I know many of his friends will recall his great pitching feats for Jeff Tesreau. I believe Willy was the only athlete who was encouraged by a coach to drink beer to put on weight. Jeff felt he had great major league potential but needed some extra beef on his frame to move the fast ball. He had undoubtedly the greatest curve ball of any pitcher I ever caught. Known as silent Willy, he possessed a keen sense of humor. I recall two outstanding games he pitched - one against the great Yale pitcher Lefty Ted Harrison, which Dartmouth won 2-0. Harrison struck out 14 and Willy 12. In this game Willy was tremendous. As a sophomore opposing Harrison, he announced, 'This guy isn't that great.' The other game that stands out was Holy Cross, pitched by Pinky Wood, who later pitched for the Red Sox. Although we lost this game 4-2 because of errors, the highlight was the 2 for 3 batting average Will had against Wood. Will later commented that if he only had a little support and a few 2 for 3 batters like himself, Dartmouth would have won. Somehow Will Gray pitched his great games against heralded pitchers. Apparently he thrived on an inner competitive spirit we all found so admirable. I shall always remember him as the guy who kept me digging out of the dirt those sharp curve balls which opposing batters missed by at least a foot."
My files on this class grow thicker each month in their record of the passing parade. Five years ago this month these people were featured in this column. If you don't remember, you'll find their names below: 1) The first grandfather of the class whose grandson expects to be a member of the class of 1979. 2) A West Coast lawyer specializing in negligence, criminal defense and domestic relations. 3) This editorial writer really reads this column because he didn't believe Ernie Sauls ever attended Dartmouth and let me know it. 4) Candidate for a New Jersey school board for everybody's mutual benefit. 5) You see his name on many barber chairs. 6) He started a new business service for local and state governments. 7) Another great sailor in our class who won a national Mobjack championship. 8) New Jersey education later lost this leader to Ohio, the long and the short of it. 9) Step by step moving upward in a military career. 10) The youngest member of a bank board which really spells it Mechanicks.
Received several comments about the number of '43 s who have received fulllength profiles in recent ALUMNI MAGAZINE issues. Dick Reid and Tom Schroth were featured and there'll be more coming. Reason? This is a moving group whose members are doing things in business, medicine, law, education, arts, and government. As a congressional chronicler, Tom has established a most useful and unusual career. His watchwords "complete, concise, and convenient" make him sound like a good candidate for secretary of this class.
1) Rad Hibben; 2) A 1 Holzhauer; 3) HerbHarrigan; 4) Bob McQueen; 5) John Paidar;6) John O'Donnell; 7) Bailey Walten; 8)Bud Kast; 9) Bill Millmore; 10) Tom Gerber.
Secretary, 414 Rosedale Dr. Pottstown, Pa. 19464
Class Agent, Room 1453, 60 Broad St. New York, N. Y. 10004
