1943's 25th
They came from everywhere — from Miami, Poultney, Sandy Hook, Mount Wolf, Shaker Heights, Reno, and San Juan. They came in Lincolns, Fords, VWs, campers, and Lear Jets — and mostly station wagons piled with gear and kids. 168 members of the Class of 1943 returned to Hanover on Thursday, June 20 to celebrate their 25th Reunion: they brought wives, children, friends, and one mother-in-law to swell Hanover by 515 people.
Our 25 Year Book, so very well done by Bob Gray, was the guidebook. The biographies obviously had been read and reread. Easy to spot Doug Kipp, Bob Ehinger,Duke Dusname, George Lowden, who have survived a careful partnership with the years. Frank Lallande made a last minute decision to come — and brought his lovely bride. It was one place you could find a doctor — and with every specialty you'd need.
Took some planning to handle that group. The men were issued stylish soft hats with Dartmouth bands, T shirts, and memento key chains. Margo Hartmann custom designed the ladies' scarves so attractive that the manufacturer added them to his commercial line. So what else would the kids get but green T shirts? Weather was unseasonal — lots of rain, low temperatures.
The '43 Tent was the center of activities all day and night — combo, dancing, beer on tap — much comparison of hairlines and girth. Youngsters had their own tent with a psychedelic band called the Ham Sandwich.
First formal gathering was Thursday dinner in Thayer Hall — guests of the College for a delicious buffet. Not the Thayer we knew — air conditioned, candles, and flowers. Full house.
Friday featured a symposium in beautiful Spaulding Auditorium. Jack Meleney, chairman of things cultural, fielded a formidable panel of Professors Harold Bond '42, Paul Shannon, and Larry Smith, representing humanities, engineering, and history, and Jerry Blanchet, Henry Keck, and JimOppenheimer, representing education, engineering, and the law. Topic: "Dartmouth Today: Challenge and Response in the Liberal Arts." In a last minute change your secretary became moderator. The status of liberal arts education was examined from varied aspects; the attitudes of present undergraduates were exposed sympathetically and critically. Strong opposing points of view were presented; no lull in the give and take.
Weather threat switched the picnic from Storrs Pond to Leverone Field House; such a clambake — tremendous food. The sun appeared and we repaired to Chase Field for a Fathers-Sons Softball game — tie score. Game called because of thirst. Bill Jones played first like a pro; Mike Diaz, mixing softball and touch football, kept refreshments available on the playing field by a Diaz ruse — picked up a complete beer outfit including cooler from Leverone by saying "Frank Hartmann said it was OK!" Name dropper. Maury Dampier moved around pretty good catching passes. JimAdams, colorful Californian, appeared in a Budweiser sun costume, to Clarisse's dismay. Russ Sherburne, missile expert, was on target with a football. Norm Askey played second base in Phil Rizzuto style. DickKimmel, unable to resist the lure of reunion, jetted from Chicago to Lebanon in one hour plus fifteen and just managed to miss the game.
Following the alumni dinner in Leverone, President and Mrs. Dickey graciously received us in their lovely garden and opened their home to us. Later, Doc Fielding, gray and mellifluous as befits a successful OB, regaled the crowd with his own tent show - a real medicine man. What would reunion be without Doc? And the bands played on.
The official class meeting on Saturday was democracy in action. The air was electric as President George Munroe reported the accomplishments of the past five years. Our ample treasury reflected the astute money management of Bob Lappin. Kelly Coffin, retiring from a brilliant performance as class newsletter editor, was loudly and deservedly applauded. When Bob Field, our outstanding fund raiser, gave the nominating committee's report, the room was hushed. Don Reich, Bob McQueen and he had heard of opposition to their choices, but Munroe, astute parliamentarian, quickly closed the nominations and in a voice acclamation these new officers were elected: President, Charles Donovan; secretary, Robert Gray; treasurer, Cal Osberg; class agent, Ed Lider; bequest chairman, Jim Elleman; newsletter editor, Herb Marx. Class executive committee: Bob Grimshaw, Frank Hartmann, Bud Kast, Fred Lent, Tom Keeler, Tom Schroth, Bob Ehinger, Andy Caffrey. Bus Mosbacher, Ernie Ball, Paul Young, Hud Wilson, Mort Pechter, George Barlow, Bud Hall, Charlie Edison, Phil Jackson, Dick Kimmel, Tony Farrell, Bill Glovsky, Larry Noble, Dick Proctor, Frank West, Henry Coulter, Chuck Feeney, John S. Robinson, Jack Troster, Jim Doucette, Charlie Dittmar, George Graham, Dick Koester, Dick Lansburgh, Hugh Lena, Bob Liming, and Bud Miskell. Sail on, oh ship of state, sail on!
Saturday afternoon was free for golf, tennis, sleeping, wandering or visiting. The evening cocktail party in the Top of the Hop was a colorful, delightful scene overlooking the campus. The dinner in Alumni Hall was toastmastered by George Munroe, who introduced President and Mrs. Dickey. FrankHartmann accepted for the Class the Reunion Cup for having over one third of all living graduates return. Frank in turn passed out silver gifts to these achievers: Bob Kerwin of Istanbul for traveling the farthest; Paul Hanlon for the largest family delegation; Bob Gray for his great publication — the 25-Year Book; Johnny Koslowski for winning the golf tournament (he also won the drawing for the free reunion registration); Bud Miskell and Kelly Coffin for tennis championships; Doc Fielding and John Shaw for sensational performances in softball. Best dressed at the dinner was Martin Kane, who got a bow but no silver. Added feature was the introduction of the class newlyweds, George and Elinor Munroe, married earlier in the month in California. We presented a special gift honoring George for his outstanding leadership as class president and for his marriage to the lovely Elinor.
Bob McQueen dramatically reviewed our fund raising in our Total Twenty-Five Year Gift of over $650,000 — exceeding our goal by at least $50,000 and more money still coming in. President Dickey acknowledged the gift in a memorable speech classifying the changes taking place in classes and classmates from fifth reunion on and paying a great and sincere compliment to 1943 for its cohesion, organization, and loyalty. If ever there was a class with an excuse for being a poor class, he observed, it was 1943. Instead, the College holds up 1943 as an example to other classes of what can be done when spirit and determination exist. This intimate view of our great College president was one of the best rewards of the reunion.
After cordials on the terrace, we danced to real, honest-to-goodness Glenn Miller type music. Everyone stayed to the end — a perfectly wonderful evening.
We did not forget the 46 classmates no longer with us. The Class has initiated a Memorial Book Program with Baker Library honoring each deceased member. Specially selected books will be purchased and suitably inscribed. Our lovely sculpture in the 1943 Class Memorial Pool was thoughtfully decorated with a garland of spring flowers. On Sunday morning we gathered in renovated Rollins Chapel, where Rev. JoeKoci led a touching memorial service and delivered a ringing address that we shall long remember.
To Frank Hartmann and his committee, Dick Bugbee, Graham Conklin, Tony Farrell, Bud Hall, Winger Munn, Bob Grimshaw, Joe Koci, John Shaw, Hud Wilson,Jim Elleman, Stan Calder, Jack Meleney, and Dan Winters (hopefully recovering from a sudden illness) we say most sincere thanks for a tremendous job. It was an unforgettable weekend. Ask anyone who was there.
Members of the '43 panel were Prof. Paul Shannon, Jim Oppenheimer, Prof. HaroldBond '42, Charlie Donovan, Jerry Blanchet, Henry Keck, and Larry K. Smith.
RETIRING CLASS SECRETARY
