1912

In the annual report of The National Foundation, Doc O'Connor, president, sets forth in emphatic terms the accomplishments of the Foundation. To quote: "It has been a social force, not only in stimulating scientific discovery, but also in enabling these discoveries to be understood, appreciated, and used." In cooperating with federal, state, and local health agencies, and medical societies, Doc points out that the work of the Foundation covers the full spectrum of public and professional education to forestall another rubella epidemic. This is but one phase of a many faceted program, the fulfillment of which is in large part due to Doc's energetic and farsighted supervision. We are proud of our Class president.

Fletcher Clark is the recipient of another honor, the 1970 Reverence Under Law Award presented by the Middleborough Aerie 503. This happy event took place in the local Eagles Hall, April 11, 1970 when about 150 members and guests assembled to do honor to Middleborough's most distinguished citizen. It was a gala event with speeches in the presentation of the Award, followed by dancing. We should have liked to have been present to witness our Class treasurer doing the light fantastic. SamHobbs made the American Cement Institute meeting in New York City in April. We had hoped to have him in West Hartford for a brief visit but a phone call.told us that he couldn't make it. Boss Geller celebrated his 82nd birthday in April, following a check-up which resulted in the cheerful news that "aside from being short of breath I am otherwise in good shape for my age." He received the good advice which we all should heed, viz., slow down and be your age. Boss says "if only I could see better I'd resent being more than 40 years old.... I shall be in Hanover for our 58th or bust." Besides the latter, he plans to take in the wedding of his oldest grandson in Burlington, Vt.

Tommie Thompson relates his interesting experiences with several mining companies which necessitated trips from the Arctic Circle to lower Mexico and all over Western United States. He retired in 1965, wife Cora died two years later, and now Tommie gets about with the aid of a walker due to arthritis in right hip and knee. He spent a month in the hospital recently getting rid of excess fluid in his legs. He is fortunate in having two of his three daughters living nearby in Denver. Mert Baker has been engaging in his favorite pastime again, this time taking a three-months' cruise on the "SS Sagafjord" from New York through the South Pacific to the Orient. He stopped at a total of 24 ports from the Panama Canal to Japan and Singapore. He should have some interesting tales to relate. Billand Margaret Middlebrook left Pompano Beach, Fla., on April 15 to return home to Minnesota- "where it's cool." I fear that that last word, from all reports, didn't begin to express the real state of affairs. Bill is looking forward to our 60th reunion two years hence and in the meantime is "fussing" with the Nicollet Clinic in Minneapolis.

Bishop Brown writes from South Africa that he is in the process of making the adjustment following the death of his wife Ruth last November. Theirs was a happy life together for more than 40 years. It is interesting to read how excited were the people of that distant country over the return of our astronauts. Cap Alien spent three weeks in Germany in February visiting his daughter. Her husband, a zoology professor, was spending a sabbatical year at Frankfurt University. Cap was driven to Mittenwald in the Alps for a week of skiing but he satisfied himself by riding the lifts and taking a bus trip to Oberammergau and the Ludwig II castle. Back home, on March 14 Cap passed out while driving his car and ended up in the hospital with eight fractured ribs. A disturbing experience, yes, but think how much worse it might have been!

Hospital experiences seem to be the order of the day for many '12ers. In addition to Jimmie Steen's session with a fractured hip, Hal Freund spent some time in New York City's Presbyterian Hospital, diagnosis not furnished. He occupies his time as trustee of two estates and "trying to make the dollar of 1970 take the place of the one of 1965." For the widows, Hazel Cobb Townsend spent her 80th birthday in the hospital as the result of skidding on a wax floor. Lucky she didn't break her hip.

Mart Remsen '14 called up on April 28 to tell your Secretary the sad news that our Class Vice President, Dick Remsen, died early that morning at Nassau Hospital, Mineola, N. Y. Funeral services were held in Garden City on April 30, 1970. The sympathy of the entire Class of 1912 goes out to Gladys and her two sons.

Secretary, Chebeague Island, Me. 04017

Class Agent, 184 Commercial St., Maiden, Mass. 02148