1949
It must have been a "Long Hot Summer" for many of you. I assume so much time was spent in wielding palm fans in front of your aging visages that none of you had the time or inclination to keep me up to date on our wandering classmate, GuntherPerdue. Perhaps he, like The Fugitive, is lurking around corners in your own fair city unaware that a warm heart and helping hand is so near to reach out.
My vacation from the pen seems to have been short-lived. It seems only yesterday that I was writing the column for the June issue and now, in late August, the snap of fall is in the air (at least here circa New York). The pro football teams are in high gear (to the dismay of many distaff members) and our Fall Weekend plans are being solidified. Vail Haak phoned a few days ago to get some details for a newsletter you will have already received, but, if, at the last moment, you find you and your family can join the Class of '49 for its fall get-together at Homecoming Weekend, October 8, 9 and 10, write me or telephone 914 967-4747 and we'll take care of your room and mean requirements, if possible. I'm certain that last-minute tickets to the Penn game can be obtained albeit in the end zone or the Quaker side.
It seems that this year has been one of repeats in news of classmates! It must be momentum! I recall writing not too long ago about 49er Henry A. Williams, Jr. who migrated partially west. Well, Hank, who is Vice-President of Finance for the Beloit Corporation, was this summer given the distinction of being named as a Director of the First National Bank & Trust Company of Beloit. This is an add-on to his directorship at the Berkshire Ban Corp. If looking for ski-mobiling this winter look up Hank at 2311 E. Ridge Road, Beloit, Wisconsin.
At some time around eight o'clock P.M. on Saturday night, October 9th the Class of '49 will be making a Gold Pick-ax Award to a most deserving classmate for the eleventh consecutive year. This year's award will be the fourteenth and a committee headed by Dr. Robert Liechti has been active making the selection. A report on the presentation will be forthcoming along with news of the Fall get- together in the December issue. To refresh your senile recollections I am listing below the classmates who earned this honor in past years: 1961—Quent Kopp; 1962 Dave Bergamini; 1963—Ralph Burgard; 1964—Dick Bandfield; 1965—0rt Hicks and Bob Zeiser; 1966—Marv Durning;1967—Ed Graham and Mike McGean;1968—Mike Gish; 1969—Slade Gorton and John Borys; and 1970—Charles J.Urstadt. Who knows in '71, but perhaps Gunther Perdue in '72!
Much of news has probably happened to various 49ers this summer but, unfortunately, I probably have only a modicum of coverage due to the fact that my network of 007's is somewhat sparse and suffering from golf and tennis phobias. One balding spy, however, reports on our Jim Zafris the claim-eating Executive-VP of the Colonial National Bank of Danvers, Massachusetts. Jim, who obviously prefers music to money, was recently voted Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Jim and wife Joyce reside at 6 Summer St., Groveland, Mass. and will welcome any of your guitar-playing siblings with talent.
Probably many of you were fortunate enough to absorb the humor of Art Buchwald when he wrote of the 1971 valedictorian at Dartmouth, David Levy of Gotham. At the expense of being redundant to some of you but relevant to others I would like to repeat some of his remarks. David Levy in his address asked for pity, claimed he got nothing out of four years at Dartmouth and stated he was considering the bartending profession because he liked working with his hands and being with people! (Shades of the disciples of Saroyan!) Buchwald, in his letter to Levy, pointed out that no one likes a moody bartender and no one wants to listen to the bartender's personal problems (rather, vice versa). In closing he scribed to non-levity-loving-Levy the following: "Dave, before you take this major step, please think about it carefully. It's one thing to believe that life isn't worth living—but it's another thing to bring d.own the whole neighborhood with you." In my personal opinion friend Levy may be a valedictorian but he has low awareness—if nothing more, he got four years of clean, fresh air out of Dartmouth!
Remember the Big "Q?" with the light touch of vocal? Our soon-to-be famous classmate, Quentin L. Kopp, recently upstaged Commissioner Charles J. Urstadt in the San Francisco papers by announcing his candidacy for a slot on the Frisco (that's a no-no) Board of Supervisors on August 17, 1971. Pictured with his children (ages five and seven), to make him more appealing to voters (more likely because baby-sitters weren't available) the "Q" pronounced with vehemence that he was "as close as a telephone call to all San Franciscans." Since when did he need a phone, no less a maga-phone! Quent, despite a slightly different ethnic background, has become a true San Franciscan—he is the champion of the local Chinese fighting school integration. He promises complete involvement as a representative of the people in determining what City Hall (namely, Joe Alioto) is doing with all revenues, and as an ombudsman between the citizen and government. If anyone can do it our Don Quixote of the west will! Give support where possible! Send any contributions to cleaner government in our fair city of the west to Chad Ertola, Campaign Co-chairman, 351 California Street, Suite 304, San Francisco, California 94104.
Along with wage/price freezes there also comes rationing. In my case it concerns space in this hallowed monthly. In the November issue I'll catch up with the balance of summer happenings. Hope I see many of you in Hangover this autumn.
Finally, a reminder that the Class of '49 ABC book program makes "quite a difference" in the educational picture for that student who did not cultivate suitable reading habits before college. Dartmouth has taken some bold steps in the area of education for the disadvantaged because of demonstrated need and the potential value to society if successful.
A contribution to the '49 Book Program (care of Herman E. Muller Jr., 530 East 86th St., New York, N. Y. 10028) is a good way to start our support of the College in her two hundredth and second year.
Quentin Kopp '49, attorney for Chinese parents fighting the school integrationorder, is a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. With him at apress interview are his two sons, aged 5 and 7. See the '49 notes.
Secretary, GORDON A. THOMAS R.D. 2, Box 234 New Canaan, Conn. 06840
Treasurer, CARLL K. TRACY Box 52, Irvine, Pa. 16392
