1935's 35th
CLASS SECRETARY
Our 35th reunion has gone into the record books as the largest and by far the most colorful in the history of The College. Yank Price set a standard no class may ever match. Drawing his inspiration from a painting in his office, he designed a claś shirt that was truly a kaleidoscope of color, in bold geometric pattern. There was as disguising the fact that '35 was in town and in record numbers, 230 to be exact! And, when President Kemeny strode on the stage Tuesday, resplendent in his '35 shirt, we knew that '35 had set a fashion trend that will echo 'round the girdled world.
Our record numbers included four classmates making their first reunion ever- Carl Bradshaw, Bill Chapman, Don King, and Bill Eisendrath. A couple of plucky wives returned despite crippling injuries. Babs Bankart broke her hip only ten days before, but with the bones held by metal pins (no cast) she gayly hobo.;, about on crutches. So did Mabel Cooper, still nursing a broken ankle. Not to be outdone, our new president John Wallance proceeded to sprain an ankle on the final day, and joined the crutches corps.
While gaiety prevailed at a level nard to beat, it. soon became apparent this was a different reunion. The class tent was dark at 1 a.m., although Cramp Carrick and a few hardy souls were observed making the rounds at '36 and '37 at a later hour. Children were scarce, although Helen and Mal Gelof created moments of nostalgia for the rest of us with their two toddlers, Adam age 34 and Dara age 2. The Hillis had a 9-year-old and two teenagers in tow. The Nayors had their talented, ballerina daughter. We had our 13-year-old, Ricky, but the rest, like our Warren, were college types. Final proof of our more mature status came when they tallied up the empty kegs. Six for three days, and we had ordered 15! Shades of reunions past.
There were many, many highlights Tuesday evening, at our class dinner Dero Saunders, president of the Alumni Council, recognized Bobb Chaney's long service to the College, the Class, his community and his profession and presented him the coveted Dartmouth Alumni Award. Daw Smith, our newly elected trustee, and Ralph Lazarus, who unfortunately was ill and could not be present, were cited for their roles as trustees of the College. George Colton introduced Carroll Brewster, our youthful dean of the College, who gave some insight into undergraduate life today. It has changed!
Pat Holbrook, who coached our unbeaten freshman team in 1931, was back to reminisce with his boys and looking extremely fit. Lowell Haas celebrated his 57th birthday, by unpacking his sax and blowing a mean horn with the dance band, Vhile son Fred handled chores at the piano. Bob Richter helped his dad, Emil, celebrate his 83rd birthday. We should all look and be so young!
On Wednesday, we joined the classes of 1936 and 1937 for Memorial services. We have lost 27 classmates since our last reunion, making a total of 102. In a provocative message, Jim Lancaster '36, an ordained minister, suggested that the service not only was a memorial to departed classmates, but also to values, life styles and a culture we helped to create. In specific reference to Dartmouth, he urged alumni to accept with good faith that Dartmouth lives, grows, and flourishes and that we serve not only the venture that was, but what is and is to be Dartmouth.
Our class meeting provided the usual mixture of proper decorum and hilarious byplay, either led by or focussed on Bob Narramore. In more serious moments Bob ably handles our widows' program. He protested the job is becoming full time.
Bill Fitzhugh presented the slate of new class officers. Bobb Chaney after eight years in office asked to step down as president and will be succeeded by John Wallace. Hall Colton, after a thoughtful review of class assets which now approximate $10,000, was re-elected treasurer, despite his joking threats to abscond to Mexico. Also, you'll have to put up with me for another term as secretary.
Other class responsibilities are appointive, rather than elective, but Fitzhugh urged we continue the present slate intact. Dero Saunders and Reg Bankart for the Tear Bag; Yank Price as head class agent. (Incidentally, open your wallets and send Yank a check; we're only 52% toward our 5100,000 class goal.) Tom Wilson and Al Brush (he's new) to handle the bequest program. Ted Steele and Al Sherwood for the Memorial Fund. Bob Narramore to handle "the distaff side."
Fitz also proposed that we broaden the scope of our regional chairman assignments, to reflect changing life styles. In short, new chairmen for the retirement meccas of Florida and Arizona. Also, someone to represent our growing constituency in Europe. Not only do we have close to a dozen classmates resident there, but our tourist contingent each year is impressive. No less than four missed reunion because of European trips—WileyHubbell, Bill Hands, John Thomas, and Dick Halvorsen.
We had number of others who had to change reunion plans. Sam Rees was in Alaska to visit his daughter and grandchildren. Eleanor AuWater stayed home to run the 75th anniversary celebration for Laurel School in Cleveland. So Jack came alone. Eileen and Bud Cahoon had to cancel, when Eileen suffered a heart attack, Fortunately, she is convalescing satisfactorily.
The three days were as near perfect as human ingenuity can make it. The weather was ideal-—sunny and cool. Our co- chairmen, John Wallace and Doug Ley, with tireless assistance from their lovely wives, deserve credit for superb arrangement They were ably assisted by DanCotton for publicity, Ken Kurson for uniforms (his stroke of genius was asking Tank Price to handle the shirts), DickMuzzy for meals and refreshments, BobMcClellan for the class dinner, and RegBankart as grand factotum of the tub thumpers.
