1954

This is going to be another one of those rambling columns as I attempt to catch up on some doings that previous space and sporadic mail did not permit. So throw away your sense of time and travel with me around the globe as I look in on ...

David H. Fitch who has been enjoying the present housing boom in Greenfield, Mass., managing his lumber company's construction business. Far from just plain sawing the wood, Dave has rounded out his existence with interest in the local Rotary Club where he wields the gavel, and with the vice presidency of the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealer's Association. He is also active in the Chamber of Commerce and has been vice president of the YMCA. Dave modestly tells us that the Fitches were named Family of the Year by the "Y" because of their involvement with the cause and not because of his "slimness." And when things get too deep around home, the Fitches relax sailing their Lightning along the northeast coast, with some small degree of success.

Colonel Robert Drawbaugrh. Some issues back I wrote about Bob based on the information then at hand. But some new findings have recently come to my attention which certainly bear mention. Bob was presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross and eight awards of the Air Medal for aerial achievement in Southeast Asia. In earning the DFC he flew through hazardous terrain and small arms fire to direct tactical air strikes against enemy positions and targets. Colonel Drawbaugh received the Air Medals for sustained flights under hazardous conditions and now holds 15 (count 'em) Air Medals!

James L. Stead from Jericho Center, Vt., updated his biographical material with the following facts: he married Josephine Hamlin Zai, a widow, and came up with instant family with a five-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. Jo, as Jim describes her, "is a cellist, rock climber, cross-country skier, and just ornery enough to put up with a long-practicing bachelor." Jim left General Electric in 1965 after ten years as sales engineer and business planner in the Missile and Space Vehicle Department. He then moved to Stowe, Vt., and spent four years managing a plastics manufacturing firm in Montpelier. Then, in '69, he struck out on his own and with a former GE associate acquired a small business in Burlington, Vt., the Aluminum Cap Seal Co., Inc., which specializes in closures for wine and liquor bottles. Jim is pleased to report that though the firm was in "tight" shape at the time of purchase, it has responded very well to care and attention. Now he has settled in to married life and has set aside his motorcycle, which he used to race incidentally, admitting that there is indeed a generation gap. But all is not lost as he now earns his Monday morning aches and bruises by a weekend diet of hiking, canoeing and sailing.

Robert P. Pallatroni. With all the newspapers and other media carrying stories about conditions in our prisons, it is interesting to note that Bob Pallatroni has become a respected authority on the subject. Having earned his Ph.D. in psychology at B.U., Bob is now chairman of the Psychology department at Southeastern Massachusetts University. Previously he had spent five years as a psychologist in the mental health clinic at Walpole State Prison, including three years as its director. His experiences during that time would probably make an interesting book, but his conclusions seem to be that the prison system in general is abominable. While most prison administrators today are aware of the problem and are progressive in their thinking they are up against the hard fact of the cost of putting together truly constructive rehabilitation programs. Since money is controlled by legislators who in turn respond to public opinion "genuine prison reform is not likely to come about until people begin to realize that it's in their best interest to correct rather than punish ... It's unfortunate that it so often requires violent protest to initiate such efforts."

Paul Wisdom. Paul is another classmate who has devoted thought and action to the field of social problems. About a year ago in Baltimore County, Md., Paul was named by County Executive Dale Anderson to the County Board of Social Services. He is vice president for institutional development at Towson State College, and has participated in fund raising campaigns for the Girl Scouts, the YMCA, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Paul is also a member of the Baltimore Public Relations Council and the Maryland-Delaware District of the Columbia Press Association.

Robert W. McKeever. Bob, too, shares something in common with others in the public and social service arena since a short while ago he was appointed chief administrative officer to the Baltimore Supreme Bench as announced by Chief Judge Dulany Foster. After Dartmouth and Tuck School, Bob took his law degree at New York Law School where he was managing editor of the Law Review. Among his other credits are a special crime study for the Rhode Island Superior Court and assistant counsel for the New York State Commission of Investigation where he directed an extensive study of the management and operation of county prisons. He had previously been an assistant DA for New York County specializing in prosecution of homicide cases.

20th reunion and activity is starting to pick up a faster tempo as John Gillespie reports to us the following committee assignments: Pete Barker, Treasurer and Financial Director; Dick Page, Public Relations Director; Skip Weymouth, Entertainment Chairman; Mike Biggs, Resident Alumni Music Director; Dick Fowler, Hanover Charge D'Affaires.

Remember those important dates, June 15-17. Dick Page will have lots more information in a forthcoming news letter.

"And so to bed ..." See you next month with more news from youse who choose to write!

Secretary, 58 Birchwood Lane Hartsdale, N. Y. 10530

Treasurer, 30 Juniper Ave., Wakefield, Mass. 01880