1935
In recent years, we have chronicled many interesting career changes, but none more fascinating than this decision reached by Lou Whytlaw. My interest was piqued when a routine, change-of-address notice from the College suddenly addressed Lou as "Rev." When I wrote for clarification, Lou replied:
"The Reverend isn't really new. I just don't use it very often. I have been doing various forms of ministerial work since 1962, and was formally ordained four years ago. All of that time, I was one of the staff ministers at a large church in Oklahoma City.
"This spring, however, our baby (Elizabeth) grduated from high school, so we felt free to make another move. In June, I accepted appointment as charge minister of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Del City, Okla. Peg and I are having a ball. Some 460 members, average age 35 and prolific as all get out. The very idea of my being a minister is thoroughly ludicrous, but it just goes to show that God really can do anything." Right on!
On the family side, Lou reports that their three older children all are married. One son is in Midland, Texas, teaching high school math and coaching the city AAU diving team. A second is finishing his last semester at Brigham Young, where he too is a crack diver. Their older daughter is married to the track and cross-country coach at St. Olaf's College in Northfield, Minn., and that's where their younger daughter has now enrolled. Peg keeps busy doing some market research work, and currently is doing a study on narcotics for the government.
Have you ever been amazed at the coincidences that crop up in our lives? JoeWater's wife, Onalene, related this incident at our fall reunion. She and her daughter Carol were in Hong Kong last summer and fell into conversation with an attractive young American. Some mention was made of Dartmouth. The youth said his father had graduated in the Class of 1935. It was Merce Curtis Jr.
Another world traveler this year has been Maury Rapf. He flew around the globe in February, visiting Thailand, Kenya, and various other emerging countries to study and film the lives of their peasant peoples. Some four hours worth of movie film. Right now, he is in the process of editing it into a 27-minute documentary for television viewing. Maury resumes his "other" job in January, teaching his movie course at Dartmouth during second term.
Ben Harriman passed through Chicago in October on a business trip from London back to 3-M's corporate headquarters in the Twin Cities. He told of an exciting trip which he and Mary-Stuart had behind the Iron Curtain this summer. Among other things, Ben overheard some opium smugglers hatching their plan and worked with Interpol to effect their capture. On their way out of Poland, they wound up in the same railroad compartment with a young political refugee being smuggled out. Some anxious moments, but he made it.
Ben also reported that Bo Fleming, now retired in Key Biscayne, Fla., had suffered a detached retina. Apparently the operation was successful and Bo is now recovering. We wish him a speedy convalescence and hope that those Florida bikinis don't provide any undue eye strain.
Bobb Chaney and Shelley came to Chicago for the christening of some grandchildren, and that provided an occasion for several of us to join Bobb for lunch. Ted Huck, Frank Wright, CharlieHausserman, Hall Colton and I turned out, and we spent the time organizing a pre-Christmas lunch for Chicago area classmates on December 1. More about that in our next issue.
It was also bon voyage for Hausserman. He and Eunice left two days later for Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and other points "down under." While the trip involves some business, Charlie admitted that he was taking his golf clubs. He is looking forward to playing Mauna Kea, on Hawaii's Big Island, over Thanksgiving weekend. He promised to return in time for the December 1st luncheon—if he doesn't go native!
From press reports, Al Dodd is even busier in retirement than he was selling insurance for Travelers. He is now director of consumer information for the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, and handles consumer inquiries from all over the state. In the past year, he has handled 3500 calls (he claims his occupational hazard is a cauliflower ear), and estimates he has saved consumers close to a quarter-million dollars. Not bad for a guy who took early retirement to get out of the rat-race.
Jean and Jim LeSure celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary with a trip to Quebec, and stopped off in Hanover enroute home. Joining Henrietta and BobHagre, they revealed that they are now grandparents. Jim is an associate professor in the College of Education at the University of Hartford. I am also indebted to Bob for news that Paul Hilli was in town with his daughter for an interview with Eddie Chamberlain. She'll seek admission in the Class of 1977. To my knowledge, we have no '35 daughters in the College now, although Bill Feingold's youngest was in the first group of women exchange students a few years back.
Elizabeth and Gordon Spencer also report a Canadian trip with romantic overtones. "Enjoyed recent vacation in Canada, which included Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and north 150 miles to the Saguenay river. We had been up the Saguenay on our honeymoon cruise. Home via New Hampshire, with a stopover for dinner in Hanover."
Brad York reports that Harriet is now fully recovered from a horrendous heart failure, 18 months ago, and life is back to normal. Brad is now with Family Weekly Magazine, a division of Downe Communications, after many years with Life. Of their children, Brad says Pamela, 22, is "striving valiantly to become a Jesus religious writer; Donald, 18, is in prep school playing tennis, chess and soccer and hopes for Dartmouth next year."
One sad note this month. John Blanchard died September 30 at the Veterans Hospital in West Haven, Conn. He had been an instructor for many years at Admiral Farragut Academy, before his illness. A more complete report will be found in the obituary section.
Dave Goldman, who lives hard by RegBankart in Heritage Village, returned my postcard with this cryptic notation. "Nothing to report." So we'll have to depend on Uncle Reg to ferret out further details. S'long 'til next month.
Secretary 840 Westcliff, Deerfield, Ill. 60015
Treasurer, Apt. 323, 9820 Crawford Ave. Oak Lawn, Ill. 60453
