1948's 25th
It's hard to describe the best reunion that '48 has ever had in any terms except superlative! Therefore, I am only going to summarize the event by saying that everyone, and I mean everyone, agreed that our coming together on the Hanover Plain was a truly memorable experience.
In terms of events, Ronnie Bill and his Banjo Band at the tent Friday and Saturday night, assisted so ably by Professor Wat Dickerman '28 on the washboard and supported so magnificiently by Bob Pilsbury, could not have been better. NancyWarnock provided just the right combination of talent and attractiveness to make each evening a delight. The class picnic and dinner were also among the highlights. Best of all was the chance to renew old friendships and make new ones. I have been unable to think of any way that the entire experience could have been improved on.
A "Well Done" goes to Dick Barlow and DickDahl for the outstanding job they did as reunion co-chairmen. Obviously, without the help of Jane and Dot their efforts could not have been as successful. The picture of the Dahls' two oldest boys, Chris and Eric, enjoying the Dixieland until the wee hours, proves they are chips off the old block.
John Van Raalte, our energetic president, guided or directed or pushed us along as necessary, assisted by Jan, 11, and Andy (Andrea), 9. [missing text] of Rem Drury as secretary, and Lou Perry as treasurer. A vote of thanks to Pete Foster, who made the reunion briefly on Saturday, for his long years as class treasurer, and to Lou Perry for the fine job he has done as class agent. At the meeting it was voted to increase the class dues to $10 per year, so start saving your pennies.
And, while we are handing out kudos, RollieSontag's efforts on the year book should be mentioned. I'm not sure how much assistance his wife Joan provided, but she is so attractive we'll give her a pat on the back also.
Jack and Marilyn Mahoney, and sons David and Andy, 14 and 12, were up from Fort Lauderdale. In spite of all the activities of the reunion, we did not have to call on Jack's talents as orthopedic surgeon.
Bobo and Barbara Russell from Saugerties, N.Y., were there. Bobo has been combining a multiple career by acting as president of the Saugerties National Bank and Trust Co. and as president of F. L. Russell Corp.
Talked briefly with Allen Barrow who teaches social studies in Fairfax, Va. Gordon and PaulaRobertson from Grosse Point, Mich., were there. Gordon manages the service engineering office at Ford. Bob and Joan Munson came from Alexandria, Va. Bob is with the C.I.A. in McLean. Donand Rosie Kuhn were over from Grosse Point, Mich. Don is with Burroughs Corporation involved in product management.
Don and Joan Drescher from Short Hills, N.J., were present and accounted for and they seemed delighted with their new status as grandparents. Don is director of personnel for Beecham, Inc. Bill Warnock from Winchester, Mass., was acting as unofficial photographer for tent activities. Actually I think most of the pictures will be of wife Nancy who contributed to our listening entertainment by singing with the band.
The distance prize went hands down to DaveKarukin who came all the way from Thailand, some 12,000 miles. Dave sells whiskey (that's like saying someone named Crane is a plumber) and has lived in Bangkok since 1970. Good also to see Jack and Peg Barry from Stoneham, Mass. Jack is a psychology professor at Emmanuel College in Boston. Jack and Peg had their first child, John Jr., born in Hanover, and he was the first '48 son at Dartmouth and is now at medical school.
Freddie Obrenski did a wonderful job of putting together a picture of the old Crosby gang which was much appreciated by all members. He teaches art at Carey H.S. in Garden City, New York. John Abrahamson, casualty manager of Panhandle Insurance Agency, came from Amarillo, Texas.
Dave and Cheri Shipper are in the newspaper business in Florence, Ala., and enjoy every minute of it. They'd stopped on the way up to see their son at Amherst. Dick and Nancy Donahue from Lowell, Mass., brought an undetermined number of children; I think it was seven. Dick's status as superfather, nine children, was appropriately recognized.
Wally and Joyce Baker briefly left their boatyard duties at South Freeport, Me., to visit the Hanover scene. With son Tim graduating from Dartmouth and daughter Wendy, a freshman, they undoubtedly get to Hanover more often than the rest of us. Sumner Sollitt was present with his new bride of less than a week. Sumner has his own construction business in Chicago.
Also present and accounted for were: Ed andElla Gingrich from Nashville where Ed is in technical sales with General Adhesives and Chemical. Alan and Carol Becher from San Francisco where Alan is president of J.D.B. Shoes, Inc. Arthur Schoen who is a physicist with the [missing text] Commission in Washington, D.C. Jim Schwedland whom I saw briefly at the Saturday evening festivities. John Becker with Alice up from Mamaroneck, N.Y. John works for Reynolds Metal in N.Y.C. Dick Bredenberg who came up from Florida; Dick was hoping to be on a sabbatical leave this year but has been unable to get away. Don and Helen Ryan from outside Chicago with some of their family. Don is a partner with Lawrence J. Ryan & Company.
Bill and Sally Pace and their mobile home came from Columbus, Ohio, and were going on for a tour through northern New England and Canada. Don and Anne Briggs from Penfield, N.Y., where Bill is a vice president for marketing at Weston Instruments. Paul and Lorraine Campbell from Pipersville, Pa., where Paul is president of Jiffy Automatic Car Wash.
Loren and Susan Spademan were on board with daughter Sarah and two sons. Wid and Lelia Washburn. Wid is director of American Studies at the Smithsonian Institution. Paul Richrath from California where he is in insurance and avocado and grapefruit farming.
Barney and Heather Hoisington with the youngest member of the class, age 4 months. Russ and Helen Carlson. Russ is executive vice president of Onondaga Savings Bank in Syracuse. N.Y. Phil Johnson who is director of nuclear medicine and professor of radiology at Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Center in N.Y.C.
Mouse and Rosie Taylor from Clearwater, Fla. Mouse hasn't changed a bit and is president of his contract building firm. Tom and Janeene Crook with age 6, from Montclair, N.Y. Tom obviously enjoying the company he started six years ago which provides evaluative and planning services to nonprofit corporations.
Mort and Nancy Smith with son David, just graduated from Dartmouth. I am sure Dave has banjo playing talents which we didn't get to hear. Bill Pendill and Martha - Bill demonstrated Friday evening that he can play a piano with the best of them - he was better than the paid performer Marv and Buzzy Axelrod - I made a note on Friday - "still the youngest looking member of the Class!" Bud and Ginny Gedney whose son Chip, a Dartmouth undergrad, did a fantastic job of tending bar in the tent.
Don and Anne Casey whose son Don Jr. '74 was on the panel, "The Sons and Daughters of '48 Look at the College Today." The panel was ably moderated by Bob Huke, and featured Tom Ruegger '76, and Susan McAllister '76, daughter of our late classmate Alan. We were all delighted to see his wife, Pat McAllister, and I am sure that Phil and Gloria Ruegger were present. We were all impressed by the fine sons and daughters '48 has produced.
Paul and Helen Liscord from Pennsylvania where Paul is a vice president and actuary with I.N.A. Jim and Eleanor Schaefer from New Jersey. Jim is with the D.R. Group in N.Y.C.
Dick and Patsy Leggatt and family staying at their house in Lyme, N.H. Dick practices law in Boston and they live in Cohasset. Norm Saunders couldn't make it but was ably represented by his son Norm Jr. who is an undergrad. Dick and LynnGreene who seemed to have a good time even though their children, Jeffrey, 8, Alison, 5, and Douglas, 2, were at home!
Dave Meeker from Ohio where he is president of Hobart Mfg. Co. Foxy and Helen Parker, an enthusiastic sailor from Pound Ridge, N.Y. Truman and Nancy Metyel with Sue, 19, from Evanston, Ill. Freeman has a handsome beard - I think he and Bob Pilsbury and Tom Crook were our bearded ones.
And Ray and Gloria Richard, Jim and Margaret Nicholson and family, Earl and Ann Chambers, Vince and Helen Vayo, Charles and Jayne Thorne, Peter and Marion Page and family, Sam and Jean Wilkinson and family. Herb and Barbara [missing text] Jim and Doris Hughen, genial Bob and Mary Cur mack. Bob and Nancy Reynolds, whose son Jim is Class of '75. Warren and Dorothy Daniel, whose daughter Elizabeth will be class of '77. Larry Pederson, Bob and Sally Foster, Dave and Joan Pearson, Mel and Helen Neisloss, John and Pat Hatheway and family, Tom Gallant, Allan Charlie and Jackie Herterich, Bob Munson, Bill and Edna Jones, Henry and Nancy Mueller, John Lanzetta, Fred and Dot Mahoney, and Jerry Ludington, were all there and contributed to the success of the weekend. I should add apologies to those whom I have forgotten due to my age, overlooked due to my failing eyesight, or failed to notice because I lingered too long at the bar!
Certainly no chronicle of the Reunion would be complete without mention of the Memorial Service Sunday morning. Lloyd and Joan Krumm'sson Randy, Class of '77, did a beautiful job of playing the organ in a very moving service at Rollins Chapel. As we remembered our departed classmates, it seemed for a brief moment that the Class of '48 stood "... as brother stands by brother ..." before we left the Hanover Plain.
RETIRING CLASS SECRETARY
