1911

Again, we regret to report another lamentable loss in the diminishing ranks of 1911 in we death of John Pearson on December 17. John was always an active and popular member of the Class, from undergraduate days up to the late 60's when failing health curtailed his activities to a substantial degree. He will be greatly missed in the uncertain years ahead. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Margaret and the members of his family. See the obituary section of this issue.

Several welcome communications were received in response to my introductory letter of November 25. These were largely of a congratulatory nature (no nays recorded) and in most cases they contained newsworthy items which I will pass along in summarized form.

Hopper Allison suggests that my new job will offer a great chance to live up to my nickname. (Is that good or bad?). He finds it harder to give up the practice of medicine than it was to get into it. He still takes care of a few "old timers."

Harold Burtt writes that he feels the "Lest We Forget" form of memorabilia will have to be resorted to more and more as the years roll on. Harold has solved the problem of which teams to root for in the avalanche of pro contests currently being shown on TV. His choices are the Pirates and Steelers as he has two great-grandchildren living in Pittsburgh.

John Coggins reports that two members of the Coggins family, on the West Coast, have received A.B. degrees and a third is in process, at the University of California at Berkeley.

True Dudley has a new address at 2211 Country Club Avenue, No. 317, Huntsville, Ala. 35805. He advises that his son is employed as an engineering specialist by a concern with an office in Huntsville.

Bill Gooding sent greetings from his current address #37 H, Quail Hollow Road, 5900 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27410. Accompanied by his wife Dorothy he has come to this location for the winter months. They are only ten minutes distant from the home of their son John. They plan to return to Rye, N.H., by early spring. Bill enclosed a clipping from a Greensboro paper that he felt described his situation most aptly. "Convalescence is that difficult time when you are better than you were but still not as well as you were before you were as sick as you are now."

John Learoyd, our class agent, is becoming a familiar figure around Hanover. He not only attended the Harvard game in October but checked in at the 7th Alumni Fund Head Agents meeting on December 6. He was most impressed by the remarks of the head agent for 1953 in describing the organizing methods employed to produce the highest class gift on record, $214,- 000 at the 20th Reunion. For his part, John pointed out the 1911 participation index of 163% and the fact that the Class was holding together well.

Ben Livingston contributed a fine letter expressing faith in my ability to carry on successfully. He has some doubts about garnering news from a group in the mid 80's+. He spends most afternoons at his club which has a quaint custom of posting members' deaths on a bulletin board adjacent to the cloak room. One elderly member is reported to scan this list closely when he arrives for lunch. If his name is not included on the list, he checks his hat and proceeds to the dining room.

Fred and Harriet Long sent holiday greetings. Fred reports that all is well except that his eyesight is not what it used to be and his wife takes care of the writing for him.

John Norris advises that he gets around with the help of his trusty cane. He still drives, takes care of the shopping and any other errands. His wife Ann was hospitalized for five weeks with a fractured hip. She is now recuperating at home under the care of their daughter, a trained nurse, who lives with them. John says that he received a card from Dutch Irwin. Aside from feeling "weak as a cat" Dutch seems OK.

Troy Parker sent greetings from 2423 Pioneer Pike, Eugene, Ore. 07401. He is presently living with a married daughter at that address while his wife is at a nursing home in Oregon. He hopes to return to the Black Hills when the weather warms up and his wife's health improves.

Sam Pickering wrote a nice letter from his home where he is still "house bound" and unable to get around without assistance. He says that "it's been a long slow process of 'rejuvenation' but has hopes of much more improvement."

Rev. John Scotford in wishing me well in my new job, offers the following somewhat pragmatic commentary: "You will be expected to shepherd all that remains of us - and bury most of us." John adds that from an original family of five, the Scotford clan has now "proliferated" to a total of 34, ranging in age from 2 to 87.

Marion Trask sent a complimentary letter from Gastonia, N.C., where she is spending the holidays with a niece of the late Sherwood. She plans to attend her 65 Reunion in June as well as the graduation of a grandniece of Sherwood's, both events to take place at Smith. She reports that Mrs. Walter Reilly (sister of Sherwood) is hale and hearty.

Secretary, 43 Deering St. Reading, Mass. 01867

Treasurer, 3024 Lake Shore Dr. Orlando, Fla. 32803