1942

While trying to fill Stu Finch's shoes as class secretary until our 35th Reunion in June 1977,1 am embarking on an effort to compile a Class History of all class awards, class ALUMNIMAGAZINE columns, obituaries, etc., etc., anything printed about us as a class since we became alumni in 1942. I'm doing this because when we all depart for the Great Class Reunion in the sky I'd like to leave behind something tangible in the way of a class archive (probably to gather dust in the basement of Crosby Hall), and also because I'm a compulsive neurotic squirrel. I like to collect things. Especially Class of '42 things. But, I have a slight problem with the class columns in the Magazine. The problem is - I don't have any! I checked with the folks in Hanover and they are willing to go back into their files 34 years and Xerox each month's class notes (10 per year) and charge us for their time plus the cost of each sheet of Xerox copy, but I'm afraid the cost would be prohibitive (not out of reach, maybe between $15O to $200). So, I am asking if anyone of you out there have a collection of our class notes. If so, can we have them... or can you make copies of them and send them to me? As of this moment I have compiled two monster-sized three-ring binders divided into sections like: "Alphabetical Listing of Classmates," "Class Projects," "Alumni Magazine Class Notes," "Obituaries," "Class Publications," "Minutes of Executive Committee Meetings," etc. etc. Do you get my drift? Does it scan? Will it wash in Peoria? In other words, if you think this project is worthwhile and have copies of old ALUMNIMAGAZINES will you part with them? Let me know.

Our peripatetic Class Treasurer Jim O'Mara wrote that he spent three weeks in January in the Middle East (Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan), came home for six days and went on a two-week stag skiing trip in Aspen, came home for six days and went to Florida on a five-day stag golfing trip, and then (probably in lieu of a divorce) scheduled ten days in St. Thomas with Lois.

The March 8 edition of Business Week ran a big story on Certain-Teed Products Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., and its chairman, DonMeads. The article spoke in glowing terms of Don's success in taking over an ailing company and turning it into a profitable and growing business.

Got a note from Binney Tower '43 who is a partner with his son-in-law in The Barley Neck Inn, a quaint-type restaurant in East Orleans, Mass. He invites us all to stop in for "lobster thermador by the fire." Actually, Binney is a silent partner. His main thing is managing the retail service division of the Milton Bradley Company.

Are you aware of your classmates who are active in alumni activities in their local Dartmouth clubs? Let me tell you about them: KenJones is president of the Alumni Club Association; Bill Foster is secretary of the Alumni Association of Tucson, Ariz.; Huntly Allison is liaison officer of the Springfield, Mass. club; Bill Harris is academic affairs officer of the Detroit Alumni Club; Matt Beecher is public information officer of the Bergen County, N.J. Club; Jose Lopez-Silvero is president of the Buenos Aires, Agentina Alumni Club (hey, Jose, where do you hold your meetings... in a bomb shelter?), and Bate Ewart is secretary of the Philippines Club in Manila.

It is with a deep sense of loss that I report the death of Jim Dietrich's wife Kathleen on February 4 in London after a long illness. When Jim and Kathleen were living in the Philadelphia area Debby and I spent many warm moments with them and our deepest sympathies are extended to Jim and his children Guy and Mary. Kathleen (Dr. Kathleen Breakey Dietrich) was a pioneer in research and surgery on "blue babies" (those born with defective hearts). She was associated with Dr. Alfred Blalock and Dr. Helen Taussig at John Hopkins University in Baltimore during the first successful surgery on blue babies in the 1940's. Jim has been on leave from his practice (otolaryngology) in Philadelphia and has been living in Oxford, England.

Head Class Agent Buzz Cassidy has lined up almost 75 assistant agents and is now half-way through the 1976 Alumni Fund Campaign. The College has a goal of $4,500,000, and the Class of '42 has a goal of $52,000. All of this you know. I just want to remind you now that we're only about six weeks from the end of the cam- paign, that without this Alumni Fund the tuition would have to be raised about $1,OOO more... that without this Alumni Fund the educational budget would decrease by 15 per cent. I really wish we could find the magic button to push to reactivate the participation of the 150 members of the Class of'42 who have once given regularly to the fund but since 1960 have been slowly drifting away with their support... and that other magic button to push to elevate the sights of so many regular loyal members of the Class who seem to be victims of habit... the habit of giving $25 or $50 year in and year out when they know full well they can afford $200, $300, or even $5OO donations. Where is that button? If enough of us find out where it is and push it ourselves instead of waiting for someone else to push it, we'll be number 1 again!

Secretary, 1001 Livezey Lane Philadelphia, Pa. 19119

Class Agent, 14 Country Club Dr. Port Washington, N.Y. 11050