1923
As we close down these class reports for the summer months it seems appropriate to remind you again of the very outstanding job that Truman Metzel and Chet Bixby have done with 1923's bequest program. Their March 31, 1976 report lists 16 matured bequests totaling $2,036,083 and 31 life income trusts with a book value of $686,308. The Class of 1923 currently ranks second among all participating classes in the number of trusts, behind the Class of 1921 and seventh among all classes in the total value of such trusts. These figures do not include any of the very substantial class contributions to the Alumni Fund nor the large number and amount of outright capital gifts made during capital campaigns and on other occasions.
Art and Edith Little celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 5, 1976. Present at the dinner celebrating the event were several members of the Little family including Art's brother Lester K. '14, and three of Art's and Edith's Dartmouth sons - Arthur Jr. '53, Stevan '55, and Lester K. II '57. Also attending was their long-time and very dear friend Barbara Coulter, wife of the late Ike Coulter '23.
Art's sons decided that in lieu of an anniversary present they would do something for Dartmouth. They have therefore set up a 1923 Class endowment in the names of their parents to be used for the purchase of books for Baker Library, with a continuing endowment in perpetuity. It was noted that if in the future others, out of respect for the senior Littles, wish to add to this fund they may do so.
The Littles are of course very proud of their sons - not only because of their Dartmouth heritage but for their personal accomplishments: Stevan manages the family business - John W. Little Co., Manufacturers of Labels, in Pawtucket, R.I., Arthur Jr. is manager of Otis Elevator Co., now a subsidiary of United Technologies, and lives in Longmeadow, Mass., and Lester II has just recently been made a full professor of Medieval History at Smith College and lives in Northampton.
Congratulations, Art and Edith, from us all!
We are very sad to tell you of the death on March 26, 1976 of Paul Soley's wife Elizabeth whom we found so attractive and so interesting at our 50th. Our deepest sympathy goes to Paul at this sad time in his life.
And to Chet and Barbara Bixby our deepest sympathy also, with the news of the recent death of Chet's brother Henry '26 while vacationing in Florida. Henry was a member of the 1926 50th reunion committee.
I have a copy of a very complimentary letter from Charlie Zimmerman to Ward Hilton's son David '51. The April 12 Wall Street Journal carried a most interesting front page article dealing with David and the marketing end of the life insurance business. Charlie's letter in part: "Congratulations on this recognition given you as an outstanding life underwriter. Certainly you are richly deserving of that recognition and you have also given all Dartmouth men who know of the article and of your activities and achievements an added reason for pride in Dartmouth and in its end products."
And from Kip Couch in Bridgehampton, N.Y., comes word of his and Helen's 50th wedding anniversary. Kip writes: "It has been a long winter but now green shoots and grasses come up, birds are singing and we'll soon be mowing and cutting. We'll be celebrating our anniversary with our daughter, son-in-law, and their children. Seven of us will be in Bermuda next week. Still absorbed in Red Cross and I work in hospital x-ray one day a week."
As I scan through the scrap book and the Golden Review I find much mention of both Kip's and Helen's community and college concerns _ the Red Cross, Child Care Centers, Vassar College, Dartmouth and many others. Congratulations to you both on your good health and your willingness to carry on these good works.
Clarence Goss writes that he and Priscilla had lunch recently with the A 1 Merritts. Clarence also sends the good news of the promotion of his son Donald to executive vice president-co. manager of the Account Management Department of the New York based advertising agency of McCaffrey and McCall. Donald is also the owner of the Block Island Lawn and Garden Care Company located on Block Island.
Bob McMillan is probably about as active and involved in community affairs as any of us. Last March Bob was elected president of the newly formed Wellesley Chapter of AAR - with a 100-plus membership. He and Natalie are about to leave for Denver where he hopes to contact Paul McKown and Nev Carson.
Word has come to us of the death on March 15 of Hollis Lee Riddle in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where he and Emma were spending a winter's vacation. I have also had word from Lew Putnam of the death in Burlington, Vt., on April 10 of Lester K. Richwagen. Obituaries will appear in this or a succeeding issue.
As I put these notes together at the end of April we are about to leave again for Hanover and class officers meetings. Ike Phillips will be there and I'll leave it to him to fill you in on what goes on.
This issue brings to a close the class reports for 1975-76. It has been a good year for us and ours. Both Connie and I want to thank you all kindly for your help, your interest, and your good wishes. See you this fall and have a good summer!
Secretary, Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Class Agent, 140 Garden St. Hartford, Conn. 06115
