1965
The route north from Boston was overly familiar, but the anticipations, thoughts, and mellow ruminations provided a happy framework for "going back." If you can't turn back the clock, you can at least return to the battlefield. Who else will have made the trek? Why can't I remember Bill's wife's name? Am I the only one going bald and grey? Is it possible after only 14 years that more than one of the guys is pulling down six figures? Will anyone suspect that my memory of the future pluperfect form in French for "sell" has been buried for years by accelerated depreciation and class action suits?
Subtle answers lay in wait as I steered the rusty '64 Volvo into a parking space among the Volares, Sevilles, BMWs, and a crisp, longhooded Volvo wagon with a Connecticut license reading simply "WEEBS." Pierce's Lodge (formerly Keene's), amid the fall color change, was a proper setting for the large table that had Punch (now Dick) Lockridge at one end, LarryDuffy and Bill Oberlink at the other, and a sea of vaguely familiar faces in between: RickMahoney and Jack Herney up briefly from Exeter, Jock Hosmer, Tom Hanson, Jim Griffiths, and Bill Webster from New England addresses, Rick Davey and Doug Miller from Washington, Sid Stein from Atlanta, John Newman from Niagara, and Jim Frank from Chicago. Later these ranks of class agents would be joined by Bob Blake from M.I.T., Roger Rines from the Oak Ridge Department of Energy, SteveWaterhouse en route to Red China with an Avon sample case, Carl Boe in his Topsiders and lime-green, yacht-club cords, Bruce Jolly from lowa (hog-feeders), and Gary Bucher just back from Houston petrochemical depots. Add the other seven in the wings and you have the largest committee ever recruited to develop a reunion-year class gift. Credit goes to Punch Lockridge, who is chairing the group.
A transition took place during our weekend together. Our beginning discussions were businesslike, financially-oriented, goal-engendered. But the fireplace, bar, intrusions of children's laughter, and stadium seats wrought an unsurprising change. Satisfied with the fact that a substantial gift could be pledged, we all came in touch again with what we label the Dartmouth experience. There are slide shows and films and brochures that promote the four years of campus tenure. As alumni, however, we have access to an experience that goes beyond those four years — in many directions that just aren't accessible until our formal education is put to the test out in the "wide, wide world."
It is when our class forms into these periodic huddles that the value of a Dartmouth experience again emerges with clarity. With that in mind, I urge you to read what RickMahoney, recently named by class president Steve Waterhouse to chair the committee for our upcoming 15th, has to say about this event:
"As you know from Steve's summer letter to the class, our 15th reunion is coming up soon — June 13-15, 1980, to be exact. This reunion will be a historic one for the College, since it will be the first time three classes will have combined forces completely to stage anniversary activities. We '65s will be the real beneficiaries of this format, for we are the middle class of the three and will be joined by our friends from '64 and '66 for three (or more) days of relaxation, reflection, and camaraderie next spring. Unlike our tenth reunion, when we gathered at the same time as '63 and '64, this weekend will feature joint activities from start to finish. We'll have three tents, all right, but they won't be segregated by class, but by type of entertainment and activity. The new format is an exciting concept. It recognizes that though many of us have a strong identification with the class, all of us have Dartmouth friendships and memories that cross class lines.
"We are emphasizing the family aspect of this gathering, too. We're planning lots of activities to keep all ages happy and busy — there will be something for everyone and plenty for most. Whether you're a thinker, a jogger, a drinker, a dancer, an outdoors buff, or just an inveterate Big Greener — or all of those — we think you'll be happy with the range of events planned for the reunion weekend. The message at this point is simple: circle the dates June 13- 15 (you can even start your circle on June 11, since College housing will be available beginning that night), begin your planning, and tickle your '64, '65, and '66 buddies to do the same. The reunion committee will be in touch fre- quently as we approach the biggest, Greenest weekend ever for '65."
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