1921

The other day we received from Dan Ruggles a copy of a letter he had written to President Harry Chamberlaine. We quote from the opening sentences. "This is a letter that I did not enjoy writing and do not enjoy sending. It is to announce my resignation as editor of the 1921 "Smoker" after a stewardship of over 20 years. I'm just not up to it physically."

This is a shocker to us all. Dan is not complaining but simply stating a necessary fact. Over 20 years he has carried on for his class, doing the job (and it is hard work) month after month, doing more than his share in holding the Class of 1921 together, talking to each one of us with news, bits of information, details of gatherings, reunions, meetings. With the highest admiration for all the members of the Class who have done so much for 1921, we would say that Dan Ruggles has likely done more than anyone else to keep the Dartmouth spirit high, bright, alive, and vibrant, and to keep our group to a tightly bound family.

We know Dan well enough to know that he went through a lot of deep soul-searching before he sent that letter, and that "I did not enjoy writing and sending" was an understatement.

The office of editor of the Class newsletter is filled by appointment by the class president. President Harry will find another able and willing classmate, who will step in and do an excellent job - but he will be stepping into a mighty big pair of shoes. Dan's spirit will continue strong, and his vibrancy will still be felt. It is a good many years since Dan had to begin depending on a cane. Then it was two canes, but it is still Dan Ruggles, undaunted, stouthearted, with that same interest in and affection for every member of the Class and the College.

Dan had a knack for expressing himself in a way that would catch one's interest and attention. He was born to be a newsman. At Dartmouth he went to work as a "heeler" for the Daily Dartmouth, and, in due course, he became its managing editor. After Dartmouth and Tuck School, he went to work for the Boston Herald, working his way up to the post of director of domestic advertising. He finally retired, but even then he was not ready really to put his feet up. He carried on full-time in his own business, the United Display Corporation, until he did finally retire.

Quite some time before Daniel Ruggles was born, Richard Hovey graduated from Dartmouth. He wrote the poem "Men of Dartmouth." A bit later Harry Wellman came to Dartmouth as a student, and it was he who put the poem to music. That song, our alma mater, has been loved and sung by Dartmouth people ever since. Richard Hovey had in mind such men as Dan Ruggles.

Greet the world from the hills With a hail! For the sons of old Dartmouth The loyal sons of Dartmouth, Around the world they keep for her Their old chivalric faith; They have the still north in their hearts The hill winds in their veins, And the granite of New Hampshire In their muscles and their brains.

Just don't forget, Dan - hang on to that "old chivalric faith," because each one of us, as we continue to advance in years with you, will be needing that more and more from you.

49 Hilltop Place New London, N.H. 03257