1930
FIFTIETH REUNION
The approach to Hanover these days from Rhode Island includes a lovely stretch of Route 89 and the overlook at Grantham, where we usually stop for a picnic lunch. So it was on June 6, and it was there that we ran across Billie and Boof Perkins, harbingers of the great pilgrimage. Before it was all over, we would have, had time permitted, visited with 163 classmates, 22 widows, and 181 associated wives, relatives, and friends a total of 366. This was the largest overall number ever for a 50th reunion. We won the 1930 cup for the largest number of class members attending and the 1894 cup for the largest percentage, and the attendance of widows far surpassed that at any previous Dartmouth reunion. However, Reunion Chairman Dick Bpwlen saw to it that quality would not be overshadowed by numbers by giving us two Glorious Golden Days, fully packed but not intimidating. For those who had not visited Hanover recently, the bus trip to Thompson Arena, Balch Hill, Storrs Pond, and Lyme Road was an eye-opener. Storrs Pond is one of the finest community recreational areas imaginable, and Balch Hill, where downhill and slalom competition was held in our time, has become a suburb of Hanover. Our student guide showed us the memorial to EddieJeremiah at Thompson, although, alas, he was until then under the impression that it was baseball-related.
Good for a chuckle were the class movies, including impromptu exhibitionism by the senior delegations from each fraternity, and considerable detail on that not-to-be-forgotten senior barbecue. There was also a continuing slide presentation of 1930 affairs over the years, which sometimes taxed memories but always stimulated emotions. Friday evening we warmed up at the tent cocktail party, thence to the family dinner at Thayer, the garden reception by the Kemenys, and the Glee Club concert. Thereafter the program recommended dancing to the music of the Mink Brook Five, which included Joe Hancourt and WayneVan Leer. For those who insisted, "I Won't Dance, Don't Ask Me," the listening was pleasant and nostalgic, and the beer was mellow.
At the class memorial service on Saturday, which was arranged by Dick Peabody and led by Fred Berthold Jr. '45, Shaw Cole paid tribute to our 271 deceased classmates. There are extra copies of the memorial service program, so please let me know if you would like one. Class pictures were taken, one of the entire group and another of class members only. Copies are available at $2.50 each, and if you are interested, write or call Dexter Pierce, Box 133, Hanover 03755, telephone 603/643- 5117. Highlights of the class meeting held in Dartmouth Hall included the announcement by Ev Low that our reunion gift would reach $500,000, which is 25 per cent above the established goal. John French, who is coordinating all types of class giving, estimated that 1930 members had contributed $7,400,000 since graduation. The Class elected these executive committee members to serve until July 1, 1985: Arthur B. Behal Richard B. Hood Wilfred A. Blais Richard Peabody Edward R. Butterworth Jerome Pearre Richard D. Butterfield Joseph C. Placak Jr. Theodore F. Childs Hermann N. Sander Walter E. Dresser John T. Smith James C. Dunlap Richard Squire H. Nelson Flanders, Jr. Sheldon H. Stark Donald Hight Samuel M. Stayman Llewellyn L. Callaway Jr. The Executive Committee met and elected the following officers for the same term. President E. Shaw Cole First Vice President G.EvartsLow Second Vice President Charles E. Widmayer Treasurer Harrison F. Condon J. Secretary Charles V. Raymond Fred Scribner presented the traditional 50 Year Address at the annual meeting of the General Association of Alumni. In an inspiring address, which was dedicated to our beloved classmate Alex J. McFarland, Fred made it clear that 1930 was an unusual class, "a vintage Hopkins class," and that "something remains for us to do or dare." Don't miss the opportunity to read the entire address, which has been published in installments in "The thirtyteer." At this meeting, President Kemeny announced the establishment of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Social Sciences, using $6.25 million in memorial gifts from members of the Rockefeller family, his friends, and classmates. The center will reflect Nelson's belief in the importance of using a variety of disciplines to solve a single problem by bringing together on the campus government, economics, and policy studies.
If ever there was a classic class cocktail party in Thayer Hall Lounge, it was at five on Saturday, when at least 366 of the 366 pilgrims sought pre-dinner refreshments. The Glorious Golden Banquet, like the family dinner, was arranged by Charlie Rauch, and it was a most pleasant affair. Musical entertainment by the Dartmouth Woodswind and Aires, and 1930 Class Awards to Ed Neff, Ave Raube, and PeteCallaway, with citations by Lee Chilcote, EvLow, and Milt Mclnnes.
Threat of rain on Sunday morning prompted a move of commencement exercises from Baker lawn to Thompson Arena. A big redeeming feature was an opportunity to observe the whole commencement spectacle. Our overview from the best seats in the house made it possible to see the parts and the whole, pomp and circumstance, the color, the individual reactions of awards recipients,, to hear the citations and valedictories, and to come away with an entirely different feeling than is experienced from ground level observation. The bad news was that we were unable to experience the thrill of joining the commencement procession, an honor reserved only for the 50th Reunion Class.
What does this gathering mean? For many of us it means that during the past 50 years we have developed friendships with hundreds of men and women with whom we can visit and talk and share joys and sorrows perhaps more intimately than with most of our local friends. It means that many of these friendships will strengthen and that we will continue to have a group of peer friends larger by far than could have been developed anywhere except within the Class of 1930.
It was a Glorious Golden Gathering.
Reunion photographs of the men and women of 1920
The men of 1925 testify eloquently to the kind of loyalty Dartmouth enjoys from its alumni
Stunned Reunion Chair Dick Bowen '30
staggers under the weight of two reuniontrophy cups. Other '30s (below, opposite) seemed to take the whole thing much more coolly.
Above, Dartmouth cadet pilot Thomas, in a Stearman trainer, gets pointers. Be-low,
Hardie Caldwell and Rog Chapin cope on a Navy Air Corps "survival" hike.
56 Jennys Lane Barrington, R.I. 02806
"1930 UP" FOR THE 50TH! OUR GLORIOUS GOLDEN GATHERING JUNE 6TH. 7TH AND 8TH. 1980. AT HANOVER. Of COURSE
