1940

Men of the Class of'40 remain on the move. Having passed so significant a milestone as a fortieth anniversary of their graduation has not slowed the flow of accomplishments for members of our class,

A letter received recently from Eunice Durgin brought with it notice that husband, The Reverand Dr. Larry Durgin, had resigned as pastor of the Broadway United Church of Christ, a post held since 1961, to accept appointment as vice president for development of Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi. Tougaloo, founded in 1869 by abolitionists, is a predominantly bi,ack, fully accredited four-year liberal arts college with 800 students. Larry has served as a member of the college's board of trustees since the 19505. His congregation in New York has honored Larry, electing him pastor emeritus. After earning his degree at Dartmouth, he graduated from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology and subsequently was awarded honorary degrees by Brown University, Dartmouth, and Oberlin. Of great interest is the fact that over 50 per cent of Tougaloo graduates matriculate at professional/graduate schools or are recruited for positions of superior responsibility by national corporations. Success, Larry, in your endeavors.

Life itself became. a most precious commodity for Jay Weinberg after he was stricken five years ago by cancer in one of its most deadly forms. With tremendous courage he successfully battled the disease along an ex perimental route directed by researchers and medics at New York's Sloan-Kettering Hospital. During the past several months, Jay may have come into your home by way of The American Cancer Society's promotional campaign on television and in numerous national publications. This was one way Jay has said "thank you" for having had his life spared. He acknowledges having heard from some of you who have seen him on a 15-minute CBS documentary or 30-second "spot" (which, incidentally, required eleven hours to film).

Since the start of his recovery from surgery, Jay has devoted more and more time to other victims of the disease, encouraging them in their fight to regain health, part of a routine programmed through the patient's doctor. This one-on-one approach was featured in a homey joint narrative by Jay and wife Marian given before the more than 1,000 leaders of the American Cancer Society at the kick-off of the national crusade hosted by Peter Linde Hayes and Mary Healy in Houston last spring. However, the tables were turned when the society used the occasion to honor Jay for his great work as a volunteer in the program he in- itiated, which now boasts a cadre of 20. Each carries an impelling message that having cancer is not the end, rather a start toward a real goal in life that "cancer can be beat."

Jay cannot stress enough the importance of "setting a goal and meeting it," even in the personal fight against cancer. In his spare time, Jay runs with his son, who operates the family Avis auto and truck leasing agencies in suburban Yonkers and White Plains and at Lake Placid, and he serves on Avis's board of directors.

Last spring, wife and I vacationed in southern California. While there, I tried reaching many '40s by phone. I did succeed in catching Bob Blodgett.at home. Bob left the Hanover plain, where he had been raised, for the sunny and sometimes shaky climes of California following service in the Air Force. Now with Don Edwards Paint Company, a Los Angeles-based paint manufacturer and importer of wall coverings from South Korea, Bob is planning ahead toward retirement near Susanville, where, incidentally, daughter Pam resides. Younger daughter Penny practices law in San Francisco.

Another who I was fortunate to find at home was Bill Chapin. Chape has been working hard grading critiques and expects to become a full professor any moment at San Francisco State University, where he teaches. Home is and has been in Sausilito, where wife Eleanor is a travel agent. Together they explore the world, recent ventures having carried them to London and the Caribbean.

Back East, Allan and Barbara Rosenthal acquired a son-in-law, Jay H. Goebel '74, when daughter Connie '77 was married shortly after our class reunion. The couple chose the Quechee Inn for the site, and the bridesmaids and ushers made for a predominantly Dartmouth occasion.

Another papa-of-the-bride with leaner pockets is Bill Duncan, who, with wife Lois, gave daughter Jane in marriage to Martin Ostergard. Daughters Polly '81 and Nancy were- bridesmaids at the mid-August ceremony attended by fellow Clevelanders Karl Bruch, Eb Cockley, Herb Foster, and Dick Goulder with spouses; Mac and Crosbie MacMillen, who journeyed from the Granite State; and Carol- sans-Dave Davenport.

With luck, the mails will bring a narrative from Bob Graham relating the latest episode leading a freshman trip this fall, experiences paralleled by Ike Weed. Both have made the three-day 30-mile odessey a habit in fair weather and foul; and neither has given indication of planning to hang 'em up yet.

Recipient of an honorary doctorate of public service from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst during its commencement ceremonies was Bill Mercer. Bill, president of New England Telephone, is a civic leader and volunteer member of many social, service, and charitable organizations, among them the United Way, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, the Boston area U.S. Savings Bond campaign, and the Telephone Pioneers of America.

Bits and pieces from here and there: LarryCate, now residing in Greenville, S.C., represented Dartmouth at the inauguration of Kenneth Bradley Orr as president of Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C.; DaveDance's name returns to this column with news of his being elected a director of Schering- Ploughs Corporation, maker of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and toiletries; and last but not least is the word received of the marriage of Dave and Carol Davenport's daughter Carolyn in late spring.

Until next month.

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