1936

Each year the John H. Davis Trophy is awarded to the class and head agent achieving the largest dollar total in a non-reunion year in the Alumni Fund drive. For 1980 the winners were the class of 1936 and its head agent Bob Fernald. In November a plaque com memorating this outstanding achievement was presented to Bob. Congratulations, Bob, and thanks to all the members of the class who made the winning of this award possible, with a special thanks to Niels Nielsen.

One of the principal activities of members of our class continues to be the act of retiring, although many retirees continue to lead active lives. Thus Wendell Harding, although he retired from professional educational employment in 1978, is serving on the Board of Fellows of Norwich University and assisting with some archival work at Vermont College, where he was employed for 26 years. Butch also worked for George Bush during the recent campaign and, with his wife Dot, plans a vacation trip to Florida this winter. On the way down he plans to stay with his freshman roomie, Morris Jones, in Lexington, Ky., and on the way home hopes to visit Russ Page in Washington, D.C. Last fall Butch decided at the last moment to drive to Hanover for the Yale game. Outside the main gate he ran into Don Ballantyne and his daughter, who had an extra ticket. A quick sale was cOrtsumated, and Butch saw the game from the 30-yard line (a good seat in Hanover these days).

Ed Merrill reports he retired on February 1, 1979, and that both he and spouse Kay are well and enjoying a life of leisure. Ed spent last summer serving on the Passaic County Grand Jury, and then Kay and he spent some time on Cape Cod. This winter they were scheduled to spend several weeks in Aruba. After 11 years as publisher of McGraw-Hill's ArchitecturalRecord magazine, Blake Hughes retired on January 3. But Blake is keeping busy as president of the International Institute for Architecture, which is attempting to establish an Honor Awards Program for housing and community development in Third World countries. Meanwhile, Dr. Dan Barker advises that, although he has cut down some, he still sees a lot of patients. And Pop Beckel is now working a mere six days a week on his public school consultant and publication services, but limiting activities to Virginia, with Christine doubling as chauffeur and field organizer.

Classmates, take pen in hand and, without further procrastination, send to Art Toan at Box 531, Saddle River, N.J. 07458, your nominations for the class award program of classmates who have made outstanding contributions (other than financial) to the class, College, government and/or community! Submit the names of your nominees and the basis for your recommendations.

Another freighter trip was taken by Bob andTrina Patterson in the winter/spring of last year. This time they left from Brooklyn for Piraeus, Greece, and returned via Richmond, Va. They had a month in sunny Greece and visited a number of the famous islands there.

Rumors persist that an unofficial "true 45th" class reunion may take place this summer. Not necessarily at Hanover, but probably somewhere in New England. For further word on this watch this column and "Tithe." In the interim, the spring meeting of the class executive committee will be held on the Saturday of Class Officers Weekend, scheduled for May 1-2. As usual, the 1936 class officers will be staying at the Chieftan Motel. All classmates and spouses are welcome for the weekend, including the cocktail party and dinner at the Outing Club following the executive committee meeting on Saturday, May 2. If you plan to attend the dinner, please so advise Phil McInnis.

It is with real pleasure that I can report that the two operations Frank Kappler, erudite editor of "Tithe," underwent late in 1980 to replace his arthritic hips, were apparently successful. To replace one hip is a big undertaking, and to replace two, essentially at the same time is a major project, as is the recuperation therefrom. However, Frank was back in the office of People magazine by the middle of January, and at this writing he hoped to discard his crutches by Valentine's Day.

A note of sadness: On December 16 TedOlson, 1936's contribution to major league baseball (Red Sox), suffered a heart attack and passed away. Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Dorothy and their children. Belated news has also been received of the death of BobBirchall, a doctor in Corpus Cristi, Tex., on July 8, 1980. The deepest sympathy of the class is extended to his family.

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