1952

I think it's time for me to retire. I was thinking about volunteering for further duty in this job but it gets harder and harder to find enough to fill a column.

I suppose if I were eager as I used to be I would go out and drum up lots of news. But I guess I'm getting old and feel overworked so I'll let someone else struggle with it for the next five years.

Which is not to say I haven't enjoyed it. I've really appreciated the opportunity to report on the doings of the great class of '52. This class and this College mean a lot to me. And I feel honored that I've had a chance to represent all of you in these pages for ten of the 29 years since we officially left the bosom of the alma mater.

I do have a few things to talk about, reunion being one. You can still come. Bill Montgomery and the group have a fine program for us, including an extra night (June 18) when we'll have a big feast and party with the '50s and '51s. Also included will be a round-robin tennis tournament, ditto for golf, and some interesting seminars. Try to be there.

I do have some pieces of information about the doings of our group.

I have a very nice, full-page article from the University of Connecticut newspaper about a young swimming team from Mansfield, Conn., called the Mansfield Frogs. Pertinent to us are the parts about the coach who happens to be Ray Buck. Ray is UConn's director of publications and he is volunteer coach of the team.

Ray says, "We don't emphasize winning as much as we emphasize improving." A good cop-out, Ray. But the article also goes on to say that the swimming has reinforced the kids' self-discipline and taught them to be supportive of one another. Good things to accomplish no matter what your age.

I am also in receipt of an analysis of the investment potential of publicly held ad agencies. It comes from John Rosenwald of Bear Stearns. Rosey's outfit gives pretty good marks to KenRoman's Ogilvy and Mather, but that may be a topic of conversation between them at reunion. McSpadden and I are off the hook since Rosey has no Way of knowing how we're doing! The values of private ownership.

More news about Julian Robinson and his political activities. He's running another campaign for a fellow who wants to be a city councilman in Jersey City. Julie bears watching even after I'm gone.

Also a piece of erratum from my last notes. I am in receipt of a highly indignant note from Don Smith '53 who informs me that Put Blodgett, whom I claimed for us, is now and always has been a '53. But I was correct when I announced that Put has married the widow of Roger Eastman. Sorry about that, Don. Sorry about that, Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett.

I'll be back with you one more time. By the time you get my last epistle we'll probably all be together at reunion.

So, till June 15-18 in Hanover, have a good spring.

Robert D. Brace '52, president and chief executive officer of Investors Bank and Trust Company of Boston, received a Dartmouth Alumni Award in April in recognition of his outstanding career of civic and educational service. In addition to serving as a director of the Boston Y.M.C.A. and the Medical Area Service Corporation, he has been a trustee and vice chairman of the board of Pine Manor Junior College, an alumni councilor and member of the finance committee for Phillips Academy, and president of The Windsor School Corporation. Brace's son Robert is a member of the class of '79, and his father, uncle, brother, and cousin are also Dartmouth alumni. He has been the chairman-secretary of the class of '52, a member of the Third Century Fund executive committee, a president of the Alumni Council, an overseer of the Hanover Inn, president of the Dartmouth Alumni Association of Eastern Massachusetts, and a member of the advisory committee that helped select the 14th president of the College. Brace is also the current chairman of the Alumni Fund.

Holly Lane Rye, N.Y. 10580

30 FOR THE BEST IS 52 YET TO COME