1953
It's been a glorious spring in Hanover, and I've been fortunate enough to have been there several times. In mid-April, it was Freshmen Parents' Weekend. Among the more than 1,000 present for a few days of classroom seminars, eating in Thayer, lacrosse, baseball, dormitories, fraternities, Campion's, and the Coop were Lois and Dick Hall, Ann and Bob Simpson, and Nan and Billy Johnson. Ran into Bev and Bill McCarthy at the lacrosse game watching Jimmy Bloomer and cohorts beat U. Penn. It was a great weekend.
Let me say a word about the fraternities. Over the years, most of us have revisited our houses during June reunions and have found, to our horror, a shambles, dirr and debris, and the remnants of graduation parties. You would be amazed at how clean the same houses are when in use. The College is about to take an active role in the fraternity environment in return for the role the houses play in the current social life. More will be written about this later. But cleaning up after graduation starts this June.
We recently wrote that Peter Bridges is the deputy chief of mission at the American Embassy in Rome. He functions as the deputy to and executive officer for Ambassador Rabb. When the General Dozier incident took place, Peter was in charge at the Embassy and was involved in the top level consultations with the Italian government. At the end, Peter took the call from the Foreign Ministry that announced the General's freedom and then minutes later was the first American to talk with him. Peter says Dozier is quite a man.
For the past winter term, Byron Menides was adjunct professor of business administration at Tuck School, teaching the entrepreneur course. He said it was a great experience. Laura is an assistant professor of English at W.P.I, in Worcester. Their son John will be a member of the class of'B6 this fall. By has been a business consultant for going on 15 years now and is enjoying the freedom and flexibility every day.
The new commander of the 425 th Transpor- tation Brigade of the U.S. Army Reserve, head- quartered at Fort Sheridan, 111., was honored at a promotion ceremony in March. David M. Burner Jr. is now a brigadier general. I think this is the first star in our class. Dave has been in the Army since graduation in both an active and reserve status. In his regular life he is an attorney with the firm of Owens, Owens & Rinn of Park Ridge, 111. He and Barbara live in Western Springs. Two girls are in college and are heading for graduate school; son Clark is a senior in high school and captain of the swim team; and their youngest daughter is a sopho- more and is deeply involved in swimming.
Dave Picker previewed his latest film. DeadMen Don't Wear Plaid, in Hanover as part of a fund-raiser for the College. Proceeds from that show and the official opening in New York will be split between the Arthur Mayer Fund and the Friends of the Hopkins Center. The fund will help the film department move into the Hopkins Center when the new Hood Museum is completed. The movie, starring Steve Martin, is a forties-style detective story with film clips from at least 17 other movies, including Lost Weekend; Sorry, Wrong Number: and others. Dave previously headed United Artists and Paramount Pictures, but is now an independent producer.
Sally and Marty DeGennaro and Ivanie and Dick Joslin were among the 300 people at the gala reception for Elaine and Fred Hitt. Marty has been with the New Haven office of Paine Webber since leaving White Weld after the Merrill Lynch take over. How's this for a first: Fred became an instant grandfather on the day of his marriage, and his youngest daughter, Robin, was accepted for the class of '86.
Hank Fry has been with Armstrong Cork Company for almost 30 years. He has also been very active in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. At their annual convention 42,000 members in Houston, Hank represented the mayor in presenting a proclamation. Hank was also presented Armstrong's prestigious "President's Award" for highest achievement among marketing representatives of the company's industry products division.
Gerry Grady wrote recently about the 30th anniversary party of Jack Patten's "Here, Sir" award. It's an event which probably does not receive as much attention as it should. BobbyDouglass, Jay Urstadt '5l, and Gerry have been able to meet with Jack every ten years since 1951. In that year, playing in his first football game against Cornell, Jack picked up a fumble and, rather than running it in for a touchdown, got confused and handed it to the official . . . thus, the name of the award. Poe Fratt, Cornell '53, who played in that game, was also at the award party. A photograph of the happy gathering is on the previous page.
We had a class executive committee meeting in May in connection with the annual Class Officers' Weekend. Bob Simpson did a great job in his first official time as president. Among those there were Ron Lazar, Don Smith, Fred England, Don Goss, Bernie SudikofF, and yours truly. Don will publish all the details of the meeting in the newsletter.
That's it until October. Have a great summer!
The presentation of one of the lesser-known "awards" in Dartmouth history brought this grouptogether recently. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the -Here. Sir" award were (left to right)Poe Fratt. Cornell '53, and four Big Greeners Gerry Grady '53, Bob Douglass '53. JayUrstadt '51. and Jack Patten '53- An explanation of the award is in the 1953 class notes.
Flanked by his beaming wife and daughter, David Burner '53 receives congratulations on hispromotion to the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Ill., several months ago.From left to right are Burner's daughter Mary, Burner, his wife Barbara, and one of many wellwishers at the affair.
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