1939
'Tis not a very auspicious beginning to another month's column to lead off with the news of Hank Schueler's death on July 2,in Largo, Fla., after a long battle with cancer. Toby Wing, Hank's college roommate and longtime friend, represented the class at Hank's funeral in Lawrence, Mass., as a pall bearer. And to add to the class woes, we also report the death of O.P. Richardson on Cape Cod, September 11, after a brief illness. (Obituaries will follow in this or a later issue.)
Our list of the departed grows longer with each passing month, but life must go on, and so it did at the mini reunion over the Pen weekend. Your scribe arrived late due to some last minute details attendant to the death of his 95 year old mother the previous week, but we counted 35 classmates gathered at the Kaisers' for the usual pregame picnic. And we spotted Jim Powers in the stadium, all the way from Houston. Subsequent conversation with Jim revealed that he has moved back to the Atlantic coast and is settled down near Rye Beach, N.H.
Also present, on Friday night, on what was described to us by many as a great evening, were Bill and Gina Risley and Bud Abbott.Dick Brooks started the fun with one of his North Country tales and was promptly matched by some stories from all manner of '39 ers. It must have been a dandy evening. Those noted at the picnic were the DuneFarrs, Doc Towers, George Hannas, WellsBateses, Lou Highmarks, Hugh McLarens,Dick Brookses, Cornie Millers, Bud Rich ardsons, (also all the way from Houston), Curt Andersons, Bob Kaisers (of course), Endy Smith, Bax Prescotts, Herb Mattlage,Bill Tomkins, the Kim Ayers, Sam Hird,Dick Jacksons, Bob Clymers, Herb Hirschlands, Pep Gray, Armando Chardiet and Lillian McGowan, Bob Englishes, Jim Corners,Jim Brigdens, Wes Godings, Bob Dickgies sers, Dusty Rohdes, Bob Howes, John Perrys, Jack Kuhlkes, Bob Bryants, RobbDeGraffs, Jack Coulsons, and Zeke Hill. Zeke was featured at the picnic where he received the coveted "Classmate of the Year" award, and in his humble acceptance speech suggested that to receive such an award from one's peers is particularly meaningful and gratifying.
At the executive committee meeting the previous morning, treasurer Miller reported that we were on target for financing all projects; $25,000 in June for 45th reunion contribution to the class scholarship fund, payment of Alumni Magazine subscriptions for all classmates and widows, payment of '"39 Out" mailings, and payments to the memorial book program and for the new class directory.
Newsletter editor Bob Davidson was complimented in absentia for the frequency of publication (nine) as well as outstanding quality.
Betsy Wyman Emmons reported from her London honeymoon hideaway that six widows have expressed interest in returning for our 45th reunion and that 20 widows contributed $1,825 to the memorial fund.
Bequest chair Kaiser said that we now have four matured bequests totaling $33,102 and 14 life income trusts for $539,000 as well as one $500,000 life insurance policy.
Mini reunion chair Kaiser also solicited a vote to return to the Sheraton for next year's function, for the Princeton game. It was ap proved.
Special projects man Brooks displayed the new 1939 class tie which will be part of the package given to each man when he registers for the 45th.It is the plan to have everyone wear their new ties to the class banquet at the Inn on Tuesday night of the reunion, which should give an interesting effect.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the financial end of things. Highlighted was an agreedupon reunion tax of $125 per person, $100 for any children under 18. A goal of giving was set at $400,039, which when received will set a new 45th reunion class record. Normally, it was explained, gifts in a reunion year run about four times the normal average gift.
Tomkins and Howe announced a matching gift program in which several anonymous classmates have established a kitty of about $90,000. Any classmate who contributes at least five times his average gift over the past five campaigns will have his gift matched out of this fund, which could go a long way toward achieving the goal.
And finally athletic director McLaren announced that there will be a golf tournament for men and women at reunion and that Dick Jackson will arrange a tennis tournament. The meeting then adjourned to the golf course for the usual competiton.
Janeen Stone '86, our delightful 1939 Scholar for the past few years, has had a favorable change in her financial situation and no longer qualifies for financial assistance from the College. To fill the vacancy created by her ineligibility, Matthew Landa '86 has been elected the new 1939 Scholar. From Westport, Conn., he is an engineering major with a high B+ overall average. He is a linebacker on the football team, a member of Beta Theta Pi, and has participated in intramural competitions.
Since your scribe hopes to be competing himself, in Spain, in an international senior tennis tournament and will then be doing a bit of sightseeing in southern Portugal about the time of the next deadline for this column, we are proposing a treat in the form of a mystery author who will do the honors for the Jan/Feb issue. In the meantime, although it's 70 degrees today in western Massachusetts, we will pass on an unseasonably warm wish for a Merry Christmas and a most happy 1985.
The Class of 1939 Award was presented this year to author, historian, and editor Ralph Nading Hill,right. Presenters of the award included, left to right, awards committee chairman Lou Highmark, classpresident Bert McMannis, and committee member George Hanna.
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