1953

30TH REUNION

Superlatives are not new to the class of 1953, and 1984 is no exception: a triumphant reunion, a record-shattering Alumni Fund drive, and election of class officers.

Reunion chairman Bernie Sudikoff led 136 classmates into our 30th, held June 11-14. There was a certain magic about this reunion, characterized by having time for doing and for pausing. There was time for tennis, golf, and for other organized sports. There was time for seminars, meetings, and for walks. But most importantly, there was time for catching up, for conversation with classmates that closed the gaps of more than a quarter century.

This, of course, did not come about by happenstance. It was thoughtfully organized by a hardworking, dedicated committee. Fred Stephens, with a team of helpers, spurred attendance. Bruce Sherman handled publicity. Put Blodgett ran the sporting events. Father Ed Boyle conducted the memorial service. Dick Fleming organized the tent. Chuck Luker kept the books and the class in the black. Anne Newton provided a program for the kids. Food and decorations for the 1953 birthday party were managed by Fred Carleton. Bill Chamberlin put together the auction that raised $3,300 for the John Dickey Foundation. Music at the birthday party was directed by John Kennedy. Al Collins more than proved his worth and versatility by organizing the seminar, by serving as auctioneer, and by his Alumni Fund leadership. The reunion events had additional participation, which along with the leadership showed the extraordinary strength of our class.

Registration was on Monday. Early arrivers could attend Tuck, Thayer, or Medical School luncheons and a panel discussion on residential life at Dartmouth. An alumni dinner at Thompson Arena started the evening, followed by the president's reception at President McLaughlin's home and a Glee Club concert. The tent was the center of activity for the balance of the night.

And a short night it was! The annual reunion run of 2.6 miles began at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. Put Blodgett could not be persuaded that it was merely a social event and led the class by finishing in 17 minutes.

The class meeting was convened at midmorning by Bob Simpson, who capped off his superb term of leadership by gaining approval for a new slate of officers: president, Blossum Blum; secretary, Tom Bloomer; treasurer, Chuck Luker; head agent, Al Collins; newsletter editor, Don Goss; mini-reunion chairman, Don Smith; Alumni Council member, Ron Lazar; and bequest chairman, John Newton. An executive committee was also ratified; their names will be published in a later issue.

President David McLaughlin '54 addressed the alumni following the class meeting and opened the session to questions. Not an easy task as questions were raised about the College symbol, gay rights, and reserve officers training. Our consensus was that he handled these issues and the session well.

We adjourned to Storrs Pond for a barbecue and swim meet. Everyone starred at the barbecue. Boyer Chrisman, Jack Tukey, Dick Calkins, John Springer, with the help of their families, upheld our honor in the swim meet.

Tuesday afternoon was open to individual pursuits. We convened for dinner and entertainment in the beautiful setting of the Bema; the affair was a highlight of the reunion. Dave Replogle, Bill Beutel, and Len Gochman reenacted a portion of Mr. Roberts. It was superb. The Dartmouth Aires concluded the entertainment, but not before Fred Whittemore extemporaneously made history in a dissertation on empty chairs. Dancing at the tent concluded the day.

Another highlight was the seminar on Wednesday morning, "The Saga of 1953, Then, Now, and Tomorrow," moderated by Bill Beutel. Fred Stephens, Ross Mclntyne, Dick Hook, and Mildred Rosen, wife of Hiltie Rosen, gave their personal and provocative views of their lifestyles and careers.

The auction was combined with lunch, and the afternoon was again open for individual pursuits. That evening Bob Douglass was master of ceremonies for the '53 birthday party. There were short talks, accolades, and justified presentations of Dartmouth chairs to our outgoing president and secretary, and to the reunion chairman. Music was provided by our own John Kennedy, Jim Wheaton, Dizz Denzon, Don Goss, Paul Dillingham, Frank Amick, and Larry Garvin. It was relaxed, informal, and fun, the inner fun that you have with family and close friends. The warm feelings spilled over into the tent, and the day concluded with dancing.

The winddown had begun. Our official farewell was the memorial service in Rollins Chapel on Thursday morning, followed by brunch in the tent. There is always a somber, awkward note in departures. Yet our departures were also characterized by a warmth and, in Bill Gilges's words, rejuvenation.

Space does not permit all of the personal notes of the reunion. These will follow in a later issue. Still, some remembrances; Brad Edgerton's first trip back; four classmates from Hawaii Bay Yee, Ed Quinlan, Walt Shim, and Tom Dixon; Tom Ritner's running form in the alumni run and Phil Beekman's dismay that his schedule made it impossible for him to run. Finally, Phil Fast, affixed to 53 balloons used to decorate the gym for the

birthday party, in readiness for a lighter-than-air trip back to Idaho. Superb for sure! Another in a long series of superlatives of the class of 1953.

A final note. We shattered the giving record for the 30th-year reunion class. Our objective was $753,000 more than $200,000 above the previous record and we surpassed it!

Alumni and guests from the classes of 1953,1954, and 1955 gathered for dinner in a gaily-decorated Thompson Arena.

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