1945

As summer winds down, it seems as though reunion was last week and July 4 was the day after; we know October class notes are due tomorrow, and Labor Day is the day after. Then in a very short time is the mini-reunion, on the weekend of November 12, including the Yale football game. George Barr will have had the details in the newsletter, but if you have not decided to be there when you read this (and time will be short), please join us. The fall gatherings have attracted an increasing number of classmates and have resulted in renewed and new friendships. The Shady Lawn Motel in White River, which has been the haven for the class of 1945 for many fall gatherings, will be the base of operations. Through the years (in addition to frivolity in the socialty room) there have been many frisbees and footballs thrown in the parking lot by '45s and their children, even though the only athletics in 1985 will be the spectator-type football game that you should be in Hanover for that weekend. If you are a newcomer, you will be made welcome; if you have been before,, you know how much fun it is.

First, Bob Paulson has sent a copy of a letter from the President of the College, Dave McLaughlin, which was sent to him and to Steve Hull with the request from Bob that it be relayed to all of you. Here it is: "On behalf of the Trustees, and also speaking personally, I want to thank you for leading 1945's 40th reunion this past week. Reunions have a special renewing quality about them partly derived from the sense of place that is Dartmouth and partly from the fellowship that comes from being with classmates and their spouses and guests. You did a marvelous job of orchestrating your reunion, and we are particularly grateful for the time and energy you devoted to this task. Realizing that you have a team of volunteers who contributed to the success of the reunion, I would appreciate your conveying my thanks and congratulations to them. All best wishes. Regards, David T. McLaughlin."

As many of you may know, the president's spring was somewhat hectic due to opposition from the faculty over reinstatement of Army ROTC and from the students over limited compulsory dining at Thayer for upper classmen as well as new summer living requirements for students. However, his sense of humor has not failed him, as evidenced by comments at the class officers dinner in May. He mentioned the problems and added that he felt like the javelin thrower who elected to receive or maybe the cross-eyed discus thrower who did not achieve much success but sure kept the crowd on its toes. He could not be at the 1945 class dinner but attended the class picnic and met and answered questions for a number of classmates. We appreciate his attendance and interest. Omitted in the thanks to reunion officials and class officers in the September notes was a tribute to the barbershop quartet group (of which George Barr is a member) that sang at the class outing. They were outstanding, and George indicated that they would be having a concert (or contest) in Lebanon during the minireunion. (Another incentive to come.)

And a final note on reunion: the winner of the contest for designing the logo for reunion which was used on stationery and on the hats which made up the reunion costume was Jim Grant of San Diego, Calif. The prize was a jeroboam of champagne, and Jim very graciously had it chilled (frozen?) for consumption at the class tent after the dinner on Wednesday night. Those six who partook (plus two anonymous wives) and who wound up reunion festivities were Jim Grant, MooseRowan, John Osborne, Frank Aldrich,Frank Edmands, and this secretary. It was a delightful ending to a superbly planned and executed operation, and those present were in a familiar role.

One of those who had planned to be in Hanover in June was Bud Morris, now retired and living in Carmel Valley, Calif. However, retirement for him and for his wife, Dee, includes building a house in an area which requires approval of many government authorities. Since some of the required hearings were to be in early June, Bud had to cancel reunion plans, but he is counting on being at the next one.

A sad part of this column has to be news of classmates who have died. I have been informed of the recent passing of

William E. Donahue of Downers Grove, Ill. and William E. Stewart of Weston, Mass., as well as the death in 1981 of

Howard Burdick Jr. of Spokane, Wash. The class of 1945 extends our deep sympathies to their families and also an invitation to surviving spouses to join us in class activities.

Before winding up this column AustinWason must be congratulated for his "swan song" column, as well as for his five years of class notes. He is a tough act to follow, but it is hoped that if you provide news - and criticism, too - we will keep you fully posted on the whereabouts and activities of the class of 1945.

At the class of 1945 picnic in June, HarryHampton was presented the first Class of1945 Award. The citation read, in part:"Brother Hampton is Mr. 1945 and hasdone more to create the spirit and fellowshipof our class than any other. ... /Is classpresident, reunion chairman, and officialgadfly, Harry kept '45 always moving andbrought new meaning to the word fellowship. He and his good wife Ginny are surely1945's finest. . . . you have taught us allthe true meaning of friendship and caring,and we will never forget."

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