1940
Dear Class: Good morning - and let's see a show of hands from those of you who have written to your class secretary this week. Hmmm. Let me remove that ever-present alibi about "nothing has changed." Did you realize that that in itself is news? We'd like to hear from you.
Lee and I had a pleasant visit with Boband Didi Gensel a week or so before Labor Day. We had both the time and the weather for golf, beach, and a party weekend. The Gensels are fine, enjoying a nice new convertible, and were on their way to Hanover for a week's course in computing/computers. A later postcard from Bob mentions two other classmates in the same course: Oscar Acer and BillHalsey. Now all three of them can be user-friendly.
The Christian Science Monitor issue of July 2 carried a very fine and interesting feature article on Page Smith. The theme of the article will come as no surprise: "Populist Historian Page Smith Believes History is Too Vital to Relegate to Academics." That's their headline - not mine. I never knew Page, at college or later, but after reading the article I have a fairly clear impression. He lives in the hills north of Santa Cruz, up among the redwoods with his wife, Eloise - an artist - and three horses. Page is at work on the eighth (final) volume of his People'sHistory of The United States. Perhaps a few quotes would be of interest.
Monitor: "Smith has always been a dissenting voice in education. ... He looks very much his part - a country-style populist intellectual who takes it upon himself to tell the academic emperor he has no clothing."
Smith: "I can't tell you how much we aren't taught about our history. . . . Academic history leaves out so much - it is simply silent about the spiritual and moral dimension. . . . The Protestant passion for redemption is a major theme in American history - maybe the major theme." Suffice it to say that Page describes his more than six thousand pages as "an eight-volume hint" of America. What a tremendous piece of work!
Back east for a moment, with a nice note from John Allen: "Reunion was a lot of fun, and we took forward to the next trip to the Hanover Plain. We will not be back for the fall mini because Buzzy [wife Mary] will be away on her trip to Africa (Kenya)." Have her take lots of pictures, John.
And here's news of this summer's Alumni College, courtesy of Walt Kelley: "The class of 1940 was the best represented class at Alumni College this year, led by perennial Stet Whitcher, who holds the record for the most Alumni College sessions attended (18 years). Other '4os were Joe Burnett, Gardner Ashley,Howard Zagor, Rudy Horky and wife Barbara, myself and wife Pat. Also representing 1940 were Crosbie MacMillen, Lois Moody, and Mary Gutman.
"This was my first attendance at Alumni College, and it proved to be as exciting and enjoyable as we had heard. The faculty was superb, the participants were congenial, and being in Hanover for 12 days in August was a very pleasant experience. I hope more '4os will join us next year.
"As for my own modus vivendi, I am 95 percent retired from practicing law, and we are dividing our time between Cape Cod (Truro) here in Shaker Heights, and some travel." Thank you, Walt.
A letter from Bud Hewitt brings some sad news: "George Mahoney, known as 'Greek' to intimates, passed away Tuesday, September 3. An evening telephone call from Bill McMurtrie '38 on behalf of Ann (with all her distress she had me notified!) advised that he had fought gallantly against throat cancer, but it was just too much to overcome, despite the chemotherapy and his strong resolve." Alerted by Bud's letter, I phoned Lee Bassett, who reported that the family is holding up in good shape. Lee, John Peacock, and their many other friends have rallied round, and you have to know that this has been a big help to the family. Our deepest sympathies go to them. An obituary will appear separately in this or a subsequent issue.
Telephone talk: Bud and Louise Hewitt will not be coming to the mini-reunion - but maybe next time. Lee Bassett has just returned from Alaska (fishing) and will shortly depart for Wyoming and Montana for more of the same.
A welcome note from Dick and ZelGoulder to record the happening of the annual '4os summer picnic in their area (August 22), hosted by Kay and Jack Ingersoll. Who else was there? A goodly bunch: Kay and John Moore, Ginny and Karl Bruch, Mil and Herb Foster, Pat and Walt Kelley, and, visiting from Vero Beach, Mevie and Eb Cockley. Carol and Dave Davenport, who are usually there, were honored in absentia as the party was on Dave's birthday.
And, just in under the wire, a nice letter from Bob Breech in West Los Angeles. Bob swears that "one of these days I'll make it to a reunion." The odds look pretty good, since Bob reports that he is working towards more leisure and less time at work. He has a son who has taken the reins very nicely, so Bob intends to consult part-time in the near future. "With six grandchildren my wife and I will not lack for excitement." Thanks for the note, Bob. We'll count on you for the 50th. That's it for now. See you all next month.
P.O. Box 336 Old Lyme, CT 06371
