1940

Dear Class: Now that it's December, I have this recurring dream. Santa Claus, played by Christie Brinkley, asks me what I want for Christmas. With great restraint I say: "News and notes from my classmates." She kicks me off her lap, and I wake up. Oh, well. Chap Wentworth brightened the week with a nice philosophical note. Although he missed the 45th, Chap recalls the 40th with pleasure, especially the renewing of old friendships. He sums up as follows: "I have a marvelous family, a rather motley crew 'of young people I collected out of three marriages. I'm daddy to enough kids to put a pretty good football team together. [We can use one, Chap - D.B.] I love them all. I think the one thing about growing old that gives me pleasure is to see all these bright, energetic young men and women tackling their lives while I stand at the sidelines and cheer!" Great to hear from you, Chap and we hope to find you at the 50th.

Les Nichols, who missed the 45th because of a business conflict, says: "You can be sure I'll be at the 50th! I am escorting 65 members of the Tenth Armored Division Association on our ninth European tour next August. No plans to retire, although I'll be thinking about this after 1990! No classmates in Louisville, but Dave Dance's daughter lives here. Was 'roasted' and honored by the Kentucky Hotel-Motel Association last September for my 25 years of service to that group. Regards to all, Les." Thanks for the news, Les.

And, we're glad to hear from BillWotherspoon, out in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. Bill is fine, but has had a tough 1985: "This last year has been a sad one as my wife, Mary Bulkley, Smith '45, died in February after a long struggle with cancer. I plan to live in Grosse Pointe in my same house and will keep the summer cottage at Northport, Mich., as before." Our deep sympathies go to you, Bill, on your loss. Bill goes on to report that daughter Polly is now in the contract furniture business in NYC, and daughter Ellie is a tax attorney with Touche Ross in Washington, D.C. His summer's trip to the Baltic on the RoyalViking Sky included "discoing in a Moscow hotel along with what seemed to be Mongolian girls in French fashions." Bill will be skiing in Lech, Austria, in January. Thanks for a very nice letter, Bill.

A note from Ann (Porter) Berger brings sad news that Dick Funkhouser's wife, Janet, passed away last August 30. Ann has been keeping in touch with Dick. We add our sympathies to those of Dick and Janet's many friends.

Quick notes from all over - some by phone, some by pony express, and some by rumor: Ty Cobb and Rhoda are into competitive croquet - a regional tournament in Northern California. Dave andCarol Davenport are moving from Sanibel, Fla., to Nokomis, Fla. Bob Dibble is recovering from a crushed leg (that's why he missed the 45th) and threatening to get back to the tennis courts in a couple of months. Bill Huffman retired from doctoral rounds and surgical appointments. They say Bill and Jane are into antiques.

Howie and Kate Tallmadge returned from three weeks of Elderhosteling in England, just in time to make the September mini-reunion. Oscar Acer hooked the fall mini onto a business trip while wife Petah was at home working on her doctoral thesis. A "well done" to Stet Whitcher for his September financial summary showing us where the class stands and what gets done with your money. Keep those dues coming, class! Now, let me tell you about the class of 1989 ('89? Yes!) Of 9,500 applicants, 1,800 were accepted and 1,030 matriculated, representing 19 countries and 48 states. The class is 57 percent M, 43 percent F. This from the Saturday breakfast with the President at mini-reunion in September.

Nothing mini about the dinner at Boband Crosbie MacMillen's though - it was super. At the class meeting we discussed plans for our 50th and next year's double fall mini (Hanover on September 21 Penn and Annapolis in October Navy). More on this from Bill Duncan in the spring.

Have a Merry Christmas see you in '86!

Pictured above are some of the more than 50 members of the class of 1940 zvho gathered fora mini-reunion in Hanover in September.

P.O. Box 336 Old Lyme, CT 06371