1939
As we write these words we are just back from the executive committee meeting in New York, much of which had to do with details pertaining to the June reunion. Present were Bert MacMannis, Bob Kaiser, Al Tishman, Sam Hird, Bob Howe, BillTomkins, Wes Goding, George Hanna, DickBrooks, Jack Coulson, Jim Corner, Ed Oppenheim, and Dick Jackson. Chances are that as you read this, the reunion will be over, and the proper column for its reporting will come this September, so we'll not burden you with reporting on such details. It may be in order, however, to state that Prexy MacMannis opened the meeting by suggesting that since a class quorum will be present at reunion, he felt it in order to bring to a vote the matter of the class seal during the class meeting. Ken McDonald and some others have questioned the depiction of the traditional Indian in the seal and have requested an expression of the class as to its propriety. A vote of 12 to one approved bringing the matter to the class meeting. The secretary's report followed, commenting on the rash of '39ers who have died since our last meeting at the mini-reunion. Coulson, memorial chair, later filled in the number, listing ten deaths.
Your scribe also brought up a matter suggested by Mike Ellis: that the alumni column might be the spot for contributions from members of the class on "anything that he'd like to discuss, point out, theorize, or be philosophic about. Some of the recent 'controversy' in the newsletter might better take the space in the magazine." Mike's rationale for this thought was derived from the fact that deadlines for the Alumni Magazine are so extended that the column can't be expected to compete with the newsletter in the matter of "hot news." The committee, though concurring in the matter of deadlines, nonetheless requested that the secretary continue to publish primarily news, feeling that controversial matters, independent opinions, and philosophy can better be aired through the newsletter, which has a much greater flexibility in the matter of space and indeed is more of an "internal" piece, whereas the column is probably read by a broader audience in adjoining classes. It was suggested that guest authors might be solicited by the secretary (under his editorship) and recommended that for starters two such authors might be tried for the upcoming Magazine year.
Cornie Miller's treasurer's report was delivered in absentia by Brooks and indicated $25,000 is available for our 45th-reunion gift to be added to the 1939 scholarship fund; that $20,000 is being held toward our projected $50,000 50th-reunion gift; that $9,005 in class dues has been received from 298 men as of April 24 (some 21 less than last year and $650 less in proceeds). It was voted to increase class dues to $39, with the extra $9 being earmarked for the scholarship fund.
Kaiser's bequest report showed four matured bequests in the amount of $33,102; 33 "expectancies"; 16 life income trusts, in the amount of $640,144; one insurance policy with a face value of $500,000; a memorial endowment fund in memory of Howie Chivers in the amount of $5,000; and an expectancy of close to $1 million from the estate of Roy Demmon, subject to a life income trust for his daughter.
With his other hat, Kaiser advised that mini-reunion time is set for September 20-21, over the Princeton weekend.
As previously mentioned, considerable time was spent on reunion plans and giving, the former with Goding presiding, and the latter with Messrs. Corner, Tomkins, and Howe still hopeful, but lamenting our lagging trend toward our record-breaking $400,039 goal. Tishman completed the agenda with a rundown of the nominating committee's deliberations to date.
Armando Chardiet is taking a wife, "a lovely Cuban lady," Gina Gomez, on June 15, and so will miss our 45th. Army will be moving to 50 Bassett Street, Apartment C- 104, New Britain, CT 06051. So, too, will John Steele miss reunion, as the featured speaker for commencement exercises at Lake Forest Academy-Ferry Hall, Lake Forest, III., where he'll also be celebrating his 50th reunion.
Wilbur Goyer represented Dartmouth at the inauguration of the 14th president of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., this past October.
Hank and Dot Conkle spent February in Switzerland - which reminds us of your scribe's glorious visit in Santa Barbara, Calif., this past March with Kev and Lynn Fay, Billand Robilee Tomkins, Frank Cline and Marion Shugart, and Alan "Bud" Bodge and JoForest. My, how well those folks treated us, and what a garden spot in which to live.
Dusty Rohde suffered a stroke this past April but is recovering nicely, and if you're at reunion, he should be, too.
Bob Kaiser has taken on the presidency of the Psi Upsilon Foundation, a national organization, which undoubtedly means more work for this hardworking guy. A big honor nonetheless.
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