1947
On the Hanover scene, the Dartmouth season is winding down; final classes, exams, job interviews for some, graduation, and then reunion activities. As we read this in mid-summer, Hanover will be quiet, new maple and elm buds now turned to lush green; the campus grass is green, starting to fill in after Softball games. This is a quiet time in Hanover, where the more permanent residents regroup, recoup, and renew. Possibly also it will be a time for planning the return to Dartmouth of the ROTC program. Congratulations to President McLaughlin for toughness and, clearly, a good decision for Dartmouth, in the face of strong resistance from some sides of the Dartmouth community. Hopefully the program will be ready to go this fall. I think that it's good for the College.
I received a nice letter from Dick Lezius. Dick is the Chicago-area representative to the Alumni Council, just as Frank Weber is for our class. Dick is completing his third year on the council, his second year as chairman of the communications committee. He enjoys this work and has concentrated on getting the College up to speed in audiovisual and video communications to the many facets of the public, including the alumni. Dick's group has either produced or planned an exciting new group of films and video tapes, to be used for recruiting and for continuing education, plus several for alumni club or individual use. Dick has also been vice chairman of the bequest and trust committee for two years. It's very good for the College to have the benefit of Dick's experience.
A clipping from the March 7 Wall StreetJournal tells us that Grant Tinker has received a vote of confidence in his job at NBC Television. Grant, currently chairman and CEO of NBC, was elected a director of RCA, the parent corporation. According to one RCA executive, "this is a move aimed at keeping Mr. Tinker satisfied at his position." Let's hope his tasteful programming continues to entertain us.
We received a phone call in mid-April from Ann Russell, wife of David Russell, from Newington, Conn. We make news of the various success stories of our classmates, and tend to overlook that life has its success and its tragedies for us all. David's note in our 25th yearbook says simply, "member, New York Society of Security Analysts. Active in church affairs, including vestryman, warden, treasurer." At the time (1971) he was manager of financial services for Philip Morris, Inc., and he and Ann and their two children lived in Westchester County. Following this he was promoted to assistant treasurer at Philip Morris, certainly the mark of a successful career. However, in 1972 David's illness, which he had battled for several years, was diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. He retired in 1974, and as M.S. goes, it has been downhill since then. Ann, rising to the responsibility, moved the family from the highrent area to Connecticut and worked as secretary to school administration in her local school district. David thinks highly of his Dartmouth years and wishes he could do more for Dartmouth. He enjoys the alumni column and the newsletters, as well as the talking books and novels. Ann's concern is that they are unable to contribute financially, and it is discouraging to David to be unable to answer the many appeals for money. I'm sure they would both enjoy hearing from friends and classmates at 16 Farmstead Drive, Newington, CT 06111.
Word from Harley Timbers in Emmaus, Pa., is that he's glad the tax season is once a year. After retirement from Western Electric, he helps people with taxes, and after the rush, it's back to golf. And another way to retire is to have your wife drag you on a South Pacific vacation. Bill Buckingham's wife, Maureen, sent a colorful postcard from Australia and related the problems one (or two) can run into when deep-ocean sailing offshore and a storm hits. Next it's the Fiji Isles, then home. I'll need to hear the full story on this, Bucko, as sailing is my bag, too.
Bob Huffman represented Dartmouth as a delegate at the inauguration at Loyola Marymount University, on March 7, 1985.
I've just returned from Hanover, the Class Officers Weekend, May 3-4. It was indeed a busy 24-hour period, with three other classmates attending: Townes Harris and Joan, John Trethaway, fresh back from African safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and VP Don Evans who came up from Cohasset, Mass., to put final touches on a mini-reunion plan. There is both College and class news.
On the College level, we can report the fraternities in much better shape and responding admirably in meeting new standards; Hood Museum will be open this fall and is generating excitement; Army ROTC will begin in the fall; the College is divesting of some South Africa-involved firms; the Alumni Fund drive is low and needs an enthusiastic push to approach or meet its goals by June.
As to class matters: Jim Osborne has our Alumni Drive dollar figure approaching our goal, and our class ranking is now on average, but we're doing it with less participation. Fellows, it's key to be sure you make your gift this year, and if your firm matches gifts, then be sure to apply for the match.
And finally, and most gratifying, TownesHarris received the Alumni Award, presented by Mike McGean before president McLaughlin and the entire alumni officer body, for his many jobs and enthusiastic involvement in class programs. Townes's family, including a daughter and granddaughter, and his mother, a delightful, spry soul, were at the luncheon to see the awarding of the engraved bowl. All in all a delightful weekend.
The Dartmouth Alumni Award was given to Townes M. Harris Jr.' 47 at Class Officers Weekend in May. He was a banker for 34 years at the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company. In 1981 he became vice president and trust officer at the Factory Point National Bank in Manchester Center, Vt. He has served Dartmouth as chairman of his class's fifth reunion; member of the Rhode Island Alumni Association executive committee; class agent; class giving chairman for the 25th reunion; chairman of the Arthur H. Ruggles Scholarship Fund for Rhode Island; president of the Dartmouth Alumni Associaton of Rhode Island; and newsletter editor. He is currently president of his class and treasurer of the Dartmouth Club of Southwestern Vermont.
63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431
