1945

Every new secretary can write about the immediate past reunion and what a great one we had! But not too many 1945 secretaries have been able to praise class success in the Alumni Fund. However, on June 28 Vic Smith informed me that the reunion goal of $345,000 had been reached. That is well above any prior total for our class, and it demonstrates the dedication of Vic, Charlie Murphy (reunion-giving chairman), Frank Edmands (Caliber '45 chairman), a host of assistant class agents, and the very generous support of many classmates. Having been personally involved in the fund-raising activities, I know the tremendous amount of time Vic put into reaching this goal and without reservation feel that he qualifies as Dartmouth's class agent of the year. Other classes have had better results, but none have overcome so many obstacles as he did.

The reunion was equally successful. Steve Hull and Bob Paulson (and their wives, Jean and Marge) have worked, talked, and lived this event for the better part of five years and the results showed it. They put together a committee of Ted Smith as treasurer (and his wife, Pat, performed a multitude of necessary duties), Don Sisson, who (with GeorgeBarr's help) produced a superb class reunion book, Paul Glover, the "nourishment" organizer (this included food), and Paul Caravatt, who orchestrated the highly acclaimed class banquet complete with balloon decorations. The auction, which originally looked short-lived, ran into two days and replaced golf and tennis tournaments on rainy Wednesday. Joe Michael handled it alone since RayFontana could not be there and with strong and steady voice, plus humor, raised over $3,500. And Vic and VestaSmith served as reception chairmen to help get unfamiliar faces into a familiar setting where friendships were renewed - or begun.

The events of the week moved swiftly. From arrival on Monday to early Thursday departure Steve and Bob had everything organized perfectly. The highlights were the picnic (including auction and clambake) on Tuesday and the class dinner on Wednesday. "Lowlight" was rain on Wednesday, which eliminated golf and tennis but which brightened the eyes and presumably the wallets of Hanover merchants. On the serious side was the memorial service arranged by Fred Berthold in the Church of Christ at Dartmouth and in which Nick Sandoe played an important role. Molly White (wife of classmate JohnWhite) was the outstanding speaker of a panel on retirement which included moderator Dr. Stanley Rosenberg of Dartmouth Medical School, classmate Dr. TedSafford, and a lawyer who felt unqualified to talk about retirement while still paying college tuition (this writer). It

should also be mentioned that a lot of the color and fun of reunion were furnished by four college students assigned to the class, Laura Lindner '86, Jennine Shohan '87, Sara Goran '86, and Sarah Katz '87.

At the class meeting new officers were elected. They are Cliff Jordan, president; Don Cole, vice president (who strongly emphasized that he does not intend or want to move up); John Leggat, secretary; John Osborn, treasurer; Vic Smith, head class agent; John White, bequest chairman; George Barr, newsletter editor and mini-reunion chairman; and Steve Hull, Alumni Council representative.

As his first act as president, Cliff Jordan presented a class award at the picnic to Harry Hampton, who is Mr. 1945 and who more than anyone has made our class a viable organization and an integral part of the Dartmouth community.

To wind up this first Alumni Magazine column in more than 40 years on a personal note (the last ones were as a wartime sports editor in 1943 and 1944), it is not often that a former class president can publicly thank the officers who served with him. The Leggats extend sincere

gratitude to Austin Wason, John Osborn,Vic Smith, John White, George Barr,Cliff Jordan, and to the reunion chairmen Steve Hull and Bob Paulson. And more thanks go to the hard-working, long-suffering and delightful spouses, Shirley Wason, Vesta Smith, Molly White, Betsy Barr, Betty Jordan, Jean Hull, and Marge Paulson, as well as Ruth Sisson, who helped Don with the reunion book, and Pat Smith. Thanks also to a host of unnamed workers and wives on and off the executive committee who have done so much for our class.

As we look ahead to our 45th reunion in 1991 Bob Paulson has agreed to serve as chairman and has already set a tentative schedule of mini-reunions between now and then. The first is November 1-2, 1985 (Yale Game). Make plans to join us in Hanover. Also, please send news.

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