1966

28 Beckwith Drive Windsor, CT 06095

Many of the other columns in the Alumni Magazine work on the "common thread" idea of journalism. They highlight six graduates who came from the same state, played on the same team, whatever. I'm going to highlight three '66s who have all gone the route of teaching. At the 20th reunion, it was clear that many '66s had gone other directions.

Tom Louis lives in Lexington, Mass., with Karen and two daughters, Margit, eight, and Erica, 11. Both Tom and Karen are on the teaching faculty at Harvard. They met while in graduate school there. He is an associate professor in bio-statistics. Karen is in the School of Education. The big item now is that they are getting ready to move to Minneapolis... get ready, Deano, Rosey, Rock, Bauer. Tom will be the head of the Biometry Department. Karen will also teach at "The U." "We're into buying and selling now so we can relocate," says Tom. That is about it for biographical items. They do a good bit of mountain climbing in New England. Not the piton, safety-rope kind. Just hiking. I asked Tom what his family theme was right now. "Easy." he said. "We are both trying very hard to carve out the necessary family time while we both pursue demanding careers." It sounds as if they do OK at it. Tom is involved in "low-key social action." He cooks meals for a local youth rehabilitation group. He's active in the youth group of the Unitarian Church, That sounded important to him. "I try to fit in some of those things that are relative to the real world," admits Tom. As far as advancing on the world and getting to the top of the educational ladder, Tom says, "I guess you might say the 'war is over,' and I've stopped clawing my way to the top." He also finished off the chat by saying he felt rather glib as he was on his third glass of wine! He sounded great. It must have been a good wine, maybe Ripple.

Dick Birnie lives in Etna, just over the hill from A-lot. He and Pietie met while at graduate school at Harvard (sound familiar? This common thread business has grabbed you, no?). She was Wellesley, Dick was not. They have three... Katherine, 11; Peter, 6; Elizabeth, 1. This group started in 1974. Dick teaches geology as an associate prof at Dartmouth. He teaches everything from Rocks 1 through graduate courses. He's heard all the jokes about Rocks 1. And he can still laugh at them. He does "about half research and half teaching." His area of research gets into the use of satellites to locate ore and to make maps. The Alumni Magazine of a while ago featured one of his maps on the cover. He travels to do research. Last summer he was with some students in Greenland. He is "happy and satisfied at Dartmouth." Skiing makes things fun with the whole family. He is now into hockey with his son, who is in youth hockey. He's not looking to move and he's not afraid to say it. He'll be at our 25th.

Billy Bower lives in Canton, Mass., with mary Ellen and two boys, Michael and Dickey. They are eight and six. Billy teaches at Burke High School, in Dorchester. "It's one of the tougher areas in all of Boston," says Billy, proudly. He teaches math and computer. Burke is the "computer magnet school" for Boston, which means they have more computers than any other school and kids come from all over to learn there. Bill coaches football and baseball. He's done the football for 12 years and had his best team this past fall. They shut out five teams. "Usually, we are semi-doormats," he says. Last fall they lost two games, both to teams that eventually went to the state championship game. "We needed a breakaway back," said the coach. Who doesn't? Mary Ellen teaches at West Roxbury High School. The whole family heads for the Cape in June, where the kids sail, Mary Ellen teaches swimming, and Billy plays golf, sails, water skis, catches bluefish "all those fun things that don't involve work." The kids are into youth hockey, little league baseball, you-name-it. Billy coached three baseball teams last year, from high school to tee-ball. "That was too much," he said and will cut that down this year. Judging from what Billy said, he was looking around five years ago for a change, but that urge passed and he "likes what he does and will keep at it."

I felt like Allen Funt, calling and plucking these guys. I will say they didn't seem bashful. My phone bill was $30 for the calls. But don't be surprised if "sometime, somewhere, when you least suspect it...."