1927

At 12:00 noon on June 16, a bright, sunny and typical Hanover summer day, almost 100 classmates, wives and widows of 1927 gathered on the green grass in front of Dick Hall's House. (As many of you know, the house was built in 1927 by Mr. and Mrs. Edward K. Hall in memory of their son, Richard Drew Hall, who died unexpectedly of polio in November of his sophomore year.)

The occasion was 1927's 60th reunion when President Paul Hannah together with a representative of the class of 1977, Betsy Cox Stebbins, presented Dr. John Turco with two checks and a plaque announcing the establishment of a permanent endowment fund for the general maintenance of the Dartmouth Health Service. The plaque rededicated both 1927 and 1977 to the informal stewardship of the House in the years to come, which stewardship 1927 had transferred to 1977 in a similar ceremony at Commencement 1977.

But there was more to the reunion than this. It was a great affair from beginning to end under the direction of Brad Fuller and his helpers, including Peg Funkhouser. The Hayward Lounge in the Hanover Inn, with a large green 1927 banner hung from the ceiling, was our tent. Here, all reservations, group gatherings and social hours took place. There were visits to the new Hood Museum, the Hovey murals in Thayer Hall, a bus tour showing the recent changes in the Hanover scene, a concert by the combined men's and women's glee club, a talk by retiring president David McLaughlin, many fine lunches and dinners, and best of all, ample time for browsing in Hanover stores, and for chatting and reminiscing with old friends.

Following the ceremony on the green at Dick Hall's House on June 16th there was the usual class picture, a reception inside the House, and then luncheon on the grounds outside the Dartmouth Outing Club House on the shore of Occom Pond. President McLaughlin was the honored guest and spoke to. us of his years as president. Following this, President Paul Hannah conducted the usual reunion business meeting. The following officers were elected: president, Roger Bury; vice president, Frank Strong; secretary, Erwin Paddock; treasurer, Robert Tobey; newsletter editor, Thomas Gillespie; and head agent, Seth Besse. New members elected to the class executive committee were StephenDow Mills, Bradley Fuller, Lyman Milliken and Bradford Stone. The two officers who did not wish to be re-elected because of personal reasons, Paul Hannah and James Willing, were presented with gifts in appreciation of their service to the class during the previous five years.

The main banquet on June 17 was again chaired by Paul Hannah. The featured speaker was Chuck Baker, and music was furnished by a fine singing group of 12 undergraduates. Among the honored guests were the son, daughter-in-law, and grandson of the former Jock Davis who had been scheduled chairman of this reunion before his death in 1985.

One special treat was the unexpected presence of Fen Ming Tung. Until this reunion, Fen had hardly been seen or heard from in these 60 years.

The annual Class Officers Weekend was held in Hanover May 2 and 3. The class was represented by Paul Hannah, Bob Long,Charlie Paddock, Jay Willing, FrankStrong, Brad Fuller, Mel Partridge and Seth Besse. We were acquainted with the proposed changes in the Alumni Magazine and, quite understandably, were disturbed and upset by the announcement of the reduction from 600 words to 350 words in the class notes section of the magazine for the classes from 1925 to 1934.

We are sorry to report the death of Frank J. Gloekner on April 11.

11 Rolling Lane Wayland, MA 01778

1927 1987SIXTIETH REUNION-JUNE 15.16.17