About John Sloan Dickey

In March Mrs. John Sloan Dickey wrote the following letter to Edward Hanlon, class historian for '26. We are reprinting it, with Mrs. Dickey's permission, as a way of bringing the Dartmouth community up to date on President Emeritus Dickey.

I have been staying with my daughter, Tina Stearns, in Gansevoort, N.Y. She brings me over to see John on weekends. I think the reason you have not heard much recently about John is that his situation has not really changed since his stroke. He is wonderfully cared for in Dick's House, is certainly comfortable, and seems untroubled. He does not talk, but we believe he understands much that is said. The Dickey family is very fortunate to have such wonderful care available to him.

You probably know more about Dartmouth affairs than I do since I am not here except to spend time with John. We still keep our house. The little I hear from friends about what is going on in the College is very heartwarming. My two Stearns granddaughters are Dartmouth '87 and '90, and they have both enjoyed the experience. John and I have two daughters—Tina is married to Stewart Stearns '54 and Sukie (Sylvia) lives and works in Wellesley, Mass. She comes to visit John often. John Jr. lives in Syracuse, N.Y., where he is head of the geology department at the University.

We have heard that Charlie Widmayer is writing the history of the Dickey years at Dartmouth. It had been started by Peter Smith who has since left the college for a post at Columbia.

Hanover is still in the winter season, with lots of snow, but as soon as spring arrives we will get John outside again. He enjoyed Dartmouth Night last fall, the inauguration in July, and Commencement in June. He would want to join me in sending best wishes to all of our good friends in the class of '26.