1948

The fun-filled, four-day 40th Reunion of 1948 began in Hanover on Monday, June 13, and 66 '48s were on hand, probably the largest contingent of all our eight reunions. We were also honored by the presence of four widows of our classmates plus 54 wives, relatives, and friends. The reunion committee of chair Bud Gedney, EarlChambers, Gil Shattuck, Pat McAllister,Joe Smith, John Van Raalte, and Sam Wilkinson did a fantastic job. Their hard work, the highly effective cooperation of the College, and the weatherman resulted in memories which will breed nostalgia for years to come.

Some highlights of the good time we had. Arrival at class headquarters on Fayer Row where Joe and Helen Smith and other committeemen set the fun tone in greeting all and disbursing room assignments, keys, etc. The presentation by outgoing class president Chambers of 1948's gift to the College of a display case and memorial plaque on the main floor of Baker for publications by Dartmouth authors. The opening '48 reception at HOpkins Center Where old friendships were renewed over cocktails, in many instances the first renewal in 40 years. (Several, including Bing Aspinwall, Al Fritzsche, Bob Kirkpatrick, BillMaloney and Lou Springsteen were back for their initial reunion). Dartmouth Association President Dick Leggat's introduction of College President Freedman, whose presence and remarks underscored his great likability. The nostalgic final portion of the Glee Club concert when former alumni members joined in singing the old Dartmouth songs. The fascinating '48 panel discussion of retirement led by Professor Rosenberg in which Bud Elliott, Bob Jeavons, Joe Smith and Ginny Gedney participated (the latter a voluntary replacement for Foxy Parker, who had to miss the reunion). The marvelously successful picnics, down by the river next to the new Canoe Club building and in the beautiful Bema. The riotous lecture where Professor Rassias humorously illustrated America's foreign language ineptitude, and where seven '48s surely learned enough Greek to prevent their becoming lost in Athens. The class dinner on the DOC house lawn at Occom Pond where the controversial address of Dr. Wid Washburn on educational political philosophy contrasted with the immortal stories of the late and beloved Al Foley.

Most moving event was the memorial service in Rollins for our 58 departed '48 brothers, this led by our own Rev. Lou Springsteen. Lou could not have been more effective in making us feel still close to our sorely missed old comrades who have crossed the bar. "Many a tear.."

Tent activity was lively each evening, and the laughter generated there and elsewhere was of an all-pervading nature as stories from '48 undergraduate life were repeated. And it is doubtful whether John Lanzetta will soon forget the young lady who, knowing he wished someday to leave his name in stone on the campus, proceeded to carve "Lanzetta" on a large, highly visible rock in the Bema.

So many helped to make "fun the watch word of our 40th. But anyone who saw BillPendill, a solitary figure in the empty tent pounding out a final rendition of "Dear Old Dartmouth" on the piano as we departed, must have felt a strong pang of nostalgia that the 40th had ended. More next month.

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