1956

In the spring, the New York Life Insurance Company announced the election of Lee M. Gammill Jr. to an executive vice presidency. In his new position Lee will De in charge of the company's agency department, as well as its disability income, individual life, and in-force management departments. He will also share responsibility for the company's individual operations.

Lee joined New York Life as an agency trainee in 1957 and has steadily climbed the corporate ladder since that time. In 1965, he became general manager of the San Rafael general office, and, from 1970 to 1974, he was regional superintendent of the central Pacific region. After managing various general offices in the San Francisco area from 1974 until 1986, he was elected senior vice president, moved to the home office, and took charge of both the individual insurance and individual annuity departments, as well as NYLIFE Securities, Inc. In 1987, he was placed in charge of the agency department. Congratulations are certainly in order!

As most classmates already, know FlintRanney, Hon. Ed. of WWW, is, in his spare time, president of the Nantucket Historical Association. Under his leadership, the association recently opened a remarkable new museum, located in the former Thomas Macy warehouse on Straight Wharf, dedicated to cataloging the Island's long and colorful history. I recommend it to all visitors to Nantucket.

As time continues to march inexorably forward, we find that the class of '56 is, for better or worse, rapidly turning 56. PerryGresh, of whom I get reports occasionally from mutual friends in the Philadelphia area, passed that milestone in September. Both Russ Brace and Leo McKenna celebrated their big days early in October. Somewhat later that month, brother DaveStackpole hit the mark, followed one day later by Howard Webber. And, this month we have a veritable plethora of natal celebrations.

Cliff Allen made the grade on the fourth of the month, followed closely by AlanTomson on the seventh. Goraie Davenport, John Parke, and brother Lou Metzger share the honors on the eleventh, along with Charlie Morrissey, who was heard from recently in this column. The twelfth belongs to Nate Metzger and JohnBloomfield, and, on the fifteenth, ErlendJacobsen cuts his cake.

It is Brew Blackall's turn on the twenty- third, with Howard Sandler, Stew Sanders, and Ray Harrison all celebrating on the twenty-fourth. Closing out the month will be Bob Gile on the twenty-sixth. If I've missed anyone, I'm sure they'll forgive.

Congratulations and happy birthday to all of the above, and, belatedly, to all those '56ers who've already hit 56. Luck alone kept them from being mentioned here. In future columns, we'll hear about those yet to come, especially if you guys don't come up with something more interesting to in- clude. How about a deal? You send me some real news, and I'll spare you an appearance on the birthday list. For those who are happy to forget such days, that's an offer not to refuse.

Till next time.

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