1933

The address "Barbee Ranch, Dublin, TX" intrigued us, so we called Ben Barbee recently to determine his status. He and Louise do indeed live on their ranch south of Fort Worth where, in fact, cattle are raised. Ben was with giant Anderson-Clayton for 38 years, living in Abilene and dealing with oil, cotton crops and seed production. He ran one of their agricultural divisions until his health failed. He and Louise then moved to the ranch, which they already owned. He started actively working it with the result that he recovered his health. He has been retired for 21 years and the ranch is worked by a partner since Ben's sight has failed. Three sons are respectively a rancher, an oil man, and an architect, and a daughter is married to a lawyer. Ben is "disgusted" with many recent happenings in Hanover.

Bob Veres, our class pugilist, is "holding his own" out in Alameda where he lives with his son, an honor law student. The Champ practices law with his daughter in Oakland, but arrives late and leaves early from the office. His wife, Joyce, died five years ago and he has had heart and prostate surgery, but he sounded very chipper when we chatted with him recently. He has lost none of his sense of humor and told us two rather gamy jokes before we rang off. He thinks that "the inmates have taken over the asylum" in Hanover. He has not climbed into the ring in many a decade. Following sports is his major recreation.

Pete Grace "trudges along" out in St. Louis. He retired from the family business in 1978 and with Mary spends a great deal of time visiting their seven children who are scattered from New York to Canyon City. He has had some health problems, but manages from time to time to beat the traps with some of his pals who play the music of the '30s. He is concerned about developments in Hanover and doesn't "like the trend" of events there.

Pete reports that Marty Kerwin has moved to New Braunfels, Texas, but visits St. Louis regularly. Marty is very actively engaged in merchandising and is doing very well.

3043 West Lane Keys, NW, Washington, DC 20007