1949

This year the Gold Pick Axe Award went to Richard N. Moersch with the following citation: "Dick, your academic achievements during undergraduate days certainly made a substantial contribution to the credibility that there was some brainpower in the class of '49. It is most noteworthy that you were a Rufus Choate Scholar, graduating summa cumlaude and Phi Beta Kappa. But all was not cerebral, for you found time to participate as a member of the track team and Chi Phi fraternity. More recently you have served as a regional class agent.

"After graduating from Harvard Medical School, you headed west to Stanford University Hospital for your internship. The next few years, except for two in the navy, were spent at the Mayo Clinic acquiring skills to specialize in thoracic surgery. You have a long and distinguished career at the St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino Calif. Of significant importance has been your leadership in originating the heart program at this hospital in addition to being a founder of the Inland Heart Center. You are a past president of St. Bernardine's Medical Staff and the recipient of numerous professional honors. In 1987 you retired from heart surgery but continue to work as medical director of the center.

The non-medical side of your life has been equally active. You and Mary Lou, who was from Spokane, met during your time at Stanford and were married in 1953. Your children Margaret and Peter both graduated from the University of Southern California. Almost as great as your love for your family and medicine has been your love of travel and adventure. You scuba dive, sky dive, and do lots of river-running throug-hout the world, including the Yangtze in China. When you ran out of rivers you crossed the Sahara on a camel safari and you were number 216 to visit the North Pole since Admiral Peary. You also play golf and tennis but when!

"Dick, we take great pleasure and pride in honoring you with the Gold Pick Axe Award."

Our classmate Professor Charles Russell has written his second book. His first, for scholars, was titled The General Social Survey; 1972-1986: The State of the AmericanPeople. His second should be of interest to us all. It's Good News About Aging. This book takes an upbeat look at the aging process and states that rather than a period of decline it is more appropriately a time of positive opportunities.

Charlie has been a professor at Mattatuck Community College for the past 19 years and has developed courses on the aging process. He missed our 40th Reunion, as he accompanied his Norwegian wife on a trip home to Norway, but has promised to attend our next mini in 1990.

Notes from the 1989 mini: In addition to Cribbins and McClain, we are indebted for liquid refreshments to Messrs Woodberry,Hughes, and Thomas; Bob Nutt has become a first-time grandfather; Luke Soule married off two of his daughters this year (one at the church attended by President Bush at Kennebunkport when he is residence); Ed Clogston, who has retired, spends time at his second home on Mt. As cutney; our class agent Irl Marshall has two daughters in Massachusetts, so coming East from Illinois several times a year to visit the grandchildren works out well for his Dart mouth duties.

21 Strawberry Hill Road, Southboro, MA 01772