1958
Jerry Green and his wife are settling into a Geneva, Ill., home as he flies around the U.S. and Canada to nine manufacturing facilities he is managing for Chicago-based Marmon Group. Over lunch, he described their present living circumstances. They are remodeling an old house in which they occupy just two rooms. Scurrying workers, noise, and plaster dust greet them each day. As he rarely comes to the Chicago headquarters, Geneva is a perfect jump-off to O'Hare Airport, for his weekly fly around. Recalling his days operating J.I. Case, Jerry's memories were positive. "It was my most interesting intellectual challenge." He was trying to downsize a huge company, integrate a major acquisition, keep up morale, and still retain something for the bottom line. He worried about going too fast. When the company was purchased, the new owners told him he had done the right thing but he had "gone too slowly." Jerry retains a great grin, is thinner than anyone has a right to be, talks easily, and is quite charming. But one is struck most by his forward spirit and optimism. Racine's loss is Chicago's gain.
When Dan Wilkes married Lynda Wackenhut in February 1989, Jeff Pickett, Dick Both, and Buzz Giles attended the festivities. Dan is president of the Wilkes Group, 1775 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, 212/307-1222.
Jessica Slosberg '87 wrote an endearing letter about her father Myles Slosberg. We had previously reported his graduation from Harvard Law School and that he was clerking for a federal judge in Boston. Miles forgot to mention that he graduated cum laude. All fathers should have a daughter who writes to "laud his incredible achievements."
"Philadelphia has been wonderful for us and I am looking forward to the challenges of Florida." So writes Charles Pierce as he accepts the appointment as president of the Florida Hospital Association and leaves the Delaware Valley Hospital Council in Philadelphia where he has been serving as president. Charles Pierce has been the chief operating officer of this regional association of 85 hospitals since 1985. With the Florida Hospital Association, Charlie will be president of a statewide trade association of over 200 hospitals. Headquarters are in Orlando, with offices in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. We wish Charlie and wife Lydia good wishes as they move to Orlando, where Charlie assures me they will have a house with room for guests but "no yard maintenance."
In a world in which there are no perfect solutions, just perfect problems, the Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College have voted to dispose of the College's remaining investments in companies doing business in South Africa and to refrain from such investments in the future.
After I missed Walter Stacker last month, he was kind enough to call me and report that he lives on Long Island near Teddy Roosevelt's old home on Oyster Bay. The Stackers enjoy nine acres of serene beauty. Walter manages a building which he owns after having a long career in real estate and real estate development. As with all long-time residents of the island, he is concerned about the rapid and sometimes senseless development of that beautiful area. Walter's son is a graduate of the University of Richmond and presently works for Ernst & Young. Walter, I enjoyed your call and thank you for making it.
When I became class secretary of '58, Nixon was president and most people still thought he was a good guy. Your youngest child was probably about two years old. I had a very long pencil and two goals. First, to make a contribution to the class and the College through the column. Second, to support every member of 1958 in print. Well, we all know about Nixon. Your child is probably in college now. My pencil is worn down to a nub. I will write my last column this spring. New aspirants contact John Graf or me. The only constant in life is change. It's time to make a change here.
20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
