“I Could Have Danced All Night...”
Arguably the best physical specimen in the class of 1935, Earl Arthurs has found a way to enjoy retirement that arouses envy in the hearts of more than a few of his classmates. He's a professional host on cruise ships, dancing the night away and getting feature articles written about him. One was headed "Waltzing Host Makes A Splash With Dance Partners."
After semi-retirement from his insurance and pension-planning consultancy and the loss of his wife, Earl went solo on a world cruise, in the course of which his ballroom dancing expertise placed him in constant demand among the unattached women on board. One asked if he were a professional host, which, he learned from cruise personnel, is a routine occurrence on cruise lines personable men employed to provide stritly platonic companionship.
When Earl considered that he could get gratis essentially the same thing as he was paying thousands of dollar for, he decided to apply. Ten minutes into his first interview he was asked, "Could you leave in ten days for five weeks?" Without a moment's hesitation he responded, "I'm ready!" Since that time he has made more than 48 voyages and visited 60 countries.
As a host he is available for paddle tennis, skeet shooting, cards, afternoons at the pool, dinner companionship, and, of course, dancing. Because he's savvy on business matters, tells a good story, and appreciates art, good food, and good music, he is ideally qualified. Moreover, he's as physically fit as much younger men. He walks three miles a day, skiis whenever possible, and recently returned from a 1,200-mile African safari, camping out and photographing animals. Several years ago on an Outward Bound survival trip he met the well-known feminist author Betty Friedan. She found him a fascinating subject for a portion of the book she is writing on the geriatric generation, and they have become good friends.
At College Earl Arthurs played varsity football, was an Alpha Delt, and majored in economics. After several sales positions he became a general agent in the insurance business, then opened his own office as a pension consultant. He still spends several weeks a year teaching the use of computer programs for pension planning and administration.
His home base is Charlotte, N.C., where he has an active social life, instructs illiterates in reading, and enjoys his role as father and grandfather to three children and five grandchildren.
Earl Arthurs '35 dances with cruise guest aboard the Royal Odyssey.
