1959

Happy springtime! Happy Alumni Fund! Don't forget to dig deep! My mail is still very sparse; however, after our recent class officers' meeting and our "major appeal," I know you will provide me with the fodder to put together an interesting column. Don't be humble I want to hear from you.

I recently heard from Michael Stern, who is living in New York City. He advises me that "middle age" (53 is middle age?) anxiety has affected one 's9er. He is part of a Dartmouth team which competed in the Tri-Elethon triathlon in Ketchum, Idaho, and included Bob Linden '55, the coach, and Michael's daughter Ricki Stern '87, the support crew. Keep up the activity you look fit.

Now to Richard Watson, about whom we learned through an article in the Keene Sentinel. After Dartmouth he ran a successful insurance business in Connecticut until the late 1970s, when he had a major life change. Richard became a "born-again Christian," sold the family business, and attended GordonConwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. While in the seminary, he spent a summer in Calcutta, India, with Mother Theresa's followers as a volunteer working in a home for the dying.

Upon graduation he became an Episcopalian Minister and then received a "normal" assignment to Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, to do more missionary work for the Anglican diocese and to be the bishop's "right hand man." The diocese had two main missions along the border with Mozambique. Richard reported there were times when he couldn't travel the road to the missions, as killings, house burnings, thefts, and kidnappings were very common. He originally planned to stay for one year; however, his stint lasted five years despite the war-like conditions.

Richard married Susan during his African sojourn and they have now returned to Keene, N.H., where he has assumed the position of executive director of Monadnock-Area Pastoral Counseling Service Inc. He is also a nonpaid member of the clergy of St. James Episcopal Church.

Richard has also had a dramatic effect on his classmate Lou Parker, who has also become a born-again Christian. Richard, you have really led a meaningful life.

I did hear from one regional chairman, thank you Jim Lust! Jim advises, "I am safely ensconced in beautiful 'Dances With Wolves' country. I have automotive dealerships in South Dakota and Oregon, and motel interests in four states and British Columbia. My dad always wondered what I would do with my history degree.

"The long, spiritual arm of Dartmouth found me, my son David '90 and daughter Karen '85 all making the trek to the Hanover plain. Karen nurtured our Dartmouth ties by marrying Jay McLaughlin '85, son of David McLaughlin '54." Thanks, Jim, for the update.

See you in the summer issue. Don't forget the Alumni Fund!

Huffy Corp., P.O. Box 1204, Dayton, OH 45401