1950

Hey, all you old, single guys! There is still hope! Joe Gilchrist wrote from San Mateo, Calif., "I was married September 14 to a lovely (naturally) lady Gerry. She is Coordinator for Art at Stanford. I plan to retire from my part-time retirement job at the end of the year (1990). Gerry will retire in March. We'll start traveling, first in France and England."

Nev Chamberlain says he and Randi are having no trouble becoming accustomed to life in Vero Beach, their new retirement home. "Sometimes when the temperature falls into the high 60s and we're in long trousers, it gets a bit tough but then someone has to deal with adversity."

Three months after the death of my wife Biz, I write the following in hopes that it may be of help to some who have lost or will lose a love. As we go through life, we may sometimes think that we are alone, or that few people notice or care for us. The outpouring of notes from classmates and others about our dear Biz's life and death tell me otherwise. Our five children and I have always known that she was a unique and wondrous piece of work, but your words of sympathy, loss, praise and love for her remind us that she was not ours alone. She made an impact on all whom she touched, and your notes tell us she touched many.

We miss her dreadfully. But our grief is tempered by our gratitude for her unique and powerful life, for our having been intimately involved with her, and for the quiet, peaceful way in which she slept away, without fear, pain or even awareness. She was among the first Dartmouth women, having married me at the beginning of my junior year after dating another Dartmouth man for a year and me for a year. Our first son was born at Mary Hitchcock in March 1950. She came to every five-year reunion. She loved Dartmouth as I do. She loved '50 and being with you guys and your ladies. Your letters say that many of you loved her and me. I am overwhelmed and grateful for your love and support.

Now we join the myriads who have loved and lost and grieved. We cannot help feeling sorry for ourselves and for our loved ones who will no longer revel in our children and grandchildren and dear friends and all the other joys of life which God has given us. But isn't it more worthy of them if we rejoice and give thanks for the moments and years we were privileged to share with them? God owes us nothing, and none of us deserves the glory of a day or the mystery of a night or the love that He and others have showered on us. These are gifts from God's bounteous grace and goodness. Remembering this, and saying thank you truly helps to relieve my grief, and frees me to live as Biz, on many occasions, reminded me to do! I hope it might help you too. And do please pray for those who are suffering and dying slowly, and for those who love and care for them.

1704 N. Park Drive #201, Wilmington, DE 19806