1940

The Congregational Church of Webster, N.H., was packed with friends, neighbors, relatives and classmates to celebrate the life of Bob Austin, who died on March 19. Those present included Lloyd and Peg Blanchard, Joe Burnett, Bill and Mona Mercer, Ted and Tweedy Miller, Jack and Lee O'Shea, Beezie and Ruth Smallwood, Nick and Betty Turkevich and Stet Whitcher. Beezie Smallwood was trapped for nine days in the Carolina mountains by the blizzard of' 93 but returned to New Hampshire just in time for Bob Austin's service. The music was most appropriate according to Beezie. The Lord's Prayer was sung by Bob's barbershop group, and a there was a trumpet benediction by his son-in-law.

Tag Tatgenhorst comments that living in a remote area of Kentucky brought him to feel a special kinship with Bob Austin, whose newsletters contained such humorous and fascinating observations on life in rural New England. Chal Carothers writes that he regrets that he never fully expressed to Bob his appreciation of the wonderful newsletters which he read and reread. "More than any of us, he set a watch, lest old traditions fail. The newsletters had the magic quality of making me feel a continuing part of the priceless fellowship of the class and of the College."

At a class officers meeting in May we decided to establish a fond in Bob Austin's name to assist a student intern to work in the College office where the newsletters are produced. Chap Wentworth, who began his long friendship with Bob Austin during their boyhood in Wellesley, has graciously consented to take over the editorship of the class newsletter.

Those who want to join us at Lyme for the Holy Cross weekend September 25 should contact Bill Halsey (802) 785-4978.

P.O. Box 10, South Orleans, MA 02662