1945

As some 180 '45s and 170 spouses and guests know so well, '45's 50th Reunion was classy, friendly, entertaining, emotional, rewarding, satisfying, and memorable. The leadership and literally years of effort by George and Betsy Barr made it possible. George will tell you he had lots of help from Cliff Jordan, Bud Elder, Nick Sandoe, and many others. But it was George who was the chairman, who wrote the newsletters, who compiled and edited the great yearbook, and who rehearsed and conducted the "Friends of George" Upper Valley Chorus that sang at the class banquet. George has been Mr. Class Cohesion since he took over as newsletter editor in 1979. Pleased we are to know that George will continue to produce his stimulating journal of fact and opinion.

Additional class officers continuing in positions they have served so well are Johnny Osborn as treasurer, Bob Pease as head class agent, and Ted Smith as necrologist. JohnWhite is joined by Steve Hull, so we have two bequest chairmen. Replacing Steve as president is the eminent (and rare) Massachusetts Republican politician, Moe Frye Supporting Moe is Bob Aldom as vice president. John Leggat is the new representative to the Alumni Council. And the new secretary named below has the challenge to try to create copy of the scope and sensitivity of the late "Moose" Rowan.

It was wonderful to see Joan Rowan and daughter Nancy in Hanover. We hope the welcome they received made them glad they came. That goes too for the other class widows present: Elaine (Mrs. James) Andrew,Barbara (Mrs. Roger) Brown, Gertrude(Mrs. William) Butler, Edythe (Mrs.Henry) McClintock Doris (Mrs. Edward)Pirie Sylvia (Mrs. John) Reed, EmmyLou (Mrs. Gordon) Sleeper, Shirley (Mrs.Austin) Wason; and also for Mimi Sommer, sister of David Goldstein. We hope you and others will come to mini-reunions. You are Dartmouth '45s, and the class is especially pleased by your presence.

Reunion impressions: Wonderful cordiality between the '95s and the '45s. Steve Hull worked hard to develop this relationship. It was furthered by John Osborn's presentation of a check for $1,995 to '95 Class President Alyse Kornfeld. During Commencement, each class rose to cheer and applaud the other.

• Singing in the rain: '45s and wives making the echoes ring across the stadium as we waited for the academic procession to begin.

• Special recognition of '45 by both President Freedman and President Clinton. Clinton said, "The class of 1945...did not have a proper commencement because they left right away to finish the work of World War II.... I say to them: The Class of 1995, the generation of your grandchildren, and all of us in between are the children of your sacrifice, and we thank you."

• Unforgettable memorial service conducted by our own Fred Berthold with his heartfelt remembrance and Bud Elder's moving meditation, "In Honor of Those Who Lost Their Lives in War." (The class of '45 lost 24 men, the most of any Dartmouth class.)

• Presentation of the class gift ($520,045.45) by Bob Pease and Bob Fisher, reunion giving chairman, with the gracious acknowledgment of Acting President James Wright. The special contributions of many other classmates remain to be recounted. And awards too. Stay tuned.

Next event: Dick Hinman and HowardHoots are taking over the fall mini from Bob Aldom. A "well-done" for him, and you'll be hearing from H&H. Save September 29-October 1 (Cornell weekend).

Thought for the month: "It [reunion] was a mountaintop experience." - Nick Sandoe

P.O. Box 1317, New London, NH 03257