Class Notes

1951

January 1996 Bill Brooks
Class Notes
1951
January 1996 Bill Brooks

In a race against the DAM deadline there is just time for a few notes about our small get-together following the Yale game. Six Connecticut couples joined Skip and me at the Madison Winter Club for a buffet supper. Margaret and Mark Cole were there. Mark is the recently elected president of the Bridgeport Alumni Club. Kathy and Bob Hustek, just back from a coastal cruise up to Nova Scotia, discussed some the "political" difficulties surrounding class projects. Shirley and Hank Sanders were in from Darien, where he is again running for first selectman. Hank regrets that the demands of his job stand in the way of being more attentive to his other first love, the College. Gebby and Sandy McDonald are preparing for full retirement at the turn of the year. And Joan and Bob Hopkins had the pleasure of checking on the progress of daughter Tina's historic house in Madison as it undergoes major rehabilitation. Of the seven couples, five would regroup the following week for Dartmouth Night festivities in Hanover.

Pete Bogardus is talking to many of you about his new "1951 Club." 1 his involves splitting your 1951 gift to the 45th Reunion between 1995 and 1996 and simultaneously making yourself eligible for an as-yet-not-quite-defined bonus prize. Peter's fertile mind is churning and participants will likely find themselves in line for an exciting reward beyond the simple joy of giving to Dartmouth. (Hint: It could involve travel.) Peter will spell it out for you if you call him at (800) 247-7834-before he calls you!

In its July 1961 edition, this magazine included retiring class Chairman GaryMansur's write up after our 10th Reunion. Two hundred twenty-five classmates and wives returned, staying in Ripley, Woodward, and Smith. A few single rooms were given to recently married couples. Reacting to those heartless room assignments, someone observed that "love will find a way."

Green weatherized soft hats had' been issued to the men. The ladies wore white and green crew hats. A few senior blazers not yet devoured by moths appeared. [Your scribe inquires: "Where did mine go? Did I ever, in fact, own one?"] Suds Bissell brought news of a new job in Boston's financial community [apparently that worked out]. Al Karcher called plays in some filmed moments of final '51 football games. Dave Wiggins was assigned to piano duty at 4 a.m. Friday night/Saturday morning.

Rabbi Bill Leffler conducted a memorial service embracing seven classmates. (He'll be honoring a far longer list, alas, next spring.) Herb Knight was elected chairman and Russ Dilks, secretary. Honored guests at the Saturday cocktail party on the Psi U lawn included Tuck School Dean Karl Hill and the Glee Club's Paul Zeller. "Tuss" McLaughry was present, surrounded by his boys, Suds Bissel, Bob Dore, Ted Eberle, Bob McCraney,Dave McDonough, Dick McFarland,Parke Sickler and Craig Murphy.

At the banquet which followed, Al Karcher introduced all the bachelors and then singled out Bob Tomfohrde and Bob Hirschman for the greatest distance traveled to be there (California and Germany, respectively). Sunday morning, Karcher reappeared in a polo player's ensemble. So ended the Tenth.

This is all just a subtle reminder of the joyous memories that reunions provoke. Next June 10-13 th, at our 45th, many of the names evoked above will be back yet again. A few won't. You've received the first official mailing from John Clayton and Dick Price. Start connecting with your old pals now and plan to meet them in Hanover for this splendid event.

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