1952

John Rosenwald is soon to step down as chair of the Dartmouth Trustees. He has presided over a period of growth and change and strength and deserves the thanks of the College and its sons and daughters. His legendary sense of humor has helped him lead the board. He is genuinely funny and genuinely compassionate. When Alan Reich was first hospitalized, John came in to feed him. He gave Alan much encouragement. He urged him to drive a car over the objection of the rehabilitation experts. Alan's first exit from the hospital saw John pushing the wheelchair through the streets of Manhattan. A year ago, John was named Philanthropist of the Year by the National Organization on Disability. Alan introduced John and told this story: "He insisted on pushing me across the stage to receive an honorary doctorate degree at a recent Dartmouth commencement. John is a giant in most respects but he is not the tallest iii physical stature. His head tipped my mortar board forward so I could not see the president while accepting the degree. Because John could not see over my head, he pushed the wheelchair despite my best efforts to hold it back so the left front wheel dangled over the stage. I came very close to rolling off in the lap of a very anxious valedictorian in the first row below." When Alan finished, John strolled to the podium, embraced his introducer, and pushed him forward to the front of the stage with the front wheel of the wheelchair poised precariously at the edge before the surprised and then amused audience.

Kent Calhoun sent an account of a retirement tribute to John Brower. John was with Ryerson Division of Inland Steel for 41 years, culminating as general manager of the Minneapolis plant for 25 of those years. Running a steel plant in today's market with heavy competition from overseas is not a stroll in the park. John had to adapt to many changes which he viewed as positive and motivational. "I look for ways to use change to our advantage and make it invigorating," he said. His plant was second in the Ryerson firmament in sales volume and contribution to the company. Jack Foster, a former president of Ryerson who attended the tribute, calls John "a respected manager, a dogged fighter for what was needed, a proven people developer, and an effective salesman." John and his wife, Jan, are not leaving Minneapolis with their friends and community interests.

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