1955

Dick Blodgett has very kindly sent along a fulsome reportcomposed by him, with the collaboration of Brooks Parker, Lyn Brock and Ralph Sautter of the great class of 1955 mini-reunion held in mid-May in Philadelphia. What follows, somewhat abbreviated, is a direct quote of their most welcome account of a truly outstanding event:

Some SO classmates, many with their ladies, joined Ben Franklin and several of his colleagues for a memorable three-day mini-reunion in Philadelphia organized and hosted by Claudia and Lynnar Brock.

This was the best-attended mini-reunion held by the class so far, and included several classmates whom we had not seen in many years. It was the first mini for Al and Carolyn Murray, who came with Al's physician, neighbor, and our classmate Jerry (and Sandy) Bernstein from Larchmont, N.Y. It was a first also for Sterling Klink, who spent two years with the class in Hanover, returned to graduate in 1959, and now designs and manufactures custom furniture in the Finger Lakes Region near Canandaigua, N.Y. And from Paris, where he has lived for more than 30 years, came Peter and Katia Robinson. They were also attending their daughter's graduation from Penn during the weekend. Another international attendee, John Demas, was able to join us during an unexpected visit to the United States from his home near Geneva, Switzerland.

On our first full day we were conducted on a tour of Independence National Historic Park including the Liberty Bell, Old City Hall, Independence Hall, and the Library and Museum of the American Philosophical Society (APS). This portion of the program was arranged by John Callahan, who is currently a consultant for the APS. After tours to the Athenaeum, Powell House, and Carpenter's Hall, we retired to City Tavern for lunch. Bill Bassett, who had been one of the architects for the reconstruction of City Tavern, described the work he had done on the fireplace surrounds and the annex which houses the kitchen.

That evening at dinner at Old Original Bookbinders we learned from the venerable Dr. Franklin that early that morning he had been surprised to see Bob Fanger and John Dinan in shorts and running shoes in their hotel lobby! We were also updated by soon-to-retire Dartmouth Trustee Joe Mathewson on the current state of affairs on campus (very upbeat) and Stan Bergeman about the Bartlett Tower Society, for those making planned gifts to the College. Gus Aberle took the occasion to announce his engagement to Susan Dicker from Kent, England, who was with him at the reunion.

The next day was filled with tours to the Dupont Winterthur Museum and Gardens near Wilmington. That evening, dinner at the Union League of Philadelphia afforded the opportunity for some well-deserved recognition. Lyn and Claudia Brock were presented with a framed portrait of Franklin, with a note of appreciation for their outstanding arrangements for the reunion signed by all attending classmates. Joe Mathewson was presented with a gift from the class for his ten years service on the Board of Trustees. Also recognized were class Treasurer Ralph Sautter and class President Brooks Parker, and the Robinsons were acknowledged for having come the greatest distance to attend.

During the weekend there was a good chance to renew acquaintances and catch up on what our classmates are doing. Dr. Bob Edwards, a surgeon with a practice in Auburn, Ind., plans to retire at the end of the year, and has absolutely no thoughts about what comes next. I think his wife, "G," has some things in mind. Joe Mathewson is now teaching graduate-level courses in commercial and financial journalism at Northwestern. Jack Doyle has found another bank in the Boston area that needs his expert attention. And Frank Chase's wife, Carole, will join him in retirement at the end of the school year.

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