1951

We are indebted to the Dartmouth Medical School alum ninews for a report on Howard Pearson. While he has been a fixture at Yale Medical School for 30 years, specializing in pediatrics, hematology, and oncology, Howard's unique monument is a summer camp. Ten years ago, just as he was concluding 13 years as chairman of pediatrics, Howard was approached by actor (and Yale drama graduate) Paul Newman and pressed into implementing Newman's intense desire to open a summer camp for children with cancer. Newman put up $10 million of his own money, raised additional bundles from others, and specified that it be called the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (after the outlaw gang in his 1969 hit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid).

Howard signed on as medical director, labored personally through the planning, and a short 18 months later saw the opening of what he calls "the Taj Mahal of summer camps" on 300 acres in Ashford, Conn, (near Sturbridge, Mass.). It has a 47-acre pond, 35 buildings, a theater, one staff member for every two campers, and an infirmary where even chemotherapy is available. At all times there are five nurses and two doctors, one of whom is usually Howard, still medical director after 11 summer sessions.

Newman's prodigious fund-raising efforts have insured that the 125 children from around the Northeast admitted each summer attend without cost. There are sessions for those with cancer and blood maladies, two for those with HIV, and one for New York City youngsters with sicklecell anemia. A separate session is held for healthy siblings of the afflicted campers, whom Howard feels need more attention because their parents are so naturally absorbed with concern for the child who is ill. Howard "is modest and informal, but he is the camp. He has made it what it is, enabled a lot of kids to come here who could never go to any other camp, and kept it fun," one of the nurses told the DMS news.

50 Years Ago: Brooks Dodge wins the slalom, pacing Dartmouth skiers to victory in the 1949 Winter Carnival meet. FrankBruch sets a new Dartmouth record and Brown pool record-winning 200-yard breaststroke at Providence. Basketballer Bob Hustek gets his first start, against Army at West Point, ices a 61-58 victory with the final basket in double overtime. Business manager Dave Skinner announces the 1949 Aegis will cost $7.50 per copy.

With the death of Al Mori last Nov. 12 our class lost a fine leader, and we all lost a good friend. At least 35 classmates and spouses attended the sweet memorial service at the picturesque Baptist Church in Etna. Speakers included Henry Nachman and Al LeClair, both briefly eloquent. Another of our Hanover retirees, HowardRead, passed away Oct. 28. Because he was a passionate lifelong Chubber, close friends and family will gather this spring to leave his ashes on Mt. Moosilauke. Obituaries will follow.

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