1943

I promised some statistics on our class in last month's column so here goes: 654 men matriculated in the fall of 1939. Four hundred twenty-seven of us graduated not all at one time. Unfortunately college records are not much help in this regard one inquiry produced the crazy figure of five as the number graduated in December '42! The combined educated guess of Charlie Donovan,George Munroe, Bing Donaldson, and your scribe is that 60 to 70 percent (250-300) graduated that December. Munroe, who had missed the summer semester, was on campus the winter of'42-'43 along with JimOlsen and Stan Skaug, keeping Ozzie Cowles happy with another sterling basketball team, while Donaldson, who had graduated in December, was on scene awaiting military orders.

Their recollections of '43s graduating in spring '43 are pretty hazy your guess would be as good as theirs. The Alumni Records Office cannot unscramble the egg, which of course also includes some who graduated after the war. Other statistics: as of February 10, 1999 (assuming there are no new obits in the mail) living class members (not graduates) total 391, plus our two adoptees, Nancy Elliott and Marge Boley. As to the graduate schools, Tuck enrolled 89 of our class and graduate degrees were awarded to 26 in 1946 and later. Thayer enrolled 15 '43s and granted 12 graduate degrees. Tuck/Thayer enrollees were ten, graduate degrees were awarded to two the distinguished duo: Howie Geer and Fred Geller. The latter didn't graduate until '48, as Tuck/Thayer was an after-the-war decision by Fritz. Medical School enrollees number 25, and 24 graduated.

Except for the Army Air Corps, I was unable to obtain any meaningful military service figures including casualties, although we do know 22 classmates died during WWII years. Thanks to a book written by a '46 who was a member of the Dartmouth Army Air Squadron, I can report there were 11 '43 s in that squadron of 45 men. Two died ArtStein during pilot training, and LarnedWaterman much later in 1983. The remaining nine are still alive as of this writing: Bortz, Breed, Brooks, John Cook, Harrigan, Miskell, Neisloss, John Robinson, and William Stein. One final statistic on the grim side 22 classmates have died over the past year.

The Cape Cod '43 contingent has in recent years held a June mini-reunion luncheon. The late Binney Tower started the custom, I believe, and Chan Stevens continued the practice. Chan's illness and our Hanover 55 th led to a decision to finesse the gathering last June. I'm happy to report, with Amy Stevens' help, we are going to resume the event this year. The date: Thursday, June 17, at Old Sea Pines Inn, Brewster. A mailing with specifics will go out to N.E. area alumni but if any '43s traveling or vacationing are in the area, you are invited to attend, but please call me a day or two in advance as reservations are necessary. Old Sea Pines is located on Route 6A you can't miss it!

In a brief phone conversation with his wife, Phyllis, I learned that Jug O'Connor joined the stroke victim club last June but is coping as well as can be expected.

Four deaths to report Neal Tyler, JohnConn, and Al LeMarbre in January and Wes Dunaway last September. Our condolences to their families. Stay well!

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