1951

Technically, tie word in Great Falls, Mont., is that Bill Macfedden is retired, after about 45 years as a stockbroker/financial adviser. But that statement is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize in fiction, as anyone even vaguely familiar with Eagle Mount can tell you. Eagle Mount is a non-profit (distinctly "non") beehive of an enterprise dedicated to providing recreational and therapeutic opportunities for people with disabilities. From modest basement rooms in a commercial strip neighborhood, Eagle Mount's cadre of more than 200 volunteers generates a furious round of activities for about 300 clients, year in and year out. There are eight paid employees, but the general manager, our man Macfadden, is number one volunteer. "We do our best to help disabled people get out and around and enjoy recreation like anyone else. We take them skiing, rafting, horseback riding, swimming, ice skating...you name it," says Bill. Individual contributions are lifeblood to the operation, so in addition to managing with the expertise from decades of running a major business, Bill also steadily drums up donations through an intriguing arrangement. For a substantive contribution to Eagle Mount, the donor can receive pro bono the high caliber Macfadden financial advice that people used to pay him for. This is only the latest of a thousand benefits Great Falls has reaped from Bill's love affair with the Treasure State, dating back to his high school days "I worked a summer in a logging camp near White Sulfur Springs, and decided right then that, whatever I did with my life, I was going to do it in Montana." Dartmouth came next, with great times in varsity hockey, followed by duty as a marine first lieutenant in Korea. In 1955 he made it back to Montana, met and married Joan-Nell, and soon was managing his investment company. The list of his tides in volunteer community activities (Rotary, YMCA, school board) over the years would fill a book. Of them all, Eagle Mount must indeed be the pinnacle.

Like many in our class, Frank Bruch thrived on sports, starring in the breaststroke on the swimming team and playing a supporting role in soccer. Medical school and the usual ensuing clinical practice took him far afield, but he eventually sculpted his career path to lead on back to college athletics. With next year's millenium he will round out 20 years as head of Middlebury's sports medicine department physician to all the teams a job he clearly loves. "The night before a big hockey game, my wife sends me into the other bedroom because my tossing keeps her awake," he says. "Most doctors spend years trying to get away from working nights and weekends. Here I'm at it plenty of nights and weekends home games and some road trips." Frank and the trainers and therapists on his staff minister to the 700 or so student athletes, and provide physical therapy for all 1,700 students. "It's still fun," he says. "I feel like I could do it another 25 or 50 years."

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Frank Bruch catches Middlebury's games as Head of the sports medicine department. LOYE MILLER '51