1957

Ted Spetnagel is upset about the residential life announcement from the Trustees, and not just about the firestorm of misleading publicity. He is worried, first, that the administration's ultimate plan is to close down the fraternity-sorority system entirely as a way to end the housing shortage. Second, he feels that there wasn't enough consultation with interested parties before the announcement, and is worried that there won't be enough as the plans are carried out.

Bob Baehr wrote: "The proposed reformation of the fraternity system is marvelous news. If accomplished, this will make Dartmouth much stronger. I admire what I presume to be President Wright's initiative, and the courage it takes to advance it during his first year in office."

Gordie Derzon will retire soon after 25 years as chief executive officer of the University of Wisconsin's Hospital and Clinics. Their daughter, Dartmouth '86, is in Boston, and son, a Denison University graduate, is in Columbus, Ohio. Even so, Gordon and Gail will stay in Madison, where he is on several boards, including Hospice and the area's technical college.

Multi-mission hospitals those with commitments to research and teaching as well as patient care have a hard time competing for private dollars with community hospitals. Furthermore, insurance plans aren't interested in paying for the full range of public services they provide. Gordie also observes that today's healthcare environment, with its emphasis on the bottom line, "doesn't always bring out the best in people."

Erv Philipps, distinguished radiologist, also looks forward to retiring soon. He sees Lee Mann now and then. Erv and Liz are both licensed pilots who fly to visit children whenever they can get away from busy lives in Albany.

Dick Burch has joined the class e-list. He and Sue were at the delicious dinner and warm reunion Tom Schwarz and Susan arranged at New York City's Yale Club in January. Dick has retired after 34 years with Newsweek. He is teaching business ethics at Fairfield University in Connecticut, among other courses. "The pay works out to something significantly less than minimum wage when you take in all the prep time," he writes, "but it adds up to a wonderfully rewarding second career."

Almost across the table was DickDuncan, who retired from Time and is now providing content for interactive media. He and Cherie spend time in New Mexico and on Martha's Vineyard.

Others from out of state included Charlie Sellman, in from New Jersey with Carol, his fiancee. Charlie wondered what Sam Bartlett is up to. Perk and Dick Canton were up from Florida (also visiting a daughter in New York). Ann and Bill Edgerton, from Connecticut, were headed for Naples, Fla., to caddy at the '57 golf outing in March. Bob Marchant, also from Connecticut, remembering purchases for reunion, spoke well of Springfield, Mass., spirits merchants.

Fellow New Yorkers included Liz and Kwanha Yim. He has told Manhattanville College that he plans to teach until he's 80 and then take early retirement. Unfortunately, I barely said "hello," after too many years, to Arlene and HarveyEpstein from Atlantic Beach, NY., so I can't say anything about their current ventures.

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