1952

Impossible as it may seem, this is the last letter before our reunion on June 7-9. The whole idea of 50 years leaves me breathless. The next letter will arrive after reunion. This letter has some observations and heartfelt thank-yous for giving me this wonderful job.

We are an interesting group, generating lots to write. The scope of things we are doing in retirement is if anything broader than our working lives. And some of us have found second jobs: usually a suppressed interest of long standing. Take, for example, one of my favorite subjects, Julian Robinson, who had a successful professional life in teaching and government and retired to Marthas Vineyard to photograph birds and animals. He recently won two first place awards for a photo of four chicks lined up with their mouths open waiting for mom titled "Me, Mom, Me," and another of a cow licking her calf. I never tire of hearing from Don Myers, who lives with great gusto between St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and Arlington, Massachusetts, practicing dentistry, sailing a boat and giving the College adminis-tration what-for in full voice when he feels it necessary. So many interesting people. So many stories. Such fun.

Then there are the obituaries: our farewell to classmates who will not be at our 50 th. We have had a large number of class deaths recently and the obits are a bit behind. Some rush right on the page, like Tom Steck's; some, like Roger Branigin's, take re-writing and sitting and writing again. In some cases the needed background information forwarded by the College is slim indeed. In the case of Slade Sibley, it said only that he was injured in a plane crash in the Korean War. It took some phone calls to find that although he had never worked, he married a widow and supported her children, who loved him very much, and mourned his passing. Spouses don't qualify for official obits, but are no less missed. Take for example the recent passing of Ed Finerty's wife, Peg, who was a big part of our class family and a partner in every sense to Ed.

Ray Buck with his newsletter has been the best colleague a secretary could have, giving me many leads and much information and advice. John North has been a friend, confidante, supporter and advisor and a super president. Larry Noling has been an appropriately invisible treasurer, like Lou Zehner before him. Our class agents Jim Churchill and Ev Parker, our bequester Angus Russell and our mini-reunion chairman Vic Trautwein have set new records with their work. Steve Mandel has done wonders in fundraising for the College.

The thanks should extend to Loye Miller '51, Bill Brooks '51, Bob Conn '61 and Jeanhee Kim '90, secretaries of their classes, for their support. Finally, no secretary's closing grace should omit mention of one of Dartmouth's busiest sisters. Theresa D'Orsi of the Alumni Magazine edits the secretaries' letters and obits and saves the occasional secretary from memory lapse to preserve his perfect record. The College should coin a medal for her.

Box 8, Scottsville, NY 14546;(585) 889-3000; (585) 889-3044 (fax); henryww @alum.dartmouth.org

REUNION June 7-9 2002