1962

It was a magnificent 40th reunion. On Monday, June 10, 269 classmates, wives and guests streamed to Hanover from around the earth, including special guests Anne Evans'and Diane Morton. Monday evening we gathered at the Bema for a reception and dinner. At 8 there was a terrific concert at Spaulding Auditorium in the Hopkins Center featuring the University Chorus of the Upper Valley, augmented by some broken-down Glee Club alums. Then it was back to the class tent on East Wheelock Street near Alumni Gym for mellow music and recollections.

Tuesday morning the skies were unsettled. We convened again at Spaulding, along with the classes of' 42, '47, '52 and '57, to hear what President James Wright had to say. As expected, he spoke well. The president was alert, fast on his feet, and forceful. Although some of my friends will disagree, I think we have a winner here. (I just don't understand why the cost of a Dartmouth education—along with that of our rivals—has to go up multiples of the rate of inflation since 1962. Somehow the college tuition race seems to have replaced the arms race of the sixties and seventies.)

The weather forecast was back and forth at midday. Our expert reunion chair Bill Pierce made the correct call and moved the steel band and barbecue from the Canoe Club into the protective covering of Leede Arena for luncheon on Tuesday. The afternoon was free forwalking, talking, sipping a beer at the class tent and visiting with friends.

Tuesday evening brought a memorable

evening at the Dartmouth Outing Club. The skies were glowering but turned out to be friendly. The Aires were perfect. We had a sumptuous clambake, complete with steamers, corn, lobster and a murderous ice cream dessert. Whitey Burnham filled in for Thad Seymour, who had to cancel because of urgent family matters. In addition to being a three-sport coach for about three decades Whitey is an accomplished singer and raconteur.

It was rainy on Wednesday morning for a very special memorial service at the Stephen Roth center. Officiating were the Rev. Tom Grey and Rabbi Edward Boraz. Assisting were accomplished pianist Judy Aydelott, Tom Komarek, Bob Brodkey, Woody Bradford and Ben Vogel. The rains were torrential as we gathered at Silsby Hall for our class meeting a short time later, but spirits were high as we elected John Walters, Al Rapaport, Charlie Baich, Woody Chittick, Dan Tompkins and Al Huck to be president, vice president, treasurer, mini-reunions, Webmaster and newsletter editor, respectively. Stepping down are Charlie Giersch, president, and Gordy McKean, mini-reunions. Doug MacPhail and John Schiffman agreed to be class head agents. Special thanks to Pat McKean, who, together with Gordy, has worked so hard for the class over several decades! Oh, yes. Your feckless secretary was reinstalled for another five years.

A perfect Wednesday evening at the McLane Family Lodge highlighted by another spectacular slide and sound show by Ross Burkhardt capped the festivities.

11 Sunset Road, Salem, MA01970; (978) 744-0655; rjhannah@massmed.org