1962

Do you know why 2002 and 2003 have a special meaning for us? During these years most '62s are 62, an age when many of us have retired or are planning on it. Not so for Jim Morse. The Champlain Business Journal of Rutland, Vermont, recounts much of Jims career. He enrolled in Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, after graduating from Dartmouth. The Navy needed someone to fill a vacant slot of legal officer on a destroyer and Jim was chosen. "That was my first real introduction to law and I found it extremely fascinating," explained Jim.After his Navy tour, Jim attended Boston University Law School, earning his J.D. in 1969. He was a clerk for a judge on the Second Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals, a member of a Burlington law firm, a Vermont assistant attorney general and then a public defender in Chittenden County, Vermont. He became defender general for the state for five years and then served seven years as a Superior Court judge. In 1988 Jim was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court and there he served ably until early this year, when he decided to step down but not to retire. He became commissioner of Vermont's Social and Rehabilitation Services—"arguably the toughest job in state government," opined the Rutland Herald. Jim explained that he had been deeply involved in the juvenile justice system over the years and now looks forward to the huge challenge in this important post.

Jack Unger retired from the bench as a probate judge in Antrim County, Michigan, several years ago. Jack graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1965, worked with a Detroit bank trust department and then for different law firms in Detroit. In 1976 Jack was elected Antrim County probate judge, a position he held until 2000. Over the years Jack would volunteer his legal services at a nearby senior center once a week. Recently, though, the call of legal practice brought Jack out of retirement. He joined with two others to form the firm Unger, Garratt and Bachand in Bellaire, Michigan.

Dan Hummel hasn't retired either, although we can't exactly describe his "job." Many of us were lucky enough to visit Dan in July 1999 at the stone cottage that he crafted on a ruggedly beautiful tract of land overlooking Ireland's Bantry Bay. Dan writes, "I sometimes feel overwhelmed with interesting opportunities in beautiful places. The Irish adventure that began in 1978 or 1962 hasn't finished yet, but has slipped into second place behind China,especially Dali in Yunnan." Dan explains that he has made three extended visits to that area. This year he took a notion and, with partner Mel/Liping, invested in a guesthouse and garden cafe—Higherland Inn—high in the mountains above Dali.

It is great to hear from "Men Our Age" who don't quit: '62s who are 62—finest kind.

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