1965

We left off as we were making our class surge. President Waterhouse was supported by Jim Scott, Jock Hosmer, Rex Roberts, Bob McConnaughey. Secretary Dick Avery noted in 1977: "We're achieving new career heights." Between 1975 and 1980 some rose to VPs or were appointed to supervisory boards and committees. Many founded companies, became partners, began new ventures. Others changed jobs or careers; no coincidence the most discussed book at minis was "Passages."

Dick Lochridge and Jock Hosmer split the presidency in the early 1980s, helped by Bob Blake, Dennis Purnell, Bill Webster and Jack Heidbrink. Our alumni giving rose toward $100,000 Many became active in social activities and community service as well as Little League, soccer coaching and Scouts. Many of our offspring started coming to minis; sometimes outnumbering adults.

The first mini-reunion at Pierce's Inn was held in 1980, in what secretary Jack Heidbrink understatedly hoped "will begin a tradition of fall reunions." Has it ever! Our 26th consecutive at Pierces will be October 21-23.

As well as autumn minis, we've held ski Minis at Vail, and out-of-Hanover minis in Bermuda, northern California, Hong Kong, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. There've been golf and other get-togethers, and the widely attended annual class officers meetings at Webster's in Connecticut late each June. We celebrated our 50th birthday in Washington, D.C., in 1993 and our 60th in Hanover.

For the latter 1980s Bill Webster led us, assisted by Bruce Jolly, Jim Frank, Tim McLaughlin, Bruce Wagner and Ted Atkinson. The most notable "passage" was some of us remarried. Undaunted, we continued to give; in 1990 donated more than $1,250,000, the fourth highest total ever by any class! This era culminated in our largest reunion turnout: 171 at No. 25.

In the early 1990s Al Zern led us, assisted by Steve Waterhouse, Ted Bracken, Jim Griffiths and Bruce Jolly. Jack Heidbrink returned as secretary. By 1992 wed spawned 48 student legacies. Another notable that year was everyone stopped writing; since, most communications have come electronically.

In 1995 Jim Griffiths took the helm, supported by Dick Bordeau, Hank Amon and Ted Bracken. Our class received a Special Recognition Award "because of longtime dedication to Dartmouth College."

In 2000 HankAmon took over as president, aided by Steve Fowler, Ed Keible, Bob Murphy and myself Since, the class continued to be active, generous and engaged. We've been awarded still more citations and honors.

Some landmarks: 1969—Clancy Hatleberg was the swimmer who opened the hatch for the returning Apollo 11 astronauts. 1974—Mike Phillips produced The Sting. 1982—Peter Caldwell started a small company to develop something called a "mini-computer." (Too bad that idea never went big!)

We've hobnobbed with the rich and famous. Bruce Wagner helped run President Ford's campaign, George Rutler has several times hosted the Bush family in Texas, and Rich Bloch was the arbitratorwho assessed Ricky Williams more than $8 million for leaving the Dolphins lastyear. Some individual awards: Rick Mahoney was 1973 Secretary of the Year in 1973; Steve Waterhouse, 1977 Class Agent of the Year; and Dave Weber, a trustee of Dartmouth. Steve Waterhouse, Al Zern, Bill Webster, Hank Amon, Sin-Sing Chiu, Bob Blake, and Jim Griffiths have won the distinguished Dartmouth Alumni Award.

We sure have come a long way since our comtribution being "zero" haven't we?