1954

This column, my first, is dedicated to the memory of my friend and predecessor as class secretary, Bryce Bastian, who died on June 9 (see obituary). I visited with Bryce about a week before he passed away at the Calvary Hospice. His room was full of cards and notes and he made special mention of how much it meant to him to have received words of good cheer from so many friends and classmates. A lovely memorial service for Bryce was held in New York City at the Penn Club on August 12. Pete Barker, Dick David off, Jay and Martha Davis, Dave Martin and I attended. The class extends its condolences to Sue and their children Christopher James and Maribel Bastian Sandoski '96.

Honoring Dave McLaughlin, dedication of the McLaughlin Cluster of new undergraduate residence halls took place in Hanover September 19. Thanks to Jerry Goldstein's generous contribution, Goldstein Hall is a prominent cluster member and a wonderful bust of Dave is appropriately displayed in its entryway.

Don and Sheila Belcher report they had a great visit with Bayard and Jane Johnson in Pittsburgh. Don writes: "Bayard is doingwell despite several hip surgeries (John Heston and others should form an association) and some limitation due to pulmonary fibrosis. Bayard is as resilient and funny as ever. When I asked our former football captain how he came to Hanover instead of Ann Arbor, he replied: 'Michigan and Dartmouth fought over me. Michigan won.'"

This years '54 biennial international travel, organized by Don Berlin and John Fenn, broke with tradition and took to land after two previous successful voyages by chartered ship. Itinerary included the Dordogne and Provence. Joining Don and John, and of course their lovely wives, Barbara and Natalie, were Harry and Carol Robinson, Mort and Judy Galper, Hugh and Debby Nolin, Bob and Kit Dean, GaryZwart and Cynthia Sunderland, Stu and Sandy Roth and Yngvar Hvistendahl. Kudos to Don and John for continuing to put together terrific "staying connected" trips. Stay tuned for announcement of 2008 excursion!

Perry Davis recently saw Pete Barker on the boards and comments: "Pete has fine stage presence, and has honed his acting talents well."

Rip Coffin, in an interregnum between radiation and chemo, feels better and plans to make Homecoming. Rip reports that Paul Dabney has joined countless classmates with back and leg problems and may require hip surgery.

Pete Kenyon, class project coordinator, reports '54 has made its first annual $1,000 gift to Dartmouths Rockefeller Center Civics Training Program, helping to provide participating students with real public policy/affairs training. A contribution to the Athletic Sponsor Program facilitated the campus-recruiting trip of Nicole Yee '10. Nicole will likely be seen snagging deep fly balls to left field on the women's softball team and thanks the class for funding her trip. She writes: "I cannot wait to arrive in Hanover in the fall to be part of the softball program and the welcoming Dartmouth community. Go big green!"

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