1944

Working on the article in the last issue about the '44 Place and the Hier Alcove brought back memories of Fritz Hier and how much he meant to our class.

Following graduation from Dartmouth, Fritz worked overseas with the United Nations, Radio Free Europe, International Rescue Committee and the U.S. Information Service. During this time he received civic honors in Berlin and Tubingen, Germany, and a Civilian Service Medal during Vietnam.

After 18 years abroad he returned to the United States and settled in his beloved Cornish Flat home. From then on he devoted himself to the college and the class. He became the director of public programs for Dartmouth. While working, enjoying time with his family, hiking, cross-country skiing and running his tree farm, he took a major interest in his '44 classmates.

It is not known who first called him the "glue that kept the class together," but it was certainly true. He was class secretary for 25 years, assistant class agent for a dozen years. He continued to work on all reunions till his death. He wrote letters to sick classmates and tracked down members who did not keep ties with Dartmouth. As Al Hormel said in the latest newsletter, Fritz knew everyone, what they did for a living, what part of the country they lived, their nicknames and, even more impressive, their wives' names.

In his biography notes for the 50th reunion book, when asked about Dartmouths influence on his life, he said he was blessed and touched by this place. Dartmouth College and the '44s were blessed and touched by him.

Class of '44s visiting Hanover might be interested in a book about Mr. Dartmouth compiled by classmate Bob Harris and his wife, Bea,with help from Anne Hier.Many articles, letters and 34 years of Class Notes were authored by Fritz. Read any months work and you'll find yourself back in the days before hearing aids and hip replacements became part of life. Every Dartmouth class should have a Fritz Hier.

A copy of this book is on the coffee table in the Hier Alcove and several copies in the Berry Library. If you don't have a copy, you can enjoy them there.

We regret to report the deaths of Wynn Thomas Underwood, William Wellington Paine Jr., Bethune Duffield, Herbert Alfred Wolff Jr. and Charles Curtis Richardson. We send our condolences to the families and friends of these classmates.

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