1950

A survey conducted by Larry Geiger, president of the Class Secretaries Association, divulged that 21 of the 33 respondents to the survey felt that the best part of the secretary's job is "staying connected with classmates." Had I participated in the survey, it would have been 22 of 34. Don't ask! There was no good reason.

Randi and I enjoyed a delightful evening meal by the window at the Ocean Grill with Bob and Joan Mauk. Joan is cousin to my best pal (now departed) of 60 years Joe Eaton (Harvard '50). I remember her from when I was a "big kid" and she wasn't. The least happy part of this job is writing obituaries—not so oppressive when you graduated but five years ago. There are, though, compensations for even this sad discipline. One is learning of the achievements of classmates with whom one was not well acquainted. I knew that Tom McMahon was a golfer. I did not know that he played with and was a friend of Arnold Palmer, Davis Love and other greats. Nor did I know that the record score at the Country Club of Detroit, set by Tom more than 50 years ago, was 63! Tom died in 2006.

Nineteen of 33 respondents to the survey said that "getting news about classmates" was the most difficult aspect of the job. Until about two months ago it would have been 19 of 34 had I participated. Where are you guys, girls? I'm right here. We're looking forward to the winter season, which because of the lead time prescribed by the editors of this magazine, will be half over by the time you read this. We hope to see people with names such as Hood, Fauver, Mcllwain, Abbe, Sarno, Frey and others. Speaking of Frey, I tried to call Dick a couple of weeks ago and found his number "disconnected at the subscribers request." What goes on, Dick? To those of you who have written, called or emailed, thanks! To the rest of you, a little help, please! Speaking of e-mails, first prize for interesting ones goes to Joel Leavitt, who passes on a seemingly endless supply of multifaceted messages.

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