1971

1971

Our 45th reunion was blessed with beautiful weather and a vibrant esprit de corps. We had a record turnout of 235 classmates and guests, which was the largest total reunion attendance since 1985. Included in the ’70, ’71 and ’72 reunion cluster attendance were 25 female exchange students who studied on campus during the period 1968 to 1972. David Aylward, Kathy Duff Riñes and Alice Reno Malone diligently tracked down and invited them. One of our reunion highlights was a panel discussion titled, “The First Women Look Back,” which was led by Kathy, Alice, Carol Dudley and Lisbeth Tarlow, with comments from exchange students in attendance as well as Arthur Fergensen and Martha Beattie, Dartmouth alumni relations VP. Four class widows and their families accepted our invitation and attended the memorial service at Rollins Chapel, which was led ably by David Edson with the active participation of Bernie Wysocki, Jim Chasey, Dick Wenzel and Leslie Lauck Barron. Special initiatives were adopted to make the reunion more enjoyable. The reunion tent committee (Tom and Judy Oxman, Kathy Duff Riñes and Bob Lider) designed a special tent layout with living room furniture clusters, exterior Adirondack chairs, plants, flowers and special lighting arranged and donated by the Oxmans and a three-sided bar stocked with premium wine and beer by Kathy Duff Riñes, our class bootlegger and reunion co-chair. Our class published the first-ever 45th reunion book. This magnificent publication was edited by David Aylward and skillfully supported by his co-editors, Mark Bellonby, Stephen Brockway and Steve Zrike. Copies have been distributed to all classmates.

An angel fund was created by some of our class leaders to defray reunion expenses. Peter Pratt contributed leadership tote bags that were handed to classmates at registration. Barry Brink, reunion co-chair, donated an entertaining and nostalgic three-CD music compilation titled, “Music from My Dorm Room,” to classmates at the reunion. Pete Webster coordinated with Kevin Swenson on the contribution of N.H. granites that were awarded to classmates who paid class dues and donated to the DCF. Mickey Stuart and Tom Loucks hosted a wonderful tribute to professor John Rassias, whose family members also shared touching memories of le maître’s extraordinary life. At the tribute’s conclusion, Peter Pratt presented to the College the fully funded class scholarship in honor of Professor Rassias and President John Sloan Dickey. Mickey Stuart, catering co-chair with Pete Webster and lobster aficionado, arranged a sumptuous New England clambake banquet at DOC House. During the evening festivities Jeff McElnea eloquently presented the John G. Kemeny Award to Ron Harris and the John Sloan Dickey Award to Jim Rager. The final reunion event was a Sunday brunch at Floren Varsity House that was hosted by Coach Buddy Teevens and his wife, Kristen. Murry Bowden and our adopted Jack DeGange joined the Teevenses in an interesting panel discussion on college football life. Our thanks to the Teevenses for graciously hosting this event.

—Bob Lider, 9225 Veneto Place, Naples, FL 34113; liderbob@yahoo.com