1969
1969
We are privileged and grateful to hear from classmates reflecting upon life’s adventures. One such epic involves Bruce Alpert, a rising star even when we were premeds together, so his prominence in medicine is no surprise. After seven years at Johns Hopkins, he became a pediatric cardiologist in Toronto and a renowned specialist in exercise physiology. When taking your blood pressure, your doctor counts on Bruce’s 40 years of leadership in the field. In fact, the instruments used to track your cardio data probably bear his fingerprints. Bruce heads the group establishing worldwide standards upon which physicians rely. His bustling consulting practice, combined with chasing a passel of grandkids, won’t be ending any time soon. In the early days of the pandemic, Bruce also joined classmates to form our Jewish culture group on Zoom, a gang of polymaths (in some cases) from assorted faith backgrounds including Norm Jacobs, Mike Simon, Tim Means (author of the engaging novel Copper Canyon), Peter Imber, Tim Stein, Jim Staros, Steve Horwitz, Norm Ellman, Bruce Gale, Greg Saue, Ray Saginur, Arthur Fergenson, Larry Wiseman, Phil Bush (perhaps our finest ’69 poet), Dick Glovsky, Marc Labovitz, Mark Bankoff, Chip Elitzer, and Ben Romney. Our apologies if we missed anyone! The “Sunday Night Baker Bunch” started some years back by Peter Schaeffer continues to attract a strong Zoom group of sober “Twelve-steppers,” and this meeting is opento everyone. Our frequent “Casual Conversations” are attracting as many as two or three dozen participants on Zoom, the shy and remarkable Arthur Fergenson guiding the effort. Equally popular are Arthur’s online play readings, Saturday night at the movies, and discussions with celebrated authors. Nanalee Raphael, Lynn Lobban, Dona Heller, and our legendary sisters encourage everyone to view Early Daughters of Dartmouth, an inspiring documentary about our place in history. The film is now available on Vimeo and findable through Google search. In sports, we appreciate Bruce Hamilton and Pete Lawrence for their updates on Dartmouth football. Their emails go out to three dozen friends and classmates, including Bamboo Gandy, Jim Ross, Dave Howes, Tom McWhorter, Andy Meyers, Doug Halsted, Don Lofty, Bill Yellowtail, Jack Bauer, John Briganti, and other loyal fans. This was a banner year for the Big Green, a 20th Ivy League Championship! Bruce also keeps us posted on Dartmouth rugby and related topics, and he often provides links to livestreams of events. We chatted with Dave Agan, Don Cole, Mark Anderson, and friends recently about missing our extended families during the pandemic. How do you keep current with your children, grandchildren, and all those nieces and nephews? Remember that we meet often on Zoom for casual conversations, social hours, play readings, lectures, and support groups—contact Tex for information and details. Stay in touch and send news. Call the cell if you don’t have time to write!
—John “Tex” Talmadge, 3519 Brookline Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234; (214) 673-9250; joh7italmadgemd@gmail.com
