Class Notes, Jan/Feb 2008

Once again, as in past years, just prior to Homecoming weekend ,the  Class of ’53 Man of the Year  is selected by our nominating committee. This wonderful honor has been bestowed upon 15 members of this class: Howard Clery, Tony Frank, Ron Scheman, Stuart Fordyce, Kisuk Cheung, Bill Beutel, Jim Boen, Diz Derzon, Dick Collins, Bill Johnson, Gil Shapiro, Fran L’Esperance, Donald Goss, Jack Patten, and Andy Sigler. Joining this distinguished group is “The 2007 Classmate of the Year” Fred England. An important part of  Fred’s life apart from his contributions to Dartmouth,has been devoted to the insurance industry where he has been a dominant force in the national  independent insurance agency field. He has been  the national president of all three organizations involved in his business as well as  CEO of his own top of the field  insurance agency. He has written two books. He holds trusteeships in the Salvation Army, Emma Ward School, University of New Hampshire, and Brown and Nichols and many others. He is  Director of 13, President of 8, and CEO of 5 organizations. He has been a tireless worker for Dartmouth, heading up our class’ annual fund drive with great success, President of the Class Treasurer’s Association, a Trustee of our Class Trust, and 25th Reunion Chairman. Congratulations, Fred!

I am so pleased to write of another well-deserved honor. Bob Callendar is spearheading a fund to honor classmate Fr. Ed Boyle,  A nucleus of classmates have already raised $55,000 for a fund  which is to be used by Aquinas House initially for an new outdoor sign,  and sacred vessels and vestments. The guest speakers program, started by Fr. Ed years ago will also use a portion of the fund. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund  may do so by sending a check made out to the  “Catholic Student Center at Dartmouth” to Fr. Michael McCormack, Aquinas House, PO Box Box 147, Hanover, NH 03755. The contribution is tax deductible-Tax ID # 02-0232336

President Phil Beekman has been named Class President of the Year! As if that were not enough, Phil  will receive Dartmouth’s prestigious Alumni Award at our 55th reunion. He is the 12th member of our class to have been so honored. Congratulations, Phil! Speaking of our 55th reunion, Co-Chairman Chuck Reilly reports that they are developing an interesting and exciting program for three days, June 9-12, 2008,  which will include meals, entertainment, golf, tennis, DOC activites, a class Hood Museum Tour and Lecture,, Alumni College at Reunion seminars with interesting faculty speakers, an active evening program, and time to reconnect with old friends. Housing will be in one of the brand new residence halls, the McLaughlin Cluster. We look forward to seeing you and sharing a super few days with you all.

Sadly, I must relate the deaths of our  classmates Tom Blomquist, William Hyde,  Merrill C. Johnson, and Dudley Long Milliken. I offer to their families our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for the Class.