Class notes May/June-2008
Our fifty-fifth is fast approaching, and I am reminded of an old Harrow’s school song. I have taken the liberty of adapting it for this column. I hope you will find it appropriate.
Five and fifty years on, when afar and asunder
Parted are those who are singing today,
When you look back, and forgetfully wonder
What you were like in your work and your play,
Then, it may be, there will often come o’er you,
Glimpses of notes like the catch of a song –
Visions of boyhood shall float them before you,
Echoes of dreamland shall bear them along,
Five and fifty years on, growing older and older,
Shorter in wind, as in memory long,
Feeble of foot, and rheumatic of shoulder,
What will it help you that once you were strong?
God give us bases to guard or beleaguer,
Games to play out, whether earnest or fun;
Fights for the fearless, and goals for the eager,
Forty, and fifty, and sixty years on!
From Co-Chair Chuck Reilly comes the following. “Get ready NOW! The official dates are Monday, June 9th through Thursday morning, June 12th. But you can start earlier. On Sunday, June 8th, Put Blodgett will lead an all day hike up Mount Moosilauke; he already has a few takers. You may also choose to just dine and stay overnight, at Moosilauke. To do any of this, call Put Blodgett at 603-795-4124.
Now, on to the main events: There will be a ground-breaking ceremony for the Class of 1953 Commons Building, emceed by Fred Whittemore. The site is adjacent to the McLaughlin Cluster dorms, where those staying on campus will be housed (this is not a coincidence). The tent at that location will also serve as a gathering and “schmoozing” site for informal Class use.
Certainly, the Memorial Service planned by Donald Goss will be a big attraction as will the Hood Museum talk and tour. This latter event will include recognition of ’53 benefactors who have contributed art work or funds. Many other great activities: Garden Tour of the President’s House; tour of new campus sites including all the new athletic facilities; a Class Banquet with Fred Stephens presiding; a cook-out luncheon with Buddy Teevens as a speaker; and, finally, numerous lectures and learning experiences including a “Great Issues” class to discuss a relevant topic – probably nomination/election related.
There will be tennis and golf, of course, and lots of other activities – both structured and casual. Be there!”
For those of you who have not yet registered, do so now. By this time you have probably received a Reunion Registration Packet. If not, it is on its way. If you have any questions about registration, call Dave Siegal at 603-643-0098 (e-mail siegal53@adelphia.net). Your Classmates are looking forward to seeing you.
Sadly, former Classmate of the Year, Howard Clery has died. In response to the murder of his daughter Jeanne, he and Connie co-founded Security on Campus, devoting their lives to making students safer on campus. He will be missed by us all.
A Memorial Mass was held for Howard at his church in Harbour Ridge with a whole gaggle of classmates and wives in attendance, including Bob Malin, Bob Simpson, Howie Pitts, Dick Fleming, Bill Vitalis, Bob Henderson, Wilma [Kent] Robinson, Emil Schnell, Dave Halloran, Leo Clancy, and Jack Zimmerman, along with Fr. Eddie Boyle’s brother Jack ’52. Bob Simpson gave a lovely and reverent eulogy during the mass, and Leo, Bob Malin, and Jack Boyle, and then Connie herself, gave the informal, uplifting, and sometimes irreverent eulogy at the reception at Harbour Ridge following the mass, all in the true Irish wake style. We are certain that Howard is providing wisdom to the Father in his new capacity and, though he will be missed so much here, we all take comfort in that, Southern Comfort that is.
Here are some excerpts and paraphrases from Bob Malin’s gracious comments about Howard. “At Dartmouth, Howard was instantly recognizable and widely known. One of Dartmouth’s favorite songs sings of the “crunch of feet on snow,” and for Howard, in these pre-disabled provision days, every step was slippery, each a challenge with those steel leg braces and cumbersome Canadian canes. He navigated the campus in these trying conditions of no ramps, railings, elevators, and always without complaint.
Howard’s courage and determination were crucial for the challenges to his life, and they carried him far, but there were many other characteristics of Howard Clery that also began with the letter “C”. The “C” in Clery stands for consistency and constancy, and it was a good thing that he married a Constance. Howard always had a cheerful and spirited combativeness just beneath the surface. Possessed of deeply held and reasoned certainty of his convictions, he’d challenge yours and argue convincingly, and constantly, until you changed.. Charmingly open and cordial and a versatile conversationalist, he could also be your close and trusted confidant. Howard was never a complainer, but deliberately churlish, cantankerous, and curmudgeonly when the occasion demanded. He is remembered as a gentleman of unfailing courtesy with genuine chivalry towards women. The “C” in Howard Clery stands for A+, 100, the true Centurion. He will always be in our memories as the embodiment of courage, courage, courage.
Mark H. Smoller 4 Schuyler Drive, Jericho, NY 11753; (516) 938-3616; dartmark@gmail.com, with additions by Bob Malin and Dave Halloran
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