Charles Buchanan Knows a Thing Or Two About Managing Complex Organizations
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The Great Class of 1953 at Their Sixtieth Reunion As we ponder the delightful memories of this wonderful group of classmate friends, memories of almost seven decades, the thoughts of the many that have left this life are inevitable. There are many words that have been spoken and written about them and we think Charlie Brown captured that spirit in a very lovely way in this episode of his cartooning. Thanks Charlie, and yes they are. While Charlie may have brought a bit of tears to our eyes, we cannot help but reflect on the years of great joy and super team spirit 1953 has shared, and set an example for other classes in the Dartmouth family. That joy overcomes the sense of loss that can overtake our hearts and this picture of the 1953 Band of Brothers reverses that feeling promptly. “Other days are very near us, as we sing here soft and low We can almost hear the voices of the boys of long ago. They are scattered now, these brothers, up and down the world they roam Some have gone to lands far distant, from the dear old college home Some have crossed the silent river, they are looking down tonight The thought of these old brothers, makes our love now burn so bright.” The Good Book Tells Us “The Last Shall Be First---” And that means that Put Blodgett, who sent in the picture below just as we were putting this Summer Letter on the air, and Seth Carpenter, Harlan Fair, Bill Murray, and Jack Zimmerman, all attending Seth’s Family and Friends Pig Roast yesterday, have a straight shot into Paradise for the Eternal Reunion of the Great Class of 1953, for they jumped on the press caboose, hanging on to the hand rail and singing “Men of Dartmouth.” Super Put and a rushing thanks. Left to right are Jack, Seth, Harlan, Bill, and our 65th Reunion chair the incomparable Put [with only one T] Cheers, Dave And now some news from lots of classmates John Green writes from the North Woods of Minnesota Dear Dave and Classmates, Way back in 1979-80 Jan and I built a new, energy-efficient house on 10 acres of these Minnesota North Woods on a gravel road outside of town, and have enjoyed it ever since. My little garden (veggies and perennials) is doing great and we enjoy the birds (though I’m not hearing them as well these days). I still keep a small office in the Geology Department at the U. of Minn. Duluth where I taught for 41 years and retired in 1999, and lead an occasional geology field trip and give an occasional talk on geology and natural history. I participated in the local March for Science back in April, with a big, enthusiastic group. Jan continues her involvement in ornithology, ecology, and other environmental issues. But our octogenicity (?) is finally catching up with us, and we have decided to pull up these stakes and will move later this summer into town, where we’re renting a handsome apartment directly overlooking magnificent Lake Superior. In a pleasant residential area, it’s in the independent living portion of a good retirement complex. For the record, our mail address will be 4004 London Road, Apt. CC27, Duluth, MN 55804, as of Sept. 1. So now we’re getting into gear for the big and challenging downsizing and unloading process that most of you have probably successfully completed. Fortunately we’re both more-or-less mobile, and we’ll be making our annual family visit to New England in late July and August, seeing both daughters and all 5 grandkids (all in college or post-grad school) as well as my sister and Jan’s brother. Hoping the country survives until 2021, John [Dave here; now it has a chance]A great letter John and thanks, and told Jan and John in our response that Joanne and I are doing the same thing, but our lake in Lake Mary will be a touch Inferior to the view the Green’s will have of Lake Superior. And now from one of my favorite and most frequent correspondent, AltaBruce aka Bruce Sherman, the octogenarian that still skis the chute at Alta. It must be the air!!! Wow, and after responding to Bruce’s comment that my translation of Deserto in our “Call Sign” at Dartmouth in not Desert but Wilderness, I replied that Eleazar made that interpretation in his mission to convert the natives and that led to Bruce’s response: “Dave...I never figured you for a biblical scholar. Apropos the Bible, years ago...visiting Israel...we took a special tour out Elat...drove all day thru the Sinai in a special vehicle and arrived late afternoon at St. Katherina Monastery... a Greek Orthodox place that dates back to the 6th Century AD and...not incidentally...stands at the foot of MT SINAI...which I think you may have heard of being Dartmouth educated. [Got it Bruce] At any rate, we had a tour...then a simple meal with the residents. Afterward, we were shown to separate men's/women's sleeping quarters...no monkey business in a monastery. We passed out until 2AM when we awakened to a breakfast of tea and biscuits. THEN WE CLIMBED SINAI and watched the sun rise over the SINAI desert. There are no words... Awesome is the closest I can get. It's been a great life...and it ain't over yet! Your Classmate who still loves the Dartmouth we attended.” Now this young octogenarian who is getting a knee replaced as we scribe, well AltaBruce is still at it and here is a video of him skiing the chute at Alta. You will enjoy, and maybe pucker just a touch. IMG_0194.MP4 Just click on that cute little pic and MARVEL!! Takes about ten seconds to activate the video link and it you have trouble, send me an email and we will resend. Here is another for you skiers and “used to be” skiers like me, one of Bruce’s buddies skiing on his 100th birthday. How about that!!!!! http://bit.ly/GeorgeSkiing100 Collins Corner Although the calendar shows it is still mid-summer, the activities of the New England fall are right around the corner. Let’s take a look at what just happened and what is coming up in the world of 1953. The annual Dartmouth College Fund. Well, Ron Lazar, his dedicated team of Class Agents and you have done it. Our Class has once again exercised our renowned Legacy of Leadership syndrome by coming in with an outstanding 75% participation. Although the final figures are not in, that will be the best of all classes or one of the top two. Last year there were only four classes at 70% or above and 1953 number was two. It is particularly noteworthy, as the overall participation by all classes this year is at 44%. Well done Ron! You have led the Class to set a standard for other classes to emulate and strive for. It is this type of competition that moves the DCF forward and generates the funds that create scholarships, special programs and need blind admissions for so many talented young students. We all benefited as undergraduates from those who preceded us and our Legacy of Leadership helps set the standard for the future. Congratulations to the entire Class for a job well done! What’s Next: The Stellar 65th - September 28 – 30, 2018 Although we have some important events coming up such as football games, Christmas luncheons, Homecoming, class meeting, Class Officers Weekend etc., the BIG event on the horizon is our stellar 65th Reunion. As noted earlier, it will be the weekend of September 28 – 30, 2018. Put Blodgett will be chairing the event and will be working with your classmates, including Dick Fleming as attendance chair, to make sure we all have a wonderful time. We started 69 years earlier than our 65th back in 1949 with about 702 of us arriving on campus as “pea green” freshman. Today we have about 46% of us still here to carry on our legacy along with a host of loyal widows plus our children and grands – many of whom also proudly wear Dartmouth Green. The schedule will be unveiled as it develops, but rest assured that there will be plenty of time to visit with old friends, enjoy each other’s company and enjoy a look at the Dartmouth of today. Understanding that we will all be easing towards the later part of our eighth decade and perhaps not as spry as we once were, the program will be both comfortable and interesting. The football game can be watched at the stadium, or on the big screen set up for our use at the Hanover Inn. Should be a memorable weekend and experience, and I hope that you will be part of it. Many classmates have already reached out to their friends to be sure that they also plan to attend. Circle the dates and plan to join us. Details will be forthcoming to entice you further. All of the wonderful accomplishments of our classmate Charlie Buchanan are detailed elsewhere in this newsletter. Charlie was the creator and driving force behind our last three wonderful mini-maxi reunions at West Point, Philadelphia and New York City. In addition to his many awards and recognitions, did you know that Charlie was also the recipient of the 1953 Legacy of Leadership Award presented to him the last day of the New York City event? Congratulations again, Charlie, and thanks for all you have done and continue to do for our Class A copy of Charlie’s 1953 Legacy of Leadership Award is located on the following page.