1940s & 1950s

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1940 How delightful to receive a letter from another New Jersey classmate! Merriman Hull wrote, “I live in New Jersey, but my heart is in Vermont. Once a Vermonter, there is no other place. That’s why I love the Green Mountain Circle pin I just received.” Merriman’s home was in Franklin, Vt., until he graduated from UVM with a degree in electrical engineering. Like several other members of our class, he enlisted in the Army, and he served in the coast artillery anti-aircraft, defending Washington, D.C. After being discharged in 1945, he returned to Vermont for a short time before he began working for Western Electric (now Lucent) in Newark, where he worked with Robert Smith, his electrical engineering classmate. Bob later established his own business in magnetics, while Merriman remained with Lucent until he retired in 1984. Merriman and his wife, Dorothy, have two grandchildren. They take care of the curly-top two-year-old so that their daughter can teach special education. The focus of their activities is membership in the Evangelical Baptist Church of Springfield. Bob Smith sends his best wishes. He was sorry not to attend Homecoming, but he is very busy selling his company in Union, N.J. For the elderly who require assistance with the activities of daily living, Dr. Laura Dustan recommends Craftsbury Community Care Center, known locally as the “4 Cs.” She reported that the care and the food are both good. I am very sorry that our class has lost two more members, Martin Boucher and Lillian Jay Rice. We extend our sympathy to their families and friends. You may wonder if I do anything other than write class notes. My activities center on church and local conservation and historical societies, which keep my schedule lively. Remember that our 65th reunion is coming in 2005.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1941 Oletha “Lee” Thompson Bickford received the most prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the Alumni Association during Reunion Weekend 2003. She was honored for her longtime contributions to UVM, and all of her classmates send congratulations. Her husband, Robert ’43, has joined her as a member of the recently-named UVM National Steering Committee. Our class president Carole Stetson Spaulding reported that she and her husband Bud ’38 celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 6th. Both of them enjoy good health and living near Lake Champlain. Our vice president Jane Hadley sent an email letting us know that she has moved with her beloved Scottie to a retirement home in Pittsford, N.Y., not far from her son, Jim, who is an EMT specialist at the Strong Medical Center in Rochester. Rae Sheehan Cummings, a long-time bridge-playing Burlington classmate, paid her a short visit while traveling with a friend en route to Buffalo. Grace Meeken Hutchins sent word that she was preparing for the Fifth Annual Berkshire Antique and Ephemera Show held in Pittsfield. She was chosen to be director of the event scheduled for three days in October. From her more than 20-year connection with Shaker Hancock Village near Pittsfield, she has become very knowledgeable about antiques and many varieties of collectibles. Jack and Eleanor (’43) Bloom have moved to a new home. They can be reached via email at jackdrbloom@com cast.net. Ken Estey sent word that our classmate, Edson Gifford, died in Randolph on May 2. During World War II, he had served as base supply officer at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, and later in the Air Force Reserve for many years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Following the war, Ed worked on the family farm with his father, and in 1961, took over its full operation. Over the years, he served the USDA Farmers Home Administration and the Vermont State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service as well as the Randolph Town School Board and the East Randolph Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Jean, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage last February. He also leaves a daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Your secretary attended the Brown University graduation of her granddaughter, Erica Kenney, who received her degree with honors soon after her sister, Kirsten, graduated from Duke University School of Law.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1942 Sadly, I report the death of three classmates. Ellen Isham Bardin of Dalton, Mass., Harold “Misty” Rice of South Windsor, Conn., and John White of Brewster, Mass. Ellen and her husband, J. Edgar Bardin, operated Dalton Tractor and Equipment Company with their son, Peter. Harold, a member of UVM’s Athletic Hall of Fame and recipient of the Purple Heart as a Marine who fought at Iwo Jima, worked for Southern N.E. Telephone Company for 36 years. John, an agricultural accountant, also earned a Purple Heart as well as a Silver Star and Bronze Star in World War II. Our condolences to their families. On the brighter side, 12 of us met for lunch with Pat Brennan, UVM Fund Officer who oversees the Green and Gold. In attendance were Larry and Ruth Orr Burgess, Joyce Kenyon Livak, Hilda Paquette Thayer, Bobby Gallagher Kennedy, Avis Kenyon Smith, Ray and Marguerite Daheny Tremblay, Bob Carlson, Merton Pike, Fred and Vivian Webster and your class secretary.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1943
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1944
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1945
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1946 Still waiting for good news from more classmates. In July, Betty Johnson Bahrenburg and I went on a great tour of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Thanks to some really good weather, we were able to enjoy Peggy’s Cove, the Cabot Trail, Prince Edward Island’s North Cape Shore, Ann’s Land, and so many more beautiful and historic places. Jacqueline Swasey Smith welcomed her first great-grandchild in December, a baby girl. In August, she had the “trip of a lifetime.” A caravan of two motor homes with a grandmother and family in each one. They traveled a month to Yellowstone Park. She recently enjoyed a visit with Connie Brownell Hall and husband, Marshall. Considering that all are approaching 80, they are thankful to be doing so well and enjoying life. Keep in mind Green and Gold fundraising efforts. I will be in touch with some of you soon. Great things are happening at UVM these days.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1947 To all ’47 classmates: Why is it that a class like ours, full of interesting people doing interesting things has so few items in our class news? Maybe we’re all too busy to write or email, but please take a few minutes to let us know what you’re doing. It would be most interesting to the rest of us. I’ll begin and tell you that I built a flagstone patio for my daughter this summer. It was very satisfying, if not exciting. Now, you can top that, I’m sure.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1948 Pauline Breen Hutchins has retired from teaching, but she still operates a custom area rug business in Sebring, Fla. She has seven children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pauline has traveled to the Grand Canyon, California, and she occasionally returns to Barre, Vt., to visit relatives and to rejuvenate her Vermont memories. After retiring as an elementary school librarian in the Littleton, N.H., School District, Eschol Pixley Goodell has divided her time and energy between volunteering at church, the senior center, and the library, and enjoying her four children and nine grandchildren. Elderhostels add just the right amount of spice in her life. Your class secretary is proudly displaying a first-place ribbon earned for her watercolor painting “Afternoon Tea,” awarded at the Expo New Mexico State Fair. From the beautiful Hawaiian island of Kauai, Edris Verrall Hughes wrote that she lives in a tropical paradise among the Pacific Rim peoples, each of whom still celebrate their native holidays as well as each other’s, creating a year filled with colorful celebrations. Edris leads a life close to nature and filled with excitement, changeability, and beautiful beaches. She would welcome correspondence from classmates.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1949 Frank Poplawski of Northort, N.Y., has owned and operated an antique shop specializing in photographica and scientifica since his retirement from Grumman 12 years ago. He is thoroughly enjoying the diversion. Arline Brush Hunt continues to work at her tax office with nine employees in Newport, Vt., during tax season. She has four employees the rest of the year, including sons Don and Gerry, who do financial consultations. Arline enjoys playing golf and swimming in the summer, and she travels spring and fall, including recent trips to Thailand, South Africa, Bostwana, and Zimbabwe. In September 2003, Donald Wheatley of Glover, Vt., had the honor of folding the American flag when it was lowered at sundown at the American Memorial Cemetery in Normandy, France. Malcolm Severance wrote from Colchester, Vt., that he is in his third term representing Colchester in the Vermont House of Representatives, assigned to the ways and means committee. He completed 13 years on the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, and he serves as a legislative trustee on the UVM Board of Trustees and on the Vermont Electric Power Board of Directors. In 2001, Rita Gilman Kuperberg and husband Sidney of Huntington Beach, Calif., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Mexico with their children and grandchildren. Eunice Anderson VanWyck spends six months in Sun City Center, Fla., and six months in Kennebunk, Maine. She is happy that her granddaughter, Jenna Borbidge, is a student at UVM. Eunice continues to volunteer at Wimauma Elementary School.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1950 For this issue, I am sorry not to have received any news, but I am excited about a recent trip I made to Vienna to attend a ceremony to honor my father, Dr. Richard Stoehr, last September. My father was one of the many Austrian Jews who emigrated just in time in 1939. He was a composer, author of music theory texts, and teacher at the Academy of Music. The city of Vienna put a plaque on the house where we lived and a very fine string quartet played one of my father’s compositions. Some of you will remember that my father taught at St. Michael’s College and gave concerts there and in Burlington. Please send your news to me either by mail or email.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1951 Sorry, everyone. I have not received any news for this issue. Please send me your updates, and I will include them in my column for the spring issue.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1952 Charmaine Beauvais “Mimi” Lyons wrote that her husband, John, passed away on September 7. John did not attend UVM; however, Mimi said that he was pleased to have been chosen to carry the flag at the class’s 40th reunion. She wrote that at the 50th reunion Neil Towne wanted to be flag bearer, and he was disappointed that the tradition had been discontinued. After reunion, Mimi visited Neil and Bobbi Leenhouts and Sara and Walt Barnes in California. Jane Wilson Durie and her husband, Bob, visited her home in Baldwinsville, N.Y. She said that it has been wonderful to renew these UVM friendships.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1953 This column is being written at the beginning of Homecoming Weekend, nostalgia time again, evoking pleasant memories. Here are reports from classmates who continue to be active. Fern Holcombe Sparks has traveled extensively since graduation, combining her teaching talents with English as a second language. In August 2002, she enjoyed two weeks as a volunteer in Transylvania, Romania, teaching English in a high school camp. She and her husband spend winters in Punta Gorda, Fla. Bernice Berger Miller reported that her novel, The Horse God, has been published and is available nationally through amazon.com. The setting is Burlington, Vt., and UVM is home to several characters. She is eager to hear what her readers think, and asks that those of us with email contact her at Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1954 Michael Abdalla, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon living in California, is the national coordinator for Rotary International’s Polio Education Fundraising Campaign. Natalie Frank Forte lives in Rutland, Vt. She attended the American Association of Blood Banking convention in Orlando, Fla., that honored her sister, Sally Frank, last October. In January, she journeyed South once more to attend her son’s wedding. “Love the warmer climate,” she noted. Ruth Pestle, who lives in Waitsfield, Vt., and Jacksonville, Fla., toured Alaska for two weeks last July. I would love to see all these people when our class holds its 50th reunion. Recently, I attended a nini-reunion of 1952 residents of UVM’s Adsit House. I was the only member of the class of 1954; all others graduated in 1955. After reminiscing that we enjoyed, I can only say, “Bring on the memories.” Mark your calendar and plan now to come see for yourself.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1955 Hi, everyone! Hope you’ve all enjoyed the fall and are eager for winter vacation trips, be it South or to the mountains. I like it both ways. Speaking of the South, ‘Sonny’ Trinkino now lives at Eaglewood Country Club in Hobe Sound, Fla., and he keeps “very busy playing golf, drinking whiskey, singing songs, and being somebody.” Phil Snyder wants to remind Ben Aibel and Dave Hershberg that “2003 celebrates the golden anniversary of our famous (infamous?) tête-a-tête. Ah yes, we remember it well.” Stay well, everyone and send me some more news. More anon.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1956
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1957 Hope winter finds you warm and cozy in your favorite clime. Please send us your news, or it is we who will lose. The independent sorority, Sigma Gamma, on campus from 1920 to the 1960s, had a full blown reunion last May, featuring a Friday and Saturday sleepover in their old house, a large Victorian at 301 South Willard Street that is now a Champlain College dormitory. The weekend was planned by Joy Hayes of Essex Junction, Vt., and Gwen McGrath ’58. Among the attendees from the ’50s were Jane Randall (’53) Bassett of Ticonderoga, N.Y., Kathy Horvath (’53) Solari, Barbara Johnson (’53, G’55) Wilson, Fern Holcomb (’53) Sparks, Myra Morrill (’54) Lindholm, Miriam Aho (’55) Poulin. Elizabeth Phelps (’58) Thibault, and Marlene Patrick (’57) Thibault. If I have missed anyone from the ’50s, please let me know. Marlene Thibault and husband Francis enjoyed a fall European river cruise up the Rhine and down the Danube in October 2003. Because of low water, they started the trip in Amsterdam by bus. In November, Marlene and Francis expected to go to North Carolina with Volunteers in Mission to help church members recover from the destruction of Hurricane Isabel. Nancy Hawkins Boden and husband Herb ’54 wrote from Hockessin, Del., last spring at reunion time. “We keep busy doing a variety of things. Herb is involved in Habitat for Humanity and loves it. We have two grandchildren, Alex and Brianna, and we spend much time commuting to Virginia, where our daughter, Kim, and her husband live. I keep busy with volunteer work, golf, and enjoying our grandchildren.” Our class president, Bob Wolfe, sent regards to all and sent the following message to classmates: “Our 45th reunion, 46 years after graduation, is now history, and we commence planning for the big FIVE-0, coming in 2007. Believe it or not, we’ll begin meeting in 2006, less than three years from now. By all comments, our latest gathering was a hit. Many thanks to class officers Doug Burke and Susan Wakefield Cochran as well as Bob and Julie Brown Dempsey for planning the events. Attendees included 47 classmates and spouses or friends, nearly 100 participated. At least three came from California, two from Montana, and one from Texas. I didn’t get a count of first timers, but many of them are ready to sign up for our 50th. We exceeded our class goal by raising $86,434 from 153 donors, representing a 40 percent participation rate, and these results earned us the Class of 1928 Award for the highest percent participation and a tree that will be planted on campus in our honor for exceeding our fundraising goal. Many thanks to Max Ansbacher, class gift chair, and Don Kidder, planned giving chair, and their committees.”
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu

1958 I recently saw Marilyn Jensen Dawson and Betsy Bishop Peden, both preparing to head South for the winter, Marilyn to Puerto Rico and Betsy to Texas. See you in Vermont next summer. Ronald Downer wrote that he and his wife, Barbara, recently visited their son, Kevin, and family in Heidelberg, Germany. Ron is still active musically, playing the trumpet in four bands in the Washington, D.C., area. Life is good! Please keep the news coming.
Class secretary - alumni@uvm.edu