1958 Class Notes for the July-August 2010 DAM
Submitted April 28, 2010
1958
Dear Classmates:
This is an advanced peek at the Class Notes column for the July-August Alumni
Magazine you will receive in late June.
In addition, here is a really interesting post script based on news about Peter
Williamson that appeared in the May 5, 2010 Wall Street Journal, a week after the
deadline for my July-August DAM column:
May 5 Post Script to July-August Class Notes. Today’s Wall Street Journal
carried an article about the sale of Peter’s treasured 1936 Bugatti 57SSC Atlantic for a
reported $30 to $40 million, headlines ”The World’s Most Expensive Car: Sold!” It’s a
milestone event that I trust Andy Thomas and John Murphy will tell you much more
about in the Sound and Fury and on the class website, with a photo of this ruly
unforgettable French Deco car.
Since I am out of publication until late August under the DAM deadline structure, here
are some thoughts I sent to Andy and John on May 5 about Peter’s spectacular Bugatti:
Re the May 5 Wall Street Journal article ("The World's Most Expensive
Car: Sold!") about the negotiated sale of Peter Williamson's 1936
Bugatti 57SC Atlantic for $30 to $40 million:
Peter submitted a photo for our 50th reunion book of himself with Susan
in an open vintage car, but it was not the Bugatti Atlantic, which is
closed and has sleek, curvy art deco body that's like no other car you
ever saw. The reunion book car has Peter behind the wheel on the right
side, suggesting an English make; Bugattis were made in France between
the wars. According to the WSJ, the Atlantic sold for at least twice
the $15.5 million Peter's other Bugattis drew at an August 2008
auction. Another semi-noteworthy fact: The car was made in 1936, the
year most '58s were born.
Peter alluded in our 50th reunion book to "my old car collection which
has proven to be quite an investment." Talk about understatement! He
added that "unfortunately none of my offspring have developed any form
of automotive passion, so it is time to start pruning the collection."
Some harvest!
- Steve
That said, here is the actual ’58 column that will appear in the July-August issue of
the DAM you will receive in late June.
Gotta love the class website photo of President Jim Kim with Gersh Abraham and
Ralph Manuel in ‘58 reunion windbreakers! Gersh says Kim attended a recent alumni
event in Chicago wearing his ’58 reunion necktie. Though an ’82 adoptee (his class at
Brown), Kim clearly agrees that “’58 is really great.”
Another website must-see: John Murphy’s latest Don Corleone impersonation
entitled “The Godfather at Keystone.” John catches Brando’s voice and gestures to
perfection (my favorite is brushing his fingernails along his cheek). This rendition was
filmed at Bob Downey’s annual ski week at Keystone, Colorado in February. Scroll
down Andy Thomas’s home page to view these and other gems.
June 30 is the deadline for this year’s Dartmouth College Fund. Head agent Jack
Bennett’s troops are striving to keep ’58 one of the College’s most supportive classes.
Also consider, if you can, Mel Alperin’s appeal to support the Bartlett Tower Society in
your estate planning. Call Mel at 401-274-6633 for details. And pencil in the October 2930 mini reunion in Hanover,. The Harvard game is this year’s added attraction. Come on
up, you mid-Atlantic and Tidewater guys. It’s a gorgeous drive that time of year.
Speaking of minis, mull over these findings from Norm Sylvester’s poll before
he became our Alumni Council rep and turned over running minis to the triumvirate of
Bob Eleveld, Frank Gould and Sam Smith. It drew 75 responses, roughly 15% of the
class, half of whom never attended a mini. Travel’s no problem: 73% would journey 100
miles plus, 50% over 200 miles, 16% across the country or an ocean. Where? 38% favor
their home region, 18% their home state, 16% Europe, but 37% are not interested in
multi-day or extended travel minis. Cocktail receptions are preferred by 82%, those built
around educational or cultural programs favored by 65%. Cost-wise, 66% would spend
$100 or more, and 38% could handle $500 plus. Currently up for consideration: a 2011
mini at the College Grant. Bob, Frank and Sam welcome your input.
We sadly note the passing on February 22 of John McHugh, MD, an internist
who practiced many years in Holyoke, Mass. A Theta Delt and Glee Clubber, John is
remembered by Ward Burian for “his great, low-key sense of humor.” Walt Fogarty
recalls him as “a very popular member of Theta Delt who married his college sweetheart
Ann,” who died in 1989. John’s Boston Globe obit was nine yards long. His physician
brother Edward is a ’54. Belatedly, we’ve learned that Charles C. Winchester, a patent
attorney who was much involved the public schools of Milton, Mass., died last October
21.
Judge Tom Jackson’s op-ed piece in the February 26 Washington Post made a
strong case for trying 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed in the Washington, DC
federal district court (where he sat for 22 years) instead of New York or a military
tribunal in Guantanamo Bay. Tom’s gist: The crimes were against the nation, not one
city, and the targets were non-military.
--Steve Quickel, 65 Chapel Road, New Hope, PA 18938; squickel@dartmouth58.org