On a picture perfect New England weekend in June, members of the Great Class of 1954, headed to Deerfield to celebrate our 70th Reunion. Nine class members, spouses, and our three Honorary Classmates (Eric Widmer and Meera, David Pond and Nancy, Manning Curtis and Margarita) joined together for a weekend of reconnecting friendships, learning and looking toward our futures. The Academy hosted learning lectures, class meetings, and delicious evening gatherings under the Great Tent. Additionally, we all enjoyed a private luncheon held in the von Auersperg Gallery where Toby Emerson, the 1954 Environmental Science Chair, reported on the incredible growth of the environmental science program at Deerfield, applauding our investment twenty years ago.
After lunch we attended Charlie Puttkammer’s (and wife Cordie) session on the Petey Greene Program. Charlie developed this program to provide high quality academic programs for people currently and formerly incarcerated in their journey to adapt to civilian life (after incarceration). The program is operational in seven states and the District of Columbia. It is based on college students offering tutoring programs.
During our class meeting Sam introduced Glenn “Bud” Dorr who talked about his acrylic artwork that had been prominently displayed around the classroom. Glenn gifted us with packets of cards made from his artwork. Glenn’s passionate description of his hobby was the springboard for others to tell of their hobbies, and in our sunset years what was important in our lives
We were small in number, but mighty in joy, spirit and love evidenced by our nightly “happy Hours” held in the Simmons Dormitory common room which fittingly included our beverage of choice from the Deerfield Ranch Winery (courtesy of classmate Whit Evans).
As our class continues to dwindle in number, we remembered with laughter, tears and prayer those who were unable to attend the reunion and those who have gone before us. As we sang our final Evensong, we relished in the new memories created knowing that we would again meet one day to raise our voices to Deerfield Academy.
Front Row (left to right):
Charles Puttkammer, Eric Widmer ’57 H’54, Peg Bull (Sherm’s wife),
Sally Goodrich (Hoyt’s wife), Zeke Knight, Glenn Dorr, Guy Kaldis
Middle Row (l to r):
Cordie Puttkammer (Charles’ wife), Meera Viswanathan (Eric’s wife),
Sherm Bull, Hoyt Goodrich, Ellen Knight (Zeke’s wife)
Back Row (l to r):
David Pond H’54, Manning Curtis H’54, Sam Chase, Whitney Evans
