“ be well, do good work, and keep in touch”
-Garrison Keillor-
Dear Classmates,
This is Gordy Hall and Jack Vernon writing you as your New Class Agent Team! A month ago I (Gordy) wrote the Alumni office to inquire about several classmates, and was told that personal information was only available to the class agent, and then was asked if I would like to fill that now vacant role. Jack and I went to Amherst together and have been close ever since. I asked him if he would like to take on the job as a team; a job that would hopefully invoke a sentimental journey (corny but accurate) for all of us.
We’re all +/- 90 years old, and there are 50 of us still standing (or sitting or supine) and we’d like to ask you for communications of any subject: offspring, occupations, health, travel, political, observations or whatever comes to mind. Bragging is definitely encouraged as well as curmudgeonly comments.
Here’s my 2 cents worth: After Amherst I went to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, but wound up in commercial real estate, and ownership of properties that 2 of my 3 sons now expand and manage. I’m involved in 4 non-profit environmental/conservation organizations which I enjoy immensely. The world is in big trouble and help is needed. I self-published a book, “Satan in the Pulpit” about the founding of Phillips Andover and Exeter Academies, where my great, great grandfather went to Divinity School, and have sold 175 copies. I have 2 replaced hips and 1 replaced knee (Deerfield lightweight football), and have had a bypass and an arrhythmia correction. I’m very lucky that all of them have worked and I can be active. I live in Marblehead, Mass. and for 25 years I raced a succession of sailboats named Katabatic. We were the boat to beat and I loved it. In summer, now, my wife and I cruise on the coast of Maine, and go to our way-off-the-grid Northern Maine camp and watch wildlife. At home, I play tennis if I don’t have to run far. That’s it for me.
Here’s Jack: To Amherst with Gordy and Win Hindle, MIT for a Masters, then Navy Civil Engineering Corps. I began my career as a consultant with Arthur D Little, then to Instron Corp. for nine years, then left as EVP/COO to become President of a start-up developing a modern steam engine – limited future. Became an executive search consultant, and retired after 25 years as Managing Director of Russell Reynolds Assoc. Along the way was Chair of the Weston Mass. School Committee, WGBH Board of Overseers, and finally, Board Chair of the New England Conservatory of Music. We now live in a retirement community in Westwood, Mass. I’ve published a book, “Very Short Stories,” that includes a piece on Dick Hatch. Survived 1 prostate, 1 double bypass with pacemaker and 6 hip operations (2&4). Golf handicap 12, now 22. Married for 65 years to Anne Bennett (Smith ’53). We have 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren, all well above average. As Garrison Keillor says: “be well, do good work, and keep in touch.”
We’re in high hopes that all this will encourage you to write whatever is on your mind or about your life – anything, including complaints. We all have a pretty short runway ahead, and that’s a good reason to hear from each other. Please write to:
gordonhall3@comcast.net jvernon30@gmail.com
Gordon Hall Jack Vernon
1 Walnut Street 10 Longwood Drive, Unit 129
Marblehead, MA 01945 Westwood, MA 02090
Thanks,
Gordon Hall/Jack Vernon
1948
