Karl Robinson contemplates decades of his continual “quest to fathom the essence of things” since our formative boyhood days at Deerfield:
“We speak of the Deerfield ‘bond’ so intimately connected with the beauty of Pocumtuck Valley, a quiet spot set far from the madding crowd. Did we bond more with the school or with the valley? Without the valley with its majestic trees and its great river flowing ‘on its way’, it is hard to imagine the school for the school derives so much from being ensconced in such a magical place. Enter Albany Road and the vibration changes into something (for lack of a better word) holy. Go out the other end, it changes back into that of the frenzied world. The how and why of this Deerfield vibration is now and ever will be a mystery which needs no solving only acknowledging. We who were fortunate to attend Deerfield know in our hearts that ‘… all the valley lies in splendor’ … Yes, truly fortunate. … To think that I got to spend four years and see sixteen magnificent seasons parade through that valley. What a gift! What a great good fortune! The stately old houses, the majestic trees, and above all the heavy tranquility — it filled me with awe and beauty and peace. It has always been with me — a legacy of beauty and peace. Thank you, Frank Boyden, for settling there and creating a great school that pulled me to you and Pocumtuck Valley.”