Fall 2009
1930-1934
From the Alumni Office:
Our sincerest condolences are extended to the family and friends of W. Robert Morrow, Jr. '33, who died May 25 in High Point, N.C.
1935
Secretary: William J.B. Livingston, 850 Denbigh Blvd., Apt. 528, Newport News, VA; 23608-4428; 757-898-4145; wliving@verizon.net
Tom Duff is living in his own home, has a young man living on the premises to keep watch, and has a personal trainer who works with him several times a week to keep him in shape. While I was talking with him, my wife came up behind me, so I put her on and they chatted. Tom stays cheerful and his grandchildren keep him active.
Ed and Harriet White live active lives. They have a niece living in Hampton, whom I see when we go to the symphony, and I see her husband when we are together at Presbytery meetings. Ed was with us only his freshman year, but he praises Davidson as being meaningful in good ways in his life.
Just recently I (Bill Livingston) was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer and was given a blood transfusion. When I was ready to come back to the retirement community, they would not let me until I had spent two weeks in rehab, and then they wanted me to stay another week. But I put up such a fuss they would let me come to our apartment if I agreed to have someone dress me in the morning and undress me at night. I have been doing that, and it is great living like royalty.
1937-1938
No class secretary
From the Alumni Office:
William T. Iverson '49 recently wrote President Tom Ross '72 about his brother, the late Major Daniel Iverson '38, relaying facts and stories about Danny and his life, which was ended too soon by the war. Danny was killed in an airplane accident off Vero Beach when two bombers collided in mid-air. He was a veteran of the battle of Midway, where his bomber was hit 219 times, and of Guadalcanal, where he was badly wounded. In part, Bill wrote, "I especially like the way he loved the unsung heroes like the mechanics, and how he labored fearlessly and faithfully with them to keep the Marines in the air at Guadalcanal. The old retired ones put 100,000 hours into making SBD 2106, the most valuable airplane in the world. Resurrected from the icy waters of Lake Michigan, it is a masterpiece of workmanship, shining in its proper place."
C. Howard "Chubby" King '38 passed away May 16 in Stokesdale, N.C., and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends, including his cherished and lifelong friend, Carl Ivan Carlson, Jr. '37. We also extend our condolences to the family and friends of F. Murray Mack, Jr. '37, who passed away April 11 in Pineville, N.C.
Dick Vowles '38 recently sent us an invitation to his art opening featuring his extensive collection of black and white portraits of jazz musicians that was held July 3 in Madison, Wis. We're sure it was a successful showing!
1939
Secretary: G. Donnell Davidson, 5100 Sharon Rd., Cottage 132, Charlotte, NC 28210; gdonanne@carolina.rr.com
It was a shocker to have telephoned Marshall Davidson, Prestonsburg, Ky., and learn of his death. Marshall's widow, Roberta, was good enough to tell me of the accident that was responsible. While she was away, and against instructions, Marshall was trying to clean out their swimming pool unaided. Using a device I think she called "Polaris," somehow he was electrocuted. Fortunately a daughter lives nearby, and Roberta's health is reasonably good. While naturally she is lonely without Marshall, Roberta is chipper and plans to remain in the family home indefinitely. Her address there is 532 North Central Ave., Prestonsburg, KY 41653. We extend her and all her family our heartfelt sympathy.
It's always good for a laugh when we call Henry Cutchin, Sherrills Ford, N.C. My query, "Henry, how're you doing?" The immediate response, "Anybody I can!" Still popular from his longtime medical practice and sense of humor, Henry continues living alone, working his crossword puzzles, planning his usual fall hunting expedition, and doing his own cooking (says he's good at "making" Lean Cuisines). Despite three stents in coronary arteries (surgery just twice), Henry, always joking, is an inspiration.
A second shocker, this one happy, was locating T.P. Porter in Saint Marys, Ga. Thanks to Davidson, our first lead was the purchaser of T.P.'s old home. Added to the Davidson file, this got us to one of the five Porter children, the middle daughter, who, per T.P.'s e-mail, now is his "five days a week nurse, seven days a week dietitian, chauffeur, chef, maid, dishwasher, and housekeeper." All children pitch in to avoid a nursing home. In 2007, doctors at Mayo reported that increasing invasion from the longtime, progressive cancer, fought with multiple surgeries since 1956, would cause death in less than six months. Since, with throat severely restricted (speech almost unintelligible and eating a problem), one eye and ear gone, T.P. has written a book, God is Present-Right Now, and has almost finished writing his life story. Fortunately there is minimal pain. I've had several e-mails from him, and they are encouraging. T.P. is another inspiration.
Now move over John Mawhinney, you're not our youngest living classmate. Your birth date is Aug. 28, and Bill Rainey, Knoxville, Tenn., doesn't become 90 until Sept. 1! Then, at that time, all of us will have become 90 or more years old.
Bill and Mary miss their farm, sold in 1991, but even on their small lot in town they have a productive garden, both vegetables and flowers. Except for Mary's back problem (an unusual disease called PMR and treatable only with prednisone), both are in reasonably good health. Her back pain notwithstanding, the Rainey's manage to visit all three children annually-next trip will be to Nashville, Tenn., followed by Blacksburg, Va., and Greenville, S.C. Bob Rosser, Coca, Fla., says that at 91 he has given up some former activities such as sitting in as violinist with local symphonies and being an active ham radio operator. With a wife four years his junior, Bob is pressed to maintain reasonably good health. He misses his former medical practice but has happy memories including his four years at Davidson. While with us, Bob was playing a violin that was handcrafted in 1933 and cost his father $75. A few years ago, having given it to his sister, who still played often, she had it appraised. The value had jumped to over $5,000!
Before you read these notes, you will have received a list of classmates, living when it was produced, and the summer edition of the Davidson Journal. Should you have missed it, by all means find that issue and turn to page 29, where you'll see a picture of Davidson Village in South Korea, and a bevy of Wilsons, all Davidson grads. Our Johnny Wilson was responsible for the village's existence, opening for service in our graduating year of 1939. With this note we conclude our reunion year reporting, with a small token of appreciation for the privilege of four years tutelage from one of the nation's greatest
liberal arts institutions, and also our several long lives of service thereafter.
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