To be honest, the closer June 3rd got, the more I began to dread it. Hell, between my arthritis, the aches and pains of five operations on my legs, and my complete inability to push my self away from the table, I was not exactly a candidate for Dancing With The Stars or an audition for the Chippendale’s.

All the first night jitters disappeared as we arrived at the New Haven Omni and greeted classmates checking in, sometimes fumbling names and searching forgotten faces of classmates who had dispersed to far away places and some close by, friends I had not kept up with for God knows why.

The lead up included a year in which Dorothy and I moved from Long Island to Essex, Connecticut. I had lived on the same block for 72 years. We moved in the midst of the housing mess and economic upheaval to be next door to our son Graham and his family: wife Paulette; Graham Jr., age 10; Bradley, 8; Victoria, 6; and Duncan, 5.

Graham Jr. underwent major bone lengthening surgery 6/6/2009 in West Palm Beach and extended rehab in Florida and at home, lasting six months. He returned in late August. His family shuttled back and forth to be with him. We helped out on this end. He gained 5 inches in height and will undergo further surgery. In the meantime, he received a lacrosse goalie stick for his birthday yesterday, his first choice of presents.

On the drive down from Essex to New Haven, we stopped in Madison a few exits south, and met Stan and Laurie Pinover for lunch, their proximity to us is an extra dividend with our move. This was the kick-off for our fabulous ‘55th. After lunch, we headed for the Omni Hotel and the check-in at Timothy Dwight.

For me the Reunion held a greater meaning, a chance to put the turmoil of the past year in a broader context and reflect on a lifetime blessed with memories that few are lucky enough to possess. The first person we saw as we checked in at Timothy Dwight was Corky Peterson. We played freshman football together and saw each other occasionally in the hectic period after graduation when service time for some and career starts for others carried all of us in new directions. Corky will always remain a bright light in my galaxy. When my first wife, Betsy, passed away in 1963, Corky provided spiritual support and, as a Minister, assisted at her funeral.

Thursday afternoon and through dinner, more and more old friends and roommates joined the earlier arrivals. Throughout the evening, dozens of conversations were begun and never finished as the crowd swelled under the tent and in the courtyard. The faces and names of many were vague or forgotten, and in some cases classmates met for the first time and new friendships were begun. The pace throughout was fast and organized with the precision of a military maneuver. Charlie Goodyear and his crew of Class Officers Don Warner, Alan Englander, Dan Ward, Dave Hoadley and Tom McCance outdid themselves. The turnout exceeded all expectations and those responsible for shaking the last quarters out of deep pockets, led by Richard Haskel, Dave Hoadley and sundry solicitors, surpassed their goal. All in all, a string of A’s on the report card.

The days were filled with class discussion groups, campus tours, workshops and lectures. Dorothy praised Kris Keggi’s talk on health care. I must admit that I cut several lectures, but spent quality time under the tent Friday and Saturday talking with old friends and teammates John Bell, Don Scharf and Dave Hoadley. Dorothy and I had a great talk with Toni Goodale, before Jamie her husband and my tormentor whisked her away! Dave and I were entrusted Friday AM with the task of guarding Jane Haskel’s purse and valuables, secreted in an ugly, non-descript pea green shopping bag, while she attended a lecture. It never left our sight!

The Battell Chapel Remembrance Service provided time for flashbacks and thoughts, and time to dwell a moment on happy times and absent friends.

Friday nights “formal” dinner was a highlight. At our table were the Haskels, Pinovers, Doaks, Peter Meyer and Corky Peterson. Close by were Toppy and Marjorie Castle and Bertie Hogg, Bruce and Sara Monick, Bill and Carolyn Schrader, Steve Yamamoto, Hi Upson and Eliot Youman.

A little publicized fact about our host and classmate Bob Thompson, Master of Timothy Dwight, since 1978; he will retire this year as the longest serving Master of any College at Yale. Bob has served as Art Historian since 1965.

Our own Whiffs performed and get better with age. The music was perfect. The dancing was an aching treat. The top of the Omni was scene of the last call with the Haskels, Pinovers and Kampfs. Dorothy went to bed. I joined Jim and Susan Doughan and John and Joan Beni for the final act before calling it a night.

Saturday afternoon’s class meeting was followed by 55’s jewel in the crown — David McCullough — and a preview of his current work in progress. David’s tribute to his wife Rosalee, aglow, seated in the second row, set a high bar that had many of us scrambling mentally to frame thoughts and words and phrases to be used at a later date with our wives or significant others. We received a behind the scene’s look at how a classic takes form. As a new dabbler in the art, I was fascinated with how the theme was developed and how he auditioned in his mind the characters for inclusion in the final work. David’s mastery of his subject and his voice and presence in delivery left us with the feeling that we had just been treated to a very special afternoon. Indeed we had.

Each of us received two DVD’s on arrival. One was a collection of Yale songs and music. The other, an outstanding selection of songs, some written by and all sung by Dwight Towsend. As I write this, the beautiful sounds of Froggie’s DVD keep me company. I could get too sentimental so will end with the hope that five years hence we’re all together again.

After the incredible weekend, Dorothy and I were jolted back to reality. We returned to Essex only to find that our youngest grandson Duncan, age 5, was serving a misconduct penalty on the penalty chair. The infraction occurred in Friday’s kindergarten class when the teacher asked the class to come up with words that rhymed with SMART. Our Duncan’s hand shot up. He volunteered a word that began with “F.” So much for higher learning, there’s work to be done next door!

To all my classmates, please send me your thoughts and reveries on the reunion. I’d love to post them here.

George S.K. Rider