Hosts and participation
Andover 55’s inaugural Zoom get-together convened at 8 pm Eastern Sunday August 9 from the home of Walt Howe and his wife, Hope Tillman, in Catonsville, Maryland. Courtesy of Hope’s Zoom account which she managed with proficiency, a librarian trained in information technology and experienced in the teaching of Artificial Intelligence — among other things. Safe to say that when our class finally connected through this new-fangled wizardry it couldn’t have happened without her. Thank you, Hope!
Four percent of our extant class participated. Five out of 127. Actually less than four percent since the class secretary had no choice. Though now that Dave Harrison has been dragged into it, a chronic school reunion no-show, he would have jumped at the chance had he known what was in store. The feel of community among persons of good will and outstanding character who shared an extraordinary experience at a special time of life. Nothing like it!
Technology’s spread
From Walt and Hope’s Maryland home Zoom connected four classmates in three states across the country. Dobie Jenkins in Santa Cruz, California, along with Harrison in Redondo Beach; Dave Haartz in Virginia (Springfield); and Steve Kaye in New York (Millbrook). Our virtual gathering place was a scenic view of Sam Phillips Hall put behind Walt by Zoom Gallery, a feature that will likely attract more users when we meet again.
The conversation took predictable turns into the personal but it did so with an awareness of the not-so-predictable. Previous generations of Andover graduates haven’t had to contend with Artificial Intelligence; a type and magnitude of upheaval that’s without precedent in human history. As concerning to its creators as it is to the rest of us.
A happy coincidence, then, that two sure-footed AI experts were with us:
- Walt’s experience with AI goes back to the 70s when he recognized its potential for growth. He co-authored Internet Basics (1993) and the Army’s Field Manual on Basic Cryptoanalysis, having also participated in a 2001 conference with Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin.
- Hope has trained seniors in the use of AI and the importance of critical thinking. She’s the backbone of an IT-interested group at Erickson Properties that meets monthly on Zoom. She offered to send Haartz names from the Greenspring Community involved in IT for him to follow up with his wife on their resident council.
Lifestyles
Despite the similarity in our ages there was variety in our living arrangements and lifestyles. Haartz about to embark on a cruise from Baltimore with 25 family members while Steve and Harrison prefer to stay home. Settled now on the Golden State’s coast, Dobie compared notes with Walt and Hope on co-housing in Catonsville and Haartz on retirement living.
While Haartz’s wife worked with the World Health Organization in Geneva they traveled to over 160 countries. A feat that recalled a recent class note from Dick Woods who’s so far made it to 142 countries with his wife Robin.
Non Sibi
Haartz recalled boarding at America House on Main Street where Samuel Francis Smith, in 1832, penned the lyrics to America. As to where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin there was some dispute, whether in Canada or off in Ohio, but none as to where Steve and Harrison boarded: Stowe House, in adjoining rooms where Steve roomed with Mait Jones and Harrison with Dallas Cook. Luckier classmates were situated across the street from Abbott Academy, where it was easier to attend tea dances.*
Steve Kaye entertained us with tales from his Millbrook Music Salon, another enterprise in the spirit of Andover Non Sibi. Enriching his community’s cultural life with performing artists like pianist and director Sophia Zhou, British pianist Mishka Momen Rushdie, American cellist Sterling Elliott, and Swiss Flutist Phillipp Jundt, names posted on its website https://millbrookmusicsalon.org/. Managing property also takes up his time where horses and cattle do the performing.
Harrison directed attention to his website https://davidclarkharrison.com/ where classmates can read about the life of Tom Hale (d. July 22, 2026), honored with Andover’s Humanitarian Award in 1974 for his Christian mission to the Himilayas of Nepal. A cause to which his surviving wife, Cynthia, was equally committed from the day they met in 1959.
Thrashings, physical and mental
Andover’s 59-0 thrashing of Exeter in 1952 still reverberates among us and the football heroics of upperclassman Hort Smith, our running back. Who terrified Harrison’s older brother Eric, an Exonian linebacker who had to tackle him. Haartz fondly recalled attending a number of Rose Bowl games in Pasadena including one with Tony Costello (d. 1983) and Larry Westfall.
Reflections on Andover faculty and courses brought admissions that some were an intellectual bridge too far. Fritz Allis’s college-level introduction to American History, where poring over Henry Steele Commager, Douglas Southall Freeman, Allan Nevins, and other luminaries in Holmes Library couldn’t get America’s story across to minds like Harrison’s, too callow to put it all together. Or Francis J. “Black Mac” McCarthy’s philosophy course, over Steve’s head too. Yet both courses indispensable to handling the intellectual challenges ahead, the mark of a superior education. Unforgettable.
On the horizon
There will be more Zoom opportunities at least three times a year in between publication of Andover Magazine. The next opportunity coming after the Fall / Winter issue arrives in December and before the Spring issue in May. That’s with the present setup. Virtual reunions can be arranged by anyone with a Zoom account and if that’s you, all it takes is to schedule it and Harrison will get the word out. Meantime, for traditionalists there’s always the class notes section in Andover Magazine.
One way or the other: staying connected.
Posted by Dave Harrison 08/21/26
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*Harrison did contrive to meet an Abbott girl by taking dance lessons. His fox trot partner was Nancy Eastham (Iacobucci), the two destined to become their alma maters’ class secretaries.