50th Reunion

Richard A. Sanctuary
How often l have appreciated having been at Amherst College! I entered directly from high school in Amherst just delighted to have the opportunity to attend such a fine educational institution! My fascination was in math and physics, though eventually chemistry became my major, Languages were a challenge, and history even more so, though fault lay with me, not with my instructors. My high point was being asked to consider a teaching appointment in the chemistry department (the war had started), though I chose to continue into medicine, having been accepted at Harvard Medical School.

The war didn't hit me very hard. I had six months of carefree army life before being sent to medical school, eventually completing the final year as a civilian. Later the Korean conflict obligated me to new service, this time in the Air Force as a physician, with two years in France. Managed there a trip to Holland with Francis Fellers ('44), and eventually saw most of Europe, I was married by then; our second child was born in Chateauroux. Managed to gain a little experience in surgery. Really a delightful time.

Most of my life has centered about general surgical practice in small Vermont town (Bellows Falls) though other interests also prevailed: family, church, auto mechanics, flying, shooting & handloading, computering, & teaching in home schooling. Most of my residency training in surgery was at Dartmouth before settling here in Walpole in 1959. I loved the small town practice; the relationships were enjoyable, the pace was tolerable, there was much satisfaction in life. Smallness, however, had its toll on the hospital; soon after it closed, I retired, two years ago.

Three of our four children (all have families) live nearby; one son lives in Pensacola, flying jets in the Coast Guard. Five of the nine grandchildren (2 families) are home schooled. It is a real pleasure for me to be involved regularly in their instruction. The emphasis varies according to interest, but I am involved in teaching them medical sciences, grammar, composition, math, firearms, and especially computer science, including modest programming.

Richard A. Sanctuary
In recent years, then, I have become fascinated by the benefits of home schooling. Opportunity to observe also over 50 other such students has impressed me with their high academic scores, the active approach they show to studies, and the mature way they relate to peers, to older and younger children, and to adults. I see no harm from home schooling in social or academic development. The strengthening of the family life, I think, is the big plus. The system may not be practical for everyone but surely it should be available for those who want to use it.

Our church still takes up much of my time. My personal theology (essentially that of most church-goers): the scriptures are the only reliable source of information about God who is pictured as great, righteous, holy, extending His love and mercy towards rebellious mankind, requiring not works but recognition and acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ, as man's only righteousness before Him, thus allowing man to change his ways through a desire to please God.