Legendary Life T. Holmes “Bud” Moore ’38
1920-2013 By Will McCulloch When T. Holmes “Bud” Moore ’38 enrolled at New Hampton School in 1936, he was in need of a transformative educational experience and a connection to a community. He benefited on both accounts and returned the favor to the School with a lifetime of service. Along the way, he connected with students, created a distinctive boarding school environment, and touched the lives of countless graduates with inspiration and incessant guidance. We remember a legend. Mr. Moore, who served New Hampton School in various capacities for over 70 years, including 33 years as Headmaster and President, passed away peacefully on August 18. He was 93 years old. A 1938 graduate of New Hampton, Moore worked at the School from 1946 to 1959 as a faculty member and his many responsibilities ranged from English teacher and department head to Director of Admission and Executive Headmaster. In 1959, he became Headmaster of the School and led New Hampton until his retirement in 1992 (from 1972-1990 his title was the President of the School). Moore was a 1946 graduate of Middlebury College and Veteran of World War II in which he served four years in the Navy. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees as Headmaster Emeritus since 2006. “We have been blessed as a school and as individuals to have T. Holmes Moore in our lives. He devoted his life to New Hampton
School,” said Andrew Menke, current Head of School. “The School would not be where it is today but for his steadfast commitment to the principles that we hold dear today: hard work, community, personal growth and personal responsibility. His legacy is one of positive, enthusiastic and dynamic leadership that impacted generations of graduates who have gone on to impact their communities in business, education, and public service.” Moore will be remembered as a loving husband to Norma Jean “Jinga” Moore, a former faculty member, who also served the School in many capacities, and a remarkable father to five children: Thomas Moore ’63, Andrew Moore ’65, Robinson Moore ’73, Elibet Moore Chase ’75, and Jamie Moore Sheff. In his role as Headmaster and President, Moore left an indelible mark on NHS. The School built five new dormitories, the McEvoy Theater, a Lower Gymnasium, a Student Center, and Memorial
“One of the few truly unforgettable people I have ever met!”
Dining Hall under his leadership. He ushered began and the community gathered, it was customary for Moore to introduce without New Hampton back to co-education in 1970 – Tom Adams ’64 notes each student on the first day of school, and steered the School through the turbulent knowing their name and some personal fact times of the Vietnam War and the ensuing culabout each of the students. tural shifts in adolescent life and education. Moore’s commitment to New Hampton was Though Moore’s dedication to improving the also illustrated in the way he managed a distinct path physical plant and ensuring the long-term health of the School will be an enduring part of his legacy, his greatest impact for the School. Over six different decades and through incomperhaps can be seen and felt in the friendly, unpretentious cul- prehensible change and transformation, Moore maintained ture of the School that was founded in 1821. The son-in-law of his a clear educational philosophy and a vision for the School. predecessor, Headmaster Frederick Smith ’10, Moore continued “When I became Headmaster in 1959, I had been around long Smith’s tradition of connecting with students on a personal level enough to realize that I could take the School in any direction,” Moore wrote in his unpublished memoirs. “I was tempted to fill even when enrollment grew. Alumni often recall with amazement Moore’s flawless mem- the School with pre-selected winners taught by eminent scholory and commitment to detail. As another school year officially ars, but I chose to continue it as it was when I was a student
“This man was the most influential person in my life.” Linda Tatar Landau ’72
and during the years when I was on the faculty. I believe that the basis of personal success is self-confidence, which comes from knowledge of self: strengths, weaknesses and talents. I wanted New Hampton to be a School that continued helping its students discover their strengths, weaknesses, and talents and devise programs which remedy weaknesses, discover strengths, and develop talents. “I looked around and realized that many schools have a vision of the ideal graduate, develop a program to realize that vision, accept an inevitable diversity of students and gradually eliminate that diversity so that all graduates are look-alikes. New Hampton starts with this same diversity, but it helps individuals understand how they are different, and develops programs to accentuate these differences so that when they graduate they are even more different.” Moore always believed in the magic of boarding school and the way in which a place like New Hampton—with caring, attentive faculty —could influence and transform the 44 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL FALL 2013
lives of students. Though it appeared ed to explore the possibility of enrollhe seemed destined for a career in ed- ing his son at New Hampton School. ucation, Moore’s early life suggested “Somehow my father made a deal,” he would not be a likely candidate for Moore wrote in his memoirs, “and I boarding school as a student or later became one of Fred Smith’s ‘worthy as a professional. A passion for music boys,’ which meant that I worked in and time in the military nearly pushed various jobs to pay the room, board, him toward different career paths. and tuition charge.” T. Holmes Moore was born in Moore was a timid 16-year-old boy Grafton, New Hampshire on June 14, in the fall of 1936 when he stood in 1920. He lived in Grafton and Canaan, the New Hampton School auditorium New Hampshire as a young boy before for the first time; and Frederick Smith moving to Penacook, New Hampshire, introduced him by name and shared a with his mother, father, and sister Ollittle biographical information about ive. The Moore family, as with so many Moore with his new schoolmates. other families, struggled through the “It was in that brief moGreat Depression. Neverthement in time that a less, the young Moore self-confidence and blossomed as a mu“Bud was my father’s sense of worth that sician, playing the English teacher. He was my Headwould sustain me trumpet in a nummaster. And, he was Headmaster for the rest of my ber of bands. After life were born,” Emeritus while my son attended attending the high Moore wrote. New Hampton. He touched all our school in PenaMoore gradulives in wonderful ways. What can cook for his first ated in 1938 after two years of high one say? The man is a legend!” two years as a solid school, his father— – Whitney Ward ’71 student, leading muwho was then working as a car salesman—decidsician, and a manager to
numerous athletic teams. During his time at the School, including summers working at the Resort on campus, Moore met his future wife Jinga, the daughter of the Headmaster who lived on campus with her parents and brothers. Though he didn’t believe he would have many college options, Moore once again looked to Headmaster Smith for guidance. At the arrangement of Smith, he matriculated to Middlebury College. Moore continued his studies and paid his way through college with his trumpet, playing in more bands and working the summer music circuit. After three years at Middlebury, the military came calling. Moore enlisted in the fall of 1941 and quickly found himself the Junior Ensign on a ship of 2,109 men and the Junior Officer in the V (Aviation) Division. He flew OS2U Kingfishers off the battleship Indiana and became the Senior Aviator at the age of 21 to his disbelief. He spent the majority of his time in the South Pacific where he transitioned from the USS Indiana to the
USS New Mexico, another battleship. after four years, and he returned to His responsibilities primarily included Middlebury with his wife in 1945. After finishing his degree at Midreconnaissance over the Marshall and Solomon Islands. For his efforts in the dlebury in 1946 and doing a little South Pacific, Moore was presented graduate work at the Breadloaf School, with the Air Medal for “consummate Moore returned to New Hampton skill and daring beyond the call of duty with Jinga and their first-born son in the performance of duty as Senior Thomas. He was hired as an English Aviator of the Indiana and the New teacher, became Executive HeadmasMexico in the Gilbert Islands, Marshall ter in 1954, and succeeded Frederick Smith as Headmaster in 1959. Islands, and Marianas campaigns.” “I got into the Navy because I In 1972, he became President of the School and served in that position unwanted to learn to fly and serve my til 1990 when he became Headmaster country,” he explained in his memoir. again before retiring in 1992. “The Navy served me well. I realized In retirement, Moore lived on my childhood dream of being a Pinnacle Hill in the farmfighter pilot and along the house the family purway learned a lot about chased in 1976. He “Who else but a great guy like leadership, problem remained active TH could convince my father it solving, performing in many of the was ok for me to come to New under pressure, decharities and orHampton even if there were cision-making, and ganizations to managing people.” 200 guys and 20 girls? I had which he contribDuring a leave three of my happiest years at uted throughout from the Navy, he New Hampton.” his life as a resident married Jinga on Sepof New Hampshire – Ellen Edersheim ’74 tember 9, 1944. Moore’s and New Hampton. service in the Navy ended Continued on page 48. FALL 2013 HAMPTONIA 45
T. Holmes Moore ’38 LEGENDARY LIFE
Make a Gift to the Norma Jean and T. Homes Moore Endowed Scholarship read memorial speeches from family members photo slideshow Watch the memorial service
Visit www.newhampton.org/ tholmesmoore
1936
1930s
T. Holmes Moore enrolls at New Hampton School in the class of 1938
1938
Graduates from New Hampton School
1938
Enrolls at Middlebury College
1941
1940s
Enlists in the Navy
1944
Marries Norma Jean Moore on September 9
1945
Returns to Middlebury College after Navy service
1946 Begins working at New Hampton School as English Teacher, Starts and Leads Glee Club
1990s
1992 Retires as Headmaster of New Hampton School
Frederick and Grace Smith (left) with T.H. and Jinga Moore (right).
1954 Named Executive Headmaster 1959 Named Headmaster
1950s
1970s 1970
Oversees the re-introduction of co-education at New Hampton School
1972
Named President of the School
1977 Receives Honorary Doctorate, Franklin Pierce College
2000s
2006 Becomes member of the Board of Trustees 2008 Receives Granite State Award at Plymouth State University
“Mr. Moore was the first person I met when I toured at New Hampton. It was Christmas
break,1981. It had snowed a foot the night before, and the campus was empty. He was shoveling the front steps of Berry Hall, and
I assumed he was the maintenance guy. He let me into Berry and told me to sit in the front office while he turned up the heat. He came back into the office, sat behind the desk, took off his gloves and hat, and told me he was Bud Moore, he was the President of the School, and he would be interviewing me. Immediately I knew this is where I wanted to go.” –Michael O’Brien ’84 This includ- New England Foundation for IndeContinued from page 45. ed but was not limited to service pendent Schools, serving as presion the boards of the Bristol Bank; dent for 17 years; the New England Lakes Region General Hospital; Gor- Association of Schools and Colleges don Nash Library; Bristol Chamber for 14 years, rising to the position of of Commerce; NH Library Trustees president; and the Council for the AdAssociation; NH Council on World vancement and Support of Education Affairs; Concord Gen’l Mutual Insur- (CASE) for six years. ance Co.; Green Mountain Insurance In 1977, Moore was awarded an Company; Vermont Accident Insur- honorary doctor of law from Franklin ance Co.; Peoples Service Insurance Pierce College. In 1982, he received Company; State Mutual Insurance UNH’s highest honor, the Pettee MedCompany; The Mayhew Program; al, for distinguished service to the Pemigewasset Choral Society; Town state of New Hampshire, and in 1986 of New Hampton; and New Hampton he was voted an NH Notable. In 2008, he received the Granite State Award Community Church. after giving the commencement A tireless champion of edaddress at Plymouth State ucational opportunity, University. Moore served on the “What could mean more to His influence Independent School a person than to be rememon New Hampton Association of bered. And Bud remembered School endured Northern New Eneveryone- and where you came over the last eight gland (ISANNE) from, what your father did for a years as Moore for 45 years; the living and later, your spouse’s served on the Non-Public School name and his occupation.” Advisory CommitBoard of Trustees. tee for 30 years, risMenke developed a — Holley Keyes ’74 ing to the position of close friendship with chairman; the Northern Moore and leaned on him 48 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL FALL 2013
not only as a vital voice in the institutional intelligence of the School, but also as a mentor. “Despite all he had accomplished, he was always available and accessible and without ego or pretense... and what a sense a humor,” Menke said. “We are fortunate to have been graced with his presence for so many years. We are a better school, and I am a better Head, but more importantly, a better human being as a result of my relationship with this amazing man.” Moore leaves his wife of 69 years, Norma Jean “Jinga” Moore; his sister Olive Calef of Exeter, New Hampshire; his five children and their spouses: Tom and Tina Moore of Rohnert Park, California; Andy and Suzi Moore of New Hampton, New Hampshire; Jamie and Paul Sheff of Boylston, Massachusetts; Rob and Laura Moore of Groton, Massachusetts; and Elibet and George Chase of Concord, New Hampshire; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of Moore’s life was held on Sunday August 25 at the School. More than 800 people attended.
tributes
BUD Foliage Day For T. Holmes “Bud” Moore By Gary Margolis ’63
what would bud do? By Jennifer Shackett Berry ’83 Director of College Counseling Bud Moore taught me many lessons. He taught me to be a steward of others, my school, and my community. When my parents both passed away, he wrote me a note about preserving their legacy. My devotion to my family, my work, and my community extends from this prompting. In my work at New Hampton School, I often think, “What would Bud do?” prior to acting. I joined the Board of Trustees of the Newfound Lake Region Association to help maintain a legacy in the purity of the lake that was such a part of my childhood, and also because Bud and Jinga modeled serving community-based non-profits to complement their family and professional lives. Bud also taught me the value of unwavering loyalty and positivity in the face of adversity whether it related to his school, family, friends, or his final medical issues. At the start of my career, New Hampton School faced financial struggles. Bud was able to make difficult decisions that were institutionally driven. I surmise these were incredibly challenging times for him, but he remained steadfast in his loyalty to the institution. When my husband or I faced adverse situations, it was Bud who advised us and helped us to see the silver lining and remain focused on the future. During a visit with Bud in his final months, when asked how he was doing, he replied, “top drawer”. My husband Tom says, “Bud saw the light in people and made it flourish.” So true; he made us believe we were all special and important; he was a believer in good causes, whether institutions or people. We push forward, doing our best for our family, friends, students, and the School—always guided by “What would Bud do?”
One day a year we sat waiting to hear this was the day we didn’t have to go to school. The buses idled among the leaves we couldn’t see. We fidgeted among ourselves guessing if this was the day. If the maples were peaking. If classes were canceled. If Mr. Moore would announce what we’d come to believe that this was the day. His hair was always silver grey. He could say anything we came to believe to keep us in our seats. He knew each of our turning names. Save the day he knew it was his secret to let us out. To climb a hill. To lose ourselves in the leaves. So we could return to school for the rest of the year. So we could say we always knew which day it was he would tell us you can learn everything you need to know, one leaf at a time. When you know each boy’s name. Even today, when he isn’t here. When he’s saying you can say, (you can use any word) like each boy’s name from whence we came. FALL 2013 HAMPTONIA 49
T. Holmes Bud Moore ’38 graduated from New Hampton School living selling ladies’ hosiery on the side, running a babysitting in 1938, but it was also a significant year for a lot of events. It was service and a dating service—whatever that was in 1938. In the summer of 1940, he was still chasing Norma Jean, the same year Benny Goodman and his band became the first jazz musicians to play Carnegie Hall. It was also the year the first but playing five nights a week with Harry Meehan and his New ski tow began operation in Vermont. And Bud Moore graduated Yorkers at the Jungle Ballroom on Newfound Lake. They called it the Jungle Ballroom because they had monkeys in artificial trees from New Hampton with his horn in hand. But it wasn’t before Bud, who had been working his subtle way swinging around down in the basement and featuring Bill Bopre, into Headmaster Fred Smith’s notice, squired Norma Jean Smith, the Liberace of the steam calliope on band breaks. The war catches up, and Bud enlists after three years at Fred’s daughter, with limited success for two years (Bud was 17, Jinga was 13 when he took her to her junior prom at Bristol High Middlebury in the Naval Aviator Program and ends up flying a scout School). Bud at 17 and Norma Jean at 13—now there’s something. seaplane off a battleship. This is nasty business catapulting off a There are laws against that now you know. What’s more, he battleship, a bit tricky getting back on that catapult, too. It is the borrowed Jinga’s mother’s car for the date. You might remember first time earning an honest living without having to blow his horn. Bud was always a man of letters, and he proposes by mail to it, the old Ford station wagon with the wood paneling. He was so taken with her, Bud let Jing drive the car all the way Jinga, now a student at Mount Holyoke and nearing the age of around Newfound Lake—then they stopped right there on the Old consent. He similarly composes a letter to her dad, Fred Smith, New Hampton’s beloved Headmaster from Bristol Road on the way home to dance to 1927 to 1959, setting forth his bona fides the car radio, kissed her goodnight on the and asking for Jing’s hand in marriage. Fred, back porch of “The Mansion,” jumped down, a man of few words, wrote a note on the and went off whistling in the dark. (Picture the letter and sent it back: “Dear Bud. ok — F.S.” setting with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed Fred was all business, and happy to keep the in the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life) and By Bob Kennedy ’50 car in the family. singing down Shingle Camp Hill “Buffalo gal Trustee Bud went back to the war for a little won’t you come out tonight.” Grace got her bit after the wedding as a fighter carrier car and her daughter back, all in 1938. instructor at Pensacola for the duration Bud never had any money back in those where he took up golf with Jinga. days. As one of Fred Smith’s “worthy young And, then, the clever fellow finished up at Middlebury and boys” on scholarship, he worked. His first job was playing trumpet for the Bessie Worm Band (Bessie played the piano and led the landed a job with his father-in-law at New Hampton, teaching band). She needed a trumpet player for her band Bessie Worm English for one year. That was the deal—one year and no more and the Night Crawlers with the motto “wiggle and squirm with monkey business with the horn. Well, that was nearly 70 years ago—the early years. And if you Bessie Worm.” Bessie used to say “You ain’t been kissed ‘til you’ve been kissed by a trumpet player.” We’ll never know. It was a boy’s believe we are largely shaped by our early years, that’s what then produced this couple and what then followed. school back then, you know. And what followed next? Next is the modern history of the New And finally it’s June 1938, Bud graduates and Joe Louis knocks out Max Schmeling in the first round at Yankee Stadium. Hampton School. Bud was the Head of School from 1959 to 1992, a Bud heads to Middlebury in the Fall of 1938. Meanwhile, Neville history that we all share, and 65 years of legacy of the Smith family Chamberlain returns from a meeting in Munich with Adolph and the Moore family—32 with Fred and Grace, 33 with Bud and Hitler and proclaims, “peace in our time,” which lasts less than Jing. It’s a legacy of over 6,000 young men and women over 65 six months. The Yankees win the pennant and World Series after years educated and prepared for college and life, through at least finishing 9½ games ahead of the Red Sox. two more wars, through the change to co-education, through 14 At Middlebury, Bud is engrossed in academics and on presidents of the United States, five new dormitories, Memorial scholarship again, still a worthy boy who must work to pay for Hall, The Moore Center, McEvoy Theater, The Academic Research school. He’s in a new band and soon becomes leader of it. It is called Center, and The Field House. Five kids and 14 grandkids later, Bud the Middlebury College Black Panthers band. He also earned a and Jinga endure in all of our minds—the pretty red-head who went on to become a great Spanish teacher and chair of the department, who wanted to get out of the car and dance on the road to Bristol, and the trumpet player, arranger, who turned the Glen Miller sound into Bessie Worm and the Night Crawlers and who could whistle four-part harmony to “How you Gonna Keep ‘em Down on the Farm” and “Heart of My Heart”. Together they became the personality of the New Hampton School—the heart and soul of the New Hampton School. If a society mirrors its leadership, the reflection of the New Hampton School for the Bud and Jinga years is this: lovable, laughable, devoted educators—shaping lives—the horn player and the beautiful Spanish-speaking red-headed mom. Thanks Bob Kennedy ’50 and Jing and Bud for this “string of pearls.” Bud Moore ’38 in 1997.
Heart and Soul
My thoughts and prayers go out to Jinga and the Moore family during this difficult time. I hope you feel the love that the entire NHS community and the town of New Hampton had for Bud. His loss is painful, but his legacy is inspiring to all who were fortunate to cross paths with this amazing human being. From the first time I got to converse with Mr. Moore at dinner at the house on Pinnacle Hill in the fall of 1979 with some of my classmates from Lewis, to chatting with him at the Hall of Fame Dinner for the 1980 hockey team in the fall of 2008, he was always more interested in what I was doing than talking about himself. He had an uncanny ability to put you at ease, build your confidence, get you to talk, and then remember it! During our last conversation at that dinner, I asked him why he hadn’t become Governor of New Hampshire yet and with his beautiful grin he replied, “because I can’t talk out of both sides of my mouth!” What a remarkable response from a tremendous leader, teacher, and mentor. Godspeed Bud, you will be missed, but always remembered.” —Jonathan Karalekas ’80 FALL 2013 HAMPTONIA 51
It is my honor and privilege to share a few thoughts about my during economic slowdowns. Unlike other New England boarding savior and our headmaster, teacher, disciplinarian, role model, schools, NHS never had the means to build an endowment of size, colleague and friend, T. Holmes “T.H.” Moore. If that sounds a bit and depended almost exclusively on tuition while striving to also dramatic, read on. I first met T.H. In the summer of 1954 when bring in more worthy boys and girls. my father was looking for a school where I would be out of his Bud was determined to put the school on firmer financial ground, sight and largely his mind. As Bud described it many years later, and fortunately recruited Bob Kennedy ‘50, CEO of Union Carbide the conversation between the two of them was like two big cats and an acknowledged international business leader, as Board warily circling each other, looking for an opening. As he learned Chair. I like to characterize Bob as the best friend New Hampton more about my family situation, and, accurately discerning he was has ever had. Teaming with Bob, Bud brought NHS through the getting just a sanitized version, Bud’s reaction was, “I’ve got to deep recession of 1989-92, which hit New Hampshire real estate, get this kid away from this mess.” Thus my admission to NHS as a our alumni donor base, and prospective family pool particularly freshman and why savior fits so well. hard. Rather than despair, together they put in place plans, policies, Headmaster, teacher, disciplinarian and role model—these and people that gave us a solid foundation for the success to follow. will be common feelings for all the boys and, starting in 1970, the Even in retirement, Bud continued to work to benefit the girls who passed through his care. T. H. fit the part perfectly. In the School. His extraordinary memory was constantly utilized to help vernacular, he had the “Right Stuff.” He had never been given a reconnect alumni and remind them of their youth, achievements, thing and earned everything he accomplished. From his early teens, old classmates, and their debt to the School, which tried so hard to NHS and to Middlebury, then getting his to help them forward. And of course, since Navy wings, and back to college to finish his Bud was the keystone of that part of the arcs degree, it was grit and effort that led him of their lives, his appeals were very hard to forward. It was his great good fortune to win resist, even when only lightly pressed. the love of his wartime bride, Jinga, which Together, Bud and Bob laid the foundation led him back to New Hampton and then into for the energized and solid academic and the hearts of six decades of our students. financial position and reputation we now By Jason Pilalas ’58 By his return, his experiences and enjoy. It is a culture and institutional health Trustee academic success, a commanding presence, that the current leadership of Head of School an easy familiarity and obvious humanity Andrew Menke and Board Chair Peter came together with a manner friendly or Galletly ’73 is now further enhancing. stern depending on circumstances. Over Bud deeply loved Jinga, his bride and time, these reinforced a reputation for fairness and firmness, and wife of 68 years, the extended Moore and Smith families, and despite our youth showed through even to us. Our respect mirrored the School they have served since 1926. They and it were the more T.H. the person than the position he held. building blocks and cornerstones of his life. We are fortunate that For many of us, he was a key figure in and shaper of both through Jinga and current trustee Rob Moore ’73, the connections our young and later lives. He had a sixth-sense, which gave him endure. For my generation, T.H. is the root of our love for New an understanding of teenage boys and girls, their hopes, partly- Hampton and the principal reason for our past, present, and formed abilities and personas, conflicts and circumstances, and future commitment and support. In my family and in many others, a wonderful insight into how to best help and nurture them. In he will never be forgotten. my case, it was all this plus the quality of mercy which allowed me to continue at school, then go on to eventually mature and pursue a successful career. After NHS, he was instrumental in getting me a largely undeserved college scholarship and subsequent Navy commission. I always hugely admired his courage as a World War II Naval Aviator, flying low and alone over heavily defended enemy islands in the Pacific, then landing on the open sea to hopefully be picked up by his ship. As James Michener once wrote, “Where do we get such men?” Of course as students, our school lives revolved around classes, grades, dorm life, and athletics. The behind-the-scenes workings of the School were very largely a closed book to us. Not to Bud. Taken in by Headmaster Fred Smith in the depth of the Depression as one of his “Worthy Boys”—the translation is he couldn’t begin to pay—Bud well understood how the School’s financial situation became parlous at times, especially
the life-changer
Bud Moore ’38 and Jason Pilalas ’58 chat at the
52 NEW HAMPTON SCHOOL FALL 2013
GO BEYOND! launch celebration in 2009.
During the summer of 1978, I needed a do-over. I needed a big- The more than 800 people who attended his memorial in August time, let’s-start-from-scratch, all-is-forgiven, nobody-knows-your- are a living testament to his kindness, generosity, and grace. name do-over. Frankly, I had reached my teenage version of rock There are hundreds of stories of Mr. Moore shaping young lives, bottom and was going nowhere fast. I was 16. My parents and I pushing and pulling, saving and sheltering, caring for young had been called to school for yet one more conference. The four people who needed it, and launching those who didn’t. There are of us were in a three-person office with voices that were talking those, like me, who still struggle to find the right words, the oh-soimportant words that might adequately tell words and numbers and excuses. I didn’t the whole story, to express our inexorable really hear them then, and I don’t remember gratitude. With the simple act of placing his them now. All I could hear was my own voice arm around my shoulder and inviting me to saying I needed to leave this place and dinner the first night of my parentless family these people, and begin again. weekend, Mr. Moore helped me believe that Although we weren’t prep school I was going to be ok. I was safe here, in this people, my parents were amazingly place for which he had responsibility. supportive, and understood that I was By Victoria Blodgett ’80 Even now, I have no words to convey telling a soul wrenching truth when I said, Trustee how profound the impact his presence and “I want to leave here, go into the wilds of compassion had on me that day, and most New Hampshire where nobody knows me, all of my days at NHS. Never a rich man, and start over.” They understood that my “hometown” didn’t feel like home, the public schools didn’t fit me, my father gave what he could to NHS until he died in 2005. My Dad would be so proud to know that since 2009, I have tried to and I was getting lost in the chaos of an “educational” machine. Six weeks later, I was unpacking my bags into the tiny closet serve NHS as a member of the Board of Trustees, experiencing of the attic room of the barn behind Gables Hall, and greeting my the great honor of sitting beside Bud Moore, the man whose fabulously funny and brilliant roommates Gretchen Rosenquist ’80 caring arm around my shoulder 30 years ago changed my view and the spirited NHS senior Jeanne Internicola ’79. I had never of the world forever. seen any place more beautiful in my life. I knew I was home, and I was getting my fresh start. There were small classes with teachers who became manna from heaven, sports, creative people and places, nature— all of it wrapped up with just enough mischief to make it great fun. Three weeks later, my father fell down a flight of stairs and broke his neck. My fear during those next few days was palpable. My mother asked that I remain at New Hampton, safe and under the School’s care, until the situation was clearer. But I couldn’t see how I was going to stay here in my new home, when life for my family had changed so drastically. The uncertainty of Victoria Blodgett ’80 (left) and Susan my situation was frightening and Overton greet Bud at the Dedication of confusing. the Pilalas Center in 2009. T. Holmes Moore, as I understand 30 years later, answered similar calls for many families.
answering the call
honor bud
Memorial donations may be made to New Hampton School in support of the T. Holmes and Norma Jean Moore Endowed Scholarship Fund. (www.newhampton.org/giving or New Hampton School c/o Sandy Colhoun, 70 Main Street, New Hampton, NH 03256) or to the Mayhew Program (www.mayhew.org/ or P.O. Box 120, 293 West Shore Rd., Bristol, NH 03222). FALL 2013 HAMPTONIA 53