Kingswood Oxford High School - Retrospect Yearbook (West Hartford, CT)

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Herbert Viets Camp Herr Herb came to Kingswood from New Britain Central Junior High School in his Third Form year. It didn’t take Herb long to become a good friend of everyone on the campus and a noted Republican, for he was always saying how good the Republicans were, and why the bills they passed were so much better than anything the Democrats ever thought of. Herb be- came popular as one of the most assiduous golfers that ever went through Kingswood, after it was known that he played any time in the year that the snow was not above his knees. In Herb’s Fifth Form year, he wrote for the Kingswood News and displayed his acting talents in the 1952 production of Young Man’s Fancy. Herb also made his way to second place on the Kingswood golf team and proved to be a strong point there. In his senior year, Herb is still writing for the Kingswood News and has become a member of the Classbool committee. He made the Honor Roll and was one of the distinguished members of the undefeated J. V. soccer team. During the summers, you will always find Herb water skiing through the islands of Stony Creek or basking in the sun. Occasionally he has to fill his motor with gas, or bring it over to get a propeller fixed, because he forgot his flashlight at night. “I thought I knew the channel.” Herb is a swell guy and will be long remembered by everyone. 10

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Robert Andrew Cairns Rob Rob put down his golf bag just long enough to enter our Second Form in the fall of ’48. He quickly established himself as an athlete by joining Mr. MacDonald’s fighting York football squad and mak- ing the starting lineup. As the winter approached, Rob got out his skiis and, like many others, prayed for snow. The spring brought Rob to the golf course, where his abilities were quickly recog- nized. He was awarded his minor “K” at the end of the season. Rob’s scholastic achievements were also noteworthy, as he won a special prize for progress during the school year. Rob passed his Third Form year quietly and suddenly found himself in the gentle (?) hands of “Dick” O’Harc as the Fourth Form year began. Here, with two others, Rob formed the golfing trio who practiced blocking in an out-of-the-way place. Having declined a previous invitation of the above mentioned coach to play on the third team because of a sore toe, Rob decided he would join the hackers morning bucket ball group. During this season, he began to interest himself in outside activities (good looking one’s at that). He joined the popular dances at the T C Club. As soon as the bell rang out the spring vacation, Rob headed for Virginia with Chick Jacobus and two others. (All avoided the water.) It became a familiar sight to see his car roll into the drive, almost late, and watch six or seven New Britainites pile out. Rob made the wise switch to soccer, which was in vogue that year. Here his athletic ability paid oil again, as he was soon starting at left wing. During the winter, he earned his numerals by playing basketball for the second team. At the end of his Fifth Form year, Rob headed for South America and the gay senoritas of travel folder fame. The stories which he brought back concerning that enchanting land made many of the new seniors contemplate such a trip. Rob played some good soccer for the team at left wing and deservedly won his letter. The winter term brought the fickle athlete to the mats, where he fought several matches. The spring saw him captaining golf for the second straight year. 9

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James Joseph Conran 7 w Jim Conran, although leaving Kings- wcod bodily, is not really leaving, for he has left his mark. He has spent three profitable, active years in the lair of the Wyvern. The first year “Big Jim” entered the school, he took an active part in athletics. In the Fall season he made his first attempt at soccer, playing goalie on the jayvee squad. However, he received a broken ankle in a game and missed a good deal of action. As soon as he recovered, and Winter term rolled around, he showed every one that he was no beginner at basketball, playing on a good “third” team. When it came time to sign up for Spring sports, Jim must have been feeling rugged, for he jotted his name on the lacrosse roster. He was initiated into the game at mid-field position, and was soon swinging as mean a stick as anyone. He received his first “K” for his efforts. In the ensuing year James Joseph Patrick Conran decided he had no use for broken ankles and became a stellar performer for Mr. Farquhar's jayvee football squad. Playing fullback, he was the leading scorer for the team. When the snowy season began, Jim played jayvee hoop, and, having been elected captain, led them through a six game schedule without too many bumps. He showed such spirit and hustle that he was invited up to the varsity, where he played excellently. The spring-time found him once again bashing skulls at mid-field, and he was a high scorer for Mr. Eblcn’s stickers. Then came summer! This type of weather found Jim making frequent trips to the southern part of Connecticut with “Stick”, in the “Conranmobile” — an exclusive English Ford — to visit “friends”. At this point Jim also began to ask questions about Mount Holyoke. When his senior year rolled around Jim decided to really pitch in and take part in some extra-curricular activities. In between his getting ads for the News and the Wyvern, he was consistently ripping off huge chunks of yardage for the varsity gridders at both fullback and halfback positions. He received a well earned “K”. In the winter he showed such fight and pepper that he proved invaluable to the varsity quintet. Not being able to resist hitting people on the head, Jim once again returned to the field of many a thrilling lacrosse battle, giving his best to his athletic finale at Kingswood School. “Big Jim” could almost always be seen with “Stick” Donahue, having known him formerly as a schoolmate at Mt. St. Charles Academy. It was either the Conranmobile or the Blue Streak”. There was always a “Jack and Jim” episode to discuss during the earlier part of the week. Jim is the type of guy you like to have around, whether it’s to do you a favor or to share in a laugh or two. Others will find this true when Jim attends college, and still after college, in his business relations. Our best to “Big Jim”. II