Elliot W. Dann ’53

ON JULY 20, 1989, the Class lost one of its gentlest and toughest members. Elliot W. Dann died in his sleep after a four-year battle with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

After preparing at the Hill School, he was fortunate to be able to work with Prof. Carlos Baker on his senior thesis, "Hemingway on Love and Courage."

For several years he worked in his family's real estate and construction business. Then in 1969 he struck out on his own and formed Elliot W. Dann Co., Inc., a real estate brokerage, focused on the N.Y. area. He became a successful investor as well as one of N.Y.'s finest commercial brokers.

In the 1970s he developed an interest in gardening and pursued his avocation with the same intensity and dedication as his vocation. He created several spectacular gardens in Putnam County, carved out of the unyielding landscape with his own hands. Even after he could no longer push his tumbrel himself, he directed others from his motorized wheelchair.

In 1985 he contracted A.L.S. It was a hard blow for him to accept, for he had been strong as a bull and his own man all his adult life, a mesomorphic man of the soil to his friends and country neighbors. After several difficult medical consultations, he courageously accepted his fate, but vowed to fight to the end.

His doctors gave him a year to live, two at most. He confounded the experts and made it more than four. When he could no longer talk, he found a special computer he could use by means of a pad he touched with his finger tips. When his fingers would no longer do what he wanted, he attached the computer to a headband and communicated by twitching his eyebrow.

He scorned pretense and loved to help others succeed. He always enjoyed laughing at his own mistakes, and, if you would share them, laughing with you at yours. After our 40th Hill School reunion, I brought him a mischievous message from Cap Pearson, his Hill School roommate. All of a sudden there appeared that unmistakable twinkle in his eyes, and you knew that he was having a wonderful time.

To his children—Geoffrey, Debbie, and Jennifer—his brothers—Arthur and Asher—and his devoted friends who stayed with him past all duty and friendship—Marty Fawer, Dee Moriarty, Maureen Devlet, and Kevin McHugh—the Class conveys its thanks and sympathy.

For today, Treason has done its worst,

Though victory has been snatched from Death.

Nor steel nor prison,

Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing

Can touch him now.

After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well.

Good night, sweet prince,

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

The Class of 1953