At the time of Dean Weyer’s retirement (1960), letters of appreciation for his forty-two years of devoted service poured in from alumni, college administrators, and faculty members (past and present), Board members, and friends of the College – then, as now, scattered throughout the United States and abroad. From our bound collection of 533 of these missives we have chosen to publish only a few – some of which are typical and others of which are in some way unusual.

Since many alumni and former academic employees were understandably living at some distance from their Alma Mater, forty states, the District of Columbia, and half a dozen foreign countries are represented in our collection. Likewise, persons from various businesses and professions responded to the announcement of “The Dean’s” impeding retirement: ministers, missionaries, pastors, priests, lawyers, judges, physicians, surgeons, nurses, veterinarians, researchers, state, local, and national officials, writers, editors, publishers, librarians, farmers, housewives, mothers, secretaries, entrepreneurs, legislators, heads of organizations (domestic, international, and local), agents of various commodity and service companies, family members, and personal friends – the list goes on and on. But the messages remain similar: The Dean, a remarkable man, was totally devoted to his work and a genuine supporter of college students – an advocate of their rights and a wise counselor, always ready to advise them in their times of trouble. For all of this, they were, and are, deeply grateful.

The Dean writes to his youngest daughter, Phyllis, who was then studying violin and traveling in Europe.

Thurlo McCrady, Calss of '29, and a well-known Hastings College "Football Great"
greets Dean Weyer as if he were "Mr. Hastings College."

Joseph A. Matter, Class of '21 was married to May R. Finch (also a 1921 graduate), who
speaks of "The Dean" as "Mr. Hastings College."

Jack Walters (in 1960 filling that "political office" of which he speaks) and his wife
Vivian send greetings and compliments to "The Dean" at the time of his pending retirement.

Don, '48, and Catherine, '47, Regier send greetings to "The Dean" on the
occasion of his retirement.

Robert Wiegman, class of '39, recalls conferences with "The Dean" in congratulating
Dean Weyer upon the eve of his retirement.

The Hastings Tribune's editorial announcement (April 13) of the April 9, 1989, death of Dean Weyer.

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