Is this the boy I met at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in 1966 who said his name was Dixie Witzel? We were both musicians so we hit it off. I still remember his name. He died at nineteen? Can somebody tell me what happened? — Richard Hayes Phillips (then of Schenectady, New York)
I am certain that he said he was from the Boston area, and we were about the same age. I was class of 1969. I liked him right off, and I meant to write him, maybe I lost his address. Here he is, buried at Wellesley, Massachusetts. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209704531 God rest his soul.
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Although I was classic nerd-boy android early on at Mt. Hermon, I couldn’t help but be attracted to Dixie’s scintillating wit. He had a kind heart, too!
I’ll always remember Alan Gilliland, Dixie’s roommate, whose nickname for him was “Hot Dix”. Their wonderful popular music record album collection began my attraction to popular music–Jim Morrison, the Doors, and others. I was saddened by his departure from from Mt. Hermon, but more so by his untimely death.
I went to his house at Thanksgiving freshman year. What a stupid riot we had. I had a license so I drove and we ended up at a sand quarry somewhere west of Wellesley. I don’t recall just how much trouble we were in, but I do remember pretty much driving the front tires off the rims and breaking the gas pedal where it pivoted on a pin. Not sure how we got it home, either. The next night we went to see Hendrix at the Garden. Well you might guess how that went.
I thought of Dixie just this week when I visited Philmont Scout Ranch for the first time in 56 years. Wanting to pick up where we left off, I applied for a winter job with the trail crew or the forestry crew. I decided that if they hire me I will bring his picture with me. And suddenly there appears another fond remembrance of this wonderful lad, almost as if by telepathy.
Is this the boy I met at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in 1966 who said his name was Dixie Witzel? We were both musicians so we hit it off. I still remember his name. He died at nineteen? Can somebody tell me what happened? — Richard Hayes Phillips (then of Schenectady, New York)
Sorry for the delay. I believe he was struck by a car while changing a tire at night. No idea if it’s the same Dixie…
I am certain that he said he was from the Boston area, and we were about the same age. I was class of 1969. I liked him right off, and I meant to write him, maybe I lost his address. Here he is, buried at Wellesley, Massachusetts. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/209704531 God rest his soul.
Although I was classic nerd-boy android early on at Mt. Hermon, I couldn’t help but be attracted to Dixie’s scintillating wit. He had a kind heart, too!
I’ll always remember Alan Gilliland, Dixie’s roommate, whose nickname for him was “Hot Dix”. Their wonderful popular music record album collection began my attraction to popular music–Jim Morrison, the Doors, and others. I was saddened by his departure from from Mt. Hermon, but more so by his untimely death.
From Mark Andrew:
I went to his house at Thanksgiving freshman year. What a stupid riot we had. I had a license so I drove and we ended up at a sand quarry somewhere west of Wellesley. I don’t recall just how much trouble we were in, but I do remember pretty much driving the front tires off the rims and breaking the gas pedal where it pivoted on a pin. Not sure how we got it home, either. The next night we went to see Hendrix at the Garden. Well you might guess how that went.
I thought of Dixie just this week when I visited Philmont Scout Ranch for the first time in 56 years. Wanting to pick up where we left off, I applied for a winter job with the trail crew or the forestry crew. I decided that if they hire me I will bring his picture with me. And suddenly there appears another fond remembrance of this wonderful lad, almost as if by telepathy.