‘Formula’ for Success

Life through
the eyes of a
centenarian
W
illiam Vanneman ’27 has experienced an extraordinary
amount of change during his 101 years on this earth.
To give our readers some perspective on how times have
changed during Mr. Vanneman’s lifetime, consider the
following.
In 1909, the average life expectancy was just 47 years.
Only 8% of homes had telephones; there were only
8,000 automobiles with only 144 miles of paved roads
in the U.S.; the maximum speed limit in most cities
was 10 mph; the average wage was 22 cents per hour;
the average person earned between $200 and $400 per
year; 90% of all doctors had no college education; and
only 6% of all Americans had a high school education.
World Wars I & II, the Korean War, the Vietnam
War and Operation Desert Storm had all yet to take
place. In addition, the first talking motion picture,
televisions, crossword puzzles, short-wave radios,
Band-Aids, penicillin, photocopiers and microwave
ovens had all yet to be invented.
Life was truly much different. As times have changed,
Mr. Vanneman has changed right along with them –
even going so far as to take to using computers and
emailing at the age of 101!
This past spring, we had the opportunity to speak
with this distinguished gentleman to discuss his time at
the Academy, what it was like to enter the workforce
during the Great Depression, and his secret to living
such a long and healthy life.
How long did you attend The Albany Academy and
what was the experience like for you?
I attended The Albany Academy for 12 years through
the twelfth grade. I also had the opportunity to attend a
co-ed Kindergarten Montessori class at the old Albany
Academy for Girls building on Washington Avenue
next to the Armory.
Some of my fondest memories of my time at the
Academy are of Ms. Jordan and her sand maps of the
various continents and Ms. Evans and her calisthenics –
after opening the windows regardless of the outside
weather during class. Pop Warren was the Headmaster
at the time and frequently passed through the classroom
on his way upstairs to the Upper School. I still recall his
ample girth, emphasized by the long gold chains that he
wore across his vest.
Larry Pike influenced me all of my life through his
English teaching, and Evan Nason was an outstanding
Math teacher who attained great distinction for the
work of his students.
Where did you go to college
and what was your career path?
My father was a civil engineer from Cornell University,
which I also attended after graduation from the Academy.
He encouraged me to take as many cultural courses as
possible, including English and Public Speaking. I followed
his advice and majored in English and Economics –
graduating into the depths of the Great Depression.
As there were no jobs available at the time, I was sent
to Harvard Business School and majored in Public
Utility Administration in anticipation of going into
consulting work with my father. I was living at the
time in New York City with Jack Bender ’27 (John T.
Bender, Jr.) and “Chick” (Laut R.) Wade ’27. Jack spent
most of his time in our apartment trying to recruit Chick
and me for his family company: Matthew Bender &
Company – Law Book Publishers.
Chick saw no future in Law Books Publishing and
stayed in the securities business. I, on the other hand,
saw just what I wanted and eventually went to work
with Jack – and never regretted the decision. I spent
much of my time at Matthew Bender & Company
translating Jack’s ideas into proposals for publication.
What advice do you have for Academy graduates?
If something seems like a good idea at the time, you
should grab the idea and run with it. That would be the
best piece of advice that I could give to Academy graduates.
What do you credit for your long life?
I definitely credit the genes of my family along with
avoiding accidents and life-threatening illnesses. During
the last several years, my two sons – one of whom is an
M.D. and the other a professor of sociology – have taken
very good care of me. I am very appreciative of them.
Do you still keep in touch with your classmates at
the Academy?
I have not kept in touch with them too much recently
but did return to the Academy to celebrate Reunions
when I could travel by myself. I came back most recently
with Jon H. Dodge ’27, who has since passed. Jon was,
in my view, the most successful of all of our classmates.
He taught secondary school most of his life, and after
retiring went back to teaching by creating advanced
placement courses in Physics at Florida high schools.
He was one of many great friends that I gained from
my time at the Academy.
Spring/Summer 2010 5