Founder's Day Award Goes to David Bohn '57

In front of a bustling crowd of Exonians, both past and present, David Bohn ‘57 walked onto the Assembly Hall stage to receive the 2014 Founder’s Day Award on May 16. The distinction is “a recognition given annually to a person who has demonstrated exceptional service to the Academy,” according to the Exeter website. The description is befitting of Bohn, who has served the Exeter community in various capacities for over six decades.

Bohn first came to Exeter in the fall of 1954 as a scholarship student from Medford, Massachusetts, one of many recruited by H. Hamilton “Hammy” Bissell ‘29. As the son of a lacrosse coach, Bohn stood out in the sport at both Exeter and Harvard but quickly moved on to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Navy and later fly commercially for Eastern Airlines. After marrying his wife, Barbara ‘57 (Hon.), he chose to move to Exeter to raise his three children, who later graduated from the Academy.

Since then, Bohn has worked as a junior varsity coach for lacrosse, class president, class vice president, agent and correspondent, as well as the Director of the General Alumni Association.

These titles, however, cannot fully describe Bohn’s important role in the community, serving as a friendly host for hundreds of Exonians and class reunions, provider of dahlias and freshly baked goods for students, faculty and staff alike and a source of energizing and positivity at the Academy and beyond. 

“To this day, he is often seen in the alumni office searching for contact information on behalf of classmates, submitting Class Notes to The Exeter Bulletin, or delivering flowers and produce from your garden to staff members,” David Horn ‘85, president of the General Alumni Association and Trustee, said.

Ever since the committee decided and notified Bohn three months ago, he has been delighted, but nervous about standing up in front of the whole school. “It was just something out of the blue and overwhelming,” Bohn said. “But it has been fun. We had been gone for a couple of days, and all the emails that came in the meantime, from people—a lot of them I have not heard from for a long time—[were] super special.”

For Bohn’s wife Barbara, it was just as much as a surprise. “It was a shock. I know he is always doing these great things, but everybody does things,” she said. “He walks around this town more than anybody else because he does not have to go to work. He just works around here.”

But no matter how uneasy Bohn was about addressing the entire school, the Academy and the town as a whole were delighted at the news. “Mr. Bohn and his wife, Barbara, have opened their local home and large hearts to the PEA community for decades, and this award honors that,” Principal Thomas Hassan said.

Horn also noted Bohn’s exceptional and effortless hospitality for so many visitors.“He has entertained hundreds of visiting Exonians for meals, overnight stays and walking tours of town. David and Barbara became surrogate parents for their classmates’ children, and now for their grandchildren as well,” Horn said, in the Assembly dedicated to Bohn. “For nearly 40 years, the families of ’57 have sent children and relatives to the Academy knowing they had a place to go for a familiar face, a home-cooked meal and a listening ear.”

Bohn has enjoyed staying involved with Exeter just as much as other members of the community. After moving back to Exeter, Bohn found himself reconnecting with old faculty who he had only vaguely met before and creating lifelong relationships with them.

“In my case, I was here for three years, but I wasn’t that close to any teachers,” Bohn said. “But when we moved back, I re-met these people and instead of calling them Mr. and Ms., [we were on a first-name basis] and we were friends. We would do things like bird watching, and it was a whole different atmosphere.”

Bohn has also grown close to the newer students and faculty of the Academy, especially through his children and grandchildren who graduated from the Academy more recently. “Our granddaughter graduated in 2011, and there are still kids who are seniors now who knew her, so we, even though we are so old, know a few of the kids,” Bohn said. “On a nice evening, we will take a walk through town and we feel very connected with them.”

The Bohns love to spend time standing on the path in front of their house and greeting students and parents who walk by. This friendly action does not only brighten up many Exonians, but it has also been a major factor in visiting students’ decisions to come to Exeter. When visiting students run into the chatting group Bohn and his wife have created, they often end up making a few friends and learning how approachable many Exonians are.

According to Horn, Bohn’s personality also serves as an inspiration to those he talks to and encourages them to become more selfless and genial.

“His wonderfully open personality, generosity, hospitality and selfless behavior are all model characteristics for us to aspire to as individuals,” Horn explained. “He is an inspiration to all who have interacted with him over the years.”

For the Founder’s Day assembly, Horn had the honor of introducing Bohn to the entire school.

“It was extremely meaningful to me since Dave is an inspiration and prime example of all that is great about Exeter and its people,” Horn said.

After the introduction, Bohn also said a few words. The students, faculty and alumni of Exeter returned Bohn’s decades of friendliness and warmly welcomed him to the stage.

Bohn thanked everyone who attended the Assembly.

“I don’t stand up and speak in front of a thousand people very often, and I worried about all this stuff,” he said. “I really wanted to thank you guys for making me feel so welcomed over there. A few claps and things made me feel right at home and I appreciate that. You guys were really enthusiastic and that means a lot of for somebody standing up there.”

The students, faculty, and alumni in attendance at last Friday’s assembly gave Bohn two, long standing ovations.