Robert E. "Bob" Bertram of the Class of 1949 wears a Native American headdress while standing face to face with an unidentified man, also in Indian dress, at McGuirk Stadium. Mr. Bertram attended Mass. State College for three years before serving in the Army in World War II. While in Iwo Jima he hydroponically raised lettuce and tomatoes in the volcanic ash of the island to feed the Marines there. After the war and upon returning to M.S.C., now the University of Massachusetts, he earned his Master's degree in horticultural science in 1951. While at UMass he was drill master and drum major of the marching band and decked himself out in headdress and other Native American regalia to assume the identity of the Indian chief Metawampe. He attended homecoming weekend each year and would once again don his Native American regalia to lead the alumni band. Mr. Bertram taught in Salem and Danvers (Mass.) public schools where he taught science, which was his passion. He passed away in Nova Scotia on December 15, 2003 at the age of 81. "Metawampi" written on back. "Please credit U. Mass. Photo" stamped on back.
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