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Show The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, March 2, 1969 2 Great Name Menus imoUement Cousins of Rockefeller Dynasty Commit Lives to Useful Service Heirs to the name and the fortune , the fourth generation of Roehe fellers -- The Consins-A- re a diverse and tfdented lot , not hampered by the vast fortune. I5y Kcrnnrtl Gavzer Press Writer Aociatrd The dream of any dynasty Is continuity. In this, the House of Rockefeller is blessed. Though the reigning third generation is full of vigor and hi firm command, the fuuiiii geijeration is already standing threshold, groomed and g tiled for stewardship of one worlds great fortunes. the Tod.y the fourth ou-th- e of-th- e (Iteration numbers 23, in line from greata grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, the 19th Century's prinbillionaire. cipal Li(ile known, they are emerging; from protective privacy to ruler the arena of public affairs. One day their could possibly alter tli qu.'lity of American life. They are called, and cal! themselves The Cousins. Assaying them, one isIt prompted to ask what means to be a Rockefeller, wtiat are the burdens of the name, and its wealth, what are the ecstasies, when does on first become aware of being a Rockefeller? direct self-mad- Cadillac and School I think my first awareness of being a Rockefeller is associated with going to school in our Cadillac, said Dr. Lucy Rockefeller Hamlin, daughter Rockefeller, reI nowned conservationist. used to slide down onto the floor when we got near Brear-le- y and stay hidden until the chauffeur gave rue the signal, and then I got out. I was very self - conscious about being a Rockefeller. 1 don't think there was a sudden moment of realization in which I discovered I was a Rockefeller and that that was different, says David Rockefeller, 28, eldest son of David Rockefeller, chairman of the Board of Ciiase Manhattan Bank, Americas second largest. "My parents told me, You're likely to get more attention than others, and I think they teased, too. exaggerated the extent to which this would be a bother. of Laura nee Name Overwhelms There are those among The Cous'ns who came from childhood overwhelmed by their One heiress legally name. changed hers. Several turned as toward a dowdiness, though this surface appearance of ordinariness could somehow dull the luster. One sought to give away her grandfather described ai a robber baron. All the fourth generation Rockefeller children, at some point in their lives, recognized onc e they got beyond the of the family estate at Pocantico Hills, N.Y., where nearly all spent most, or at least a p;ut, of their childhood, that there was something different about their lives. How many other children were there in the world, M alone among their peers, who had access on a rainy afternoon to a diversion such as the Playhouse, which by modest description can only be likened to a back yard Madison Square Garden. con-tin- was a million-dolla- r John D. Jr. 3rd, for his sons, Nelson, a result restoration do something meaningful in this state? I thought that my work as part of the Appalachian project was useful but I could see that the real and effective way was through political action. It wasnt a difficult decision. The fact that it removes privacy isnt a big fat prohlem. I live with it very easily. A second Rockefeller cousin, Steven, was headline material when he married Anne-Mar- There is Sandra, another daughter of John D. 3rd, who is a gifted artist, as is her cousin, Marion Weber, a sculptor and painter who is of Laurence. Steven, 32, a son of Nelson, graduated cum laude from Union Theological Seminary and Is seeking his doctorate. His sister, Mary Straw-bridgis an expert on primitive art and is often at work at the Museum of Priiri-tiv- e Art in New York. Her husband, William, is president of the Urban League in Westchester. Cousin Laura (Mrs. James H. Case), a daughter of Laurance, has a doctorate from Harvard in political science and is especially Interested In tiie psychological aspects of politics. She was magna cum laude In the history of art, Bryn Mawr. Her brother, Larry, works and lives In Harlem as a Vista worker. He is also a pilot. Two of David Rockefellers daughters are busy in the Boston area. One is Abby, a gifted musician and an activist In the anti-dramovement, and the other is Neva Kaiser, magna cum laude at Radcliffe and currently writing a preface to a book of poetry by Conrad Aiken. rec- Lau-ranc- e, Winthrop and David, and daughter, Abby, in which there were many delights, including a full - sized bowling alley, squash court, tennis court and swimming pool. In the other houses in which tiiey also lived or visited Fifth Avenue or Beekman Place in Manhattan, a ranch in a mansion In Venezuela, these bright, intelliHawaii gent and curious people were not oblivious to the obvious: they had luxury. That was the style of a Rockefeller. In many ways, In growing up as a Rockefeller, I lived with a tag, just as a Jew or a Negro, says Hope Aldrich Roekefellor Spencer, daughter of John 3rd. I sensed what it was like to be discriminated against and have people Ignore or accept you as part of a class or group rather than as I went Into political life as of an analytic process. The question: How do you Mauze, Gifted Artist built at reation center Pocantico by John Davison Rockefeller Mexican-American- John D. Jr.s only daughter, whose passion for of colonial Williamsburg has made her far more than a mere buff on that period of Americana. Her sister, Marilyn, Is married to Prof. William Simpson of Yale, an Egyptologist. Built for Children It Europe and Japan but never had a quiet, concentrated exThat perience in America. didnt seem normal for a guy at 25. 1 wanted to be involved in something meaningful, at a level. I thought grassroots s first of working with and then learned of the plight of West Virginians. I felt this was a state he that was being ignored, said. Decides on Effort There is Rodman, soon to be 37, Nelsons eldest son, an economist, Phi Beta Kappa, Hope Spencer can converse in Swahili and her brother. Jay, speaks Japanese. He can also talk with some expertise about the abilities of a Joe Namath. David Rockefeller knows his Bach and is fine a sailor to have enough crewed on the Intrepid, winner of the Americas Cup. Milton There is Abby ONeill, daughter of Abby I never studied American history, savs Lucy, because I didn't want to sit in a class and ri-- k hearing my great- lated Press Photo John D. (Jay) Kxckefeller IV is West Virginias Secretary of State. He Is one of the few Democrats in the family. With him is wife, former Sharon Percy. an individual. Im not suggesting by any means that I was discriminated against in the same way, but I think this Is why I have an empathy for certain kinds of people. "I felt often that when people heard the name Rockefel- - ler they never saw the person named Hope. That the name could be a burden as well as a blessing was obviously in the mind of John D. 3rd in deciding upon the name for his only son. It was settled that it would be John. Not John D. IV. Everyone calls him Jay. Now, at 31, he Is secretary of state of West Virginia. It was left to me to determine whether I wanted to be John D. Rockefeller IV," says Jay. When I turned 21, I decided that I did. ft Duty of Mankind Much of this individ-ialisstems from the fourth generations interpretation of the credo of John D. Jr. Said he: I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind The Cousins have tended to take this as a literal edict that laziness or squandering of time and energy, let alone money, is certain to bring on the infliction of all the plagues catalogued in the Old Testament. The thrust of Rockefeller philanthropy is that It must include personal Involvement end commitment no absentee altruism. This generation has gone further to test Itself and to see first hand, says Larry Rockefeller, 24, who underwent a personal test of courage in 1966. He flew around the I have tremendous respect for the name and what it has stood for: concern, responsibility, considered judgment. I am proud of the family. My unde, Laurance, contributed in the field of conservation. My unde, David, is a progressive, creative banker. My uncle, Nelson, Is governor of New York, and my uncle, Winthrop is governor of Arkansas. My father made significant contributions in the area of population control, long before others Diversified Lot I am proud of a family that takes seriously the question of the quality of American life. There is a compelling need among these cousins to be recognized and respected on merit, as individuals. Independence and individualism are hallmarks of the generation. And so they re a diversified lot. These cousins are bound by name, cemented by money, joined In common goal. There is the familial cousin, and The Cousin, which Is a separate sort of entity that metamor-phize-s at age 21. At that age, a Rockefeller enters the society of cousins which meets formally to discuss mutual interests, such as philanthropies and investments, politics ,vnd philosophy, as well as art and theater and sports and child rearing. There are 16 adult cousins, plus 11 spouses. Not yet of age for such meetings are Alida, youngest daughter of John D. 3rd, Nelson Jr., 4, and Mark, 2, children of Nelson and his second wife; Winthrop Paul, son of Winthrop and his first wife, Bobo Sears Rockefeller; and Richard Margaret, the three Ann Rockefeller Pierson Daughter of N.Y. Governor horn-rimme- d Anne-Mari- ; ' No Beech-crae world In a Baron, accompanied by a friend, Gerry Reese, who was Copilot although he had only just got his students license. Larrys diary contains evidence of a serious young mans concern with the plight of the worlds peoples. twin-engin- ft Misery of Calcutta ' Calcutta Is depressing, he wrote. "The crush of people dead In spirit, incredibly poor, without hope, struggling unnerves us. to exist at all It Is July 29, my 22nd birthday . . . The next morning we are glad to be able to leave, sad to be leaving cuch misery unaltered. Jay Rockefeller Is the one cousin most likely to strike a Hope Aldrich R. Spencer I Lived With a Tag Jay. the innuendo that he went to West Virginia to launch a political career. He came to the state in 1965 as a community worker with Action for Appalachian Youth-Communi- ty Development I came here because at the age of 25 I realized I had spent a great deal of time In and youngest of David Rockefellers six chil- dren. Melting Pot Elements - 7VJ11S1S where you come when youre through playing game. COTTONWOOD 4841 Highland Dr. BOUNTIFUL OGDEN PROVO rs s, either. Consumotion no longer has any meaning, says Rodman Rockefeller, who Is the principal businessman among The. Cousins. He Is president of the familys International Basic Economy Corp., which is no less than a private foreign aid program. After the first million, you learn you have all this money, and you buy what you need, and then you know that you have to do something with it. What to do occupies a considerable amount of energy and time on the part of the cousins and a corps of outsiders who are part o the investment army of experts counselors, accountants, public relations staffs, etc. available to these Rockefellers. thus The Rockefellers extend their own substantial intelligence and expertise by having access to intelligent people who can produce relevant information. Meet Twice Yearly The formal Cousins meet-- , which occurs at least ing twice a year and is held in New York City or at the family estate at Pocantico Hills is the battleground upon which ideas, plans and strategies are tested. Disagreement among us greatest over the Vietnam war issue, says Steven. During his father's campaign See Page LA, Column 1 wa3 y, DOWNTOWN 129 South Main Trend-Sette- If consumption were a passion, the Rockefellers could consume to a But some of the Rockefeller who could easily women, afford the style output of the world's haute couture, dress as though they selected their entire wardrobe during a busy lunch hour In a bargain basement. Nor are the men trend-setter- So does Eileen, Recalling cne recent cousins meeting, Hope Spencer sought to find the words that would describe her cousins and said: Our generation has all the elements of the new American melting pot. There is diversity and Independence. And there is this very strong sense of social equality. Were walking not riding on the sidewalks in Rolls Royces. Were not going to skip any long roads because we have money. Shake that Rockefeller Cousin tree, give it a good whack, and there's an impressive harvest. It has to be whacked because some cous-Li- S still cauare publicity-shtious about leaving the cocoons of privacy. ie Rasmussen, a Norwegian girl, In 1959. She was in the Rockefeller home, as an spark of recognition among au pair, working there while with the people. she learned and English moderately long sideburns American customs. This is he and glasses, typical of the daughters of is not an easily forgettable many European middle-clas- s man. A child standing close to families. But e was him on a Charleston, W. Va., described as a Rockefeller street, asked her mother, maid and the romance as a where does he sign the Rockefellers were Mommy, end? just folks, after all. A friend of the Kennedys, The publicity soured Steven. It was a typical Rockefeller-esqu- e especially the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Jay camresentment at being heralded for the wrong thing. paigned for office as a Democrat. First he was elected to Despite the fourth generathe West Virginia House of tions penchant for privacy it was inevitable that the curDelegates. And last Novemwras he elected ber, secretary tain would be parted. This Is a generation of activists. of state. There are those who dearly Foreshadow Fhture believe he will affirmatively It was obvious that our fulfill the headline of a Wail Street Journal story: Will a generation would get considRockefeller be president in erable attention because our dominant interests are 1976? theje which are dominant issues Finds Talk Irritating our time, civil rights and, so', They see Jay and his cial and urban problems; i says Jay. wife, the former Sharon Percy, These interests, more and vivacious and bright daughter of Illinois Republican Sen. more, may foreshadow the fuCharles Percy, and readily ture direction of Rockefeller anything and Imagine that they will occupy philanthropy everything that can help a 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washman live a decent, fulfilling ington, D.C. ; life. White House talk irritates Rockefellers . are taught? things about money at an! early age. "We are given small ajlojv-- ? recalls Jay. I r& ances, member having an allowance?, of 15 cents a week. We cad to budget it. Five cents, fori spending, five cents for .sv-- j ing and five cents for giving.? No cents for lending, accord- : ing to some other cousins,1 It Is not good to1 lend money to friends, says one.i You do, and they almost' automatically think that because you are a Rockefeller there is no need to pay it back. That makes you wonder what sort of friend you have. So, our rule was dont lend it to a friend." Laurance Rockefeller la Harlem VISTA Volunteer Dr. Lucy R. Hamlin Interna at Harlem Hospital |