Sunday, March 30, 2008
The Last 40 Years..Where have you been?
This is where you tell us where you have been for the last 40 years! Where have you lived? Hobbies? Jobs? Family? Past/Present/Future....we want to know all about you. High school was a long time ago...none of us are the same people...share who you are now...and what plans you have for the next 40 years! Each and every one of us has a "story"..share yours.
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130 comments:
Marcia Campbell (Thompson)
After a long stint working as a
Mortgage Banking Underwriter in Kansas City, I moved to New York last year and live in Tribeca. I am currently pursuing a literary career and find this city very conducive to this endeavor. My daughter is a model and lives here as well and we enjoy the never ending barrage of shopping and events the city has to offer.
(Transfered from the classmates.com site by Terry D. hope that was ok Marcia!)
Terry Dykstra (Diaz)
After West I went to KSU, graduated in 72,moved to Denver,got married, had two boys,was a "stay home mom",worked at several different jobs after the boys got bigger, volunteered, went skiing, camping, fishing and made wonderful friends. In 1995 my dad died, we moved back to KS to help my mom, boys grew up,went off to college, one just married last Sept. and in Topeka --other went to NYU Law School and lives in LA when he's not off on adventures. Husband of 34 years, now semi-retired and I work at United Way, take care of my mom and help the boys with a real estate venture. Two horses, two dogs and a spoiled cat keep us busy. Tap dance lessons, harmonica lessons and travel with a college friend and a group of crazy women with vintage trailers who ride horses and fly fish round out a very full life. Girls check out the website...we have more fun than anyone. We're # 113 Cowgirls in Paradise
www.sistersonthefly.com
x40yrs. already, it doesn't seem possible, are we really that OLD? Still living in Topeka, but spend half my time in Lawrence. Met a lovely lady 5yrs. ago who puts up with me. Was divorced in 94 after 24yrs. of marriage & 2 children. I've got 6 grand-kids who pretty much keep me busy between baseball,softball,basketball,& soccer games. Grandparents day was hetic trying to make 6 classrooms in one hour, but wouldn't trade it for anything. Served my time in the Navy after graduation, attended Washburn Univ. then started my career in the construction field. Been in business for myself now for 35 yrs. Sorry to say that I'm still working, probably always will, try to convince myself that it keeps me in shape, well sort of. Spend alot of time hunting, fishing, and golfing when the grand-kids aren't doing something. Hope to see a large turnout at the reunion. Would like to take this time to thank all the GALS on the committee, they've worked so hard in putting this together. See ya in June
Elaine N
Left high school and went to ECPI (now defunct)with Rita (we got locked in White Lakes overnight once)to learn programming. Went to work for SWBT, then Security Benefit, got married, went to work for IBM (great company back then for sure) got pregnant, got divorced, met my husband, got married, transferred to Great Bend, then Junction City, had 2 more kids, and then back to Topeka. Went to work for Yellow Frieght, the the good ol USPS. Started out as a carrier, then went into supervision, safety, delivery analyst, & have been a postmaster for about 15 years. My husband retired, we have 3 grandchildren, only one close. I like to write children's stories but haven't tried publishing any & can't draw. I make DVD on my computer for various events, mixing pictures, video, music, animated clip art. I rode my bike across Kansas and gained 6 lbs. I am into photography and plan to do more when I retire....3 yrs. Have 6 dogs, 1 fat cat, and an occasional mouse since fat cat isn't doing her job. would still like to adopt about 10 kids (more for slave labor than anything else). I have been mentoring someone since 1993. The trouble she gets into, I wonder sometimes....oh yeah, and I love to eat and go to movies. In my second life, I want to be a crime scene detective, but only if I can work with some hunks like those on TV. I took an EMT class, would like to take it again. A couple of friends and I want to start a detective agency, so if you need us, we'll be there. Do you have to have a license for that??? I want to learn Spanish. I also spend time with our local Kiwanis and just started a game night with my sister. Anyone like to ride bikes?
Terry Brumm
Wow 40 years since we left Topeka West, doesn't seem that long ago. Like many of us, I went to college after high school, graduated from Washburn University in 1972 and commissioned as an Air Force 2Lt and headed for Wichita, KS assigned to McConnell AFB. After 27 years, 3 months and 3 days, (21 moves in 27 years, 2 Pentagon tours, and an oversea tour) I retired as a full Colonel out of Scott AFB, IL. I stayed in the St Louis area after retirement and ended up as the Director, IT Customer Support and Information Security for SSM Health Care. I have 3 kids, 2 girls and 1 son. I have 2 grandsons and a granddaughter (she is adorable). My main hobbies are golf and snow skiing. Looking forward to the reunion in June. E-mail address is brumm8@charter.net
40 years eh? As the song goes “in the blink of an eye”. Anyhow, went to college and law school at Washburn. Worked a few odd legal jobs and then got stuck in a banking career. Two marriages, one still going with Debbie Huske (Class of 72), five children, two of which are sophomores in high school (which puts retirement off for another 6 years minimum), and one grandson are my chief claims to fame. Spent my youth (now defined as under 40) playing softball (against Charlie T’s teams) and then got older and coached kids’ baseball, softball, soccer, basketball and officiated at swim meets. Had a mild heart attack a year ago which served as nice reminder to have a life style change and start working out. For the past 24 years I’ve ran the trust division of Douglas County Bank in Lawrence and lived in Topeka (never could escape the Gage Bowl magnet). Thanks to all who put this reunion and website together.
…..Mike Davies
Went to KU after graduating from TWest. Carolyn Lindgren Hupe was my roommate in our sorority and her husband, Mark, was a waiter in the house (so was Claudia Tappen Gibson’s husband, Phil). Graduated from KU in 1972 with a degree in Journalism.
Backpacked around Europe for two months with a college friend, came home, and got a job with the Kansas Dept. of Labor, where I am still employed.
Got married a few years later and moved to a horse farm in Solon, IA. (My husband was an American Saddlebred horse trainer) Lived there for 3 years, had one daughter, and then moved to Boonville, MO. Lived there for another 3 years, had another daughter, and moved back to Topeka in 1985. Returned to my job at KDOL as a Research Analyst.
Eventually got divorced and raised my daughters here in Topeka. I now have a 7 year old grandson and a 2 year old granddaughter who keep me very busy. I could retire from the State, but plan to continue working a while longer.
I’m an avid KU fan and am on the board of the Topeka Area KU Alumni Association and the Topeka Jayhawk Club. I enjoy going out to dinner and movies and playing cards with my dear old high school friends, Elaine (Neff), Nancy (Scrinopskie), Jaime (Brier), Peggy (Beller) and Pat (Carver).
I have had lots of fun working on this reunion. What a crazy wonderful group we have on the committee. Thank you Charlie for putting up with all of us women and keeping us on track!!
After TWest I went to KU and if you've read Margo Weidner's bio, you know we roomed together. Can you imagine???? A great friendship and true friend for all the years, began. I graduated and got married in 1972. Mark and I moved to Chanute,KS and lived there 5 years. I taught 4th grade in a rural school district. After teaching I was a stay at home Mom for 13 years. We had a daughter and son while in Chanute. We then moved to Hutchinson and lived there 5years. Then on to Denver. We had another daughter in Denver. We've been in Denver 25 years. I was a manufacturer's rep for 18 years, selling non-food items to grocery chains. In the past 2 years, I have gotten my insurance license in health and life insurance and work with Mark. Enjoy working, especially being self employed. We make it back to Kansas often to visit with parents. We know every available stop on I-70! Have lost track of all the trips, as all three kids graduated from KU!! Not because it was expected, but by their own choice. We stay busy with our business and following the sport teams in Denver. See everyone in June and thanks to everyone that has put this together.
Ann Dunhaupt Birney
I hope to see Madeline Lane/Crestview/Capper folks Friday night at the picnic. Readily can I believe 40 years because it seems as though I have lived several lives between now and then. I resisted being statistically average, but nonetheless married a man two years older and became a June bride at age 20, helped put him through graduate school, left Nebraska for ESU 1976-77 to get my MLS (library) degree (what else was a woman with a liberal arts degree to do?) But also during the 70s I found feminism, took an assertiveness training course, became Coordinator of the Nebraska Chapter of the National Organization for Women, and other things I won't go into here! I've librarianed at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, K-State, and St. Joe. I was on the library school faculty/administrator at ESU. Now I'm really doing my own thing. I have a PhD (KU, American Studies, ask me about my dissertation) and for 20 years I have been living my partner (PhD KSU), a half dozen horses, dogs, and cats on 50+ acres near Admire, and for most of that time have actually been making something of a living taking various scholarly programs on the road, mostly in Chautauqua format as Amelia Earhart. I'll receive an award from the Kansas Arts Commission in March. Who would have known?? Certainly not this shy gal. And, no, I have not picked up a bassoon since high school, although I did miss it. Oh, yes--picked up a son and granddaughter (15!) along the way. Lots of stories and a few pictures, there!
Jim Clements Here is my 1968 to 2008 update. After graduating from West, I attended Washburn University for 2 years and could not decide on a career choice so dropped out. Have been married to Margaret Stueve, St. Marys High School class of '72, for 32 years. One son, 29, and one daughter, 26, no grandkids. I currently drive an 18-wheeler for Target delivering in 5 states. Margaret has been a nurse at Stormont-Vail since 1973 on the pediatrics unit, first as an LPN then an RN. Larry Deiter was one of her teachers at Highland Community College many years ago. Think Mary Anne Norton still works at Stormont-Vail also. My job choices in Topeka have not done very well. Three milk companies, an oil company distributor, 2 courier companies, a medical supply company, and a national wholesaler/retailer (Fleming Company) have all bit the dust. I'll probably have to work till I'm 75 with no pension coming from any of the above. I just hope I do not put Target out of business!!! In my spare time like to hunt,fish, camp, garden (vegetables only), and anything to be outside.
Wow, 40 years and 5 plastic surgeries with 14 botox injections, I have changed hair color more than Kansas State has changed basketball coaches. Who said you can't build a better body through technology? There are parts of my body the doctor says may not jiggle for 10 more years. Life had been good to me, right out of West I took a Merle Norman Comostology Course as a way to make money through college. It was a great way to impress my sorority sisters with my knowledge and understanding of all the ways to look trampy. When I combined this with my artistic dance classes, I began study as an exotic dancer, I was voted #1 Las Vegas Summer Replacement Dancer for Jimmy's Stud Club just off the strip. I also learned there was an underground world of ART MOVIES AND SOMETHING CALLED "artistic movies", it was nice no real costumes required and allowed me to explore my true talents. It was during this time I met the most amazing man, William Wanger, he took 5 years of his time after graduating from film school to coach me in my new career as an exotic dancer and movie extra. We invented a new dance, called the "pole" dance that climaxed with the audience being showered with boas and glitter, it was so exciting, I met many new male friends as a result. After this exhausting career, I decided to try marriage, I wasn't very good at it, it took 6 attempts, then I finally decided to give it up for Lent and have decided to continue to give up marriage for every Lenten season. Like my shirt in High School, this has been a very uplifting experience. Having a difficult time finding work and no man to support me, I decided to work for world peace by being an auto mechanic. I was able to rebuild transmissions, do brake jobs, overhauls, and in my spare time work for world peace as part of the Hari Krishna group. They were nice people they taught me how bad Merle Norman and Miss Clarol were, when you go bald, you don't need to worry, everyone avoids you. I was reluctant at first ---- but they showed me their films and how they wanted to save me. They told me if I looked at another man with lust in my eyes, it was the same as committing a sin. I told them I didn’t think there was hope for me. But they took me in anyway. Soon my parents found me and took me to this place called Intervention Colorado, it was a nice place but I never slept. People kept shouting at me. I was able to move from bouncer at Charlie Hall's -- to McDonald's French Fry Wench -- to my current position as a contract specialist at the City of Topeka where I have been employed for 15 years. Amazing how life twists and turns, for just 6 months ago, Billy -- or as we called him in the business, Willie Wanger, came in to apply for a license for a new "Gentleman's Club" in Pauline. When our eyes met, it was like old times, I was reaching for the pole and he was looking for the music -- it was truly a magical moment! Now Wee Willie and I are happy together, reviving our lives -- he as a film maker and me as a pole dancer. We live in Carbondale over the Mobile gas station located just a block from the post office (comes in handy when I order things in for the show) and on Saturday night we go to Perry Lake & Willie fires up the stereo while I light up the place as "Janice.....the Vixen of Vancouver". Willie says we are not lying since we did talk about going to Vancouver once, so the KBI can't call us on this one. We are working on a special skit for the reunion weekend, incorporating West’s school colors and game chants. If any of you would like to come see our show while you are in the vicinity, I can get you in with no cover charge, and to my female classmates – feel free to join me on the stage, if you’ve never tried it… it will awaken your senses and free your spirit unlike any wine – or man -- can do. I would like for you all to pray for world peace and continued improvement in auto combustion to save the polar ice caps. We need to ensure our penguin friends have ice to dance also, as we dancers need to stick together, POWER TO THE POLE
March 8, 2008
Isn’t it funny how you gravitate towards that which you are good at rather than what you would want? During high school, I worked part time at the local Chevrolet Dealer (Kent-Brown) and studied hard in Mr Winsor’s Mechanical Drawing classes. I even spent the year following high school at KAVTS studying Architectural, Civil and Mechanical Drafting in the hope of making a career out of drawing. Trouble was, I quickly found I was already earning a great deal more fixing Chevrolets than I ever could drawing floor plans. So it is that I’ve spent the last four decades servicing Chevrolet and GM cars and light trucks for a living.
In 94 I underwent surgery to correct a severe case of Carpel Tunnel Syndrome in my right hand. It left me with a partial disability and eventually forced me into premature retirement. So, once again, I pursued a career in CAD drafting taking evening courses at KAVTS. And, once again, I discovered the field paid below the poverty line. In the meantime, I found that even though I couldn’t service vehicles as fast as I once could, I could still do it with some extra time. Old acquaintances and customers were seeking me out with their car troubles and with a small investment in equipment, I ended up ‘hanging my shingle’ in late 95. For the last thirteen years, I have been running my own small, air-conditioned shop servicing any GM built car from 1955 through current production. This in addition to working with some of this area’s most notable car enthusiasts to create a number of ‘Classics’, ‘Hot-Rods’ and ‘Race Cars’.
I have personally owned and built several 55-57 Chevies, three 64 Impala SS coupes, two Camaros and am currently working on a 61 Impala ‘Bubbletop’. I had expected to complete the 61 this spring but hadn’t anticipated the dismal economic and market conditions we’re now undergoing. The monies I had set aside for the Impala are now being cautiously and selectively invested in the markets. Like Warren Buffet said, ‘the time to buy stock is when everybody else is selling’, but damn, that’s hard to do.
If you’re wondering about Sharon (Blewett), so am I. We married in 71 and she ran off with some other guy in 79. I haven’t seen her since.
Gary Kniss
Gary, hope you ARE coming to the reunion, my husband will be very interested to read your bio! He is a chevy enthusiast, can't bear it that his son owned a mustang. He has is on his 2nd camero and has had a chevy truck since we married in 1975. Elaine Neff
Vancover Jan, wow girl still dancing after all these years. Can't wait to catch the show. I'm telling my wife I'm going to a fundraising event to "save the ice cap" !! See you in June.
Gary, I bought a 1968 GMC Handi-van my first year in college. It has 300,000 miles on it now after two engine rebuilds. In the last few years it has developed some funny electrical problems that no one seems to be able to straighten out. It's not a sexy vehicle or anything fancy, but I like my old hippie wagon. What is the name of your business? I would very much like to talk to you at or before he reunion. Thanks.
janetz, wait in line... I already asked Gary for chevy help under the Gossip post. When he has my Impala done and a trailer hitch on her he can look at your car. (Gary, I think your business is about to pick up.)
Jim Adams
I graduated from Kansas State, and have been married to my wife, Linda, for 32 years. We have two sons, aged 26 and 21. We've been living in Denver, Colorado since 1973, and I've been working for the University of Colorado, in the Information Technology Services department, most of that time.
Gwen Goossen Hannah
I have lived in Florida for the past 33 years, mainly because I love the beach and the weather (minus our hurricanes?) I have been a high school guidance counselor for most of 31 years in education and have many hilarious stories to tell from years of working with teenagers. I love to travel and generally keep a bag packed at all times-can't ever tell when a great opportunity might pop up. I am very proud of my 24-year-old daughter and 22-year-old son who are both in the medical field. I am looking forward to flying to Topeka for this reunion-maybe the more cold beer we drink the better we will look!!
Kevin Chismire
After graduating from Topeka West, I attended the University of Notre Dame on a four-year ROTC scholarship. While at Notre Dame I majored in pre-professional sciences. I was a cheerleader at Notre Dame when not studying at the library. I thoroughly enjoyed my four years at Notre Dame and developed many lifelong
friendships. After obtaining a B.S. degree in 1972 I attended the University of Kansas Medical School graduating in 1975 with a M.D. degree. I interned in San Antonio, Texas and then spent three years in Bad Tolz, Germany serving as a Special Forces Battalion surgeon before returning to Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado to specialize in Ophthalmology. In 1981 I became a staff Ophthalmologist at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. I completed a one-year fellowship in glaucoma at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1990-1991. Thereafter I remainded as a part-time teaching staff at the University of Washington and Chief of Ophthalomology at Madigan.
I married Joan Heileson in 1988 and now have two sons, Neill age 19and Bryce age 16. I retired from the military in 2001 and re-located to Ridgway, Colorado where I now reside in the shadows of the San Juan Mountains. I work two days a week as a glaucoma specialist in Montrose,Colorado (30miles from home)and keep active as the president of our local county historical society and museum chairman. I also volunteer as a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts and work for many local non-profit organizations. I still enjoy running, biking and mountain climbing.
John Bates
Graduate Washburn BA 1973
Married Rita M. Boranyak 1973
Daughter Kelly Marie Bates, Born April 22, 1976, Died March 13,1982.
Taught Quinemo, Ks 1973-1974
Taught Madison, KS 1974-1975
Began teaching in USD 501 1976-present.
Interests: Traveling with Rita. Playing my trombone whenever I get the chance. Following KU sports. Playing with the topeka Jayhawk Club band (the only Jayhawk club in the world to have a band). And..still enjoying teaching my students at school every day!
Charlie T. has given us until this morning to post our bios so here goes. He has his own personal ghost writer and believe me, you don’t want him writing it! I got married after high school and didn’t go to college. I went to keypunch school, for those of you who wonder what keypunch is it is the early version of data entry! I worked in that field until I had children and was a part-time stay at home mom after that.
I have 3 wonderful children, a daughter and twin sons and 2 grandchildren who are the light of my life! My children all went to K-State so you know I bleed purple! I was married for 32 years and have been blissfully single now for 8 years. I’ve worked for the City of Topeka for the past 27 years and I’m looking forward to retirement (someday!) I have been in a Bunko group for over 30 years, enjoy reading, traveling and making new friends.
I have enjoyed working on the reunion and have made several new friends that I didn’t know from high school. Charlie has been a great sport working with all of us women. Sometimes he has to crack the whip to keep us in line but we’ve made great progress under his leadership!
Just like everyone, 40 years has brought a lot of incredibly wonderful and sad moments. I am both blessed with my brother, Bob Pullan (the last name is different because he was adopted by my parents when we were 13-we are a day apart in age) and we are both saddened with the loss of my birth brother, Bob McCoy in August of 2005. We have laid our parents to rest, but are blessed with children and grandchildren. I am very lucky to have married young and stayed married---will celebrate 40 years of bliss in September of this year.
I married my high school sweetheart, Dave Slauson (Class of “67) and three weeks later he was off to basic training in Texas. We were so fortunate to be stationed in Sacramento, California the whole time of his tenure after his training in Bio-Medical Equipment Repair at Shepherd AFB.
I abandoned my plans to train in nursing to go for the “money” working for the State of California. One of my positions put me in the Capitol at the same time Governor Ronald Reagan held office.
It took several tries, but finally we were blessed with our first child, a daughter. I’ll have to tell you how foolish I was to be riding behind Dave on our road bike 7 months pregnant, going 70 m.p.h. when the back tire blew. God became very real to me at that moment and I am blessed to still feel He is as close to me as He was then. My prayers were answered when our little Heather survived her premature arrival, and she has been a blessing ever since.
Air Force life was pretty wild in the beginning, but we grew up…at least I think we came closer to it.
While we were there, I learned that I had 4 other brothers and 1 sister that I never knew I had. And the oldest brother was stationed at the other base in Sacramento and lived less than a mile from us! Two other brothers had met and married their wives in Sacramento earlier. My sister had spent time there, too. Two years later, my brother, Bob, came out to stay with us and then made his home in Sacramento, too. He also married his second wife there, and then went into the air force. And all of us started out from Kansas! I love every one of them.
I was pregnant with our son when we decided to move closer to home---Denver, Colorado. He was very sick and we struggled to find out why. Doctors were not very helpful. But, by the grace of God we found out about the Feingold Diet and in time he improved and that is a story that would take a lot more time. He has grown to be as smart as his sister (they both share my brother’s brilliance if I might brag---he was a graduate of MIT---what in the world happened to me!)
We tried country living (most of those who knew me, knew I loved horses and the great outdoors) for a year, lost our shirts and moved back to Topeka. That didn’t work out too well, so we headed for Dallas. That was supposed to be a short time---remember I am country---but ended up to be 11 years when I rebelled and it was time to go. My honey moved us to Northwest Arkansas and I love it. I hope that I always remember how the beauty of this country affected me when we first moved here. Being here has been good for my craft business. I make items that are designed to bless and encourage others. I have a booth in Branson at Branson Mill and I wholesale, too. Dave helps me with design and production of my kits and patterns (he is very good!) I even have my own website (that my son made possible). Check it out:
www.ozarkdelights.com
I never made it big like many of my classmates have, but I love where I am and what I do. I love my family, church family, and friends. There have some rough times…but that has made me who I am. I look forward to our reunion and reconnecting with old friends.
Thanks to all of you for making this reunion and blog possible.
I'd love to hear from others, too. Email me at: mary@ozarkdelights.com
Mary McCoy Slauson
Bob Pullan
HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!
Married to Libby (Elizabeth Pullan) for 34 years
Have 2 kids
Sarah married to Sam Deaton with 2 girls Devyn & Sadie and 2 boys Luke & Nate
Daniel married to Andrea Herrold talking about having kids
Live on beautiful Table Rock Lake close to Branson, MO. Have lived here 22 years having the kids and g-kids close by.
The last 10 years I have been working for an oilfield service company names Schlumberger. Putting me in the Gulf of Mexico for 2 weeks and home for 2 weeks.
Before this Libby & I owned a couple of businesses in the Branson area, A real estate company and a sandwich shop.
Previously worked for a general contractor called Martin K Eby Construction. Did engineering and supervising, building power plants and treatment plants. Lived in KS, LA, IA, CA, TX, AR & MO.
After TWHS had 2 years of Civil Tech. 4 years engineering and drafting for the Navy Seabees going around the world a couple times.
Hobbies are enjoying lake and remodeling the house.
Have 7 more years in the oil patch. Libby and I plan to travel and enjoy family and friends.
John Hammond... wow is right 40 years....
Well I did 23 years in the Navy Seabees. One year I spent in the Antartica that was fun.... then drove truck over the road for 3 years... got a job with Goodyear factory in Topeka for 11 years and got tired of that so retired there in july 2006... went to Philippines and lived there for a while and I am now in Spain... I don't know if I will be in the US when the party starts but don't wait on me. I will try to make it. have fun guys
After West I got married to upper classmate Jim Cunningham. We dated 3 years at Topeka West. We were married for 10 years and had one son, Jayme, and one daughter, Joy. We divorced in 1979. I remarried a second time to a Topeka Police Dept. detective which was a big mistake and ended that marriage within a couple of years. Loser! I remained single until New Year's Eve 2000 when I married my husband Michael. Best decision I ever made. I picked up an Associates Degree at Washburn U. attending evening classes, while working full time in the 70's. My degree was for a Paralegal, of which I have worked in that legal field for over 30 years in Topeka. I now work from home for my sister's company based out of Lake St. Louis, MO. I'm very fortunate to have a sister who owns her own multi-million dollar medicaid transportation company with approximately 15 state contracts. I live at Lake Wabaunsee where my family always had a cabin since 1950. I love to swim, explore and jet boat around the lake. At age 58 I still evidently "scare" people on the lake when I'm behind the wheel of my boat. Oh well! I have been blessed with 3 grandchildren and another due in July! Ooops! I moved to Lake St. Louis for about 2 years when I married Michael, but hated being away from family and even Topeka if you can believe that! We moved back (to the Lake) in 2003 and have no plans to ever move again. We also have a large home in Winter Park which we visit in both winter and summer. The grandkids love it there. I have developed chronic kidney disease and have had various medical problems for the past 20 years which slow me down, but I'm still kicking as they say. Thanks so much to the committee for putting this all together. Very impressive. Hey Vancouver Jan - I'm more impressed that you're still dancing and evidently looking fine. If I joined you on stage I could empty the club out in 10 seconds! You go girl!
Well I tried to leave a comment once, but I think I am technologically challenged except for Nintendo. here is the cliff's notes version of 40 years.
BA from Washburn in teaching-couldn't get a job. Oh well try another path.
2 years Shawnee County Election Commission trying to decide what to be when I grew up
2 years as a cop-Topeka Police Dept. that was fun.
4 years married and moved to Texas, not fun,divorced and still in Texas
20 some years climbing the corp ladder in public warehousing. hated the view from the top and dropped out.
Have had a successful massage therapy practice for the last several years (this was not on my top 10 list of things to be when I grow up) and dropped back in to corp america to get those good group health benefits. I play at credit investigations for a restaurant supply company. both jobs keep me busy.
Still looking for what I want to be when I grow up.
Morphed into my mother in my early 50s despite exercising to avoid it.
decided to become a woman of color in my late 50s when I discovered boutique sneakers. You will see my feet coming before you see me. Outrageous designs and colors are my passion.
Look forward to seeing everyone
No, you aren’t loosing your mind (well, maybe). Yes, there was a Bio posted here earlier. After re-reading it, I had second thoughts about the impression people may have gotten, so had it removed. Resubmitting a different, shorter update. For those of you who were subjected to my first version, please permanently delete if from you memory. I don’t want to find you selling it on the streets.
Fern Truschke (Beem)
Lotsa fun reading these bios. Mine in a nutshell -- graduated from KState, moved to Chicago for a job with the federal govt, met & married Jim Truschke, 2 children, moved progressively further out in the 'burbs, heavily into the stay-at-home-mom deal. Jim retired early, we moved to the Kansas City area in 1991. I opened a local flower shop, had fun doing that (lots of weddings!) for 7 years, then had to sell as my business partner became disabled. Was "retired" from the shop for 9 days, then offered a job at my church as the children's ministries director (it's a large church, 600 kids in Sunday school). Had a great time running this ministry for 5 years, then needed to "retire" again as my mother needed my full-time attention. She moved from Topeka to a retirement village here in KC last year after Dad passed. Jim & I have 2 adult children -- Audrey is 25, married, lives in NYC, pursuing her doctorate in South Asian Languages & Culture at Columbia Univ; her husband is in his 2nd year at Columbia Law School. Our son, Billy, is in his 4th year at MU, majoring in Psych & girls; plans to graduate in May 2009. No grandchildren on the horizon (darn); on the bright side, that leaves more time for golf! See you at the reunion -- many thanks to the committee for putting together this nifty site.
OK, I'm giving this a try, after much bullying from Terry D. After West, I went to Washburn and worked at KNI until I graduated in social work in 1972. Worked for 3 years at SRS and went back to school at KU. Hey, how about them Hawks!! Got my masters in social work in 1978 and went back to work for the state. I closed Topeka State Hospital down, my favorite job and am now working in the Topeka office at SRS. I was married for 7 years, divorced for 18, and now have been happily married to Greg for 9 1/2 years. I enjoy bowling, softball, swimming, and being outdoors. Am an avid Winfield fan-have faithfully attended the bluegrass festival in Sept. for 25 years. I also work parrtime as a mental health clinician at Valeo. Don't have kids, but spoil 2 great nieces and my 2 dogs and 2 cats. Can't wait to see everyone!!
Women of the class of 68, I just can’t hold back any longer. I’ve been watching all the men’s comments after reading about and then seeing the picture of Vancouver Jan. I guess it’s time to let you know that you fine ladies will not be disappointed at the reunion. Following graduation from West I had an opportunity to attend a college back east. Although I got a scholarship, I found it hard to make ends meet trying to compete with all those rich guys with their “old” money. I tried my hand at being a waiter and then a bartender. The money wasn’t bad but still not enough. Well, one night this really hot “cougar” came in the bar and I could see she was attracted to me. There was electricity in the air. She slipped her number to me and asked me to meet her in her penthouse….said she’d make it worth my time. That was the beginning of my “male escort” career. I met all of her friends and their friends. Soon I was too “busy” to attend classes anymore. …and why would I? I was making more money than I ever imagined and traveling the world. With almost 40 years of experience as a male “escort”, I can tell you I’m as busy as ever. Being a man, I haven’t had to resort to the “plastic parts” that Vancouver Jan has had to endure. Ladies like that little bit of grey at the temple and tell me that all the time spent at the gym has paid off and that I look better than ever. I can still get into my Topeka West Letterman’s jacket and get it closed although it’s a little tight over my biceps. At the reunion I won’t be standing with the guys in the Bermuda shorts or with the ones in the Dockers. You’ll find me surrounded by beautiful women. Like Vancouver Jan, you may not have noticed me in school but I guarantee you’ll notice me at the reunion. I still have hair, no beer belly, speak French, Slovenian and Spanish, dance like Emmitt Smith, sing like Michael Buble, can fix your house like HGTV’s Carter Osterhouse (and am told I look like him), drive a classic Corvette and am a talented mechanic, own a horse ranch in Montana, a house on the beach in Tahiti, a villa in France and a vineyard in Napa. I’m an accomplished chef. I am capable of carrying on an intelligent conversation (unlike Vancouver Jan) in current events and am a talented artist and musician. I love women and would enjoy a day of shopping with you and want to hear all your problems and concerns. I would love a rainy day helping you do your nails and combing your hair. I never leave the lid up. I love long walks on the beach. I love stolen kisses in front of your friends. I have no problem sharing my feelings and telling you I love you every day. I don’t watch sports, unless you want to. I love cats, dogs, kids and your parents. I love romantic movies and chic flicks and will be happy to wipe your tears. Did I mention that I love to cuddle? I hate to brag, but I’m also told that after 40 years of experience I’m very talented in the art of romance if you know what I mean. I see no need to post a picture. I’m sure that, considering the competition, you will have no problem picking me out. See you lovely women in June.
Until then, Your Fantasy Man
Ps Vancouver Jan, don’t bother me at the reunion. I like “real” women. I’m afraid if you get too close to a heat source like me, you might melt.
WHOA.."Fabio", hold on to your butter - do I detect a challenge, a Smack-Down, a battle of the sexes??? I think our beloved VJ could hold her own - and I don't even know who she is.
This could get interesting....
Wow - where did the last 40 years go? After West I went to Washburn for 2 years and then moved to Kansas City with my family. I worked at KU Med Center for 10 years - during that time I met my husband and we were married in 1978. We have 3 daughters, 29, 27 and 25 and 1 granddaughter - Lillia Grace, she is a delight and we spoil her every chance we get. The oldes daughter Natalie, and mother of the grandbaby lives in Gardner, Ks. near us in Olathe,the middle girl, Amy lives in Houston and is a music therapist at Texas Women's Hosptial working in the NICU with the premies and the youngest, Kimberly lives in Nashville and has her own horse business. We spend alot of time traveling between Houston and Nashville and the rest of the time spoiling the grandbaby. I didn't work when the girls were little but once they got into school I went to work for the Olathe school district and have been there for 20years. I am an Administrative Secretary at Olathe North High School and will probably be there until I retire???? Steve, my husband of 30 years has been with the Overland Park Police Department for 34 years. Retirement would be nice just don't know when we'll decide to do it. The past 40 years have been good for the most part. I just don't know where the time goes. I have lost both my parents, that was hard and not a day goes by I don't think of them. My brother Greg, lives in the Seattle area so I don't see him very often but we talk alot and I try to see him every 2 or 3 years. I look forward to seeing everyone in June at the "40th" yikes! It has been fun reading everyones info on the blog. GG
ron vaught
It sounds like many had more fun than I back when. Shyness led to exploring interesting worlds, so I can’t complain.
The only pictures I found date back to Crestview: http://www.gonzoturtle.com
/crestview/crestview.html
I drive a 2003 z4, but I’ve only had it up to 115, so far.
The music from then that’s on my ipod today: Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Doors, Janis Joplin, Beatles and Rolling Stones.
My journey has been fascinating. Currently I’m working in technical accounting at the City of Portland.
Maybe I should add that I have 2 sons, a 1st grand child on the way and an ex-wife?
I'm planning to attend both nights. See you in June.
Ron v. - those Crestview pictures are a scream. You had a lot of West people in your classes. So smart of you to save them the way you did - for all eternity. I went to Quinton Heights and still have my Kindergarten photo (again, it's amazing the stuff I save) I can even remember about 90% of the names and a few of our classmates are in the photo - Claudia Tappen, Ted Martin - I can't believe that was taken over 50yrs ago. I was pretty cute back then, as weren't we all, don't know what happened after that.
Claudia Tappen...there's a name from the past! She and I were roomies for a while.
Best Regards,
Lenny DeLosier
(It's French)
Ok… after Terry B’s crack detective work in finding me, I’m surfacing after all these years. It’s the least he deserves…. or doesn’t deserve. You have to ask him how he found me, but it’s a classic. When I received a call from the FBI in Washington, D.C., I knew I’d been had when they informed me who was after me!
I recall we had a 10 year reunion and I haven’t been back to Kansas since then, but I’ve flown over it a hundred times. I don’t remember a lot of the classmates that are organizing this “Back to the Future” event, but I’ve enjoyed reading the posts regarding all the details about their experiences and friends at TW.
Here’s a quick update, but I’m trying to make it back for reunion ....guaranteed if Bobo’s Drive-In is still there. I didn’t turn into a “bad boy” until I left Kansas to attend film school and law school at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Then I turned back into a “good guy” when I entered the FBI Academy to become a Special Agent. You probably remember me a being one of the original geeks in the 1960’s…. sort of an 18 year old Bill Gates look-alike (thank god I grew out of that look). The difference was I was very much into sports, especially tennis (3 year letter at TW, still have my purple and white jacket), sleeping at the courts and playing local and state tournaments.
I do remember dating two of the greatest high school sweethearts a guy could ask for… Billie Sue Gibson and Melissa Mehl. There was also Amy Green, but she wouldn’t have given me the time of day back then and was courted by every “real” jock on the football and basketball teams. I was wearing white shorts and hitting a little white tennis ball around as number one on the tennis team. Comparing the girls of the class of 1968 to everything I saw as an FBI Agent, you are all great girls and all sweethearts!
Other classmates I recall off the top of my head without looking at yearbooks are David Hankamer, Mark Shapiro, Chris Petro, Henry Haines, Ken Boggs, Jon Bakalar, Jim Cloutier, Stan and Steve Zimmerman, and Jenny and Julie (the twins). I saw David H. about 15 years ago when he and his family came out to Palm Springs for vacation and I spoke to Mark S. on the phone several times after the Jean Benet Ramsey murder in Boulder Colorado. He was an Assistant District Attorney there at the time. I spent 6 years in the FBI, the last two as an undercover agent investigating organized crime in addition to working on the Patty Hearst kidnapping. Married, no kids.
Following my FBI service, I moved to New Jersey and went to work on Wall Street as an Entertainment Investment Analyst with Smith Barney. After 2 years, transferred to the San Diego Smith Barney office. Divorced, no kids. After 3 years, left investment banking to become President of Watson General Pictures, a publicly traded motion picture production company based in LaJolla, California. Licensed the worldwide film and television animation rights to all of the Sea World characters, including SHAMU, the killer whale. Produced a half hour animated TV Special for NBC and developed a feature film starring all of the Sea World characters. Sold the exclusive license to Anheuser Busch when they purchased the Sea World theme parks in November, 1989.
Ok, I’m trying to make this short, but I have been busy and don't plan on slowing down. I started playing a lot of golf and began designing golf clubs in my spare time. Founded PLOP Golf Company in 1990 with the PLOP brass blade center shafted putter, first used by Arnold Palmer followed by Seve Ballesteros, Duffy Waldorf and many other PGA Tour players. Grew the company to 35 employees with international sales in every country and I hold 7 patents on the design of golf clubs and club fitting technology. Sold the company in 1997 and moved to Santa Monica, California to start The Film Fund, a film financing and production company of independent films. Still playing a lot of golf as a member of Bel Air Country Club in Los Angeles.
Produced the independent feature
“The Circle”, a mystery thriller, and recently, a cheesy comedy horror film titled "WrestleManiac"
accepted into the Hollywood Film Festival and the AFI Dallas Film Festival. “WrestleManiac” is in the Top 10 in Europe and was just released in March, 2008 on DVD in the U.S. In development is a sequel, “WrestleManiac Two”. Recently finished writing the novel and screenplay treatment,
“Boiling the Egg”, based upon the true story of my Mother’s life as the personal secretary to the scientists that created the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima to end World War II. “Boiling the Egg” is slated to be a major motion picture produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Mom passed away in 1972 at the age of 49 and Dad told me her story before he passed away in December, 2000.
Couldn’t stop designing golf clubs and had the time since I’m still single with no kids. Hey, I still have time…. Tony Randall didn’t have his first kid until he was 77! (I'm not waiting that long). Designed a new putter and moved back to San Diego in April, 2007 to begin production. Acquired the PLOP trademark back and began making the new PLOP CSH putter for selected PGA Tour players. Website is not quite up yet, but you can find photos and more info at www.plopgolf.com
I’m flying to New York for a PGA Tour event in June so I’m hoping to stop in Topeka to see you all and play in the reunion golf event. Tell those TW golf team players, Stan and Steve Zimmerman, I plan on giving them a run for their money!
Jake Schmidt....one of the homeys from the hood! You still driving that volvo?
I look forward to seeing you at the reunion! I was just thinking about you the other night....since you haven't made it to the last few reunions.
Best Regards,
Lenny DeLosier
Jake, with all your various experiences and talents, maybe you could write a challenge to the "man under the sheets" spooning for VJ and get a real competition going???? I'd love to know your "under cover" assignments :)
Carole Wilson Montre Sand
Since graduating from high school, I married Don Montre (TWHS Class of 1966) in 1971. I attended Washburn University for three years, while working at The Menninger Foundation and St. Vincent’s Children Home. When Don’s mother retired and moved back to her family roots in Idaho/Washington, Don and I decided to do the same in 1977, settling in Spokane, WA. I completed my degree in Applied Psychology at Eastern Washington University. Shortly afterwards, Don and I began a family. We have two wonderful daughters, Celeste (age 27) and Cecilia (age 22). Don died suddenly of a brain aneurysm in 1986. As a single mom, I returned to school to get my Master’s In Teaching. I taught school for a couple of years. In 1993 I married a man from my church, Ron, who was also widowed with two wonderful children, Trevor (age 32) and Jarda (age 25). We combined families and moved to Reardan, WA (25 miles west of Spokane). Trevor and his wife have given us two beautiful grandchildren. Our back yard is adjacent to acres and acres of . . . wheat fields! I’m still a Kansan at heart!
Deb C. I inadvertantly deleted a comment you made to Jake intending to delete mine. Please repost if you remember what you said. I didn't select permanently delete, so if TD knows how to get it back, maybe she can do that...SORRY
Neffy - no worry, no need to repost. It was just a passing comment.
40 years has passed very fast, and I feel fortunate, and blessed with a good life and health. After West like many I was off to college and then like many married way to young. What was I thinking. I moved to Wichita and after five years of marriage was single again, and no kids. I was working for Cargil and had an opportunity to take a job in Minnesota the state that borders Canada. One cold snowy New Years Eve I packed my car and drove straight North and have been here ever since. I enjoyed my career, traveling, and friends for thirteen years. Currently I have been married for 21 years to a native Minnesotan, and they don't seem to ever leave the state. While many of you have grandchildren I have a 14 year son getting ready for high school next fall. He keeps me young, and very busy with his hockey and other interests. Currently I am working for United Healthcare as a medical underwriter and enjoy my career. For fun I like to travel and we go to Mexico every year for spring break to soak up the warm weather.
All the comments have been great to read, and entertaining. I have shared a few of the stories with coworkers Nevada Jan and Undercover Man..good short story writers. Thanks to the committe for taking the time to put this together.
We have some bios that were sent in that didn't get put on the blog right away. I'm so sorry that they got "filed" without being "posted". I will get them on asap...please accept my apology. TerryD
Nora Wadsworth Fergola...Married 40 years to Rick. I have three children and five grandchildren. I own Legends Salon in Topeka.
Paula(Williams)Martin is married to William G.(Jerry)Martin, Jr. and will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Aug. 8th this year. They own a Broker/Dealer Firm in Wichita, Kansas and have lived in Andover, near the Wichita area since 1987. Jerry is the President/CEO and Paula is the Office manager of MMR, Inc. They have 2 grown children,Bill and Julie, and 6 grandchildren. Paula enjoys travel(especially to Phoenix to see 3 of her grandchildren-the other 3 live in Wichita), babysitting grandchildren, reading, sewing, snow skiing, water skiing, and boating in her spare time. They are very active in their church, First Church of the Nazarene, teaching Sunday School Classes and helping in children's activities.
To: 40th Anniversary T.West Committee and Classmates..
Outlined below is a thumbnail sketch of my past 40 years of General Activity leading up to my present situation here in 2008. After my graduation in 1968 from West, I've held several employment opportunities here in the Topeka community. My primary (professional) employer was Hallmark Cards-tailgating this employment opportunity-my current employer is Washburn University, where I serve on the Campus Ground Crew Team. Unfortunately health issues have interrupted this initiative during my recent past couple of years. I am currently living in Shawnee, KS near my son and his family-including 2 grandchildren ages 1 and 4. Present plans are to return to a Topeka residence and continue with my Washburn employment when my health allows. During the years, I've maintained contact with several classmantes. Certainly doesn't see like 40 years. Most of these years have been good, although some of the these recent times have been a bit more CHALLENGING. I am looking forward to seeing and visiting with everybody this summer. Anticipating "reliving" some of the happier times with those who attend the upcomming 40th reunion! Hope to see friendly "old" faces. George Landon
The following letter was sent by Sue Greenleaf.
" Linda, Jim and I were really looking forward to attending the class reunion. You may have noticed the obituary in the Topeka paper. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the ranch on Monday, March 3. We had been married 37 1/2 years and had 3 children and 4 grandchildren. As all grandparents, we enjoyed it!! Most of our conversations were about our children and grandchildren. Jim ranched all of his life and 10 years ago opened Jim's Trailer Shop---he was fixing most of the trailers in the area anyway, just decided to start charging!! He enjoyed his time in Topeka, and was proud to be a Topeka West graduate.---After the recent tornado that hit our community, he spent much of his time helping clean up and rebuild his hometown. Have a great reunion! Sincerely Sue Greenleaf"
James File
Lineman for KPL/Western Resources 1970-Present, Currently, Line Foreman for Westar Energy Topeka. Married to Jolene Holthaus April, 1976. Two children Brian and Hilary File and two grandchildren...Carter and Jack File.
Linda McPike Marling
After graduation from Topeka West, I went to Washburn for 2 years. Then I got married and had six kids. Now I have 7 grandchildren. I love to bake, sew and garden. I still play the flute and take piano and tap !!
Jack McKinney
After graduation, Mike Davies and I left for a road trip to California, with a hundred in our pockets we took off in a 67 VW bug. I can't remember much of the trip but a good time was had!! We mooched off of every relative on the trek. In the fall of 68, I started at Baker University, as did several of our classmates, Cloutier, Sloop, Scott Foster, Gary Holwick, and Bill Cox. Most of the crew pledged Sig Ed and had a great year. The Dean of Students suggested that another university might better meet my needs. So in 69 I moved back to T-town to be an Ichabod, a quick three and I had a degree. While attending Washburn, I started working for SWBT. In 74 there was a huge ice storm in KS , and I was dispatched to western KS to rebuild the telephone infrastructure. After weeks in the ice and cold in the middle of nowhere, I decided that I needed a change for the warm. I convinced IBM that I had something that they needed. Not sure what they wanted but they hired me and I moved to the Big E, Emporia. Boy does it smell down there. Oh, I forgot, I married Peggy Hulse right after college graduation, had two beautiful girls and eventually divorced. By this time I was living around Lawrence, one day I stopped in an establishment to have a cold one and met the love of my life, Charleen. She was also divorced and had a little boy that fit age wise right between my girls. We got married and started the his/hers/theirs/mine/ours family. Things were going great and # 4 showed up. I don't need to tell you but the next twenty was chasing kids and writing checks. Now, all four got their college degrees, one got married and had our cute little grandchild, Sophia Ellana Giuliano, the others are tied up with significant others, and none of the above are living with us. We are currently living in Springfield, MO. I retired from IBM in 07 and started with Lenovo two days later. Life is good.
Jack - Did your dad work at SWBT? If so I think he knew or worked with my dad. What was his first name? Funny, I was at SWBT working as a long distance operator the same time you were out splicing cable. I think Neffy may have been there, too.
Hey Jack, the California trip is a hazy memory. The 4 things that stick in my mind are getting picked up by the cops in Los Cruces (the ultimate in police profiling), that danged Bee Gees tape that played over and over, entering into CA. the night Bobby Kennedy was shot (remeber the bloody nose and the stares at the gas station we stopped at) and abalone fishing.
Kirk Nystrom: Went to KU for two years. Spent three years in Alaska as a self supported missionary. Help build a Christian school, outside in winter minus 27 degrees below, spent a summer subsistence fishing for salmon as I was now considered an Alaska native, went to Washburn U, graduated in '76 with a business degree, then on to Washburn Law, Juris Doctor'79, then my post-doctorate LLM (Taxation Law)at the University of Missouri (Kansas City)'83.
In '79 married Karin Noland (Holton High'68.) She is my secretary in our Topeka Law office; Probate, Wills. Powers of Attorney, etc.
We have two grown single kids. Matthew(28)is an estimator in Phoenix, Az, and has also been a missionary to Arizona Prisons with groups like Prison Fellowship. Anna (26)has a degree in teaching English as a Foreign Language, speaks Spanish like a native and teaches English to mid-level managers in Saltillo, Mexico. God's Best to all my classmates. Kirk Nystrom
Kenya Hill Nolte
I worked 18 years as Human Resources Director for Palmer News. I'm currently working part time as a receptionist for a veterinarian. I've been married for 38 years to Terry, who just retired in March. Daughters are Heather and Wendy. I have twin grandkids Meryl and Liam. I'm a big KU fan and live in Lawrence. I make stained glass and enjoy traveling and babysitting the twins.
Debbie Cole Stuckey
After high school, I attended and graduated from KU where I married Frank Stuckey--what a great guy. We are both avid KU fans--Go Jayhawks! What a great year to be a Jayhawk fan! We have two grown daughters (Carey and Allie), two wonderful son-in-laws, one sweet granddaughter (Vivi) and a new grandson due in May. I must say being "Grammy" is the ultimate experience of my life to this point. Frank and I travel often to Chicago and Kansas City to visit the kids, but our home is still Hutchinson. I enjoy teaching and working at our middle school with ESL students (students for whom English is their second language). I also have a home thereputic massage business. It will be great to see friends from West again.
Terry Krueger
I am married to Anita Rudolph. We have two sons. Anita is retired and I retired in 2005 from ARS lab in Gainesville, FL. I now work part-time in the Entomology-Nematology department at the University of Florida. We enjoy travel, gardening and golf.
Cathleen Chandler Stevenson
After graduating from K.U. Law School, I moved to Houston where I met my husband, David. We have been married for 31 years and live in Dallas. We have three children who are now 27, 25, and 21. I practiced corporate law in Houston and Dallas before the children were born and then I taught law school for ten years at Southern Methodist University here in Dallas. After that I was ready for a new challenge, so I dusted off my Spanish undergraduate degree and practiced until I could interview clients in Spanish and then began volunteering as a pro bono attorney at Catholic Charities Legal and Immigration Services, where I serve on the Board of Directors. I work with women who have been the victims of domestic violence from their U.S. citizen husbands. I help them to obtain legal immigration status and valid work authorization. Almost all of my clients come from the domestic violence shelters. Our youngest child was born with Down Syndrome, and I am still spending a surprising amount of time on his care and plans for his future. My legal education has been very useful in dealing with our local school district, which initally thought that the federal laws of special education did not apply to it. This past year I have been busy finishing up a two-year term as President of the Board of Governors for the K.U. Law School. Before tht I served as President of the Parents' Association for the University of Arizona and was a translator for church mission trips to Honduras. My husband and I enjoy traveling together. We took our daughter to Greece in March as an early celebraton of her own graduation from law school in May of 2008.
Mike D and Jack McK -- your memories of your Calif trip after our graduation may be fuzzy, but mine's not! You left your high school girlfriends (Billie and me) high and dry for the whole darn summer -- not that I'm still bitter or anything :). Billie and I saw a LOT of movies together that endless summer.
Barbara Blaylock Brosius
Jerry and I have been married 38 years. We have been blessed with three married children and ten grandchildren. I am a discussion leader for a non-denominational Bible Study called Bible Study Fellowship and work at my church's clothing closet weekly. The Lord has been a vital part of my life and that of my family's for twenty -five years. I am so grateful that He came to earth 2000 years ago and sacrificed His life for mine so that I may spend eternity with Him.
Louise (Lou)VanVleck Dickson
I'm really looking forward to the reunion. It's been a very long time since I saw anyone from our class. Writing a bio is a new experience..but here goes:
After I left West, I attended 3 universities and lived in 2 countries and graduated in 1972 in Boston. I then married a Brit and moved to England to do a Masters in Community Development. We did eventually come to this country for Pete(husband) to complete his PhD and have been here ever since. We're marking 36 years of marriage this year. Most of our life, in the US,has been in Chicago. It is where both of our children were born. Our daughter, Alison, who is almost 28, has just returned to Chicago after spending several years as a community organizer for fair housing in LA. She is married and is starting her Masters in Urban Planning this fall. Our son, Hamish, 25, graduated from university in Canada and followed that with a year working on "Pimp my Ride". He is now in Boston doing his Masters in Architecture. I've grown up to be lots of things which has kept life quite interesting. For the past 18 years, I have been a general contractor. My primary focus is restoring 19th century houses. It's been a lot of fun and there certainly is not a shortage of 19th century houses in Evanston, where we live. My husband's job has entailed a copious amout of traveling abroad for the past 30 years. It has taken him to some pretty fascinating places (and some he would rather not have seen). Happily, I have joined him from time to time. The whole family very juch enjoys being in different lands. We also spend part of our lives in Colorado. We purchased a second home in Pagosa Springs (SW Colorado) in the late 90's and spend as much time as we can thre. Retirement for Pete or I is definitely not on the horizon yet. I am giving up my construction company this year and trying to decide what to grow up to be next. I am currently weighing options on jobs that will help the environment. It should be an interesting next chapter. I look forward to seeing everyone in June. Lou Dickson
Jarold L Jones
Dec. 1966-Family moved from Topeka to Garland TX. Attended TWHS for 1 semester. Remainder of HS Attended Garland HS.
May 1968-Graduated GHS
Sept 1968-Attended University of Oklahoma for EE Degree & AFROTC
May 1973-Graduated OU with BSEE & 2nd Lt. USAF
Oct 1973-Attended UPT(pilot training) at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio) TX
May 1983 Separated from USAF-Capt., Co-pilot B-52 D/G, Current Operations Officer, Avionics Mainx Officer
June 1984-Hired on at Tinker AFB as a civilian GS-07 Electronics Engr (B-52 RADAR/Offensive Avionics Engr) and AF Reserves as Computer Specialist.
Oct 1986-Retired USAF Reserves
June 1993- Married Kim A Gililand
Oct 2007- Retired Tinker Civil Service-GS-14
Feb 2008 Single again.
Hobbies/Interests: Camping, Hiking, Amateur Radio-WA5ROJ, SCUBA diving and Motorcycles (MSF Instructor).
Cheryl Elliott Gilmore
I moved to Ft. Carson, Colo. the day after graduation. My dad was called up with the Kansas National Guard. We were there for 18 months. That is were I met my husband Dale. We moved to Illinois for six months but came back to Topeka.
We have a daughter, Stephanie. She is now working at BCBS.
I have been divorced now 10 yrs after a 28 yr marriage.
Retired from the State of Kansas Revenue 5 yrs ago after 33 yrs of service.
Stephanie has given me a grandson, & granddaughter. Angel is 7 & America is 3.
Since retirement I have spent a lot of time doing volunteer work. My church & TARC keep me busy.
Cheryl
Lia Shapiro Felix
Topeka West High School is solely responsible for my love affair with New York City. After my New York/Washington, D.C. trip, I realized that New York was the city for me. I attended the University of Denver, my freshman year, and then transferred to a university in New York. The Big Apple has been my home since 1969.
Instead of continuing with post-graduate studies in Social Work, I decided that my B.A. in Sociology from New York University was, at the time, enough to help me enter the real world of business. In 1972, I made my transition from student to working at administrative positions in various companies such as Estee Lauder Cosmetics, Inc., a patent and trademark law firm in Rockefeller Center, and a prominent law firm that dealt with such issues as the 1988 airline crash in Lockervie, Scotland and the oil spill of the Exxon Valdez. I could continue to list all of my jobs, but this is not a resume. Being in New York was not enough. I knew I had made my journey to the east coast to follow my dream of becomming a famous photographer/photojournalist. In pursuit of this dream, I met my husband of twenty-five yers, Wainwtight Felix, at Parsons School of Design in New York City. We live in Brooklyn, New York, taking pictures in our leisure time. We have both been published and have no children. I am presently a homemaker. I also share caregiving responsibilities with my sister (who lives in Boulder, Colorado), for our mother who still resides in Topeka.
Jake,
At the last reunion Bobo's was still going strong. Burgers and apple pie just a good as it was in high school. Nothing wrong with us tennis jocks, we were a force to be reckoned with. Hope you can make it
Sharon NP
Susan Falk Jones
After high school, I received a Family and Child Development degree from K-State. I was in Pi Beta Phi sorority. After college, I married Bill Jones (class of '67). We have lived in Houston, Tulsa, and currently in Lenexa, KS. (Kansas City). We have 3 terrific children, Matt (lives in Castle Rock, Colorado with his wife Leah and our 2yr old granddaughter), Nick (lives in K.C. next to the Power and Light District), and Kayla (who is a junior at Wichita State). I am the director of the early education center at our church, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Leawood, KS. This is my 15 year in that role. It will be great to see all of you in June.
Katherine Bosken Waldoch
I have been married to Donald W. Bosken for 34 years. We have four sons and one granddaughter. I attended Washburn University and received a B.S. in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas. Don is from Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Wichita State University. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas Medical School and has been a family practice physician for 31 years. I enjoy traveling, reading, hiking, bicycling and writing.
Janine Moody Silsby here.
Ok, ya pulled me in with the Marshall Barber review of what I also remember as a powerhouse performance. (The play was “Antigone” and his role was King Creon.) And suddenly I realized the answer to the question “Where WAS I when all of this other fun stuff was going on?” Any other music or theatre geeks out there?
Brief bio: college choir tour during which I ran into Margo on the steps of the Victor Emmanuel monument in Rome. BA at Ottawa Univ, then married to Joe and off to Australia for 2+yrs followed by another year traveling back by circumnavigating (not a dirty word, Lenny) including a month visiting Sock Mui (the AFS student who lived with us) and her family in Malaysia.
Moved back to Topeka. Worked at Menninger’s. Got MSW at KU. Then 2 sons: Christopher 28yo, now living in NYC while he works on a PhD in theatre at CUNY, and Michael 24yo, a graphic artist in St Paul (Hey, Cynthia J! We love MN!!)
Div’d after 25yrs. Met David (THS ‘72) now together 10yrs. Have 2 lovely miss/step-dtrs: Adriene 26yo, personal asst to Cong. Nancy Boyda, and Mariel 24yo KU grad this wknd and Miss July in the 2008 Women of KU calendar!
We live in the country outside of Hoyt in a house David built himself, with three large dogs, the newest “puppy” being a very sweet 174 lb Mastiff. I have a psychotherapy practice in Topeka. David is on disability due to MS and Parkinson’s. But thanks to the magic of drugs he is doing fairly well and we travel a lot, most recently our annual trip to the New Orleans JazzFest. We also do the Winfield festival every year (Hi, Susie!) and a week on an island in northern MN. (David has “modified” a Rascal mobility scooter given to him by a friend. Louise Van V, do you think your son could get him a gig on “Pimp My Ride”?)
I am active in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka: music, capital campaign, kids religious ed and sex ed (yes, sex ed at church! Feel free to ask me about it.)
Did I say this would be brief?… Oh well, it’s a full life. Look forward to seeing folks in June.
Janine
Beth Morgan since TWHS:
The short version is that I have been married to Park Morgan since 1975, and we have two children. Our son, Garrett, is 28 and now working on his PHD in vascular physiology at CU in Boulder. Our daughter, Aubrey, is 26, working and living here in Atlanta.
I have enjoyed a variety of career paths following grad school. Since moving to Atlanta in 1980, I have headed a nonprofit agency serving older adults, owned my own book & gift store, as well as a catering business, cooked for my parish rectory (there is a sitcom in that experience!), and am now working for the national office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as Director of the Southeast Region. My husband, Park, is a long time journalist who currently writes for WebMD and other publications. Of note, he previously was a newspaper editor for Morris Communications which owns the Topeka Capital-Journal!
Over the years, I have remained active in my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, my church, and, of course, all the kids’ activities. I have gotten to travel all over the U.S. (to date been through about 60 different airport security lines) and seen a lot of other countries. But, more importantly, I have had the very good fortune of staying in close touch with friends I have had as far back as Crestview, Capper, and Topeka West, each of whom has continued to enrich my life over the years! Ironically, two of our closest friends are Mike and Cyndy Nelson-Palmer who live 45 minutes south of us in Peachtree City, GA.
I feel very blessed when I share with others how much Topeka West HS meant to me, the great education I received thanks to the likes of Mrs. Bakalar (hope there are no split infinitives in this piece), and how lucky I have been to maintain so many of my high school friendships! Thank you for all the wonderful memories…
Debbie Crawford
After much procrastination I thought I’d try this again. My last attempt was of epic proportions and nearly shut down the blog. So, after a little editing, and by seeing all the fine examples of what a Bio should look like....here goes.
The short of it – went to college, moved to Denver, never married, no kids, tried several career paths, still living in Denver....and waiting for Gadot.
The long of it – Went to WU for a couple of years, then over to K-State for some architecture classes then back to WU, graduating in’73 with a Sociology degree. Saw many of my classmates on the WU campus, like Jenny and Julie Jordan and Ken Boggs. Ken and I were elected king and queen of the Independent Student Assoc. Winter dance one year. I hung out with the twins until they pledged Alpha Phi (?) sorority. In high school, I’d go to their house for a sleepover and watch “White Christmas”. Their mom always made this incredible artichoke and mandarin orange salad.
I financed my college lifestyle working at Porterfield’s Flowers as a designer and later at SWBell as a long distance operator (think Lily Tomlin, old cord boards and head set). In 1975, after a short engagement to a law student, I packed my VW, put the top down, put the pedal to the medal and headed west to Denver. I’ve been there ever since, going on 34 years.
My family still lives in Topeka so I visit yearly. I came back for the 10yr Reunion and remember getting the boys from “Kansas” to autograph a napkin (“how juvenile” at the time, but think how rich I’d be now if only I could find the damn thing). At the 20yr Reunion I talked to Janine M about running since she was pounding the pavement and I had just completed my first marathon (JM - I could use a good running buddy again and probably a good shrink – we could run and I’ll “talk”). I was surprised to learn how many classmates are in the Denver area. Regrettably, I have been negligent in staying in touch with classmates, though Janet Z. and I touch base occasionally. Hope to see my fellow Coloradoans at this reunion.
During my first few years in Denver, my then-boyfriend (New Yorker turned Grizzly Adams) was big on the Colorado experience. As the obliging girlfriend, I kept up - hiking, skiing, backpacking and rafting (I flipped overboard once) and though I loved the outdoors (still do), and tried it once, sleeping in a snow cave pushed my limits of “adventure”. I also passed on rock climbing after he took a serious fall and had to wear a Halo Traction and body cast for several months afterwards. With a later boyfriend, we went to Seattle and hiked the Pacific Rim trail on Vancouver Island (no we didn’t see Jan), but we did sleep on the beach and watch sea lions and whales.
My experience in Denver has included a variety of jobs. The first year here, I went to work for an engineering firm drafting storm and waste water systems. During that time, I returned to school and got a degree in Interior Design. I interned with a design company doing model homes, got my ASID certification, then moved on to run my own small design business. Later, I joined an architect firm as a spaceplanner. Off and on during my years in Denver, I have continued to keep my fingers in the floral industry. (Fern – any good stories??). When the architect firm downsized, I switched gears and went into dried flower designing. For nearly 10 years I sold my creations at outdoor art shows. (Mary McCoy – we should trade notes)
Right around the time of our 20yr Reunion I became involved with a significant other and for the next 15yrs, he and I were so busy being entrepreneurs, remodeling houses, running 3 businesses, traveling, etc, that we forgot to schedule marriage into our crazy lifestyle. Then one day it was over. I rebounded into Culinary school, receiving an Associates degree. I sold imported cheeses and worked as a prep cook till I graduated. I walked away from the cooking world and started doing office temp work. If the truth be known, I wrote the whole school thing off as expensive therapy. I’ll be paying off the student loan till the day I die. Currently, I am working in the insurance business - a far cry from the creative life I thought I would endeavor for the rest of my employable years. It was time to get into the corporate world for those benefits - someone has to take care of me.
I had a health scare a few years ago which required major surgery (Bless the radiologist and his magnifying glass) and some follow up reconstruction where “the girls” were concerned. That set me back financially for a while, so I’ve been living a modest lifestyle until my Sugar Daddy or the Lotto comes through. My life “in the fast lane” today entails working two jobs (yes, I’m still designing flowers on the weekends), hanging out at the fitness club and coming home to my 20lb, arm-full of fluff, Maine Coon cat. I just recently arrived into the 21st century, learning how to use a computer and send email. I occasionally garden, like to entertain, still run when the mood strikes me and I seek spiritual direction from watching Sex in City and eating Reeses Peanut Butter cups and, more importantly, from my Buddhist practice.
It just seems like yesterday that I was at the 20yr Reunion and here we are again. For some crazy reason, I’m really excited about seeing everyone this time and getting reacquainted. See you all in June!! And Thanks Again to the Reunion Committee for putting this together. You Rock!!!!
Debbie C...can't wait to hang with you during our "party places we missed during high school..gaggle of girls gets together" time in June. We're thinking of a "Girls of 68 Gone Wild" video...frightening isn't it???
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to pack my halter top and Daisy Mae shorts.
Let me retract that last statement - "1968 Girls Gone Wild" - that means I should bring my hotpants and go-go boots instead of my "Dukes of Hazard" wardrobe.
Sorry, Deb C. I don't pound the pavement anymore. Old knees, ya know. And "girls gone wild" is now my Jazzercise class. Actually, there are several of us from the class of '68 that attend. Hey, maybe you could join us at a Sat AM class... and anyone else that's up for that. It really is a hoot.
Mary Christiansen Frakes
I retired in 2006 from AT&T after 37 years of service as Manager of Network Services in St. Louis, MO.
I am presently working as the Ralph Lauren Specialist for Macy’s in St. Louis.
I am the mother of two daughters, Theresa and Ashley as well as the grandmother to Courtney, Aspen and Brayden.
well,ok,after forty years i'll come back and say hello to a bunch of people i didn't really talk to much in the first place. most of that is probably my fault. but then again, this is not about being nice or meeting in the middle. enough of the negitive!
this is james r and i haven't seen any of you in forty years. with the exception of seeing a couple of the "kansas" boys backstage a few times and then there was that day in 76 when mary m came by my place to see if i was still a "great kisser" (her words). yes i was and it was only a kiss. but she sure put a smile on my face!
i digress or is it regress?
went to wu for two years, was a sig ep and got a lottery number of 36 so i joined the navy for four years and never went to sea.
met a gal in chicago. got married in 72 and she gave me a divorce for my 26th b-day. then proceded to marry my lawyer for the next fifteen years.(we're still friends my lawyer and i)
back in topuka, i worked for a local r&r band (limozine) for two years. i was the light tech.
in 79 went back to wu and got a bba in accounting and worked in kc for 2 years. hated it, got fired. decided if i was going to be poor i was going to be warm & poor. so i
moved to sw florida(ft.myers)
i was single for 18 years,got a vasectomy in my 40's. never had kids. never wanted any.
met my bride of 14 years, country dancing, and have never been happier.
my sweetie has a daughter & a son who have given us four grandson's and a granddaughter(the youngest) over the last 6 years.
i'm only a mailman but i know how short life can be and if you're not happy it's your own fault!
i was in the topeka tonado in 66, a headon in 92(broken clavicle & 3 days in hosp),blew out my left knee playing tennis in 94(jake s. i was the 9th man on our 8 man tennis team at twhs) scoped my right shoulder in 95,got a total right hip replacement in 01, had carpel tunnel on both wrists along with fusing 5,6,&7 in my neck.
i'm just happy to be on the right side of the grass!
finally, after over 20 years of living down here in paradise we got a car with "bells & whistles" an 08 audi tt quatro rodster with baseball leather and all wheel drive and in february we got our pool put in.(only for the grandkids! ha!)
life is good & i'll probably see you in june.
jjremmel@embarqmail.com
ok, i'm not computer literate & this reminds me of my (?)10th grade typing glass.
my sweetie proofread this and in my first paragraph thought i misspelled (hs) for "high school" and that i ment to say "this" is not about being etc...
well, that made my opening statement rather harsh and that was not my intent! sorry!!
"hs" was not a very pleasent experience for me, but writing this has been.
now for all you married folks out there, you already know that my sweetie will "never ever help me with the computer again!"
sorry if anyone took offense!
Jim, glad you are seriously considering making it....after all the hoopla the other night with TD, alias TD, she would have been really disappointed, as would the rest of us (me being a fellow Postal worker, not yet disgruntled...well...that isn't entirely true..long story to never be repeated...but loved your bio, anxious to meet you along with the rest of the class I didn't know -- truly I am!
Ok James..Anonymous is correct, I will be very disappointed if you don't make it in June. It was swell talking to you the other night..and hearing from your wife too...she was great to help you proof... Hope you got the plane tickets figured out..be sure to tell your wife that if she doesn't show up, I will be asking you to dance...now that I know you can..( I'm married to a
"won't someone please dance with my wife so I don't have to") kind of guy!!! I'll even let you lead!!
Jim R.
It was the 66 tornado, I just happened to be scheduled to work that night at the old Baskin Robbins at 29th and Adams (in a shopping center next to Litwins) with two freshmen girls at W.U. (Nancy and Darlene). My parents and siblings were in Tulsa for a week and I was left with the family business (BR). Rick Douglas was the rotund radio announcer who broadcast from Burnett’s Mound. I could (if I were more literary inclined) write a book about that night and the weeks to follow. The resiliency of Topeka and its people (in the days before FEMA and outpourings of cash for victims) was truly phenomenal. I remember both fights you referred to although I can’t recall; anyone but the “jock’s”
name. Interesting enough, although each of us had the impression that he was a jock, our senior yearbook doesn’t have him participating in any sports. That is attributable, I suppose, to either a failure of the yearbook committee or each of us having faulty perceptions.
And I certainly remember Jayne P. She was a very nice girl and quite mysterious (transferring in her junior year form KC). I’m sure she thought all of us were mysterious too.
Mike Weidner....After West, I attended the University of Kansas majoring in theatre with strong “intent” on graduating. Wound up playing in numerous rock and roll bands, one of which (SNOW) opened for KANSAS. Time on the east coast and thirteen years in the Pacific northwest -- currently planning another escape from Topuka, to relocate to the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver Washington area once again, hoping to run into VJ and help her with her theatrical skills & possibly escorting her to a cast party. I was involved with 4 theatrical groups in Vancouver and one in Portland, mostly working backstage, but also sharing some time in the limelight -- From Shakespeare to Neil Simon. When I grow up I want to never grow up.
A sincere thanks to all of those organizing the TW Class of '68 reunion! It would seem you've thought of everything in planning for a great weekend! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to another commitment. My last 40 years, summarized in a few paragraphs, would include these milestones.
I attended Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in Architecture. Was fortunate to play football at both schools. I met my future wife Peggy at HCC. We married in 1972 and have been together since. After graduation we moved to Rapid City, SD. and both worked in our professions. Peggy also graduated from KSU and has been teaching and mentoring in elementary education for these 36 years. After 5 years in the Black Hills, we moved on to Wyoming and have resided in Sheridan, WY for the last 24 years. For the last 27 years I have been with TSP, a regional A/E firm. In Wyoming, our focus in recent years includes education (K-12) and healthcare projects.
Our son Marshall, 28, apprenticed with a quality Sheridan general contractor for 7 years and last year started his own construction company. He's single and apparently in no rush to change his status. Our daughter Lauren is 24, has had some profound developmental challenges since birth and lives at home with us.
I have several interests outside of my work. Probably the most enjoyable and time consuming is distance running. I know it's hard to believe that a once 250 lb. offensive lineman would gravitate to marathons. Years ago, I started running to lose weight, but now I guess I'm just addicted to the endorphins.
Enjoy the reunion. I'm sure all attending will have a high ol' time!
Del Acker
Mark Davidson
I feel like I have had a very rich and fulfilling life since my high school days. After graduating from Topeka West HS I attended one year at KSU and then moved back to Topeka after my dad died and attended Washburn University. I graduated with a degree in Music Education. I then went to Dallas Theological Seminary where I spent the next 5 years getting a Master of Theology degree with a major in Bible Exposition. My first year in seminary I married the love of my life, Ruth. During my time in seminary I served on staff and was ordained in a Baptist Church outside Dallas. After graduating my first pastorate was in Garden City, KS. Since that time I have served in churches large and small in pastoral positions including youth, missions, worship and senior pastor. I was Worship and Missions pastor for 19 years at Grace Covenant Church in Austin, TX. During that time I saw the church grow from 500 to 2300. While there I led an orchestra of 50 and a choir of 100. For 3 years we had a very interesting experience living in Ontario, Canada. My wife and I have traveled extensively ministering in 15 different countries. I have had the opportunity to teach several doctoral courses at Grace Seminary in Indiana in recent years. We have 4 grown children. The youngest just graduated from college this year. We have 7 wonderful grandchildren. I have recently taken a new position as Pastor of 1st Congregational Church in Roscommon, Michigan. My wife and I love to take long walks together. The hobby that I began in my High School days continues to be building and flying radio controlled airplanes.
Nancy Scrinopskie (Epoch)
After West I went to school at the University of Miami and majored in music. Following graduation I did radio and tv jingles for NBC in Miami. I met my ex-husband at school and was married in 1974. We lived in Syracuse, NY for 14 years where I was Musical Director/Conductor, voice teacher and a high school music teacher. We had a son, Evan who died at 7 months. I had another son, Barry who died at 27..four years ago. I moved back to Topeka in 1988 and in 1989 I got a job at Southwest now Whitson. I taught there for 9 years. Following that I got the vocal music job at Topeka West and
and have been there for 10 years. I am also the Musical Director/Conductor at TCT, Washburn University and Helen Hocker Theater. I love to travel, fish, and keep in touch with friends. I love beaded shoes...so Sharon Nelson-Palmer beware!! I am looking forward to seeing old friends in June. I would love to hear from you. lv2sing@cox.net
Suppose I might as well write something. haven't been back to Kansas since i graduated from K-State in 72. Never went to a prom there either. Got a MS in Fishery Science from Univ. of Washington, did a 2 year tour in the Peace Corps in Seychelles setting up an underwater national park, married and still am after 33 years. very nice lady, from Minnesota - I got very lucky. We have 2 grown kids, and they are no longer at home, nor are they on our payroll. ah, sweet when things turn out that way. Did a number of jobs over the years, all variations of fish management. Worked outside a lot - just what i wanted. spent 26 years with the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and got to work on everything from marine species to salmon habitat on major rivers. retired now, and seem to have a major habit of stream restoration for salmon habitat. do a lot of volunteering for local conservation groups. we live in NW Washington state, the land of rain, big trees, mountains, and ocean. And I get to go back-packing, and clam-digging, close to home.
kurt buchanan
Del Acker....this story is for you since you were living in Rapid City when it took place so I'm sure you will remember it. I was assigned to the Los Angeles FBI Office when this incident occurred and worked with Ron Williams before he got transfered to the Rapid City FBI Resident Agency.
June 26, 1975 was a hot dusty Thursday on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Southwestern South Dakota when two young FBI agents arrived from their office in Rapid City. It was about noon when Special Agents Ronald A. Williams, 27, and Jack R. Coler, 28, pulled into the Jumping Bull Compound area of the remote reservation seeking to arrest a young man in connection with the recent abduction and assault of two young ranchers in nearby Manderson, SD. Spotting a read and white Chevrolet Suburban van in which they believed the fugitive suspect to be riding, the two agents pursued it toward an open grassy bowl-like area. Unknown to Special Agents Coler and Williams, one of the three men in the vehicle was Leonard Peltier, a violent man with a violent past, a fugitive wanted for attempted murder of an off-duty Milwaukee police officer. Knowing the two vehicles pursuing him were occupied by FBI agents and believing they were seeking to arrest him on the attempted murder case, Peltier and his two associates abruptly stopped and began firing their rifles at the agents.
Out of range of the agents revolvers, Peltier and his friends continued firing. Other militants and radical members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) joined them in shooting at the disabled and trapped agents.
Surprised by the sudden violence, out-manned, out-gunned and at an extreme tactical disadvantage, Coler and Williams were both wounded and defenseless within minutes. Coler sustained a severe wound, the force of a bullet nearly tearing his right arm off. Williams, wounded in the left shoulder and right foot, removed his shirt during the hail of incoming rifle fire and fashioned a tourniquet around the arm of Coler, who had fallen unconscious. Coler, a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant with two small sons, and Williams, an affable,friendly former FBI clerical employee, were at the mercy of Peltier and his associates. But there was to be no mercy that day for the fine young law enforcement officers.
Not satisfied with the terrible injuries they had inflicted, Peltier and two other men walked down the hill toward the ambushed officers. Three shots were heard. Williams, kneeling and apparently surrendering, was shot in the face directly through his outstretched, shielding hand. He died instantly. Coler, still unconscious,was shot twice in the head at close range. He died instantly after the second shot. Before leaving the murder scene, Peltier and his criminal associates stole the two dead agents' handguns and the .308 rifle Coler was going after when shot.
The crime scene examination testified to the brutality of the ambush. Coler and Williams had little chance to defend themselves. They had fired only five shots. In contrast, over 125 bullet holes were found in their two cars.
The investigation quickly focused on Leonard Peltier as the executioner. The murder weapon was determined to be a .223-caliber rifle. Witnesses identified Peltier as the only person at the murder scene in possession of a weapon that would fire a .223 caliber bullet, his weapon being a .223 caliber AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Witnesses later testified that Peltier had possess this rifle before, during and after the ambush. The murder weapon, with others used in the attack, was hidden. AIM sympathizers later spirited it from the area.
In September 1975, a station wagon, heavily laden with weapons and explosives, caught fire and blew up on the Kansas Turnpike near Wichita. The murder weapon and Coler's stolen .308 rifle were recovered from the wreckage. One of the vehicle's occupants later testified that he had seen Peltier carrying the recovered .223 caliber rifle by the two FBI agents' cars on the day and at the time of their murder.
Following the June 26 murders, Leonard Peltier fled the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The FBI added him to its Ten Most Wanted list. Then, in November 1975, an Oregon State trooper stopped a recreational vehicle in which Peltier was hiding. Peltier ran from the RV, fired at the officer and escaped. Coler's revolver, stolen when he was murdered, was found in a paper bag under the front seat of the RV. Peltier's thumbprint was on the bag. When later arrested in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Peltier remarked that, had he known the officers were there to arrest him, he would have blown them out of their shoes.
I'll be attending a Memorial Service this Friday, May 30th, in Los Angeles in memory of Ron Williams and the other 50 FBI Agents killed in the line of duty.
Ron Williams was a great guy... much like you and our fellow TWHS teammates on the football team. You may remember me as the manager (cutting the oranges, taping ankles and filling water cups) for the football team when I wasn't playing on the tennis team.
Sounds like you've got a great family and are having a fulfilling career. Sorry I won't see you at the reunion.
Best,
Jake
It's amazing what different paths our lives have taken after probably having pretty similar upbringings our first 18 years.
I went to K-State, majoring in elementary eduacation. I met my husband, Ken Bowie, there and we were married in 1970. After gradution, we taught school in Winfield, Burden, and Manhattan and Ken also got his PhD in International Ag Development from KSU (GO CATS!)in 1979. We were then appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Peru, where we served for 25 years. We transferred to Ovalle, Chile, in 2003. It has been a joy to live in and learn to love and appreciate other cultures and meet people's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I got to get my elementary and secondary education a second time as I home-schooled our 3 daughters. They are married and live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. We have 2 (3 in September) grandchildren and look forward to living close to them when we retire in 2011 in Crowley, TX.
I didn't know 4 years of high school Spanish would be put to so much use in my life!
Qué se gozan en su reunión en junio y Dios les bendiga!
Linda Orton Bowie
to del a, great to hear from you. sorry you can'y make it. sounds like your'er really enjoying the north country. i think i was in montana when i was 3.
who was the other tackle at crapper?
you also wrestled, at KSU? do you remember playing baseball at that park just west of crapper? i think it was just down the street from your house. damn could you hit the ball!
are you aware of how close our folks have become over the years?
well, great hearing from you!
stay happy & be safe.
Susie Lunnon Jones said...
I can’t believe all of the wonderful stories I have read today. I really do not think anyone else would think my life has been exciting but it has been a good one. I also married young, gave birth to a wonderful son but my husband and I divorced when Cory was 18 months old in 1979. I have worked 4 years for the State of Kansas and 34 yrs for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Coast Guard. My son married his childhood sweetheart, Tisha, and they have given me two beautiful granddaughters; Skylar, 4 ½ and Falyn, 1. My son recently removed his family to Palmer, Alaska, and I will be leaving for my second visit during the time of our class reunion.
Let me think of some experiences I’ve had since high school…when I was married, we built a house on 20 acres where I learned how to put on shingles, siding, and subflooring. After the divorce, I bought a home in Topeka and have been there for 28 years. I found that I loved rattlesnake hunting in the desert, the ocean, and the feeling of landing a state record White Base, and a 3 ¼ pound Crappie.
I was a single parent but would not change a single minute of it. My sister and I cared for my parents for 19 years but value every memory especially since they have passed away. Now that I am over 50, so many details leave me but not the ones from the people I love. I guess I remember that I was loved and needed…and that makes it a good life.
May 30, 2008 11:40 AM
Hello out there in good ole USA! Wish I could go to the reunion, the last time I was in Topeka it was like the pleasant part of the movie "Pleasantville", when everything was in technicolor. I've been living in France since graduation from Washburn, have had visits from Linda McPike/Marling and Billie Gibson/Hall; the rest of you Chargers are welcome too at time(maybe we could "do" the 50th over here, for the lucky survivors?). I'm married with four grown children. One of my kids is a lawyer and is getting married and moving to Chicago; one is already married, soon to be a father, and makes documentaries for children's television; one is a journalist currently on assignment in Palestine; the last of the litter is still in university studying architecture. I'm a tour guide for medieval and Renaissance monuments in the center of France, then teach English and American lit.to Frenchies during the slow season. In spite of the time and distance, it's funny how Kansas still pops up in my world. Just last week there was a lady who once lived in Topeka in one of my tours, and standing in the middle of the 800-year-old Bourges cathedral, there we were,talking about the '66 tornado. I will always revere the memory of that much maligned teacher, Mr. Eubank, who taught me not to give a shit what people think, to just forge on ahead. This has served me well over the years, as well as Mrs. Bakalar's Humanities class, as well as just trying to be basically nice, which I consider a uniquely Kansas trait. If any of you ever get to Paris or elsewhere in France, let me know at : bthomasrichard@wanadoo.fr
Happy celebrating!
Barbara Owens/Thomas-Richard
-Roger Wood
After TWest I tried 2 semester at Washburn. That didn't work, so to dodge the draft and inlisted in the Air Force.
After basic training in Texas and aircraft electronics training in Illinois, I was off to Southeast Asia for 12 months. Working on airplanes (F-4's and C-130's) was relatively safe. Then I was stationed in New Mexico. What a contrast; from hot sticking jungle to desert.
In 1974 I went to another Air Force Aircraft Electronics school at Lowery AFB in Denver, then off to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.
Got married in 1976, that lasted 9 years. Then, having gotten totally fed up with the Air Force, I got out in 1981; yeah, after 12 years. Moved to Pocatello, Idaho and attended Idaho State University. Four years later I escaped ISU with certificates in electronics and lasers and an associates degree. (I hope Mrs. Bakalar isn't reading this, I'm sure I'd retroactively flunk English.)
Next move is to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where I still live. I was hired by Argonne National Laboratory as a electronics maintenance tech. They operated a cute little expermential fast breeder (nuclear) reactor and they let me work on it. In 1995 DOE closed down that reactor and I was transferred to a facility that does examinations on reactor fuel rods and reactor core structural components. After saying all that, yeah, I'm a nuke, and no I don't glow in the dark. That's a shame though, that would save on electricity.
When I was at West, I was on the Newspaper and Yearbook staff as a photographer. I'm still in to photography, now big time. Digital has changed photography significantly. Now, you just need a computer instead of a good darkroom.
It greaves me to admit that I will not be at the reunion this year because I'll taking pictures of bears (little ones) in Yellowstone National Park. According to current information there are couple of black bear families north of Dunraven Pass. There is, occationally, a grizzly sow and 2 little ones somewhere along the Madison River. If I'm lucky I'll get pictures of them and live to tell about it.
Looking at the list of people who will be at the reunion, there are a lot of people I haven't seen in 40 years and really would like to see again. It looks like the journalism department is well represented. Maybe in 5 years, but hold it in August. Only tourist go to Yellowstone in August.
Have a good time old friends; drink a couple for me. I better watch how I use the work "old", how about "former".
Just on the outside chance somebody besides Col. Brumm wants to get ahold of me my e-mail address is:
rogerw02@msn.com
Bonjour Mademoiselle Owens - I remember being in French class with you and if my memory serves me right, you were one of Madame Curtis' star pupils. I guess it was destiny you would find yourself in “Gay Paireee”. In HS, weren't you an Exchange Student there? I vaguely retained a repertoire of 10 or more phrases and words. Do you stay in touch with La Madame? At the 20 yr reunion I remember you as the classmate having come the farthest distance to attend. Sorry you won't be making the journey again, but I'll sure take you up on your offer if and when I ever make it to France. Especially now, in light of the popularity of Sex in the City, and seeing how parts of it was filmed in Paris, to stay true to my “spiritual path” I will need to make a pilgrimage to Paris. I've always wanted to see Paris and parts of Northern Italy and I would love to take one of your tours. We will miss seeing you.
To Jake Schmidt...thanks for the kind words.
I certainly do remember the FBI agents shooting on the Pine Ridge Reservation. While living in Rapid City, Peggy taught at an elementary school with a high percentage of Ogallala Sioux kids. It was a tense summer and fall. Leonard Peltier continues to seek release from federal prison so his name resurfaces every so often. Tribal conditions and relations are still not good. Casinos are not the answer.
To Jim Remmel...I can't tell you who started at tackle at Capper. I do know it wasn't me. I never made the starting team in Jr. High football.
I am well aware of the close friendships of our parents. I get regular updates on your folks from mine. Good for them!
Del
Wally Edmonds – Topeka, KS
Washburn University – Bachelor of Business Administration 1972
VP-Finance – King Travel Service – Topeka, KS 7 years
VP/Controller – General Printing/Graphic Promotions – Topeka, KS 16 years
VP-Finance & Technology – Promotional Resources Group – Topeka, KS 9 years
Comptroller – Financial Institution Technologies – Topeka, KS 2 years and counting
Wife – Beth Samuelson
Concordia High School – 1976
Kansas State University – Bachelor
Kansas State University – Masters of Education
Teacher – Potwin Elementary 12 years
Teacher – Pauline South Elementary 14 years and counting
Children:
Allyson Edmonds – Manhattan, KS
High School – Wichita Northeast - 1995
Hawaii Pacific University – Bachelor of Science – Business Administration/Accounting - 2002
Staff Accountant – Lindburg & Vogel CPA
Brock Edmonds – Waco, TX
Washburn Rural High School – 2002
Washburn Rural Soccer 4 years – All City, All Region, All State – Senior year
Washburn University – Bachelor of Science – Athletic Training 2006
Baylor University – Graduate Assistant – Certified Athletic Trainer – Men’s Tennis
Baylor University – Masters of Education – Sports Management - December 2008
Kelsey Edmonds – Manhattan, KS
Washburn Rural High School – 2005
Washburn Rural Dance Team – 3 years
Kansas State University – Bachelor of Arts – Apparel Marketing - May 2009
Interests and Hobbies:
Family, Church, Golden Retrievers and Bicycling
Biking Across Kansas 1975,1976,1991,1998, 2000, 2002
Tour De Wyoming 2007
The following is from Ubaldo in response to Jan P's contact with him re the reunion:
Dear Jan, Thank you very much for your email and for thinking of me. I always felt much appreciation and honour to have been part of the TWHS Class of'68. I sincerely can say that I was a very lucky person to have been chosen to attend TW as a foreign student.Although I was there for only one year, it was an extraordinary experience that I cherish today, and for the rest of my life. In fact,as a result, I became a USA citizen, I married a Kansas girl (or bettersaid: I married a KS girl and became a USA citizen), and I have a true American family. Dona Clark ('69) and I have 3 boys. All are college graduates and living in Chicago, KC and Denver. We are expecting our first grand daughter in Sep'08!!Our home is in Houston, but for the last nine years we have been living abroad as a result of my work. I am an engineer and I work for an Engineering and Construction firm in the Oil and Gas business (KelloggBrown and Root - known as KBR). Dona and I are presently living in Doha, Qatar as I am directing a GTL project for Shell. GTL is the gasoline of the future, made from natural gas feed stock rather than petroleum crude, which makes it much cleaner and friendly to the environment.Unfortunately I cannot come to Topeka in June, and we are very sorry that we will miss all of you. Please send our best regards to each one.Find attached a recent picture of Dona and me.Sincerely, Ubaldo Ciminieri, P.E.Project Director EPCM Utilities, Pearl GTL ProjectRas Laffan Industrial CityDoha, Qatar
Melissa (Mehl) Haug
Well, I have been found after having never left Topeka since graduation. After graduation, I attended Washburn University for 2 years but never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up so I quit school and worked for the State of Kansas at KPERS. I did meet my husband of 23 years while at Washburn (now divorced) and worked at the state until my son, Matthew was born. I stayed home with him for 12 years. When he started school, I started back to Washburn and finally got my degree in Computer Information Systems and am a programmer/analyst at the State Department of Revenue, working there since 1992. I am maybe planning on retiring this December. Matthew went to KU and then got his Ph.D from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He is now teaching at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He got married last New Year's Eve to a wonderful woman he met at KU. She is also getting her Ph.D. from Cornell in Ecology and BioDiversity. No grandchildren yet. I met a wonderful man at the state and we were together for 7 1/2 years but sadly he passed away in April 2007 and I am now trying to figure out how to be alone again. It is so interesting to read about our classmates, some that I knew and some not. I was the 'new girl' and just attended West my senior year. I do remember Susan Falk and Beth King and thank them for making this 'new girl' feel accepted and get acquainted at a new school. And Mr. Jacob Henry Schmidt, Jr., if you read this, I would love to get in touch with you again. I don't know if I will be attending any of the functions but if you come to Topeka, please look me up in the phone book under M. Haug and give me a call. I have thought about you many a time over the past 40 years and it sounds like you have had a fascinating life. I hope there is a way to get in touch. I do remember my senior year with great fondness and it's good to be around to be able to attend a 40th year school reunion. Good luck to all.
Hmmm....looks like 2 computers are going to be busy for awhile.
Ubaldo:
Please tell your sister in law (or have Dona tell her) "hello" for me and tell Dana I think about her now and then and hope she is doing well.
Mike Davies
Whose two computers are you referring to, Ms. Terry D....?????
I'm not the one that said anything about the computers....apparently others use ...... so they don't have to worry about punctuation....makes writing so much easier.......so don't blame me everytime you see.....I am not good at spelling either...you can blame me for that...or Lester..!!!
Just became aware of this site yesterday - great to read all the comments. I've just sent my registration to Linda and my response to Terry to join the golf outing.
After a year at Washburn and playing a little baseball, I transfered to KSU where I rec'd a degree in Electrical Engineering. I worked at Boeing in Wichita as an engineer and in the years following, sales for Texas Instruments in KC. For the past 20 years I have owned a manufacturers representative company, specializing in electronic components, in Overland Park, KS.
I am married to Paula (Golden - TWHS'69)and have 3 sons, along with 4 grandchildren. I feel so fortunate that all live in the metro area. As I have heard for years, Grandkids are the greatest - so much fun.
I enjoy golf, photography and working around the home & garden.
markh@markline.com
After leaving West, I went to William Jewel College and KSU, then UMKC dental school. I met Kathy James at KSU and we were married in 1972. Our daughter Kristen was born in 1975, the same year I began practicing in Topeka. Our other daughter, Molly was born in 1978.
The 80's were spent raising the kids, etc. Kathy began teaching 6th grade. In the 90's I got involved with the Kansas Dental Association and served as president in 1993. I also served on two American Dental Association councils. Kathy retired from teaching after 12 years.
In this millennium, Kristen graduated from Baker and then got a masters degree from Webster, married Mark Starr and just two months ago had twin daughter Iris and Nora. They live in Olathe and work for Sprint.
Molly graduated from SMU and then from the University of Houston Law School, married Colin Moore and they have a 20 month old, James. She is going to have their second child, Bodie, on June 11th! She and Colin are attorneys in Beaumont, Tx. So... I will be returning in time for the reunion, but Kathy will be playing grandma in Texas.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing Mr. Fix-it for this old house, reading, boating, training and hunting with Chili, our golden retriever, and cuisine delicasies such as boudin, Zummos and mud bugs. But, most recently, and most rewardingly, I enjoy being a grandparent...it's a trip!
I look forward to seeing everyone. Maybe Duane B, Terry K and I will give everyone a rendition of "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry....CH,CH,CH..UH!
Scott..will you boys need sheet music? We'll have a mic for you.
I have had a struggle these last few weeks wanting to come, but not sure how it will feel coming alone. I've read so many happy stories and so many sad ones, too. I realize that after all these years it would be a shame not to make contact with people that helped formed who I am. I don't want to have regrets that I didn't try to make contact.
Dave died just a short time ago and if I look a little lost and show inconsistancies between laughing with a friend and crying for no apparent reason, please bear with me. I really do have very good memories and am looking forward to making new ones in the future.
I'd love to hear from you.
Mary McCoy Slauson
mary@ozarkdelights.com
Mary, you will be welcomed with lots of smiles and hugs..and maybe a few tears. Please do come and spend time with people that knew you way back when. Thats what this is all about. None of us has come this far without some sad times...we just have to try to focus on the happy memories and the hope of some pleasant surprises in the future. Can't wait to see you.
The last 40 yrs. I've been married four times. Have three wonderful unplanned children. My youngest, Jill, is "handicapped", but a fine human being with a beautiful platinum haired four year old daughter, Sara. My son Gerrad, is a hard working, talented 34 year old hot tempered redhead. His two children are Genson 8, and Belle 5. Allison my eldest is a nurse and a perfect person, just ask her. She has two boys, Elliot 8, and Jullien 5. I've had around 30 jobs, not much on careers. I attened K-State for 2 years and majored in Aggieville, with a minor in Tuttle Puddle. In 1987 I was in a very bad car accident. I had a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I receive Social Security disability do mainly to that. My current job is to mold my grandkids into respectful, well mannered, politically incorrect, irreverent secure adults.
I love to garden, cook and play any kind of cards. I'm also addicted to movies. I plan to travel more, in my golden years. I'm a hardcore Obama supporter and will ague until I'm dead to anyone who is for McCain.
My husband is Randy Hodges,
THS 67...and his second wife was my first cousin.
Deborah Kaye Morgan
Too weird? Hell, I don't care.
Mary, Mary McCoy – are you still out there??? I was so touched by your courage to reach out to us and express your concerns and heartfelt words. I know you’ve been sitting there, alone, in front of the computer for quit awhile, staring at the screen, feeling numb and waiting. . .waiting for something, anything, that would comfort your shredded heart and make you feel anything other than how you feel right now. It sucks, it hurts, it’s annoying, it’s damn inconvenient- and why now?? He was everything in your life and how is it possible he is gone now. I can only speak for myself, and I’m sure others may share similar feelings - but my heart is so heavy for you that I can only cry as I type these words. I really feel for you right now.
So what needs to happen now is that you ask a really good friend to drop everything and get in that car with you next week and you both drive up here together. DO NOT make that drive alone. The company on a long trip is very comforting. Others are bringing people or a friend who never went to West, so your friend will not be the only outsider. Besides we are all such good people that they’ll fit in right away. “Gair- ron- teed”. We will expect nothing of you except to be yourself – whatever that is in the moment. Sweetie - we will be waiting with open arms, and as TerryD said - lots of hugs.
Billie Gibson Hall - Some people knew me by Billie Sue, although I tried to lose the middle name in high school. I was quiet and shy in high school. I was the quintessential late bloomer - it wasn’t until graduate school that I finally discovered my voice. I loved playing flute in band class; I even liked marching band. I dated the drummer in band class - the one with the long hair - Phil Ehart. We dated freshman and senior years and for many years following high school. Although we eventually went our own ways, we have remained close friends. Even though he is the “rock star,” a fact he reminds me of quite often, we still connect from time to time. The funny thing about us is that he’s the conservative one and I’m the liberal. Go figure!
French class with Madame Curtis was another favorite with Barbara Owens and Fern Beem. Rita Liotta and Linda McPike were my childhood friends. Paula McKenzie and I stayed in touch during college. I was devastated about her accident in Arizona. I think she was a first year med student at the time. She was brilliant. Other losses that touch me are Mike Turnbull and Rick Miller. I remember hanging out with those guys in the late 70’s at parties in Rick and Barb’s basement. Barb Miller, I’m thinking about you and your family.
Jake Schmidt, I have a picture of us at junior prom. We looked so cool! I wondered what happened to you. I’ll put Wrestlemanic on my Netflix queue! Sammy Pile, Jack McKinney and Mike Davies - I remember being chased by you guys on the Crestview playground. Ann Dunhaupt and I were Girl Scouts all through high school. After graduation, April Neiding and I spent the summer of 1968 in Vail, Colorado working for the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy. Vail was just a sleepy little village then. I would love to reconnect to April. Barb Owens and I traveled Europe together while in college – she met her husband and I was hospitalized in Rome.
Today, I am the CEO of a statewide health foundation in Kansas (Sunflower Foundation) and travel across Kansas and the country making presentations about health issues and health policy. I love my work. Still in Topeka - received an undergraduate degree from WU and a master’s in public health from MU. I was married for 19 years. I have two adult children and two grandchildren. As a liberal Democrat, I sometimes get frustrated with the politics in Kansas. But at the end of the day, I remember all that Kansas has done for me. In 2006, after participating in a state leadership program, I came up with my top 10 things to love about Kansas. Here they are:
1)Open spaces
2)Thunderstorms
3)Fire flies & summer nights
4)Four seasons
5)Small towns and road trips
6)A good place to raise a family
7)Ad Astra (best state capitol statue)
8)The people of Kansas in all their diversity
9)You can make a difference in Kansas
10)It's my home
My thanks to the planning team for all your great work. See you soon.
Wow….our classmates have certainly been busy! As for me…after graduation I attended Washburn University. Started out majoring in art…quickly found out there was no way I was talented enough to earn a living in that field so switched my major to psychology. My goal was to become a therapist. After graduating from Washburn I went to Kansas State and earned my M.S. degree in Family and Child Development/Marriage and Family Counseling.
During my second year in Graduate School (1974), I married Carol Ostler (Carol was in our class). By-the-way, my younger brother Gary (Class of ’69) is married to Carol’s younger sister Janice (Class of ’70)…they were married before Carol and I were…it’s a long story.
After graduating from K-State, Carol and I moved back to Topeka so Carol could finish her degree at Washburn. We have lived in Topeka ever since. My intention was to go on for my Ph.D. However, I got involved with association management and discovered it was a shoe that fit. Started out as the Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas Dental Association, moved on to become the Executive Director of the Kansas Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse followed by 15 years with the Kansas Pharmacist Association. As of October 1, 2007, I have been the Executive Director of the Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine. Received my Certified Association Executive (CAE) status in 1985…one of the first in Kansas. Association management has been very enjoyable and lucrative …Carol and I have traveled to many wonderful places on behalf of the associations I have worked for.
Carol and I have one child, a female (Carol was 6 months pregnant at the 10th reunion). Before some of you raise an eyebrow about the ease of raising an only child….keep in mind, as a teenager, our daughter had 5 personalities….so basically we raised 5 children. Despite the hoops she had us jumping through during those adolescent years…she turned out to be a beautiful, intelligent young woman. She received her M.S.W. (in the top of her class) from Washburn University and works at KVC in Topeka. Fortunately our daughter and her family live in Topeka (just 12.5 miles away, but whose counting) and have an adorable 2 year-old blond, blue eyed little boy (his lack of pigmentation comes from his father’s side of the family) We are a very close family and spend as much time together as possible.
I have always been a student of human behavior. So, a couple of years ago I got involved in “mediation”. I took all of the required training to be approved by the Kansas Supreme Court. I now volunteer doing victim/offender and parent/adolescent mediation. I have mediated everything from simple theft to murder. I have also done employee mediations….I actually get paid to do those mediations. My educational background and experience as a mediator has led to the development of a workshop with a partner regarding conflict and communication. Check out?????
My exercise, “sport”, hobby, and distraction is my yard. (As some of you may recall, I was never into sports…that’s an understatement…god how I hated gym class…fortunately, I have a daughter and she never asked me to play catch with her…which would have been very embarrassing for me). Hence, I direct that energy towards my yard (which comes as a surprise to most people since I apparently don’t appear to be much of an “outdoor” kind of guy). Regardless, Carol and I have 6 gardens…the shade garden is an award winner. There is nothing like digging in the soil and helping things grow (no cell phones, computers, faxes, members, staff…just me and nature) As a result, we have lived in the same house for over 25 years….we have spent so much time and money on the yard…we don’t have the energy to move and start over. So, until we can no longer climb the stairs (our house is built on a hill and has four levels)…we will continue to stay where we are.
Carol and I will NOT be at the reunion. We will be on vacation. A 40th reunion is certainly cause for celebration and am grateful we are listed among the survivors! Have a great time. Bob Williams
My wife, Carol Ostler Williams, hasn’t had the time to do her bio prior to our vacation departure. I told her if she didn’t get it done, I would do it for her. Here it is.
Carol obtained her degree in accounting (Business Administration) from Washburn University in 1976.
Carol began with the Governmental Ethics Commission in 1977 by answering a blind ad for an assistant auditor. She almost didn’t apply because the ad mentioned “some travel”. She applied and, of course, got the job (who wouldn’t hire her…attractive and brilliant). She has been there ever since.
Via a series of incidents, Carol rose through the ranks to become the Executive Director. As you can imagine, by its very nature, the Ethics Commission is highly political. There were a few years when the campaign/lobbying laws were being crafted in Kansas the political tension surrounding the Ethics Commission was so hot….Carol served as the Executive Director but was not provided the title nor the salary. Finally, when cooler heads prevailed, she was given the title and the salary. The cutting edge campaign finance and lobbying laws Kansas now has is the result of Carol’s diligence, intelligence, and her willingness to collaborate. There isn’t a politician in Kansas who doesn’t know who Carol Williams is. She is widely respected and admired for her ability to run the Commission as the bipartisan agency it was created to be. I have been a registered lobbyist in Kansas for over 25 years…many politicians do not realize Carol and I are married….so I hear a lot about Carol and the Commission. I have never heard any nasty comments about Carol. (By-the-way, when they do find out we are married I get that “how the hell did that happen” look). She is considered a legend in Kansas politics (not my words but the words of the current Kansas Attorney General.
And that’s not all….
The old adage that women can’t work together is certainly not the case for the EthicsCommission. The Commission staff is composed of nine females and a part time “token” male. Most of these women have been on staff for decades. They have raised their children together, cared for aging parents, buried parents, and are now reveling in the joy of being grandmothers. If one of them has to leave to deal with a sick child/parent or just needs some time off, there is no resulting hostility….everyone pitches in to make sure the work gets done. I have never seen an office staff that is so supportive of each other. When Carol’s father died, her office staff provided all the food, beverages, plates etc for the luncheon following the funeral (and they did the same 2 weeks earlier for the death of another staff’s parent). Positive morale starts at the top…I told Carol she needs to write a book when she retires about how she has managed to create such a positive, wonderful work environment. (And retirement won’t be soon….her office staff won’t let her).
And that’s not all….
Carol does not know what the word “can’t” means….I don’t even think it is in her vocabulary.
While working full time, she was head room mother for our daughter …she never missed a party during those grade school years. When our daughter was a little girl…Carol wanted to make her really cool costumes for Halloween. So, typical Carol, she bought a sewing machine and taught herself to sew. And it didn’t stop with costumes…she began making curtains and caftans as well. In the 70’s when house plants were all the rage…Carol got into propagation….she became fascinated with all the different ways to propagate plants. At one point we had over 300 plants in our house. My father made the comment once he needed a machete to get through our front door!
In the 80’s when craft items were all the rage, Carol decided to give that a try. She enrolled herself and our daughter in painting classes. Aside from the bonding that occurred between Carol and our daughter, Carol was very good at craft making. The next thing I knew we had crafts all over our house and she was making them for our family and friends.
Next came knitting followed by beading. Carol gives new meaning to the word multitasking. One evening we were watching TV…I looked over at Carol and she was reading a book during the commercials…when the program resumed, she would start knitting AND she was baking cookies (geez, it takes all of my focus to simply track the plot of the program I’m watching).
There’s more:
Carol is also a fantastic cook. Our friends line up for an invitation to dinner. She grows her own herbs (of course). She can actually sample an entrée, figure out what’s in it, and duplicate it at home. She also creates many of her own entrées. If any of our friends or family are in “crisis”…Carol is there for them… helping any way she can. She is always positive and a joy to be around.
She is truly THE most remarkable individual I have ever known. While I am not surprised she married me, I am surprised she has stayed with me through all of my craziness.
Bob Williams
Right after graduation – and by that I mean the VERY NEXT MORNING after staying out all night – I went to work for Zercher Photo for the summer. I made minimum wage - $1.60 an hour! I worked in the store in Gage Center and in the White Lakes Mall store. (Remember when White Lakes Mall was a cool place to go shopping?) We sold film and cameras and photo processing, and we sold Hallmark cards, party goods, stationery, and all the other stuff. Though unknown to me at the time, both the photography business and the greeting card business would figure very prominently in the rest of my career and my life. That “summer job” turned into several years of working while in college at Washburn and even in the summers when I was at K-State. I worked with Virgil Graham (TWHS ’67), who was (is) a great pal and who was the boyfriend of my all-time best buddy from way back in grade school days, classmate Mary (Block) Graham. After work, Mary and Virg, and classmate Jim Cook and I, would double-date. I must say that “double-date” does not exactly fit – it was always an adventure to hang out with Mary and Virg – not your typical “date”. One time Virg set up something in his garage so that he could photograph a bullet shot from a gun. Hey – don’t want to miss out on that action! There were also adventures involving a homemade pontoon boat and a homemade canoe. And water-skiing with Mary’s family’s boat was a favorite too. I can remember going to the lake early in the summer (water still cold). Since I was pretty skinny, they would throw me in the lake first. The theory was that if I could survive the cold water, anyone could. These were my FRIENDS! But I digress, back to the story.
I attended Washburn my freshman and sophomore years. I was in a sorority there (DG). I only mention that because a number of TWHS girls were in my pledge class – and we had so much fun - Babs Fenton, April Nieding, Martha Schooley, Sharon N-P, Susan Wallace, Stephanie Weber, Susan Kennedy. The year we pledged was the first time the DGs had a real sorority house again after the tornado in ’66 destroyed their original house. Susie Kennedy and I were roommates in the house our freshman year and we had a blast. I guess now is the time to say how sad I was to learn that Susie died. We had lost touch with each other, even though there was not much distance between us. There is, and always will be, that achy feeling – that “coulda, shoulda, woulda, but just plain didn’t” feeling – and now it is too late. Lesson learned the hard way.
Jim and I continued to date (most of the time) during our freshman and sophomore years. He was at K-State. Eventually we were engaged and planned to get married in August, 1970, then I would transfer to K-State. Jim was in a bad car accident about 10 days before the wedding – so we had to postpone until December. That sent me back to Washburn for the first semester of my junior year. We did marry in December and I did finally transfer to K-State. I graduated in December of 1972 with a BS in Statistics – Jim in May of 1973 in Building Construction. We had a great time in Manhattan – loved KSU and all our friends there – including a few TWHS kids – Kevin Davis, Del Acker, others I am know I forgetting. It was a wonderful time of life. Hard studying, hard partying.
After KSU graduation, we moved to Dallas. What a trip for a couple of Kansas kids. We plunged into the work world and life was good. I worked for an actuarial company calculating employee benefits. Please note that this is BEFORE computers!!! I left there and went to work for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas. I worked on Title XIX (Medicaid), which was underwritten by BCBS for the state of Texas. I helped calculate rates and reserves and got to participate in rate negotiations in Austin. After three years in Dallas, Jim was transferred to Kansas City – so we headed back up the yellow brick road to Kansas.
Jim and I fell victim to the same fate that others on this blog who married young have described. We divorced in the summer of 1976.
In Kansas City, I found a job with Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers. (My Dad always wanted me to be a nuclear engineer! Augghhh!) As a non-engineer, I was pretty much a fish out of water until I found a niche in the computer department. I got some valuable experience there, but better yet, I met my current husband of 29 years. Mike was the Black & Veatch photographer – and we enjoyed exploring our “mutual interest” in photography! We also traveled around everywhere taking a zillion pictures. I loved his creativity and zest for life. He was (and still is) the only person I had ever met who went to Woodstock.
In 1977, I got my dream job at Hallmark Cards in Marketing Research. In my previous jobs, there was plenty of challenge, but an EXTREME lack of creative environment! Not so at Hallmark. Basically it’s a giant building full of left brained people and right brained people duking it out trying to figure out how to make a profit! I always thought I had a pretty good dose of both left and right brain, so I felt right at home. I worked with fantastic people there and made lifelong friends. I started running when I worked at Hallmark. A group of us ran everyday at lunchtime up around the Liberty Memorial and we ran in all the 10K races in Kansas City. It’s still a part of my exercise routine – when my knees are in a good mood.
Mike and I married in 1979. We lived in an old three story house in the Waldo area (7511 Main). To say we “remodeled” that house would be an understatement. We worked on it for many years, doing almost all of the work ourselves – plumbing, wiring, refinishing floors and woodwork, painting, new kitchen, new windows and on and on. But it was a wonderful experience and the house was gorgeous. We won a Better Homes & Garden contest for “whole house re-do” and the house was photographed for several magazines. Unfortunately, later owners have put up some weird additions and the house has fallen back into disrepair, which is heartbreaking to see. I finally decided I should just stop driving by.
Our son Tyler (we call him Ty) was born in 1981, when we still lived in the Waldo house. I left my job at Hallmark to be a stay-at-home Mom for at least two years. I always intended to go back, but I never did. After a year, my old Hallmark boss started calling me to help out from home. In those days, this was a very novel idea – to work from home. This was about the same time that PCs were first available for consumers to buy. I bought one – and quickly realized I would never have to go back. I loved working at home in my bunny slippers. There were many opportunities to go into Hallmark for meetings and presentations and lunch! So I felt I had the best of both worlds – being at home with Ty, and developing my own Marketing Research consulting business.
In 1988 we sold the Waldo house and moved to Lawrence (I’m a Wildcat in Jayhawk country!). We live on the Alvamar golf course - so please try to keep it on the fairway when you play #1 on the public course! We really love it here - a little liberal oasis in Kansas. Ty graduated from Lawrence High in 1999 and from Indiana University in 2003. He lives in Chicago and works for Deloitte Consulting. He travels almost every week – his current work assignment is in Mexico City. He is a great guy and the apple of my eye! His current assignment from me is to find a wife and produce some grandchildren!!!! Just kidding – all in good time.
So for the past 26 years, I have worked “freelance” as a Marketing Research consultant. My first client was Hallmark and they are still my #1. My other clients (over the years) include Lee Jeans, Eastman Kodak, Sprint, Franklin Covey, Hills Pet Nutrition, Peruvian Connection, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Golf Course Superintendents Association, and others. Hallmark and Sprint are the biggies.
Mike left Black & Veatch in 2001 and has been a freelance photographer ever since. For B & V and since then, he has traveled all over the world taking pictures. We love to travel and plan to do more of it as soon as we officially “retire”. Right now we are both still pretty busy working, but in our spare time we like to go to live music events, art shows, entertain friends, cook and garden. The cooking is mostly Mike and the gardening is mostly me! I love daylilies and have over 125 hybrid varieties in my garden. Mike is an avid basketball player and has played twice a week with the same bunch of guys for 35 years or so!
I’m a hooker – yep, a hooker. I’m sorry to say it, but your head cheerleader and homecoming queen is a hooker. And a stripper. Hooker and stripper. OK, OK, OK – it’s rug hooking. I make hooked rugs. NOT those ones that come in a kit at Hobby Lobby. Real rug hooking is a very old traditional craft, using wool cut into strips and then hooked into a rug. It’s an art form! It is quite like painting in the choice of colors, designs, shading techniques, etc. I’ve done lots of other crafty things over the years – quilting, needlepoint, knitting, crochet – it is impossible for me to just sit and do nothing (like in front of the TV).
I also spend time volunteering at Van Go Mobile Arts here in Lawrence. I have been on the Board of Directors for 9 years as the Treasurer. My sister-in-law Lynne (Horwitz) Green (TWHS ’66) started the program and is the Executive Director. We serve at-risk teens here in Lawrence, both in-school and out-of-school age kids. The program uses art to develop self-confidence in the kids – but all the while they are learning job skills and life skills. The kids are amazing and the transformations are just incredible. I love being a part of it. You can check it out at van-go.org. Someday (when I’m not working anymore), I’d also like to get involved with veterans’ rights and care and with preventing the need for veterans in the first place (war). That last one is a pretty big problem that I don’t think I can solve on my own!
Last May (2007) I broke my ankle and had surgery (on my birthday!) to pin and screw everything back together. Needless to say, that slowed me down for awhile! It was a long boring summer. Much better now but still a little gimpy. When I read about what some of our classmates have endured, I feel incredibly lucky to have only a broken ankle to report.
Wow, this is way too long, sorry.
OK – countdown time:
Six more days until I get my roots re-colored,
Nine more days until reunion weekend, and
221 days until “W” heads back to Crawford, TX for good.
I would happily come to the reunion with gray roots if I could switch the order of the first and third items in this countdown!
Can’t wait to see everyone. Kudos to the reunion committee - fantastic job!!!
Amy
Thank you Terry and Debbie for your kindess and encouragement. It gives me courage. See you soon!
Mary
Billie - I totally agree with your Top 10.
I was in Topeka, briefly, about 2 weeks ago. I hadn't been home during the summer months for nearly 10 years, only at Christmas. My Mom and I were at Lake Shawnee during dusk. When I saw a lightening bug I had this giddy delightful reaction and realized I had forgotten how excited these elusive, illuminated insects made me feel. I was so glad that some things never change.
Roger - just saw your then and now pictures. That's some lens! At first I thought you had found those weapons of mass destruction that BushCheneyRumsfield promised us were in Iraq. Then I saw that camera body stuck on there. Heck, why do you need to go to Yellowstone to photograph the baby bears? You can probably get the shot right there from your own front porch in Idaho! See ya soon!
2008 finds me completing fifteen years as a speech pathologist for Seaman schools, on the northern edge of Topeka. My parents are still on Sims, and thanks to their help with the boys, I was able to go to KU from '89-93 for my masters in speech/language pathology. Seven or eight more years and I can retire!!! The job is very rewarding and challenging, but as many in education, we can feel over worked and underpaid. It may be that I started teaching high school home economics at Olathe High (the ONLY high school then) in '72 mad they had the second highest salaries in the state. I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom in Salt Lake City, Council Bluffs, and Topeka until I got divorced when my youngest was in first grade. My oldest son (30) will be a senior at K-State Salina, after spending four years in the Air Force. My youngest (27) has engineering and architecture degrees from the University of Colorado. He is working as an architect and owns 'part' of a house in Boulder. His hobbies of ice/mountain climbing, skiing, and canyoneering boost my time in prayer. Volunteering at First Methodist keeps me busy and connected. Seven years ago, I sold the home I co-owned with my ex and bought a home around the corner. Renovating a house from 1938 and redoing the yard has been a 'work in progress.' Fortunately, gardening is my favorite hobby. Now I don't have enough energy, time, or money to get in any trouble. I have found one advantage to ageing, I can reread 1930's mysteries and not remember the endings!
Sam Pile:
This is a good time to bring everyone up to date on the Sam Piles. Since I won’t be able to make it to the reunion, I want to thank those organizers for all of their efforts.
So far this summer my 22 year old son graduated from Northwest University in Seattle, became a pastor and got married. My 24 year daughter graduated from University of Washington in Industrial Design and is engaged to be married in September. Today I informed Micron Technology in Boise Idaho that I am retiring after 35 years of electrical engineering so I could start on my second career… in the ministry. In fact I’m preaching on June 22 that’s why I won’t make it to the reunion. I knew that would throw a few of you for a loop. But it’s true!
So let me tell you how I got from TWHS to here in Idaho. I went to Washburn University a couple of years after graduation and joined the Phi Delta fraternity. After the hard labor summer of 1970 I decided engineering was where I wanted to be so I moved to Kansas University and graduated in ’73. I met my first wife at KU and we were married while I worked in Kansas City at Wilcox Radio.
In ’76 I went to work for Texas Instruments in Dallas. We divorced in ’80. In ‘81 I ran into this wonderful woman and married her. Little did I know that Connie was second cousins with Gwen Goosen who, you might remember, I dated in high school... one of those weird twists of life.
I became a manager at TI and did a lot of traveling around the world. I also started getting involved in church when we started having kids. In 1990, instead of a mid-life crisis, I decided to start doing marathons, duathlons and triathlons. I competed in the Coors-Lite National Championship Duathlon in ’92.
In 1998 TI sold part of the company to Micron Technology and we all moved to Idaho. It was a “dream come true”. Connie and I joined a church and have been very active, in fact, next month we will both be on staff for the church. Both of my kids ran track and cross country in High School. I love backpacking, running, biking, and photography. You can see some pictures at www.sams-favs.smugmug.com.
Hope you have a great 40th reunion!!!
running biathalons, triathalons?!... some people WOULD call that a mid-life crisis, Sam! Good to hear that you are doing well, and will miss you at the reunion.
Janine
Thanks to the early birth of grandson #3 I am in town after all, and will come to the picnic with Janine.
After TWHS I did two years of music at Washburn. Married David and moved to UW-Platteville. Graduated with a music ed degree and taught for three years while working on a masters in choral conducting at Iowa.
Moved to Richland, WA in 1975 where both kids were born - Matt, 33, married to Wendy Weigel, lives in Indy, flies for Allegiant Airlines, and is the father of 3-yr-old Alec - Andi, 31, lives here in Topeka, married to Tony Greco, is an ER nurse at Saints and the mother of 2-yr-old Kellen and one-week-old Cameron.
We moved to Kirkland, WA in 1978 where I continued my career in church music. Moved to Northboro, MA in 1981, started seminary at Andover Newton in 1983, graduated in 1988 with an MDiv.
Moved back to Topeka in 1989 to do ministry at Central Congregational UCC. Divorced in 2000, married Tim Worthington in 2003, and we moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 2005, where I am the senior pastor of First Congregational UCC and Tim has a small town church and is also the chaplain at the premiere retirement community in town. His daughter, Evin, is married to David Alcindor and lives in Wichita; son Taylor just finished his first year at IIT in Chicgao.
I have enjoyed writing (currently an on-line column) and we love music (both sang in the KC Symphony Chorus) and travel.
Looking forward to Friday night.
Anonymous said...
BIOGRAPHY--BRENDA FINDLEY (nee Born)
6.18.08
Back in the late 1980’s while we were having cocktails at the old Formosa in Hollywood, Chloe Webb (Sid and Nancy, Twins) told me, “Brenda, you are such a WHITE girl!” It was an interesting observation, inasmuch as I was just as much a “WHITE girl” as she was (and as we both obviously continue to be.)
I’m still not exactly sure what she meant (well, I have suspicions,) but neither one of us knew back then that I would spend the next 20 years becoming a bona fide film gypsy, working freelance on dozens of feature films and TV movies for Merchant-Ivory, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, Fox, MGM, Universal Studios, NBC, ABC, CBS, HBO and Hallmark Hall of Fame, ultimately settling down for the past two years in Atlanta, GA with Lionsgate Films and prolific AFRICAN-AMERICAN writer, playwright, actor and director, Tyler Perry.
Just shows how life can turn a person, or perhaps how a person’s life can turn . . . after high school, I attended K.U. for a semester, drove to San Francisco, became disenchanted with Haight-Ashbury, took a bus back to Topeka and enrolled at K.U. again. Before the fall semester started in 1969, I married the Viet Nam vet I had dated as a high school senior and delivered our daughter, Tristin, before I turned 20. The marriage didn’t work out; we divorced, I attended court reporting school and worked as a free-lance court reporter for the next 10 years, practicing in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and upstate New York.
Stress arthritis ended that career, but (still never suspecting that Chloe Webb would later accuse me of being a “White Girl,”) I went on to:
* Work as a reporter/photographer for a small-town weekly newspaper, The Yates Center (Kansas) News
* Breed and show registered Persian and Himalayan cats
* Form a multi-county tourism region and film commission in Southeast Kansas
* Work as a lobbyist at the state level for alternative economic development in conjunction with the National Main Street Program
* Work with the Kansas Historical Society to designate the Yates Center Town Square as a National Historic District
* Design and sell jewelry at shows and galleries
* Work as a set dresser on the NBC mini-series “Cross of Fire” in Topeka
* Return to K.U. to study design for theatre
* Study ballroom dance including showcase & competitive performances
* Be thrilled-to-death to meet Mick Jagger at his daughter’s wedding reception in San Francisco
In 1992 I finished my studies in theatre and film at K.U. and moved to Atlanta, GA to work in the thriving film industry there. I’ve been in Atlanta ever since—just wrapped the feature film Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail, am currently working on my fifth marriage (for the past 12 years to John H. Findley III, a wonderful and talented locations manager for motion pictures and television) and my fifth Ford Mustang (2008 Vista Blue Coupe.)
I have three grandsons, six cats, a litter of five rescued stray kittens, an excellent rose garden and I’M IN THIS CRAZY MARCHING BAND—The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, a wild parody of a college marching band that’s been terrorizing Atlanta for nearly 35 years. I play clarinet, of course (my clarinet is BLUE) and the band will be featured on America’s Got Talent on July 1 . . . check out our website at: www.seedandfeed.org !!!
June 18, 2008 10:18 PM
Ok I guess this is where we are supposed to talk about ourselves,so here goesSince graduating my salient contributions to the human race have been : some mildly abrasive radio shows ,some bad poetry, an intermittently successful real estate "career" and co-creating with my then wife,the striking as well as stylish Nancy Brier,(class of 67),a really cool daughter ,Amelia Noelle. Alas,our marriage is no more but our daughter continues on as our genetic legacy of beauty & soft charm to a planet desperately in need of such. Have been reading some Eckhardt Tolle lately,and thinking from time to time how in 1968 it seemed that things were going to be DIFFERENT...But NOOOOO!!!!Congratulations to Barb Owens for getting out of dodge,one of my heroes R.Crumb did the same thing in the 90's, as portrayed in the movie,"Crumb",one of many great pictures which have yet to grace a Topeka screen..I still remember going to see Catherine DeNeuve in Belle da Jour at the Dickinson Theatre,the summer when we graduated..things have sure gone to hell movie-wise around here since then But hey,SOMEONES got to stay in Topeka,right? And the French are coming here on July 4 to film the Collins Park Parade,I'll be there dressed as that great American Richard Nixon...and will be at the reunion dressed as myself,your humble classmate MB
June 19, 2008 12:21 AM
Kathy Johnson... do you know where your clarinet is? It's great to hear from you. Thought you might be interested in knowing my son graduated from Northwest in Kirkland this year and is youth pastor at an AG church there.
Would like to get a link to your on-line column. Show me yours and I'll show you mine. Send the link to sam.pile@yahoo.com.
Bayliss Harsh-What I’ve been doing the last 40 years
Thanks to the committee for all they have done for the reunion.The web site is especially wonderful!
After high school I went to KU and graduated in 1972 with a degree in secondary education for teaching English. The 1972 KU graduation (which included a number of our high school classmates) was rained out and took place in the very boring, grey, uncolorful Allen Field House. The walk down the hill at KU’s graduation ceremony is a big deal tradition, and it was disappointing that our class did not get to experience this.What a bummer to have two chances for an outdoor graduation and both of them had to be inside. Grateful, of course, to have graduated. To celebrate, Marilyn B., my college roommate two different years, and I went to Europe for 9 weeks. What an adventure! We had a blast traveling to about 8 different countries. Paris and Greece were my favorite places. I’d taken French from 9th grade through college, and couldn’t wait to see Paris. I have never had so much fun in one 9 week period as we did on that trip.
I married Doug DuBois in 1985, and we’ve spent most of our time lo these many years participating in acoustic roots music and dance events. Local politics and environmental activities have interested us, too. Doug founded the website Larryville.com in about 1997, and a few years ago he turned it over to other parties. We spent several years struggling to kep the discourse civil on the online community forum. Not an easy proposition. Doug is a musician, sound man, sometime builder of musical instruments and airplanes, and for his day job he works in aviation doing technical work, design, and building.
For many years we performed with two Lawrence bands, the Alferd Packer String Band and the Euphoria String Band. Doug plays fiddle (still does-with Euphoria sometimes and with his new band Peghead), and I danced. Flat footing or clogging is what I do. (Not the style where people wear short square-dancey outfits with lots of crinolines and dance in white tap shoes to twangy, hillbilly-meets-modern-techno music.) Not that there’s anything wrong with that. With these bands we performed at festivals, dances and concerts all over Kansas and in other Midwestern states. We’ve produced various concerts and barn dances together over the years. I helped Doug run Harmony Hall, a music hall in downtown Lawrence, from 1992-1993. (Doug gets lots of great ideas and makes them happen, and I help with the planning, organizing, PR and communications work.) It was ahead of its time for Kansas as it was smoke-free. Acoustic music of all kinds was offered-Irish, bluegrass, singer-songwriters, old time string bands, folk. Local musicians graced the stage as did more widely-known groups. The show put on by Peter Ostroushko and guitar wizard Dean McGraw was one of the best of the Harmony Hall concerts. Most recently we hosted the Climax Music Festival 25 Year Reunion party and concert in Lawrence. Twenty-five years ago Doug convinced about 120 acoustic musicians from Lawrence and around to come to Climax, KS, to camp out, jam and record an album. It was a huge success and everyone had a great time. Since it began in 1990, we have gone almost every year to the Appalachian Old Time String Band Festival that takes place in the cool, high mountains of West Virginia. Every summer about 2,000 of the best old time musicians in the country gather to camp out and play music all day and all night.
I love just about every type of dance, both as an audience member and as a participant. (Brenda Born-that is so cool that you were a competitive ball room dancer!) Besides clogging, back in the seventies and eighties I did international folk dancing, and especially like the music and dances from Bulgaria, Hungary, and Norway. Swing dance and Cajun dance interest me, too. In 1982 I helped found the Lawrence Barn Dance Association, a group that puts on community dances. At these dances people do contra dancing and square dancing to live music, and these are much like the community celebrations and wedding dances held in rural America long ago.
I‘ve enjoyed working in a number of different positions at the KU Libraries since 1974. A college campus is a great work place and has been a stimulating environment for lifelong learning and (hopefully) keeping the mind sharp. The different jobs I’ve had at the library have always involved working closely with people, and for the last 12 years I have worked on the reference desk and spent lots of my time teaching college freshman how to do library research. I love working with the students.
As for family, we are raising our second family of dogs and the two of them are getting up there in age. I am happy to be Auntie Bay to Sarah (18), Emily (16) and Philip (12), my brother George’s children. My dad-who Bob McDowell always referred to as Coach because he constantly recruited neighborhood kids to play baseball, coached Little League teams, and was a walking baseball encyclopedia- passed away two years ago after a long and happy life. Mom still lives on James Street where we grew up. I cruise over to Topeka frequently to see her.
Doug and I love living in Lawrence, a city that has gotten more interesting over the years as the downtown and the cultural scene continues to grow and flourish. We love this community and the friends we’ve made here. The arts and cultural scene is lively and rich. Almost every day there is something I want to go to, and often there are several events. My favorite thing, though, is to walk up and down Massachusetts Street with friends on a gorgeous day or evening, people-watching and running into friends and acquaintances. Promenading en masse, I like to call it. We spend a fair amount of time at the different outdoor restaurants that are downtown. On a beautiful day there is no better place to be than downtown Lawrence.
Looking forward to the reunion -
Bayliss
Jenay (Atkinson) Weekly
I have no idea if this will work since I am not the best with technology! I, too, got over being shy AFTER high school. I chose getting a "B" in choir over having to stand up and give a report to the entire group! Now I appear on KTWU, hosting the auction, etc. I am still married to the same wonderful man, my childhood sweetheart, Gary. We'll celebrate # 39 in August. BA from Washburn; MS from KSU. I am still teaching GIfted Education in a Topeka middle school. In 2007 I was named the outstanding GIfted Ed teacher in Kansas. Still have the fondest memories of Marge B. Gary and I have 2 adult daughters who each gifted us with a granddaughter who are the lights of our lives. We love attending the theater and travel. We are lucky to have been to Europe over a dozen times and plan to take another group of students next summer. My French from TWHS still comes in handy! See you June 20th! Jenay Weekly
I want to thank the 40th reunion committee. You did a wonderful job! I know it took a lot of time and hard work.
I had transferred from Hutchinson so I did not know many students. Jan Pipkin called and was very sweet and encouraged me to come. I was hesitant about coming, but everyone was so kind, friendly and fun. The name and picture tags were perfect. Unfortunately, we have all changed a bit. But I thought- everyone here is 58, and we look pretty good for 58. There wasn't enough time to talk about all of our aches and pains, which is probably good.
In 40 years a lot has happened to all of us, but we have much in common. I will have been married 40 years in September and have 3 grown children. Our oldest son Richard was a teacher at Topeka High, but now works at Goodyear. Angie teaches at Whitson Elementary School, and Steven works for the Railroad and the 190th Air National Guard. We have 2 granddaughters, Lauren and Ainslee, who were born the same day. The little cousins were 2 years old last January 6th. I have the privilege of watching my grand girls while their mommies work. Steve, my husband, is a state employee at the 190th Air National Guard. We attend 1st Southern Baptist Church, and you're all welcome to join us any Sunday. Thinking about the last 40years we have much to be thankful for. I wish everyone 40 more wonderful years.
It was nice to meet or get reaquainted with everyone.
Thank you,
Jan Noll Bolejack
Please go ahead and post your bios here and if there are big changes in your life go ahead and put them here or in the Partys Over area...otherwise please put your post reunion comments in the Party's Over...we don't want anyone to miss them. Thanks....
Lori Rivers (Holm)
My life has been good and with many twists and turns.
I met my first husband, Frank, just before graduation from TWHS. I attended Washburn until he enlisted in the army in 1971. He had to enlist because he had partied a little too hard while rooming with the infamous Jim Ramberg while attending KU and got himself into some academic trouble. So I married him, left school, and became an army wife for the next 3 years. My son, Clint, was born at Ft. Leonard Wood in 1973. Frank was lucky serving his entire military sentence at FLW in the lab of the hospital. In 1974 we moved to Lawrence and Frank completed his degree in microbiology. We lived on campus at Stauffer Place and had a great parking place for the KU basketball games. I worked at the Institute for Social and Environmental Studies for the next three years. Unfortunately, Frank decided to move on to a new life and a new wife shortly after Clint's third birthday, but I do have to say that Frank was always a good father and Clint adored his stepmother. Actually, I grew to become very fond of her and we are good friends to this day. Frank is now the laboratory manager at Stormont-Vail. He knew Susan Kennedy Wright very well as a co-worker for many years and was as devastated by her passing as the rest of us.
I remarried in 1978 and in 1979 went back to Washburn and completed my junior year majoring in Social Work. In 1980 we moved to Jefferson City and lived in Missouri for the next 5 years. My daughter, Libby, was born in 1982 and she was the most beautiful, funny little thing one could ever imagine. I was fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom for her. We moved back to Topeka in 1985 and we, at first, rented a house from Stan Zimmerman right next to Stout School before we bought our house on Medford just north of Randolph School.
Clint attended Jardine and Topeka High. Ok, I'll admit it. I defected and thoroughly became a Trojan. Clint was active in sports and was a candidate for Royalty of Courts. I was the videographer for all of the football and basketball games for THS 1989-1991. That is when I developed my friendship with Willie Nicklin and Bill Bagshaw.
Clint was recruited by Dennis Caryl for the WU football team as kicker/punter. He moved on to KU for his sophomore year and graduated with a degree in biology in 1996. Then he went to Pittsburg for his master's degree and then back to KU for his doctorate. He is now an environmental scientist for KDHE and has taught adjunct at KU (not biology, but martial arts).
I was divorced again (this time my decision) and went back to Washburn to finish my degree. I wanted to take a music class and was excited about taking a class taught by Rivers (thinking it would be Julie Rivers). I had all of her CDs and loved her classical and new age music and was aware that she was also a teacher. However, on the first day of class, James Rivers walked into the class as the teacher. Little did I know on that day that I was looking at my future husband. I was his highest scoring student in that class ever and we developed a casual friendly relationship. At the end of the semester after I had completed the final exam, I went to his studio to discuss taking private piano lessons from him in the fall. He asked me out for lunch and the rest is history. We were married the following December of 1998.
Jim has been a professor at Washburn since 1968. He is a graduate of North Texas and Juilliard. Julie Rivers and I became good friends. Jim and Julie still maintain a professional relationship and still perform duo piano concerts. They are releasing a CD in September of concert performances from the 1980s.
I am Jim's page turner and we have had a ball traveling the US to music festivals. I made my TV debut with Jim and the Topeka Symphony with a performance recorded Sept. 25, 2005 for KTWU. I was a little nervous for that one.
Jim's son, David (age 39), is an attorney in Minneapolis and his son, Art (age 36), will be completing his doctorate in music at UMKC within the next year. Art is a violinist, published composer, and is now concentrating on conducting. If you want a really nice Christmas CD, Art performs Ave Maria with Julie in the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard. The CD is "Christmastide" and is available at Hastings, Barnes & Noble and on-line at Earthstar Recordings.
My daughter, Libby, as a junior at THS, joined KTOP radio and started her broadcasting career doing the Gregg Tire Sports Ticker live half-time reports for the Scarecrows games. When she was 17 Rose Diehl (Scott Diehl's sister-in-law) offered her her own spot on KMAJ. She did overnights (recorded) and Saturday and Sunday evnings live as Alex Bailey until December of 2004. My nephew, Kris Holm, encouraged her to go into radio. He was also 16 when he started at KMAJ and now, at the age of 27, he is still there. Libby and Kris would tape themselves as young as 12 and 13 practicing for their future radio careers. Oh my, those tapes are funny. I still have them (and I could use them as blackmail).
When Libby was a junior at THS she met a young man, Juha Liukkonen, from Finland who was in Topeka on business. For the following year they would e-mail and call each other. The summer after her THS graduation (2000) I drove her to KCI (with a big lump in my throat) to board a pane to Finland. For the next 4 years they would trade visits and became engaged. He waited for her until she graduated from WU (Mathematics) and she moved to Finland Jan. 20, 2005. They were married in Mikkeli March 11, 2005. For now, Juha has a really good job in Nokia as a software designer, but they plan to move to the US sometime in the future. Juha lived and worked in Chicago for 2 years in the 90s, so with his experience he is very employable here in the states.
On Nov. 14, 2006, their first baby, Heikki Tapio, was born. They brought him to visit us last year and were planning to return this summer, but they had another baby boy, Niko Mikael, born May 23, 2008. They will come to visit when they feel Niko is old enough to travel. I miss them all so very much. It's hard having them so far away, but thanks to the good rates of international calling cards we talk on the phone often, sometimes for hours.
Meanwhile I keep busy with yard work, especially our back yard (I call it "Rivers National Park"), growing flowers, weeding rock gardens and controlling vines. I am really enjoying Westboro and taking walks in the neighborhood with my little Papillon, Wolfgang.
I play the piano, but it's just a hobby for me. Chopin mazurkas are the most challenging. I have actually nailed a couple of them. I've always enjoyed singing. Some of you may remember that I sang "I Honestly Love You" with The Exceptions at the 1978 reunion. In the 1980's I purchased a multi-track Teac tape recorder and began recording like crazy. After going through some boxes of old video tapes I rediscovered a few videos I made for some of my songs and have recently put them on You Tube (my mom loves it). For starters, search: Laurie sings I Honestly Love You, and Laurie sings Think I'll Write A Song (my favorite).
I am also addicted to my computer. I love working with graphics and making video productions. I made the mother of all wedding videos for Clint and Danielle's wedding two years ago.
There is a funny story about Libby and Juha and Clint and Danielle. Clint found it disturbing that Libby was dating a man who was ten years older than she. Shortly before Libby moved to Finland, the doorbell rang and Clint and Danielle were at the door out on a date. Libby and Danielle had been roommates for a couple of years and had been best friends since they met at THS as freshmen. Now, Clint was ten years older than his girlfriend. I was delighted when they became engaged. They were married April 29, 2006 and Libby was one of Danielle's bridesmaids.
When the Shunga flooded last year and I read in the newspaper that Willie Nicklin had lost his videotapes of THS basketball games, I called him and told him that I would be happy to make new copies for him. Since then Jim and I and Willie and Leslie have become close and we do things together often. They attend Jim's performances faithfully. Willie and Jim really hit it off. God bless Willie! He is now 80 years old and having the time of his life.
There was an opening two years ago at Hope Street Academy. I went in to talk to Bill Bagshaw about it and he hired me. I work with teen moms and coach them with their interactions with their babies. It is very rewarding. There I keep falling in love, over and over again.
OK, I've had some fun with my nickname. My real name is Janice Lorraine. It all started in grade school when, upon having my name read from anything written in cursive, I would be mistakenly addressed as "Larry" instead of Lorry. I decided to change the spelling to "Lori" and after a few years thought that spelling looked a little short. Then I thought I would try "Laurie" so my name could be translated as an English truck.
Join Classmates! It's easy and fun and not very expensive.
Lori (Lorry or Laurie),
Just listened to your songs on YouTube. What a wonderful voice you have, classmate. It is interesting that you were not listed as being in any vocal groups during high school, at least your senior year activities. Thanks for mentioning the music videos in your bio. Otherwise, would not have known. I'm one of the Jim(s). There were at least six of us at the reunion picnic Friday night.
I "graduated" from Capper Junior High School in June, 1965 and never made it to Topeka West -- we moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
I'd be interested in finding Capper Junior H.S. people who joined me in Mexico City as "exchange students" during that summer of 65.
I remember Claudia Brown and a girl named Caroline and a guy named Chad -- that was a long time ago, but what an experience!
I'm alive and well in Boulder, Colorado.
Jnavin@gmail.com
Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.
BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS
1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
2. Telephone Numbers:……….
3. Address and Location:…….
4. Amount in request………..
5. Repayment Period:………..
6. Purpose Of Loan………….
7. country…………………
8. phone…………………..
9. occupation………………
10.age/sex…………………
11.Monthly Income…………..
12.Email……………..
Regards.
Managements
Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com
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