Doug Witta
After WHS, the government gave me a scholarship at a university in the thoroughly landlocked state of New Mexico to learn to be -- a Navy officer! I fooled them, though, and took my commission in the Marine Corps.
The next 6 years I lived my high school dream of flying supersonic jets. Much of that time was in Asia, but not in Viet Nam. I truly honor our classmates who served us all there. Mustering out of the Corps, it became apparent that my undistinguished B.A. in Political Science was something less than marketable. What choice was there but law school?
So now I practice law in Beverly Hills, and live in the happily unknown, ’50’s throwback beach community of Playa Del Rey. My second wife Sharlene, is a motivated, career, criminal prosecutor -- meaning I have to behave. We'll celebrate our 24th anniversary later this year.
My two beautiful daughters and four precocious grandchildren prove the wisdom of the wag who once said "Grandchildren are your reward for not murdering your teenagers."
I'm about to prove to myself that I'm not really as old as the rest of you by spending my 60th birthday with Sharlene bobbing around and exploring the Galapagos Islands.
Mike Pace (cpipacer@aol.com)
After graduation I spent two semesters at Mr. San Antonio but got married and had to get a real job. My wife, Connie, from Hacienda Heights, has put up with me for almost 41 years. We raised a son and daughter, starting in Whittier, moving to Hacienda Heights, and then to Diamond Bar. We sold our home in 1988 and moved to Texas, where we live in Quail Valley, a golf community. We have six grandchildren, the oldest 21, and the youngest 2. I worked in sheet metal for 13 years and then took a Laser Product Engineer job with a company called Amada America. Managed two other sheet metal facilities, and then started a corporation called Coulson Pace Industries Inc. We have been in business 25 years performing training and consulting for the precision sheet metal industry. I travel about 100,000 miles per year and have been in all 50 states as well as 13 countries. The best being Australia. I play golf (cannot get below a 10 handicap), shoot sporting clays statewide and hunt and fish for recreation. Largest fish was caught last year off the coast of Kodiak Alaska (6'6'' Halibut) but spend most of my spare time in the Texas bays chasing Redfish and Speckled Trout. Through the grace of God I survived a bout with Cancer and a major blood clot with pulmonary embolisms. I continue my relationship with God, attending Church and contributing to those less fortunate. I hated to miss the reunion but had a previous trip already planned. I know everyone had a great time and I hope to hear from anyone who takes the time. From what I've read so far, some of us who were questionable turned out all right.
Polly Harsha Schack (pmirth@aol.com)
Writing this, I've just returned from "The Reunion" and am still basking in the glow of seeing & enjoying so many dear friends. "Dahlings, you look Mah-velous!" Kudos and thank you's to the Reunion Committee for an outstanding job!
Fred (my husband--36 years and counting) and I drove down from our home in Sacramento where we've lived in the same house & hood for 35 years. We're retired now, having done our darndest for the citizens of California via Depts. of Social Services (Fred) and Forestry (me). These days our "jobs" are part-time as staff (bartenders/servers) in an all-volunteer "Casa Garden Restaurant" which supports the Sacramento Children’s' Home (residential care/school for neglected, abused, hard to place kids). Except for these, kids that is, we have none of our own--that we know of-- and currently, unusually-so, we are "dog-less". We love to walk and hike; I do yoga, study French and am taking "tap dancing" class (yes, I know...) Fred’s in the "master gardener" program. We travel lots-- having found a Nat'l Geographic article entitled "50 Places to See before you Die" -- and have made a rather large "dent". When home, we spend time enjoying the "hot & dry" Sacramento weather and when it gets unbearable, you'll find us at a cabin in the mountains of Lake Tahoe; Stop and say "hello" if you're ever up our way. If you'll let us know you're coming, "We'll leave the light on.” Did I tell you that you were a lovely bunch of people to share my childhood and adolescent life with?
Shanna J. Edwards Lund (wellnesswork@earthlink.net )
My life is blessed -- I know that for sure. So here are my last 42 years ...
After being a Cardinal for four years, I went on to be a Poet for another four. I graduated from Whittier College, with a degree in Speech & Hearing in 1968, a master’s degree in special education in 1977, and an administrative credential in 1990.
I enjoyed a 38-year career as a public school speech-language pathologist, special education teacher, teacher-on-special-assignment, writing curriculum, and Program Specialist, for Los Angeles County Office of Education. I worked in the divisions of special education, juvenile courts schools, juvenile halls and probation camps, the California Youth Authority and Chas. Drew Head Start in Compton. My career was rich with variety.
In 1969, David Lund (WHS Class of '65) and I were married and had 22 wonderful years together, building our careers and rearing our sons, Sean, born in 1972 and Carl, born in 1974. We lived in Whittier and enjoyed those early years as soccer and baseball parents and coaches. We were all active in the Methodist Church, where we were married. David and I look back now and cherish those years with our sons and parents.
Sean graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1999, with a degree in Communication/Public Relations and Organizational Communication. He chose the field of media advocacy and joined GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). He is now Director of Communication Strategies and Messaging and addresses the civil rights issues of the national and international movement.
Carl graduated from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (Cal State Los Angeles), in 1993 and from Cal State University, Fullerton in 1999 with degrees in Communication/Television-Film and Cultural Anthropology. Like most starving artists, he waited tables while he was writing his first screenplay. Then he became a special education teacher for 3 years -- an eye-opening experience! Today, Carl writes full-time for Paramount and other studios.
In 1985, I got a "wake up" call when I discovered a lump on my breast. Lumps have a way of doing that! Before surgery, I did some work with a counselor. I will forever remember her words. She said, "You have the lump, the lump doesn't have you." This new perception changed my life. I tapped into a deep well of personal power.
In 1987, I developed a training company, Wellness Resources. As an independent contract consultant, I conducted wellness, stress management, self-esteem, parenting, team building, and conflict-resolution trainings for educational/civic/community organizations in Southern California, until 2004.
In 1991, my life changed again, when I met Brandy. For the last 15 years, she and I have journeyed that road less traveled. I moved from the security of Whittier to the ocean, Laguna Niguel, where we lived for seven years, then to beautiful Lake Arrowhead, and for the last four years we have lived in the Indian Canyon in Palm Springs, with our second home in Lake Arrowhead.
Brandy is retired from the airlines and interior design sales. We love to travel and our favorite hobby is investing in real estate and making it beautiful. In October, we are breaking ground on a condo development in PS.
In 2004 I retired from Los Angeles County Office of Education, because, as Wayne Dyer said, "Traffic doesn't care." I decided, for the first time in 15 years, to work closer to home. I am the Alternative-Augmentative Communication Specialist for the Palm Springs Unified School District and work two days a week.
We have a wonderful Great Dane, Hannah, who captures all the attention, wherever she goes. We take Hannah, several times a week, to my Father's assisted living community, where she delights the residents.
On July 11th, Brandy became a Great- grandmother! Baby Rilee is a preemie and very tiny. She is healthy, growing and gorgeous!
As I said, we are blessed.
Robyn Olsen Letters (rletters@opinionstudies.com)
Greetings to all fellow WHS 64 grads and happy 60th b-days! Wow, can’t believe that! Like many of you, the main focus of my life is my family. I have seven wonderful children (2 natural children and 5 stepchildren) and now nine grandchildren. My sweet husband of 24 years passed away of lung cancer 6 years ago. Kind of a surprise considering he hadn’t smoked in 30 years. So I am a single mom and grandma. My youngest child, Meghan, is 21 and finishing college this year. We moved from South Pasadena to beautiful San Luis Obispo about 15 years ago. I own a research consulting company called Opinion Studies and conduct small to large-scale projects all over the country. My clients include law firms, manufacturers, retailers, government agencies and universities. Anyone need such services? I am always looking for new business opportunities. Spare time: dog walking, wine tasting, entertaining friends, movie going, reading, traveling, and connecting with old friends.
Mary Westphal (mwestsbta@netscape.net)
Mary is so busy travelling the world; she only had time to send us a recent picture. (which was lost on the original web site.)
Bonnie Baier Sutton
My life reads stranger than fiction. When I finish writing my book, it will make East of Eden look like Father's Knows Best. My life motto is "Don't ask, don't tell. If you want any further info call me up! See you there or in the air.
Melodee Williams Zamudio (mczeduc@cox.net)
What a wonderful life! After earning a BA in Government and California teaching and administrative credentials from Mills College in Oakland, I began a teaching career in Los Nietos. I transferred to Irvine Unified in 1974 and left the classroom for a variety of assignments. Since 1980, I've been the district administrator in charge of programs for English Learners, Title 1 and legal program audits. I married a Mexican naval officer in 1983, but we decided to settle and raise our family here in Irvine. Becoming a mom to Michele and Eric made my life complete. I’ve tried to always “give back” in gratitude for our wonderful fortune and currently I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, mentoring a 14-year-old boy who lives in a group home. We're counting down to retirement in 2008 and hope to spend half of the year in California and half in Baja. I am grateful for every wrinkle and laugh line. I earned them!
Rick Miguel
Married, 2 adult children and 3 granddaughters. Have lived in Brea for 32 years.
Barbara Helwig Wagner (mike.barb.wagner@sbcglobal.net)
AA degree, Rio Hondo J.C. Married Mike Wagner 38 1/2 yrs. ago and after a one week honeymoon, he went to Vietnam! We always agreed that after surviving living apart for 1 year we could get through anything! So true!!
I worked in the clerical field until we had a family and remained a stay-at-home mom for 9 years. Worked in the health club business for 10 yrs.; returned to business field. Husband Mike retired & sold his auto-repair business he owned for 28 years in Whittier. He now has a garage door business and loves the flexibility. I retired last year from Orange City SSA/Children's Services after 15 1/2 yrs. Best move I ever made! Now I can take care of the twins T-W-Th (days their mom works) it is FUN! We have two beautiful daughters: Kristie 36 yrs.-- husband Warren Roberts, grandsons: Eric 5 is Sept. and Jason yrs. in Aug. Tracey 32 yrs. -- husband Rick Lamberson, twins - boy Cole and girl Cameron 2 yrs. in June. We are thrilled with our extended families and feel so blessed to have them living in Corona and Orange.
We lived in Whittier until Nov. 1978 and moved to Placentia, CA. Very happy in Orange County! Life has allowed us to travel more in the past 13 yrs.=Australia twice, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Cancun and Cabo. Our families all continue to be river rats at our AZ home away from home get away!
Ardean Pettit Armitage (ardean@charter.net)
I attended Northwest Nazarene College where I met my husband, Dave (married 39 yrs.) I taught in Lewiston, Idaho for a few years before moving to Kennewick WA.
Dave has done a variety of things from teaching high school to owning small businesses. He retired in December 2005, and has been a great "house husband."
I currently am an elementary reading specialist at a small school in a small town 33 miles from Kennewick. Most of my teaching has been in fourth grade, although I have taught Kindergarten, fifth, and sixth. I spent a challenging 8 years directing a family literacy program for the school district. I plan to retire in 6 yrs. We are uncertain as to whether we will live near our daughter, at our cabin in Idaho, or stay put!
Our daughter, Heather, is 32 and is employed by Microsoft Human Resources in Redmond, WA. She is married with a 4-yr. old daughter.
Our son, Chad, 30, married 2 yrs. ago. He also works for Microsoft, but is in Dallas, TX, doing something with servers as an "escalation problem control engineer." (We seldom understand what he talks about!)
I was sorry to miss the reunion, but would love to hear from anyone.
Tyree Warren Wieder (lwieder@socal.rr.com)
I am currently living in Chatsworth, CA with my husband of 26 years, Les. I am beginning my 12th year as president of L.A. Valley College, a community college located in Van Nuys, CA. We have 17,000 students and for the past five years I have been involved in managing a $ 286 million dollar construction program for new buildings and renovations. I am also the Vice President of the L. A. City Library Commission, which oversees the operation of all 71 libraries in the city. Les, a writer, director and former theater professor at Moorpark College, retired from teaching last year and I am anxious to join him so that we can continue to expand our world of travel. We have had the privilege of traveling to Europe, China, Canada, Mexico and Hawaii, our favorite; but still have a list of places to visit. We have a 24-year old daughter who attended UCSB and is now working in the entertainment industry. In spite of a very heavy work schedule life is fun and we enjoy time with our family and friends.
Dianne Geist Pollock (dipollock@comcast.net)
This will have to be a quick bio as I am currently in the throes of buying & selling houses, and relocating to the Tri-Cities area of Washington from Issaquah, WA, where I have lived for 10 years.
I was married in 1966, put my husband thru college, then went to college myself, but am a Cal State Fullerton dropout! He was transferred to Oregon in 1975, we had a gorgeous daughter (finally!) in 1976, and then he chose to "date" and we were divorced when she was 5 months old. I am VERY proud of her. She is a dental hygienist in Washington, and my proudest moment came last month when she became Mrs. Allison Teter.
I have sold capital equipment for many years and have enjoyed award-winning success, which has taken me on trips that I would never have gone on. But that all pales in comparison when compared to the happiness my daughter brings me.
I have now decided to "downsize" and am getting a simpler job in an area where "people are people" and the pace of life is slower. I have bought a lovely home in Pasco, WA
My current e-mail address is in effect until August 22, 2006. After that time, I only will have my "snail mail" address for a while and it is:
6011 Mia Lane
Pasco, WA 99301
The reunion was a blast (even though I now have confirmation that I have the world's worst memory!) My gratitude goes out to the entire committee for putting on a class event.
Norman Wray (normanjwray@yahoo.com)
Many thanks to the Reunion Committee for putting together a wonderful time.
Since high school I went four years to Whittier College, taught sixth grade for two years, and married Ann in 1970. We have been married 36 years now and have three children. Our daughter Lindsay is almost 22 and is a recent graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in broadcast journalism. She is also a talented dancer. Jeremy and Justin are our identical twin sons are high school seniors (age 17) and both play trumpet in the band. Our "little" boys are 6' 4" tall. The best of times are family get-togethers with my five siblings and my wife's family. We live on 10 acres in Sonoma Valley where we have built two houses. I have been a general contractor for 30 years-enjoying designing and building things. Travel has included North and South America, Hawaii, and Europe. Being 60 hasn't sunk in yet.
I have been volunteering at a center here in Sonoma to help kids dealing with the death of a parent or sibling. This can be a life long complication, which I have been studying for a long time.
I am going to send two Dexter pictures and some Hoover School pictures. Does anyone have pictures K-6 from Hoover? Also, this is a long shot-but does anyone have kindergarten pictures (1951) from William Penn School? I would love to see them.
Time is flying so fast now our next reunion will be here soon.
Betty “BJ” Carter Gaddy (bj.gaddy@sothebysrealty.com)
First, a huge thank you to Mary and the Reunion Committee for an incredible job! It certainly was a blast.
After many career changes and a couple of husbands, I settled down twenty years ago in Pasadena and have been selling residential real estate there ever since. Life has been good and I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful friends, many of whom are my clients.
A few years ago I traded in by skis and golf clubs for paint brushes and now spend off-hours oil painting - plein air or from my photographs. I love to travel anywhere and have been to Europe, etc., but I especially love hiking in the Sierras.
Sure would be fun to see my Song Leader pals at the next reunion. I am certain we could do a grand rendition of the alma mater - hopefully without the aid of wheel chairs or canes.
It was wonderful to see everyone and to see how wonderful we still are.
Judie Christoffersen Boline (judieboline@yahoo.com)
2006 finds Rich and I still at home in Whittier where we raised our six children. Our 7th grandchild is expected in Oct. Rich is currently the Principal at Cal Hi. but looking forward to retirement in the next couple of years. I am enjoying grandkids. Most of our children and spouses ended up in education and law enforcement, the apples didn't fall far from the tree.
Venita Hamilton Uder (uder@sbcglobal.net)
Since high school I am the proud mom of 3 great kids and 5 grandchildren. I moved to New Mexico for 3 years but missed my family and friends so I moved back to California.
Joe Crawford (Crawdaddy0123@aol.com)
After WHS I attended Cal Poly Pomona where I wrestled 4 more years and graduated in '68. After graduation I went to Air Force pilot training and spent the next 5 years as an Air Force pilot. I got out in '73 after a tour in S.E. Asia. While in the service I married Jeannie Battersby (WHS ‘66). We have been married 35 years and have 7 children...4 natural and 3 adopted. My job and passion remain the same...I have been a Youth Pastor for over 30 years and run the jr. high and senior high ministries at Grace Community Church in Seal Beach. I have been greatly blessed having a job I love and have no plans of retiring. Jeannie helps with the youth groups and together we spent our time with some really great teenagers. We just returned from a mission trip to Crooked Tree, Belize and will be taking our high school group back there in June 2007. Jeannie and I live in Huntington Beach. Her favorite hobby is tennis and mine in golf. Life is good.
Pam Isaacs (pamisaacs@sbcglobal.net)
Still 17 years old I arrived at Sac. State College in '64, immediately noticing Sacto.'s then-clean air, which I preferred to So. Calif. College life agreed with me. For the first time I enjoyed going to classes. Never had a car during those years - just walked and biked myself silly. Took part in several operas, and in general tried to grow up. Spent last 2 years at UCD. Spent 2 quarters post-grad studying in Mexico at the Mus. of Anthropology and History.
Married in '69 a medical researcher. We lived in Mich., NC, CA and Ont., Can. Ended up in San Diego. I taught always, at each move hustling to get the needed teaching certificate. Soon after moving to SD, my husband died. I continued to teach, immersion, bilingual as well as being a resource teacher.
During these years I took up hiking, XC skiing, backpacking, snow camping, (renewed) piano lessons, a masters program and rental property.
In '85 I married my husband, Dale. He was worth waiting for and brought along 3 wonderful (grown) children who are out doing their own thing. Dale is retired from engineering and rental property ownership. However, he remains much busier than I. We do travel some together still but not as much as in previous years.
I am retired but still working some - coordinating an annual testing project as well as some hourly teaching.
I keep more than busy with twin grand kids, work, gardening, reading and trying to care for a 100 year-old house.
Most important to me now are family and quiet time. I wish all of my classmates health and peace.
Maria R. Sugranes (mrsugranes@socal.rr.com)
High School was such an awkward time--first years in my adopted country, first years as a near adult. And yet, I look back with affection to those early days of transformation. In many ways, I never left school because three degrees later, my career has been a decade as a librarian in the Huntington Beach Union High School District, a decade as a librarian and administrator at Cal State Long Beach and now as an administrator at Santa Ana College. I am a liberal worried about my beloved country. I still believe that the real solutions lie in education and reaching out to others who may be different than us. My thanks to my WHS teachers: Mr. Lawson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Newton, Ms. Englestead and of course Uncle Wally Leonard. Lastly, my thanks to my high school friend, Mary Westphal who was always reaching out to others, always exploring...forever young. Angie Heaton Smith (chorleygal@sbcglobal.net)
Hello to the class of 1964! I wish I could write about the time I climbed Mount Everest or traveled the world, but the truth is I never have gone far from my roots in Whittier. I married a Whittier guy who graduated from St. Paul's High School. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary in April. We have 3 grown children ages 39, 37 and 34. We also have 6 grandchildren who are the light of our lives. The oldest, Chasen, 16, is going into his senior year of high school. Tyler is almost 14 and starting his freshman year, Tiffany is 10 and going into 5th grade, Daniel is 5 and starting kindergarten, and the twins, Keira and Brett are 5 months old. My husband, Pat, is the manager of a truck tire center in Riverside, CA. I retired about 3 years ago and love staying home. About 6 months ago we sold our home in Corona and paid cash for a retirement home in Las Vegas. We love it there and can't wait to retire there for good. Right now we are living in Riverside until my husband retires in about 2 years. Then we will relax, swim, golf, and do nothing - sounds good to me.
Carl and Vickie (Harris) Underdahl (carlandvickie@cox.net)
Still hanging out together after 40 years.
Carl says:
I loved living in Whittier. Happy to stay forever - even took a Spanish class. But moved to San Clemente 18 years ago. Bought a great lot and built a house four times bigger than we needed. It was a piece of cake. Even put in a fire pole for fun. I worked for L.A County Fire Department and retired a Captain after 30 years of fires, floods, riots, earthquakes, and little old ladies who were - well lonely.
Vickie says:
I finally blasted Carl out of Whittier to build our dream house in San Clemente. It was the worst year of our lives. I've been furnishing it ever since - how do you decorate around a fire pole? While Carl was at the fire station playing cards, I was busy raising his three children and keeping the home fires burning.
Carl says:
With mortgages and 'kids raising' behind me, I bought a vintage airplane (1946 Luscombe) and ground-up restored it. Have been flying all over California and Arizona for the past two years. The manufacture date of the Luscombe is the same as Vickie's birthday. She loves that plane!
Vickie says:
Looking for ways to be creative, I found watercolor quilting. I've designed and made several. I became a professional calligrapher and still enjoy the art. Carl bought an old plane. It was in pieces! When he put it back together, I discovered that it is flown with a stick between your knees. (He says it's old school, I say it's nuts!) I would love to have a vacation home in the mountains, but I'M SURE this was more important. I hope he sells it soon!
Carl says:
I never saw myself running a B & B, but I should have thought of that when we built a house walking distance to the beach. The kids love coming here to visit. No one even flinched when I put a 'donation' can by the front door.
Vickie says:
The kids are all happily married and live nearby. They are here all the time --it is fun, fun, fun!! And with two grandchildren and one on the way, Carl and I are convinced that being grandparents is the dessert of life!
Carl says:
Can't come to the reunion, but look forward to seeing classmates Friday night. We'll be coming with Bill Gray and his wife Angie. Bill looks great - still lifting. Salt of the earth!!!
Vickie says:
We can't come to the reunion, but we'll be at the Radisson on Friday night. Hope to see you there. We're coming with Carl's longtime friend, Bill Gray. You will know him by the charming tattoos!!!!
Bonnie L. O'Brien Shepard shepardincoto@cox.net
After graduating from high school I danced professionally with the American Folk Ballet (toured 38 states with the troupe, did several TV shows) until a knee injury ended my dancing career. I graduated from USC in 1970 with an accounting degree, and worked for a national accounting firm for 3+ years, finally spending 11 years working as the Assistant Controller at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
Rudy, my husband of 34 years, and I still live in Coto de Caza, CA. We built our home, and have been here 26 years this August. Wow, that is a long time in one house! We have four (4) boys; Rusty (my stepson) will be 40 (yikes!) this year. He is a criminal defense lawyer living in Panama City Beach, Fl. with his wife Laurie and our first and, at this time, only grandchild, Gracie. Our second son, Randall, will be 29 this year and is currently working for a real estate developer in Orange County. Our third son, Michael, is 23 and after graduating from USC he joined JP Morgan as an analyst. Last is Shane who is now 20 and still at home attending a local college. Rusty is the only one who is married, so we have a lot to look forward to in the years ahead.
My husband is Of Counsel with a law firm and, until this month, has been the CEO of a medical company in Irvine. He is in the process of acquiring a business in Fallbrook, which should keep us both busy for a long time. Rudy says he cannot see himself retiring, so he is also busy with another medical company trying to acquire FDA approval for treating people with failing livers. We do find time to travel, and last year we went on our first cruise to Alaska. When the boys were younger our annual summer vacation was two weeks of house boating on Lake Powell and skiing in the winter, but we have always managed to find time to attend all of the USC home football games and several "away" games. During the time that we were raising our sons we were always busy with sports, music, gymnastics, etc., but since they are grown we now have time to travel in the U.S. and abroad.
Steve Mattern
I was born in Whittier 60 years ago. My parents, Robert and Eileen Mattern (WHS Classes of ‘40 and ‘39) had 3 boys, of which I was the guy in middle. There is a lot to be said about the favorite first-born and the youngest being the one "Mom" likes best, but that's for another time and place. I did adjust is all I will say about that. It was a "hoot" to see my kindergarten picture in the old "Mill School" class picture on the WHS64 website. I have been married to Fran since 1966 and we have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Our children and grandchildren remain the center of our lives. Our 40 years together have been wonderful. We both started our careers in the finance industry in Sacramento. Seeking a better quality of life, a smaller community and in close proximity to the "high country," I accepted a transfer with my employer to Lake Tahoe. In 1972 we moved to North Lake Tahoe on a very cold winter day, which we remember very well. We "grew up" with our children in an ideal area for a great family life. We were surrounded by beautiful country with lots of wide-open spaces and a small community atmosphere. Fran changed careers and was able to spend a lot of time with the kids while working for the local school district. After the kids were nearly out of college, with Fran and I nearing that "empty nester" stage, I was offered an opportunity with another bank that brought us to our present home in Auburn, California. Approximately 10 years have passed since then, the bank was bought (part of the plan) and I have continued with my banking career with a very large bank. I am presently a Regional Manager with offices located in 9 States. We still maintain a second home in Lake Tahoe, but enjoy the warmer climate (sans deep snow banks) in Auburn. Four of our grandchildren are close by and Fran spends most of her time spoiling them. I expect to keep on working just because I have a great team who are a pleasure work with.
William J. Hayhurst (bil.jan@verizon.net)
After Graduation I Was Drafted. After serving my 2 years I got out and met Janice, my wife of 37 years as of Aug 9, 2006. I worked in private industry for 33. Then went to work for the State of California and Retired in May of last year. We have no children. I have been active in the Masonic Lodge in El Monte and was Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1984. I am also Past Exalted Ruler of El Monte Elks in 1991-92. My wife and I enjoy traveling around the country in our motor home with my wife’s sister and her husband. We are going on a land/sea to Alaska in August. We are enjoying our retirement.
Judy Heinz McCullough (judymccullough@cox.net)
Wow, where did all those years go? Married 38 years to Mikel McCullough, 3 terrific sons (Yes I could remain a cheerleader for all those growing up years). I have two beautiful granddaughters and feel blessed by my past and really enjoying each day of the present. We raised our family in Orange Co., but the real estate growth of Las Vegas brought us here New Years' Eve 1994. I have red hair these days and I like to sparkle so my husband says, Judy, Las Vegas is your kind of town. The years have been good to us and I wish each and every one of you a fond Hello. Oh and Happy 60th Birthday Everyone.
Betsy Baumann Lipps (dandblipps@jps.net)
I married Dean Lipps in October 1971. We have two children, Joanna, 33 and Marshall 30. One grandchild is on the way. We have lived in Auburn, CA for 29 years. Same husband, same house, same jobs. We both are nurses. I work for the local oncologist. Some day we both will retire. I can dream of that day.
John Ackerman (johnackerman@sbcglobal.net)
I have been married for 19 years to a wonderful, sweet hearted, OC beauty. Our new home is in Brea, close to most family and friends. We do enjoy occasional travel. Some of our favorite vacation spots over the years have been the Cayman Islands, B.C., Canada, and the Oregon Coast.
After graduating from Whittier HS and while on a waiting list for the U.S. Coast Guard, I attended Cerritos and UCLA. The CG active duty included 18 months of 24/7 Alaskan search rescue events. Monstrous seas and a beautiful landscape are the best memories. Miss Eileen McHale, long time Orange Grove School 5/6th grade teacher saw to it that I was probably the only Coast Guardsman in history to receive a monthly copy of the New Yorker Magazine.
Upon leaving the service in 1970, I was accepted and graduated from the Art Center College of Design (BFA). Of course, the Mac Computer has largely replaced traditional drawing skills, thus it was back to UCLA in the late 1980's for education in computers and design software. Reflecting back to Whittier High, Mr. Nakamura (art teacher) introduced me to professional design via field trips to university and college design departments.
In regards to my 33-year design career, some great corporations have employed me. CBS Inc. and The Walt Disney Company are career highlights. For about 8 years I have been employed as a contract consultant working on communications design assignments for Toyota, Scion, Nissan/Infiniti, Isuzu and Hyundai. I have no short term plans to retire and if interested you can visit my online portfolio (no pitch for work intended) at http://www.creativehotlist.com/j-ackerman3.
Hobbies and interests have remained true to our Whittier heritage: fast, old cars and motorcycles.
Lou Prues (lprue@lssm.org)
It’s been a wonderful and blessed 42 years! After WHS came the MBA, MTh, and PhD. In between those came a wonderful marriage to Barbara. We will celebrate 34 years this December. We have two grown and married children and, as yet, no grandchildren. Most of my work life has been either in church work or faith based social service. For the last fourteen years I've been serving as COO of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, the largest social service agency in Michigan. I continue to assist on the weekends at an inner city Detroit Presbyterian church. Barbara serves as Director of fund raising for a residential treatment center for homeless men. Retirement seems a long way off! About nine years ago we started taking adventure trips and have now trekked in Nepal, bicycled though China, backpacked a number of times through Europe, the Baltics and Russia, and this February climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. We're working on Tibet and Bhutan for next year. We enjoy golf, friends and the garden of our Grosse Pointe home. I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone at the reunion.
Michael North (mcnorth@earthlink.net)
Diane and I were married in July of 1969 (the day before the Lunar Landing and a week after I returned from a tour of duty in American Samoa). We have one son, Christopher and live in Las Vegas, NV (about 5 miles from Chris and his wife, Andrea). After high school, I attended Cal Poly for a while studying Aerospace Engineering but was enjoying my freedom too much to really study. In 1966, I joined the U.S. Air Force and received an excellent electronics education. In 1970, I joined the staff of GTE as a Field Engineer. For the next 4 years, I was a technical representative for the U.S. Marine Corps. What a wonderful experience! They are very special people and treated me as one of their own. I was stationed at Marine Corps Air Stations in Tustin, CA; Cherry Point, NC and Futenma, Okinawa. All together, I spent 24 years in (or working with) the military and Government agencies on special projects. I left that career in 1990 as an Assistant Program Manager for Logistics Support working for TRW. 1990 was a wild year. I went out on my own and started a computer consulting and database engineering company. Over the next 11 year, I met some fascinating people and was involved with some challenging projects. One of my clients, a travel agency, bought my company. We traveled all over the world, developed a new travel-oriented software company out of the agency and sold it to a German company in Frankfurt. In 2001 I restarted my original company, RAMWrite Consulting, which is doing well in Las Vegas. Diane and I lived 28 years in San Jose, CA but moved to Las Vegas in 2005. We love the desert and the lack of state income tax. Our new hometown has some of the nicest people we have ever met.
I never was a team-sports person. I raced bicycles while in high school. It was not "the thing" then and I took a lot of guff about the shorts and riding a bicycle instead of playing baseball. I followed the Tour de France back then but it was via month-old magazines. Being alone on a back road at racing speeds was a tonic for the soul. It relieved a lot of the stress of making grades, taking tests and the other stresses of growing up. I like the individual challenge. Sports cars had my attention during college but they were too expensive and ruined my grades. After active duty, I tried returning to bicycle racing but was too heavy and out of shape. While on Okinawa, I got my dive license and enjoyed the clear, deep waters around the island. I studied the martial arts in Okinwa and the States but was not able to maintain the training due to my workload and family commitments. Instead, I turned to motocross and motorcycle cross-country racing. I still have the spinal problems to prove it. I broke no bones but bent about everything. I still get an adrenaline rush whenever I hear a two-stroke fire up. In 1993 I moved to a more "sedate" sport, the Scottish Highland Games. I still compete in the "over-60" class and still get a thrill tossing the Caber and the Weight Over the Bar. Strength athletics is what I was looking for all those years. As long as my body holds out, I will compete. And, no, I will never tell what is worn under the kilt.
If you ever plan to visit Las Vegas, drop Diane and me a line so we can meet for dinner.
Michael Shoffner (papaharly@earthlink.net)
How does one summarize 42 years of adventure, disappointment and success into a small autobiography? After high school, my plans for joining the Air Force did not work out, so I started attending classes at Cerritos College and joined the Phi Sigma fraternity. Little did I know I was living in “Animal House” before it was a movie. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two wonderful daughters who have children of their own. I spent eight years fighting the traffic and insanity while working in the City of Commerce. My marriage did not work out, so I moved to Chino, CA and attended Mt. Sac. I bought a horse to do some team roping and work cattle. I did a lot of riding in the Chino hills before they filled up with homes. After my horse died, I bought a motorcycle and started rethinking my life. I realized that all I had to look forward to at my job was 35 years to life. There just had to be something more than this to wake up to each morning. So, at 27 I joined the Army to see the world and work in the Veterinary field. After eight years of working with four-legged animals, I was offered a job as a Hard Hat Deep Sea diver with the Corps of Engineers. They did not have to ask me twice. I passed the physical, signed my name, and my life, as I knew it, changed forever. It is crazy how time flies when you’re having fun. There was always a new place to see, or project to deal with. After seven states, three countries, two islands and a ton of dive missions, I was approaching the 15-year mark in my military career. I realized that I had to decide what I wanted to do with my life after the Army. I knew I loved the changing of the seasons, mountains, wilderness, and open spaces, so I did some research at the library while stationed in Germany and found that there were only one million people in the whole state of Idaho, plus it had the second largest Elk herd in the continental U. S. “Pick me, Mr. Bill, I’ll go.” I stayed an extra year in the military—21 total—just to make sure I had my bills paid off and all of the toys I wanted. I did not want to work for anybody ever again, so I started working for myself—how did I know I was going to be working for one of the toughest bosses I ever met? The plan was to retire at 47 and move to Northern Idaho, 70 miles from the Canadian border, go to school, hunt, and fish—get away from the traffic and insanity of populated areas, and use my time as I chose. I bought a small house in Coeur d’Alene, ID in 1993 and attended North Idaho College, working for the Forest Service in the summer. By 2002, word had gotten out about my little town by the lake and it was getting pretty crowded. I then bought a small five-acre place 50 miles from the Canadian border. There always seems to be something for me to do: hunt, fish, and wander around the mountains. At home, I like to design and build. There are always two or three projects at different stages of completion. When I was in Germany, I really enjoyed the swans that lived along the Rhine River and have often thought how nice it would be to have my own, so I am thinking about digging a small lake in my backyard, calling it Northwest Schwanstein, and raising some swans. I have a place in Apache Junction, AZ, where I spend my winters. It’s close to my youngest daughter and my new grandson, so I get a chance to play Grandpa. I like riding my Harley around the country, playing with my John Deere tractor, cruising around in my old Chevy, and experiencing the culture of different countries I visit. When I get home from a road trip, I change out of my leathers, put on my Car-hart overalls and go ride my John Deere 790 tractor. Life is good! The most valuable thing I own is my time, which is very important to me. I like to stop and smell the roses I planed, or pull over the read Historical Markers along the highway from the back of my Harley.
Sherry Roland Nugent (sherrynugent@msn.com)
After graduation I worked in the purchasing field for The Ralph M. Parsons Co. and Kaiser Steel. Moved to Reno and worked for Harold’s/Nevada Club and Sierra Nevada Job Corps until I moved to Oregon in 1991.
The last 15 years I have owned and operated an adult foster home for seniors in Eugene. It was quite a change from purchasing to working with the elderly and disabled, but has been a very rewarding experience. I am currently active with our local non-profit association for Foster Providers.
Finally found "my" Mr. Right and we have been married 2-1/2 years. Jack and I each have 2 sons from previous marriages and 6 grandchildren.
Greg & Sheila Stilson Zerschling (zerschling@peoplepc.com)
Sheila and I wish the best to our fellow 1964 Whittier High Cardinals. Those years were some of the best for both of us. Sheila wishes the very best to her sisters in the BAF's. Likewise, I wish the very best to my fellow Robes brothers and to my brothers who bruised, bled, and thirsted with me on the Varsity Football Team. You are the people who made Whittier High School the great experience it was for us. We are looking forward to seeing as many former classmates as we can at the picnic on Sunday. Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it on Saturday evening.
The reunion committee requested that we write a short autobiography, so here goes. Sheila and I were married in 1968 after having "gone together" for four years. We went to college together and both graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton- Sheila with her B.A. and I with my B.A. and M.A. We both earned our teaching credentials at Cal State University, San Bernardino. I taught at Cal State University, Los Angeles for almost four years at the beginning of my teaching career before teaching for Desert Sands Unified School District in the Palm Desert area. I have just finished my thirtieth year with the District. I feel honored to have been recognized by my District as Teacher of the Year twice during that time. I am a Physical Education Teacher and Track Coach at Dr. Carreon Academy. Sheila has been a Kindergarten Teacher in the Palm Springs Unified School District during most of her teaching career. She has a little more that twenty years teaching. She worked as a full-time mom to our children for the other years.
We have three adult children. Max is 28 and does home renovations on the big island of Hawaii. Meghan is 24, married, and lives in San Diego with her husband, Darren. He works in his family's business, but is in the process of going into the military. They gave us our first (and only) grandchild in March of 2005. His name is Aidan and he is very precious to us. Our youngest, Mike, is 22 and staying with us (temporarily we hope). He is taking a break from college (giving up his athletic scholarship in the process). He is presently in a restaurant management position.
We live in the Coachella Valley area (Palm Springs, Palm Desert) during the school year and spend as much of the summer as we can at our second home on the big island of Hawaii. My hobbies include fitness activities (swimming and biking), collecting 50's and 60's memorabilia, and driving and maintaining my 1939 Chevy street rod. I plan on retiring or working half time in two years and have a 1940 Chevy body and frame in my garage that I plan on making into another street rod. Sheila's hobbies include reading and growing roses.
Again, we are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Sunday picnic. Go Cardinals!
Tom & Nancy Brock Hart (fifthwhee@aol.com)
We just celebrated our 38th anniversary. We graduated from Chapman College in 1968, married three weeks later and moved to the San Joaquin Valley to begin our teaching careers. Tom taught high school and coached varsity basketball and Nancy taught middle school and coached??? soft ball.
The next year we returned to Southern California to teach in the Norwalk La Mirada School District. We moved to Yorba Linda where we lived for 17 years. Nancy took time off with our 2 boys. Tom taught 10 years and decided enough! He made a career change to residential construction, and then switched to commercial construction.
We moved to Las Vegas 9 years ago. Nancy taught here and recently retired and Tom continues to work in commercial development. This is an amazing city for Tom's business and the "boom" continues. We enjoy eight months of the year, and deal with the summers as everyone else does - with continuous air conditioning.
Our oldest son, Chris, is also in commercial development and works with Tom here in Las Vegas. Our youngest son, Jeff, is a civil engineer in Riverside.
We love to camp and travel, and golf is a way of life here. There are many four and five star restaurants, which we take advantage of often.
We will miss the reunion as we will be with family to celebrate (is that the right word?) Tom's 60th birthday. We would love to hear from or visit with anyone who may be traveling to or through Las Vegas.
John L. Barker (autodoc@ctaz.com)
Well the best part, outside of still seeing the sunrise, is I'm still married to Carolyn - 42 years as of June 19th. I'm not sure which one of us is crazy, but one of us must be. We have three children and one grandson; Lori - 42, Johnny - 39 Shari - 36, and SHANE - 7.
We moved to Bullhead City about 13 years ago and just love it. Bullhead has been very good to the Barkers. If anybody wants to know more check our websites, www.autodoconline.com , www.avaloncustomhomes.com or e-mail me.
Marcy Wright Graves (mjgraves@earthlink.net)
After graduation I attended Mt Sac for one semester at which time, with all the youthful exuberance of an 18 year old, I decided I'd rather be married than sitting in a classroom. So in October of 1965 Tony Salinas and I married. We had two children a daughter Traci, who is now a mother of two girls, Amber age 18 and Christina age 15, and a son Tony Jr. who is still single. Unfortunately, as I turned 30 Tony Sr. decided married life was not for him and we divorced.
Having always been a stay at home mom, joining the work force at age 30 was quite a culture shock. I was lucky finding a great job with Pacific Southwest Airlines. For the next 12 years I worked at the airport in San Francisco, Los Angeles, back to San Francisco, San Diego, and finally John Wayne - Orange County. It was a great job that afforded opportunities to travel and meet many interesting people. It is also where I met a pilot, Rick Graves, who I married in 1985. With our marriage I also gained another daughter, Rebecca, who is now the mother of our year old grandson, Ethan.
In 1988 PSA was bought by US Air and the "fun" evaporated from my job so I decided to become a stay at home mom once again. In 1994 we moved to Florida to reduce Rick's commute time. It is hard to believe that we have been here 12 years.
The last five years I have been active within our community by serving on our homeowner association's Board of Directors. During this time I have been elected treasurer and president serving two years in each position. While it has been a very enriching experience I plan to leave the Board in February 2007.
The year 2007 holds the possibility of many changes for us. Because of US Airways' two bankruptcies in the last five years, Rick lost about 75% of his retirement. We are waiting to see if Congress increases the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65 which will allow for recouping a small portion of what was lost; otherwise, we will both be looking for jobs. Gee, and I thought joining the work force at age 30 was a culture shock; I can't even imagine what it will be like at age 60!
Due to unforeseen events I will, for the first time, miss the reunion and miss seeing old friends, but God willing I hope to see you all at the 50th! Best wishes to all and special kudos to the reunion committee for all of their hard work.
Tom Knox (thomasknox@comcast.net)
I have been married 30 years this October to Lise. We live in Sacramento and have two children. Our son, Ben, is 24 and a chef in Napa. Our daughter Meg is 20, and works as a hostess at a local restaurant.
I graduated in 1968 from the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Marine Corps. After three years of active duty, including a tour as an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam, I started law school, and began practicing on graduation in 1976. I am a partner now in a small firm in Sacramento specializing in business and real estate. Sacramento is a big small town, and I am active in the local Rotary club and several other community organizations.
Cathy Walker Gordon (cissy10@verizon.net)
After graduation I traveled up and down the west coast. I settled in Seattle for a while where I married my husband and we later had one daughter named Tauni. She is now 37 and has two daughters, Bleue 12 and Saige 9. They live in Huntington Beach. It was in Seattle in 1967 that I had a chance meeting at the Seattle zoo with a 500 lb. gorilla that would later change my life. He came to the edge of his cage and paused to make the kind of eye contact I had only had with humans and I felt a profound presence in this animal. I never forgot him.
My career evolved over the years through the office experience to senior management in finance and I have enjoyed it very much. I divorced. I raised my lovely daughter. I enjoy my grandkids with all my heart. I have great friends, bought my dream home on Murphy Hill here in Whittier, have traveled to Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Britain, and most of Europe. I have enjoyed my life and feel extremely blessed. However, through all of this living and through all these years, I held a private longing to go to Africa and see the magnificent mountain gorilla. In 1992 I did. I backpacked through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar for over a year and ended up in the volcanic mountain range of the Congo, where in 1993, I was allowed by this majestic silverback to sit with his family for one unforgettable afternoon. My dream had come full circle.
Raylene “Joyce” Bunch Bern (joysfromjoyce@iowatelecom.net)
Before graduating from WHS, I began classes at Rio Hondo College and was part of its first graduating class in 1966 receiving my A.A. in Psychology.
1966-1969 Married to my piano teacher's son, worked for General Telephone and attended Long Beach State (now CSULB).
1970-1977 Co-owner of a natural food wholesale business and the largest fruit stand in Fresno, CA where my daughter was born (retired Navy, married to a Naval Officer).
1977-1984 Back in the Los Angeles area, attended various colleges taking accounting, horticulture, Chinese cooking, ceramics. I held various accounting positions. Had another disastrous marriage.
1984-1986 Office mgr. for a satellite antenna business in Las Vegas, NV.
1986-1989 Rapid City, SD and worked as the bookkeeper for a company that sold boats, fishing and hunting gear.
1989-1990 Owned bar in Ulysses, (middle of no where) Nebraska. A bridge crew came to town & I fell hard for Gary. He was transferred to the Texas gulf coast and I went too. We married in 1991 and just celebrated our 15th anniversary. Finally got a good one!!!
1992-2002 Colorado Springs, CO and I worked in various sales, accounting and secretarial positions before becoming a substitute special education teacher (finally using my psychology degree).
2002 - present Farm country Iowa where Gary is from and are caretakers of relative's farm (passed away in 2002). Gary's family farm is 15 miles north of us. Our life consists of LOTS of family get-togethers (huge family), gardening a 40 x 100 foot vegetable garden, traveling, photography, craft shows and enjoying life. I work at the local Indian casino (customer service) and Gary is a carpenter.
I have very much enjoyed my position on the reunion committee as Maker of the Master List of Classmates. I have been corresponding with several and everyone has had such interesting stories to tell, I'm looking forward to seeing all who can attend this July's celebration and would love to hear from more classmates.
Robert Carter (bcarterfarm@proaxis.com)
After graduation, Jack Piccola and I took a road trip that lasted until 1965 when I enlisted in the Army. I served three years and was discharged in 1968. I married a 1964 graduate of Sierra High School in 1970 and completed a B.A. in Business Management in 1976. I worked in Aerospace until 1992 when I took an early retirement. I now live in Oregon and have remarried. I have a daughter from my first marriage and two granddaughters.
Larry Weeks (weekslm@msn.com)
After college and Navy I started flying for Flying Tiger Line in 1973. FedEx bought Tigers in 1989 and I have been an MD-11 Captain the last 15 years flying around the world. Married for 38 years to my wonderful wife Mary and have two fantastic sons, Matthew, 29, and Kyle, 26. Both boys have moved back to Seattle, which makes Mary and me very happy. Mary and I travel a great deal and enjoy golf. I enjoy riding my Triumph around the great back roads we have here next to the mountains.
If anyone gets up our way we would love to see you. We have plenty of room and a great view of the Cascade Mountain range.
Lydia Price Temmen (lydbobtem@charter.net)
It all started after graduation. I went to work for Quaker City Savings & Loan in June 1964. In January 1965, I married Bob Temmen. We have one son, Michael, who is 40 (how can that be be when I am only 40!) and 4 grandchildren, Michael, 19, Allison, 16, Kandice, 13 and Kaitlyn, 11. We have been raising our grandson, Michael for the past 11 years. He has been a blessing to us, as have our other grandchildren. Bob just retired in June. He has done landscaping for over 40 years, and I am going to retire from the Riverside County Human Resources/Safety Office in December. I have been working for Riverside County Human Resources Department for the past 18 years as an Administrative Assistant. We have lived in Riverside for the past 27 years. In January, we are planning to move to Flagstaff, Arizona and enjoy the cool summers there. We may spend some of the winter in Yuma, Arizona. I enjoy crocheting, reading, watching Dr. Phil and traveling. In 2001, we went to Australia and visited Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne. It was a wonderful experience! I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
Susan Meyer Gunter (muddypuddle@proaxis.com)
After graduating from Humboldt State University, my husband Hollis "Hod" (he is a retired Sanitarian) and I moved to Oregon where I began teaching. Did not like that but found my niche as a high school substitute teacher. Had the school district so fooled that they honored me as top "sub". HA!
We have been married 35 yrs. and have two wonderful kids. Ian, 26, graduated from Oregon State University with a masters in mechanical engineering and works for Boeing. Selby, 24, also graduated from OSU, served in the Peace Corp, Fiji, and is going for her masters in osteo-archeology (don't ask).
We retired to Eugene a year ago and I have taken up weaving. Oh yeah, my husband said to tell everyone he caught a 25 in. steelhead last night in our back yard so everyone come to Oregon. Would love e-mails.
Dan and Vicky Scavo McDonald (dpmcdonald@aol.com)
After leaving WHS we went off to school at UCSB and got married two years later. After two kids and Dan's graduation from UCSB we moved to Colorado where Dan got his Ph.D. in Chemistry. A few years later we landed in Mississippi where Vicky completed her B.A. in Business from Millsaps College.
The kids are grown. Mike got his B.S. from Caltech and Ph.D. at UCSD and now teaches at George Mason Univ. and is a fellow at the Brookings Institute. Kim is a graduate of Claremont-McKenna and of the University of Minnesota Law School. She is a former Presidential Fellow and currently is the Consular for the USA in Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia. She lives in Skopje, Macedonia with her husband and our two grandchildren. We love following her around the world. This is the 8th country she has lived in!
Vicky is currently the Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Wachovia Corporation and Dan teaches at Catawba Valley Community College. We live on Lake Norman in Denver, NC and enjoy water sports. We own a little piece of heaven in the Colorado Rockies and plan to retire there in a few years.
Mary Ellen Wood Parsons (info@parsonagewine.com)
I have been married to Bill Parsons since 1969 and have lived on the Monterey Peninsula since 1971. We have 3 daughters, Rachael, Alison, and Brooke and 2 little grandsons, Rocco and Bixby. I have been a textile artist and teacher for about 25 years. Bill and I have a 7-acre vineyard in Carmel Valley where we, with the help of our children, grow red grapes and make wine (It is delicious.) under the name Parsonage Village Vineyard. We just opened a tasting room in the Valley Hills Center on Carmel Valley Road. For photos of our family and the vineyard, and even some of my art quilts, check out www.parsonagewine.com Please say hello to all my old buddies at the reunion.
Thomas I. Klitgaard (taxmantk@aol.com)
Married 30 years to a wonderful woman named Carol and together we have raised three children, Matthew, Amanda, and Jonathan. We have resided in the city of Upland for the past 22 + years.
I received my BA/Business Administration from CSUF. In the mid 80's I began my 2nd career in the field of taxation and I am an Enrolled Agent with my tax practice in individual and small business taxation.
Sandi Katz Glasscock (hoolyjay@cox.net)
Steve and I have been married 33 years, raised four children (his two, my two), have ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren. Attended CSUSB, where I also completed my paralegal certification. Was a paralegal with GTE, moved to Arizona in 1995 and am a Legal Secretary for an international law firm (less stress in my old age!). Three kids live in Arizona, one in California, and see them all often. Have traveled extensively throughout Scotland (my mom was born there and we’ve researched my Scottish roots in Edinburgh), Europe, Mexico, Canada, much of the U.S., cruised the Caribbean, bicycled through most western states and British Columbia, and ride in long-distance organized bike rides.
Linda Anderson Stuart (burgers@infowest.com)
After high school religion and music became important motivators in my life. As a young adult I sang with the Grand-Land Singers, promoting America in schools. From 1969 to 1971 I lived in Texas on a two-year mission for my church. Upon returning from Texas I moved to Utah where I have stayed close to my religion and family. I went to Brigham Young University for a while, then graduated with honors from cosmetology school, and have worked the rest of my life as an administrative assistant and beautician. I can't imagine retiring from either. Currently I have worked 13 years for the Washington County Board of REALTORS in St. George, Utah, I think the most beautiful place in America. For six years I have sung with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir, a 225-member group promoting God and Country. But singing solos and in groups is common for me. Last, but most important to me is family. My first marriage of 1980 produced a wonderful daughter, who lives not far from me now. The marriage ended in divorce, but my second marriage of 1989 brought a wonderful stepson and stepdaughter, who both live in Salt Lake City. Actually, my husband also works for the State of Utah and lives in Salt Lake. We are married, we visit each other often and travel together, and it’s just not your typical live-together marriage. I was able to take care of both my Dad and Mom in their old age in Southern Utah (Mom lived with me for four years), until their deaths. I now enjoy being a grandma and a have a wonderful life here.
Brian Curry (brian1@g-scale.com)
I was born right here at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. My mom and dad lived in Santa Ana through the primary school days, and then moved to Whittier somewhere around the early 50's. From there Jr. Hi and Hi School. (Whittier Hi) and then off to Fullerton Jr. College. Back then we had the draft and to avoid getting drafted into the Army, I joined the Navy. Spent four years serving our country. One year at North Island, San Diego working in the Navy Exchange's bowling alley. That was a fun job. Then they transferred me to the USS Mahopac an ocean going tug, where I served two and half more years in Japan. That was another great tour. We traveled throughout the Orient. I have been all over Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and a few other countries. I never served a weekend duty when we were in port. I always went to the USO and took their sight seeing tours to see the country I was in at the time. When I finished my tour of duty I returned to Whittier for a short time and went back to Fullerton JC. Later moving to Anaheim where I met my wife. We got married and moved back to Whittier where we moved into a house that I had purchased sometime after I had returned from the Navy. I had been renting it out while I was living in Anaheim. Later we moved to Irvine because the drive time was killing me, I was working in Tustin. And here I stay. I have a small business called On Track Productions that puts on a train show. It's called "The Big Train Show". By mid January, I have to put the show to bed. Even though the show is in June. I hold it in the exhibit hall aboard the Queen Mary. This was our last year aboard the Queen; I am moving it to the Ontario Convention Center in 2007. If you get a chance you might want to visit the web site www.bigtrainshow.com . I started it 16 years ago after helping a local train club do a national convention. Also I started a graphics business called Prep Graphics in Laguna Hills. After running it for about 19 years I sold it about five years ago. Just got burned out. I have been in the graphic business since I was in high school (graduated in 64). Today along with the train show I work at ACE Hardware. I started there three and a half years ago. Absolutely love working there. My wife passed away a year ago in January from cancer. She had put up a courageous fight that lasted two and a half years. I have two great kids, Whitney; he is 20 and Charlotte she is 24. Both are still at home. Along with Dixie, Mandy and Murphy our three basset hounds.
John Coon (JRCMD01@aol.com)
The seasons of life: Initially I thought a man's profession was most important and I was blessed to fulfill my childhood dream of being the best "Family Doc" I could be. Along the way I figured out what was much more important was the quality of woman you married and I struck gold on that one. My wife of 33 years is a fine Christian woman, incredible wife and mother, and we have three sons who are the delight of our lives. They all live within 10 miles of us and what a joy that is. The ultimate season of life though, I found out, was in 1985 when our Creator, through very painful circumstances, kicked my butt a little bit in order to wake me up to the powerful truth and relevance of Scripture and since then I have been addicted to Bible study and viewing life and eternity through the prism of God's infallible word. I still practice some medicine and we live in Mission Viejo, Ca.
Donita Fishel Stewart (donnynurse@sbcglobal.net)
I have been married for 3 1/2 years to a wonderful man. It has taken us most of our lives to find just the right person but we are certain that God had a hand in it and has a plan for what lies ahead for us.
I have two daughters, Cheryl and Danielle. I have two Grand daughters Hannah and Kimberly and 2 step grandsons, Bryan and Ian. Glenn has two daughters and a son. Together we have 8 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.
We live in Clovis, CA. Glenn is retired. I am still working. I am a registered nurse and work as the Director of Patient Care Services for a Home Health Care agency in Fresno. We moved here just before we were married because we both still had family here. It was one of the things in common - roots in the San Joaquin Valley.
We have 2 cats, a BMW motorcycle and love to travel. We had planned to be returning from Kenya just about now. But instead Glenn is starting chemotherapy. Life has a funny way of spoiling your plans! So far that is going really well and we look forward to more trips on the bike and abroad.
I love to read, work in the garden, go to the movies, and travel. Luckily I have found someone who likes to do all of those things with me. Moving back to the Fresno area was very special to me because I now live near by cousin who is also my best friend! She and I share the same birthday although we are a few years apart in age! We attend the same church and spend as much time together as we can. It has been such a blessing to be here near her and her family. My daughters both now live in Bakersfield. My older daughter has been a military family until the last two years and it is exciting to be able to see them on a regular basis now. For the first time I can see my granddaughters more than once or twice a year. I hope to be able to retire in about 6 more years. When I retire I hope to work in Parish Nursing or something along that line with my church. We hope to be able to go on next year's mission with our church if all goes well with my husband's health!
Nancy Wolcott Iverson (nwiverson@adelphia.net)
Armed with a wonderful English and literature background from WHS and the temerity of an eighteen-year-old, I left home for a year to teach English at a high school in Helsinki, Finland. I didn’t know at the time that I would spend most of the next thirty years overseas. My experience in Finland whetted my appetite for teaching; so upon returning to California, I started college at Cal Poly, SLO, where I met my future husband, Pete Iverson. I pursued both teaching and interior design, not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Peter graduated in Metallurgical Engineering and was commissioned a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and headed for graduate school at the USAEC Lab at Iowa State University. I transferred to the University of Wisconsin and graduated with degrees in both of my passions. We were married in 1969 and I worked at Whittier College while Pete headed for Westpac with his Marines. We have two daughters, Anne, born in 1972 and Erika, born in 1974. Anne is an art historian and has been working as a curator at the Getty Museum in L.A., and Erika is a spine scientist, working in orthopedic biomechanical research in Menlo Park. We have two great sons-in-law and two wonderful grand-Airedales at present. Becoming a Marine officer’s wife was a great challenge as I had to “bloom where I was planted” each time we moved. It was a huge job to provide the support network for all the wives and children left behind, and to create community within a company or battalion when all were so far from home. I continued to do graduate work in English and Education wherever we were. Additionally, I taught English, literature, writing and Shakespeare wherever I could at colleges on base, international and DoDDS schools and finally, at a university in Japan. I have written curricula for various courses and one for the Red Cross on parenting to teach skills to young Marine families. I also set up a Crisis Line at one base. I have always worked on Navy/Marine Corps philanthropies; and through those, I helped to set up feeding stations for the babies of indigenous Negrito tribesmen in the jungles of the Philippines and worked with orphanages in Taipei and the P.I. With twenty-seven moves, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to share my interior design skills in conjunction with leading tours to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and many other places in Asia and Europe. Opportunity shopping is a significant benefit of being a Marine wife overseas! In 1976, our career changed dramatically when Pete learned Mandarin Chinese and we headed for China. From that point on, we had many diplomatic tours, and we lived in China, the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, Rome, London, and Belgium with NATO. It’s been a wonderful way to raise our family; our daughters are truly citizens of the world. Pete retired as a Colonel in 1997 and has worked in Aerospace R and D, and is presently, the CBO for San Diego Unified School District. I have had a floral design business, working particularly in the specialty wedding market. I am presently floral designing for our church. I have a tutoring business now, and I teach critical and strategic thinking skills through writing about literature. It’s the best of all work and so much fun. It allows me time to do my volunteer work at our church and in our community. We are truly blessed!
Barbara June Westervelt Booth (barbara.booth@adelphia.net)
I received my B.A. & M.A. from CSUF. I worked at Rio Hondo College in student services & later in Administration for 22 years. Then I "retired" four years ago to do what I like best--teaching history. I have taught history full-time ever since at both Santa Ana & Rio Hondo College Districts. I am married & have one son & four grandchildren. I currently live in Diamond Bar with my husband, dog, & many cats. When the grandchildren come to visit, it gets quite chaotic. I have traveled all over Europe & the U.S. Many of my trips have been with classmate Mary Westphal. As a Renaissance & Victorian reenactor, I have over 40 historical authentic costumes from the Middle Ages to 1920. However, most of my vintage clothes are Victorian, since I am active in the American Civil War Society, Riverside Dickens Festival, Sherlock Holmes Society, & several other Victorian groups. My love of dancing has turned from ballet to vintage balls. English country-dance & Victorian balls have become a major hobby of mine in the last decade.
Joan Lindberg Eklof (EklofCJ@aol.com)
I graduated from UCLA in 1969 (I know...5 years, I was having too much fun) then taught in LA city schools Children Centers. I married wonderful Cary Eklof in 1972 and continued teaching until our first daughter, Karin, was born in 1976. Christine was born in 1979 and I thoroughly enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom (PTA, Girl Scouts, Band parent, church activities--I did it all and loved it). My family is still my greatest joy. Our daughters are beautiful, good people and we love spending time with Karin in West Seattle and Christine and her husband, Matthew, in Rochester, MN.
We lived in La Canada while Cary was working as a consulting actuary. When he retired in 1991 we moved to the northwest. We live 25 miles east of Seattle on a little lake in the woods. When our younger daughter went off to college in 1997 we started traveling. We both love it and there's so much to see. Some of our favorite trips have been to Antarctica, Botswana, Patagonia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and most recently Petra, Jordan. I watercolor post cards to share our trips with our daughters. When we're home we enjoy the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and local theatre. We do a lot of hiking in the summer and always spend a week at the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. I swim in our lake, tend the garden, watch birds, and take tap lessons at the senior center. Life is good.
John Herr (jjherr@bonestamp.com)
Well, I'm old but not dead.
After 30 years of private practice as a psychologist to respectable families and teenagers in the Silicon Valley, I am now the psychologist to the paroled pedophiles, pederasts, mother rapists and flashers of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. If you are a paroled registered sex offender in any of those Counties then I spend a lot of time with you in my windowless, ventilation free State offices. It's only a half time job because I am so good at what I do. I don't mean to be immodest but because of me, it is now safe in these three Counties for children to accept candy from any stranger on parole. Unfortunately, I have no control of the sexual degenerates and predators who are no longer on parole in those Counties so be sure to have your kids and grandkids ask to see a stranger's parole ID before taking candy from him.
While I, along with my parents and closest friends had hoped for considerably more from me than capping off my career as a penal psychologist, I have been making better progress in my personal life. After needing only 23 years to recover from my divorce, I eloped on April 12th with a girl I took to the Cal-Stanford Game in 1966. I also got a 13-year-old son in the deal. It's a sweet deal for a guy who had given up hoping for a wife or kids. Unfortunately, Nancy shares my dream of losing what we have left by planting a vineyard. I hope Aaron has more sense.
Finally, I congratulate Melodee on the WHS website but if you wish to visit site dedicated to e-commerce then I cannot recommend a website of greater distinction than www.bonestamp.com. It fills the niche market for those web citizens desperately yearning for a little rubber stamp with which to emboss "the finger." It's one of those items that you don't need often but when you need it, you really need it. It makes the perfect gift for Grads, Brides, Grooms, Mother's Day and Father's Day. It is small enough to be stamped on checks to be sent to annoying creditors or on disputed invoices. It is dynamite for return subscription postcards that fall out of magazines. Of course, traffic tickets and tax returns are perennial favorite targets for the little rubber stamp. Finally, for those who struggle with authority, my product is also easily concealed for making an anonymous, disrespectful comment on a bulletin board sporting a regulatory notice that offends your sensitivities.
Tom Smith (twosmiths1981@global.net)
I have worked for So. Calif. Edison for 41 years. I plan on retiring this Oct. I have been married to my lovely wife Anita for 15 years. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and talking about the good ole days and the Critics.
Jacquelyn Givan Brooks (emtis@color-country.net)
My husband Steve and I have been married for 42 years this September. We have three children: Carrin 38, Sean 34 and Krista 30. They have given us 5 beautiful Granddaughters. Steve is retiring from the railroad after 42 years. I now keep myself busy as an EMT-Intermediate working on the ambulance in our county. I am also a CPR and EMT instructor, Training Officer for our service and an EMS course coordinator for basic and intermediate classes. I am an EMS Children's coordinator through Primary Children's Hospital in Utah. We are involved in the lives of our children, Grandchildren and in our community. It all keeps us on the move.
Nancy Weeks Lewis (nancylewis7674@aol.com)
I married Rick Lewis (WHS class of '62) in 1967. We have two children, Erika (Previously the Special Events Manager for Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University) who is married and living in Chicago. She and her husband made us the proud grandparents of triplets (2 girls, 1 boy), in October of 2004. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Our son, Matt lives in Vail, CO where after graduation from college he is "living his dream" as a fly fishing guide in the Rockies. Watch out what you teach your kids! Rick and I were relocated to Chicago in 1974 and lived there for 30 years. Rick held an executive position with McMaster-Carr Supply Co. for 37 years. The last few years of my career were spent as a Special Events Manager for corporations such as Motorola and APAC Customer Services. We retired at the end of 2003 and moved to Vail to join our son. Rick is now also a fly-fishing guide "you're never too old!" I provide support and shore lunches.... no fish. It’s all "catch and release!" We live in Laguna Beach from January to June (to be near our parents) and in Vail from June to Dec. each year for the guiding season. Retirement is GREAT! We highly recommend it! We have also traveled as much as possible during the last 3 years and when not fishing we enjoy visiting the National and State Parks in the west and southwest as well as a few trips to Europe. I too, have enjoyed working on the committee for the 42nd Reunion and look forward to seeing everyone in July.
John "Mac" McFarland (mac@mcfarl.com)
I'm the "Luckiest Person I Know". My life since June of '64 has been simply wonderful with the benefit of a great education, many years of hard work, and good old-fashioned luck. And I have much to which to look forward for the next 20 or 30 years!
Highlights of the last 42 years include:
Graduated w/ business degree from UC Berkeley in 1968. I enjoyed being at Cal during the turbulent 60's.
Sent to Korea by US Army (at the height of the Viet Nam War!). Completed two-year commitment.
Married the wonderful Carolyn in 1972. We recently celebrated our 34th anniversary.
Three adult children all of whom have finished college and are "out of our house and off our payroll"!
Spent 10 years as a practicing CPA, then went to work in the oil and gas business with my father. McFarland Energy (NASDAQ:MCFE) was sold in its entirety in 1997, and is now a part of Chevron USA.
Currently serve as a Director for one public company and consult for others in oil & gas. Also serve on Whittier City School Board, and am Vice-Chairman of Presbyterian Hospital Board. My hobbies include tennis, golf, ballparks, and EVERYTHING at the beach.
Carolyn and I reside part-time in Sunset Beach, CA, but primarily in Whittier.
I look forward to seeing my former classmates at our July reunion and seeing how the years have treated us all - I'm still short and now pudgy and bald!
Sally Gygax (Sarasally@hughes.net)
In 1995, I retired from a very uneventful 26-year stint as a librarian and teacher for the Norwalk-La Mirada School District. I cannot begin to relate the elation I felt after retirement. On my last drive home, I vowed never to step foot in Norwalk again. I have kept my promise.
I graduated from UCLA, with Sue, and then received my MBA in Librarianship from USC. My first marriage was dismal, but my second one has made up for it. I have two stepdaughters and three grandchildren. Sadly, I admit that fairly soon I will become a great grandmother.
Duane and I moved to Grass Valley, CA after our retirements. Since 1995 my main concerns have been my garden, to which I have a passionate commitment, and to my very mediocre golf game. I have led a charmed life, blighted only by Sue's death last August.
Sue Gygax (May 9, 1946 - Aug. 28, 2005):
Sue, after UCLA, married her college sweetheart, and ended up in Seattle where he went to Law School after Viet Nam. She then worked for the government in a job for which she was truly unsuited, temperamentally, as an IRS agent. After their divorce, Sue became an avid pilot, and eventually landed a job as a pilot for Air Micronesia, based out of Guam.
After three years in Guam, she returned to Seattle, working for the FAA. Then, on a cycling event, Sue met Wayne, who became her second husband. With his encouragement, Sue quit her job, ASAP, and went with him to New Zealand. They never moved to NZ, but spent 5 months out of every year there, to ease weather induced blues. By this time, their home base was in Lake Chelan, WA. where winters can be severe.
Sue and Wayne supported themselves by promoting low budget, highly physical trips - cycling, kayaking, and hiking. She traveled extensively and was a very accomplished sea kayaker. Just to give a perspective on Sue's physical abilities, she and Wayne rowed from Homer to Seattle, the entire Inland Passage. It took over three months.
Ironically, Sue, while cycling with Wayne near Lake Chelan last August, was killed by a negligent driver. On a Sunday morning, cycling through apple orchards, she was hit directly and killed instantly. The driver was distracted, looking for his misplaced cigarette.
Both Steve and I miss Sue terribly. (Sent by Sally Gygax Elser)
Linda Fuller Stallard (ll.stallard@adelphia.net)
We (husband, Dave) moved to Camarillo five years ago. We love being in this area. The weather is wonderful and our family is nearby in Ventura (my mom and dad and our daughter, Jennifer). I am learning the avocado business from my dad in an orchard originally planted by my grandfather! My husband works for Interlink Electronics and our daughter is in publishing. Our son, his wife and our two grandchildren live in Portland, Oregon. I have enjoyed working on the reunion committee and am looking forward to a great weekend in July!
Mike Heacock (mheacock@pacificgolf.co.jp)
After bouncing around a lot, I ended up in the golf business by accident. I'm a grass grower now for 35 years, currently a Senior Vice President for a golf management company in Tokyo, Japan. We own and operate about 100 courses in Japan, and took the company public on the Tokyo Exchange last year. I'll be here another couple of years, perhaps. Best regards to all.
Pat Callaghan Hardin (rphardin@cs.com)
Roger and I have lived in FL since 1969. For our 35th anniversary in 2004, we did some traveling and went on a cruise and tour of Alaska and the Yukon. We were gone for seven weeks. Roger retired from GE in 1995. I lost my job at the bank in 2000 after many mergers. So I'm retired also. Both girls are married and have blessed us with three grandchildren - Amanda 4, Emily 2 and Robert 2.
Pam Willingham Olson (pjo866@cs.com)
Well, I still live in Whittier. (Just can't get out) Been married now for 40 yrs. this Aug. Have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Still working, hope to retire within the next 2 years. Haven't really done anything to brag about. Looking forward to see everyone this July.
Karen Petersen Mengersen (kmengers@telusplanet.net)
After graduation in 1964, I attended two years of college at California Concordia College in Oakland and two at Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, Nebraska. I met my husband in college in Nebraska. Ernest is a Canadian who was also taking teacher training. We married in August of 1968. I then taught grades 1 and 2 in a small rural Lutheran school in Waco, Nebraska (1968 to 1970) and Corvallis, Oregon (1970 to 1972). We have since lived in Stoney Plain, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta; and now Olds. Ernest was an instructor of Entomology (insects) for 28 years at Olds Agricultural College. He has been on long term disability for two years now and has transferred his love of collecting insects to collecting insects on postage stamps. He spends many hours walking (collecting bottles and cans to support the stamp hobby) and soaking and sorting and mounting stamps.
We have 4 children. Michael (29) , Sarah (26, married 1 year), Matthew 24, and Mark (21). Sarah is a Physiotherapist in Sherwood Park, Alberta and she and her husband have made us proud grandparents (Kieren is 4 1/2 months old now). Mark, our youngest, has Down Syndrome and has been as much a joy as our other children. I have worked with Special Needs children and adults for at least 15 years. We have a school in town - Horizon School - for children with Special Needs and I have been on the School board twice and have worked at the school for 6 years. I am now retired and am the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Olds & District Affiliate as well at the Head Coach for the 5-Pin Bowling team. I have 54 bowlers ranging in age from 14 to 65. As of last week, I am also on our church board. Life has been very busy since retirement - don't know how I could do any of this if I were working.
The weather here has been very different for this time of year. We have actually had the equivalent of almost 90 degrees F for the past three days. Usually in May we are still experiencing occasional snowstorms or rainstorms and definitely not warm weather. I have been in the flower beds removing weeds and trying to catch up on three years of not being able to spend much time out there.
I won't be able to make it to our reunion, but I wish you all the very best of celebrations and the best in the future. Take care and have fun.
Nancy Padgett Haigh (mimipepaw@netzero.com)
Where do you start after 42 years!!! I have been happily married for 39 years to Richard Haigh, the love of my life. I have two children and 5 grandchildren.
My husband is retired now and we share a hobby of model trains. I was a stay at home mom and now I'm a stay at home grandma!!! I did some modeling in my younger and thinner days, but now I'm content to crochet, cook, read a good mystery, but most of all enjoy the wonderful life I have been blessed with!
Barbara Willard Kluver (b.kluver@comcast.com)
I have been happily married for 38 years to Mark. We have two great kids, Tracie and Chad, who are both married to their own soul mates. Our daughter has given us two grandchildren, Rachel (11) and Will (7).
We have lived in northern California for 28 years. I am still working as an RN; I am an Infection Control Nurse for Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek. I'll bet most of you don't know what that is, but believe me. You don't want to be a patient in a hospital that doesn't have an Infection Control Department! Anyway - I am happy to say that Mark and I are eagerly anticipating retirement at the end of this year.
We have done a lot of traveling throughout our married life and love it. Within the first six months of retirement, we have trips planned to Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam and Hawaii. We are lucky to both be in good health - our future plans are to keep on traveling and enjoying life with our family!
Barbara and her travel pals, Dianne Miller Larson and Margie Hoppock Jaynes toast another fun voyage.
After WHS, the government gave me a scholarship at a university in the thoroughly landlocked state of New Mexico to learn to be -- a Navy officer! I fooled them, though, and took my commission in the Marine Corps.
The next 6 years I lived my high school dream of flying supersonic jets. Much of that time was in Asia, but not in Viet Nam. I truly honor our classmates who served us all there. Mustering out of the Corps, it became apparent that my undistinguished B.A. in Political Science was something less than marketable. What choice was there but law school?
So now I practice law in Beverly Hills, and live in the happily unknown, ’50’s throwback beach community of Playa Del Rey. My second wife Sharlene, is a motivated, career, criminal prosecutor -- meaning I have to behave. We'll celebrate our 24th anniversary later this year.
My two beautiful daughters and four precocious grandchildren prove the wisdom of the wag who once said "Grandchildren are your reward for not murdering your teenagers."
I'm about to prove to myself that I'm not really as old as the rest of you by spending my 60th birthday with Sharlene bobbing around and exploring the Galapagos Islands.
Mike Pace (cpipacer@aol.com)
After graduation I spent two semesters at Mr. San Antonio but got married and had to get a real job. My wife, Connie, from Hacienda Heights, has put up with me for almost 41 years. We raised a son and daughter, starting in Whittier, moving to Hacienda Heights, and then to Diamond Bar. We sold our home in 1988 and moved to Texas, where we live in Quail Valley, a golf community. We have six grandchildren, the oldest 21, and the youngest 2. I worked in sheet metal for 13 years and then took a Laser Product Engineer job with a company called Amada America. Managed two other sheet metal facilities, and then started a corporation called Coulson Pace Industries Inc. We have been in business 25 years performing training and consulting for the precision sheet metal industry. I travel about 100,000 miles per year and have been in all 50 states as well as 13 countries. The best being Australia. I play golf (cannot get below a 10 handicap), shoot sporting clays statewide and hunt and fish for recreation. Largest fish was caught last year off the coast of Kodiak Alaska (6'6'' Halibut) but spend most of my spare time in the Texas bays chasing Redfish and Speckled Trout. Through the grace of God I survived a bout with Cancer and a major blood clot with pulmonary embolisms. I continue my relationship with God, attending Church and contributing to those less fortunate. I hated to miss the reunion but had a previous trip already planned. I know everyone had a great time and I hope to hear from anyone who takes the time. From what I've read so far, some of us who were questionable turned out all right.
Polly Harsha Schack (pmirth@aol.com)
Writing this, I've just returned from "The Reunion" and am still basking in the glow of seeing & enjoying so many dear friends. "Dahlings, you look Mah-velous!" Kudos and thank you's to the Reunion Committee for an outstanding job!
Fred (my husband--36 years and counting) and I drove down from our home in Sacramento where we've lived in the same house & hood for 35 years. We're retired now, having done our darndest for the citizens of California via Depts. of Social Services (Fred) and Forestry (me). These days our "jobs" are part-time as staff (bartenders/servers) in an all-volunteer "Casa Garden Restaurant" which supports the Sacramento Children’s' Home (residential care/school for neglected, abused, hard to place kids). Except for these, kids that is, we have none of our own--that we know of-- and currently, unusually-so, we are "dog-less". We love to walk and hike; I do yoga, study French and am taking "tap dancing" class (yes, I know...) Fred’s in the "master gardener" program. We travel lots-- having found a Nat'l Geographic article entitled "50 Places to See before you Die" -- and have made a rather large "dent". When home, we spend time enjoying the "hot & dry" Sacramento weather and when it gets unbearable, you'll find us at a cabin in the mountains of Lake Tahoe; Stop and say "hello" if you're ever up our way. If you'll let us know you're coming, "We'll leave the light on.” Did I tell you that you were a lovely bunch of people to share my childhood and adolescent life with?
Shanna J. Edwards Lund (wellnesswork@earthlink.net )
My life is blessed -- I know that for sure. So here are my last 42 years ...
After being a Cardinal for four years, I went on to be a Poet for another four. I graduated from Whittier College, with a degree in Speech & Hearing in 1968, a master’s degree in special education in 1977, and an administrative credential in 1990.
I enjoyed a 38-year career as a public school speech-language pathologist, special education teacher, teacher-on-special-assignment, writing curriculum, and Program Specialist, for Los Angeles County Office of Education. I worked in the divisions of special education, juvenile courts schools, juvenile halls and probation camps, the California Youth Authority and Chas. Drew Head Start in Compton. My career was rich with variety.
In 1969, David Lund (WHS Class of '65) and I were married and had 22 wonderful years together, building our careers and rearing our sons, Sean, born in 1972 and Carl, born in 1974. We lived in Whittier and enjoyed those early years as soccer and baseball parents and coaches. We were all active in the Methodist Church, where we were married. David and I look back now and cherish those years with our sons and parents.
Sean graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1999, with a degree in Communication/Public Relations and Organizational Communication. He chose the field of media advocacy and joined GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). He is now Director of Communication Strategies and Messaging and addresses the civil rights issues of the national and international movement.
Carl graduated from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (Cal State Los Angeles), in 1993 and from Cal State University, Fullerton in 1999 with degrees in Communication/Television-Film and Cultural Anthropology. Like most starving artists, he waited tables while he was writing his first screenplay. Then he became a special education teacher for 3 years -- an eye-opening experience! Today, Carl writes full-time for Paramount and other studios.
In 1985, I got a "wake up" call when I discovered a lump on my breast. Lumps have a way of doing that! Before surgery, I did some work with a counselor. I will forever remember her words. She said, "You have the lump, the lump doesn't have you." This new perception changed my life. I tapped into a deep well of personal power.
In 1987, I developed a training company, Wellness Resources. As an independent contract consultant, I conducted wellness, stress management, self-esteem, parenting, team building, and conflict-resolution trainings for educational/civic/community organizations in Southern California, until 2004.
In 1991, my life changed again, when I met Brandy. For the last 15 years, she and I have journeyed that road less traveled. I moved from the security of Whittier to the ocean, Laguna Niguel, where we lived for seven years, then to beautiful Lake Arrowhead, and for the last four years we have lived in the Indian Canyon in Palm Springs, with our second home in Lake Arrowhead.
Brandy is retired from the airlines and interior design sales. We love to travel and our favorite hobby is investing in real estate and making it beautiful. In October, we are breaking ground on a condo development in PS.
In 2004 I retired from Los Angeles County Office of Education, because, as Wayne Dyer said, "Traffic doesn't care." I decided, for the first time in 15 years, to work closer to home. I am the Alternative-Augmentative Communication Specialist for the Palm Springs Unified School District and work two days a week.
We have a wonderful Great Dane, Hannah, who captures all the attention, wherever she goes. We take Hannah, several times a week, to my Father's assisted living community, where she delights the residents.
On July 11th, Brandy became a Great- grandmother! Baby Rilee is a preemie and very tiny. She is healthy, growing and gorgeous!
As I said, we are blessed.
Robyn Olsen Letters (rletters@opinionstudies.com)
Greetings to all fellow WHS 64 grads and happy 60th b-days! Wow, can’t believe that! Like many of you, the main focus of my life is my family. I have seven wonderful children (2 natural children and 5 stepchildren) and now nine grandchildren. My sweet husband of 24 years passed away of lung cancer 6 years ago. Kind of a surprise considering he hadn’t smoked in 30 years. So I am a single mom and grandma. My youngest child, Meghan, is 21 and finishing college this year. We moved from South Pasadena to beautiful San Luis Obispo about 15 years ago. I own a research consulting company called Opinion Studies and conduct small to large-scale projects all over the country. My clients include law firms, manufacturers, retailers, government agencies and universities. Anyone need such services? I am always looking for new business opportunities. Spare time: dog walking, wine tasting, entertaining friends, movie going, reading, traveling, and connecting with old friends.
Mary Westphal (mwestsbta@netscape.net)
Mary is so busy travelling the world; she only had time to send us a recent picture. (which was lost on the original web site.)
Bonnie Baier Sutton
My life reads stranger than fiction. When I finish writing my book, it will make East of Eden look like Father's Knows Best. My life motto is "Don't ask, don't tell. If you want any further info call me up! See you there or in the air.
Melodee Williams Zamudio (mczeduc@cox.net)
What a wonderful life! After earning a BA in Government and California teaching and administrative credentials from Mills College in Oakland, I began a teaching career in Los Nietos. I transferred to Irvine Unified in 1974 and left the classroom for a variety of assignments. Since 1980, I've been the district administrator in charge of programs for English Learners, Title 1 and legal program audits. I married a Mexican naval officer in 1983, but we decided to settle and raise our family here in Irvine. Becoming a mom to Michele and Eric made my life complete. I’ve tried to always “give back” in gratitude for our wonderful fortune and currently I am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, mentoring a 14-year-old boy who lives in a group home. We're counting down to retirement in 2008 and hope to spend half of the year in California and half in Baja. I am grateful for every wrinkle and laugh line. I earned them!
Rick Miguel
Married, 2 adult children and 3 granddaughters. Have lived in Brea for 32 years.
Barbara Helwig Wagner (mike.barb.wagner@sbcglobal.net)
AA degree, Rio Hondo J.C. Married Mike Wagner 38 1/2 yrs. ago and after a one week honeymoon, he went to Vietnam! We always agreed that after surviving living apart for 1 year we could get through anything! So true!!
I worked in the clerical field until we had a family and remained a stay-at-home mom for 9 years. Worked in the health club business for 10 yrs.; returned to business field. Husband Mike retired & sold his auto-repair business he owned for 28 years in Whittier. He now has a garage door business and loves the flexibility. I retired last year from Orange City SSA/Children's Services after 15 1/2 yrs. Best move I ever made! Now I can take care of the twins T-W-Th (days their mom works) it is FUN! We have two beautiful daughters: Kristie 36 yrs.-- husband Warren Roberts, grandsons: Eric 5 is Sept. and Jason yrs. in Aug. Tracey 32 yrs. -- husband Rick Lamberson, twins - boy Cole and girl Cameron 2 yrs. in June. We are thrilled with our extended families and feel so blessed to have them living in Corona and Orange.
We lived in Whittier until Nov. 1978 and moved to Placentia, CA. Very happy in Orange County! Life has allowed us to travel more in the past 13 yrs.=Australia twice, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Cancun and Cabo. Our families all continue to be river rats at our AZ home away from home get away!
Ardean Pettit Armitage (ardean@charter.net)
I attended Northwest Nazarene College where I met my husband, Dave (married 39 yrs.) I taught in Lewiston, Idaho for a few years before moving to Kennewick WA.
Dave has done a variety of things from teaching high school to owning small businesses. He retired in December 2005, and has been a great "house husband."
I currently am an elementary reading specialist at a small school in a small town 33 miles from Kennewick. Most of my teaching has been in fourth grade, although I have taught Kindergarten, fifth, and sixth. I spent a challenging 8 years directing a family literacy program for the school district. I plan to retire in 6 yrs. We are uncertain as to whether we will live near our daughter, at our cabin in Idaho, or stay put!
Our daughter, Heather, is 32 and is employed by Microsoft Human Resources in Redmond, WA. She is married with a 4-yr. old daughter.
Our son, Chad, 30, married 2 yrs. ago. He also works for Microsoft, but is in Dallas, TX, doing something with servers as an "escalation problem control engineer." (We seldom understand what he talks about!)
I was sorry to miss the reunion, but would love to hear from anyone.
Tyree Warren Wieder (lwieder@socal.rr.com)
I am currently living in Chatsworth, CA with my husband of 26 years, Les. I am beginning my 12th year as president of L.A. Valley College, a community college located in Van Nuys, CA. We have 17,000 students and for the past five years I have been involved in managing a $ 286 million dollar construction program for new buildings and renovations. I am also the Vice President of the L. A. City Library Commission, which oversees the operation of all 71 libraries in the city. Les, a writer, director and former theater professor at Moorpark College, retired from teaching last year and I am anxious to join him so that we can continue to expand our world of travel. We have had the privilege of traveling to Europe, China, Canada, Mexico and Hawaii, our favorite; but still have a list of places to visit. We have a 24-year old daughter who attended UCSB and is now working in the entertainment industry. In spite of a very heavy work schedule life is fun and we enjoy time with our family and friends.
Dianne Geist Pollock (dipollock@comcast.net)
This will have to be a quick bio as I am currently in the throes of buying & selling houses, and relocating to the Tri-Cities area of Washington from Issaquah, WA, where I have lived for 10 years.
I was married in 1966, put my husband thru college, then went to college myself, but am a Cal State Fullerton dropout! He was transferred to Oregon in 1975, we had a gorgeous daughter (finally!) in 1976, and then he chose to "date" and we were divorced when she was 5 months old. I am VERY proud of her. She is a dental hygienist in Washington, and my proudest moment came last month when she became Mrs. Allison Teter.
I have sold capital equipment for many years and have enjoyed award-winning success, which has taken me on trips that I would never have gone on. But that all pales in comparison when compared to the happiness my daughter brings me.
I have now decided to "downsize" and am getting a simpler job in an area where "people are people" and the pace of life is slower. I have bought a lovely home in Pasco, WA
My current e-mail address is in effect until August 22, 2006. After that time, I only will have my "snail mail" address for a while and it is:
6011 Mia Lane
Pasco, WA 99301
The reunion was a blast (even though I now have confirmation that I have the world's worst memory!) My gratitude goes out to the entire committee for putting on a class event.
Norman Wray (normanjwray@yahoo.com)
Many thanks to the Reunion Committee for putting together a wonderful time.
Since high school I went four years to Whittier College, taught sixth grade for two years, and married Ann in 1970. We have been married 36 years now and have three children. Our daughter Lindsay is almost 22 and is a recent graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in broadcast journalism. She is also a talented dancer. Jeremy and Justin are our identical twin sons are high school seniors (age 17) and both play trumpet in the band. Our "little" boys are 6' 4" tall. The best of times are family get-togethers with my five siblings and my wife's family. We live on 10 acres in Sonoma Valley where we have built two houses. I have been a general contractor for 30 years-enjoying designing and building things. Travel has included North and South America, Hawaii, and Europe. Being 60 hasn't sunk in yet.
I have been volunteering at a center here in Sonoma to help kids dealing with the death of a parent or sibling. This can be a life long complication, which I have been studying for a long time.
I am going to send two Dexter pictures and some Hoover School pictures. Does anyone have pictures K-6 from Hoover? Also, this is a long shot-but does anyone have kindergarten pictures (1951) from William Penn School? I would love to see them.
Time is flying so fast now our next reunion will be here soon.
Betty “BJ” Carter Gaddy (bj.gaddy@sothebysrealty.com)
First, a huge thank you to Mary and the Reunion Committee for an incredible job! It certainly was a blast.
After many career changes and a couple of husbands, I settled down twenty years ago in Pasadena and have been selling residential real estate there ever since. Life has been good and I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful friends, many of whom are my clients.
A few years ago I traded in by skis and golf clubs for paint brushes and now spend off-hours oil painting - plein air or from my photographs. I love to travel anywhere and have been to Europe, etc., but I especially love hiking in the Sierras.
Sure would be fun to see my Song Leader pals at the next reunion. I am certain we could do a grand rendition of the alma mater - hopefully without the aid of wheel chairs or canes.
It was wonderful to see everyone and to see how wonderful we still are.
Judie Christoffersen Boline (judieboline@yahoo.com)
2006 finds Rich and I still at home in Whittier where we raised our six children. Our 7th grandchild is expected in Oct. Rich is currently the Principal at Cal Hi. but looking forward to retirement in the next couple of years. I am enjoying grandkids. Most of our children and spouses ended up in education and law enforcement, the apples didn't fall far from the tree.
Venita Hamilton Uder (uder@sbcglobal.net)
Since high school I am the proud mom of 3 great kids and 5 grandchildren. I moved to New Mexico for 3 years but missed my family and friends so I moved back to California.
Joe Crawford (Crawdaddy0123@aol.com)
After WHS I attended Cal Poly Pomona where I wrestled 4 more years and graduated in '68. After graduation I went to Air Force pilot training and spent the next 5 years as an Air Force pilot. I got out in '73 after a tour in S.E. Asia. While in the service I married Jeannie Battersby (WHS ‘66). We have been married 35 years and have 7 children...4 natural and 3 adopted. My job and passion remain the same...I have been a Youth Pastor for over 30 years and run the jr. high and senior high ministries at Grace Community Church in Seal Beach. I have been greatly blessed having a job I love and have no plans of retiring. Jeannie helps with the youth groups and together we spent our time with some really great teenagers. We just returned from a mission trip to Crooked Tree, Belize and will be taking our high school group back there in June 2007. Jeannie and I live in Huntington Beach. Her favorite hobby is tennis and mine in golf. Life is good.
Pam Isaacs (pamisaacs@sbcglobal.net)
Still 17 years old I arrived at Sac. State College in '64, immediately noticing Sacto.'s then-clean air, which I preferred to So. Calif. College life agreed with me. For the first time I enjoyed going to classes. Never had a car during those years - just walked and biked myself silly. Took part in several operas, and in general tried to grow up. Spent last 2 years at UCD. Spent 2 quarters post-grad studying in Mexico at the Mus. of Anthropology and History.
Married in '69 a medical researcher. We lived in Mich., NC, CA and Ont., Can. Ended up in San Diego. I taught always, at each move hustling to get the needed teaching certificate. Soon after moving to SD, my husband died. I continued to teach, immersion, bilingual as well as being a resource teacher.
During these years I took up hiking, XC skiing, backpacking, snow camping, (renewed) piano lessons, a masters program and rental property.
In '85 I married my husband, Dale. He was worth waiting for and brought along 3 wonderful (grown) children who are out doing their own thing. Dale is retired from engineering and rental property ownership. However, he remains much busier than I. We do travel some together still but not as much as in previous years.
I am retired but still working some - coordinating an annual testing project as well as some hourly teaching.
I keep more than busy with twin grand kids, work, gardening, reading and trying to care for a 100 year-old house.
Most important to me now are family and quiet time. I wish all of my classmates health and peace.
Maria R. Sugranes (mrsugranes@socal.rr.com)
High School was such an awkward time--first years in my adopted country, first years as a near adult. And yet, I look back with affection to those early days of transformation. In many ways, I never left school because three degrees later, my career has been a decade as a librarian in the Huntington Beach Union High School District, a decade as a librarian and administrator at Cal State Long Beach and now as an administrator at Santa Ana College. I am a liberal worried about my beloved country. I still believe that the real solutions lie in education and reaching out to others who may be different than us. My thanks to my WHS teachers: Mr. Lawson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Newton, Ms. Englestead and of course Uncle Wally Leonard. Lastly, my thanks to my high school friend, Mary Westphal who was always reaching out to others, always exploring...forever young. Angie Heaton Smith (chorleygal@sbcglobal.net)
Hello to the class of 1964! I wish I could write about the time I climbed Mount Everest or traveled the world, but the truth is I never have gone far from my roots in Whittier. I married a Whittier guy who graduated from St. Paul's High School. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary in April. We have 3 grown children ages 39, 37 and 34. We also have 6 grandchildren who are the light of our lives. The oldest, Chasen, 16, is going into his senior year of high school. Tyler is almost 14 and starting his freshman year, Tiffany is 10 and going into 5th grade, Daniel is 5 and starting kindergarten, and the twins, Keira and Brett are 5 months old. My husband, Pat, is the manager of a truck tire center in Riverside, CA. I retired about 3 years ago and love staying home. About 6 months ago we sold our home in Corona and paid cash for a retirement home in Las Vegas. We love it there and can't wait to retire there for good. Right now we are living in Riverside until my husband retires in about 2 years. Then we will relax, swim, golf, and do nothing - sounds good to me.
Carl and Vickie (Harris) Underdahl (carlandvickie@cox.net)
Still hanging out together after 40 years.
Carl says:
I loved living in Whittier. Happy to stay forever - even took a Spanish class. But moved to San Clemente 18 years ago. Bought a great lot and built a house four times bigger than we needed. It was a piece of cake. Even put in a fire pole for fun. I worked for L.A County Fire Department and retired a Captain after 30 years of fires, floods, riots, earthquakes, and little old ladies who were - well lonely.
Vickie says:
I finally blasted Carl out of Whittier to build our dream house in San Clemente. It was the worst year of our lives. I've been furnishing it ever since - how do you decorate around a fire pole? While Carl was at the fire station playing cards, I was busy raising his three children and keeping the home fires burning.
Carl says:
With mortgages and 'kids raising' behind me, I bought a vintage airplane (1946 Luscombe) and ground-up restored it. Have been flying all over California and Arizona for the past two years. The manufacture date of the Luscombe is the same as Vickie's birthday. She loves that plane!
Vickie says:
Looking for ways to be creative, I found watercolor quilting. I've designed and made several. I became a professional calligrapher and still enjoy the art. Carl bought an old plane. It was in pieces! When he put it back together, I discovered that it is flown with a stick between your knees. (He says it's old school, I say it's nuts!) I would love to have a vacation home in the mountains, but I'M SURE this was more important. I hope he sells it soon!
Carl says:
I never saw myself running a B & B, but I should have thought of that when we built a house walking distance to the beach. The kids love coming here to visit. No one even flinched when I put a 'donation' can by the front door.
Vickie says:
The kids are all happily married and live nearby. They are here all the time --it is fun, fun, fun!! And with two grandchildren and one on the way, Carl and I are convinced that being grandparents is the dessert of life!
Carl says:
Can't come to the reunion, but look forward to seeing classmates Friday night. We'll be coming with Bill Gray and his wife Angie. Bill looks great - still lifting. Salt of the earth!!!
Vickie says:
We can't come to the reunion, but we'll be at the Radisson on Friday night. Hope to see you there. We're coming with Carl's longtime friend, Bill Gray. You will know him by the charming tattoos!!!!
Bonnie L. O'Brien Shepard shepardincoto@cox.net
After graduating from high school I danced professionally with the American Folk Ballet (toured 38 states with the troupe, did several TV shows) until a knee injury ended my dancing career. I graduated from USC in 1970 with an accounting degree, and worked for a national accounting firm for 3+ years, finally spending 11 years working as the Assistant Controller at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
Rudy, my husband of 34 years, and I still live in Coto de Caza, CA. We built our home, and have been here 26 years this August. Wow, that is a long time in one house! We have four (4) boys; Rusty (my stepson) will be 40 (yikes!) this year. He is a criminal defense lawyer living in Panama City Beach, Fl. with his wife Laurie and our first and, at this time, only grandchild, Gracie. Our second son, Randall, will be 29 this year and is currently working for a real estate developer in Orange County. Our third son, Michael, is 23 and after graduating from USC he joined JP Morgan as an analyst. Last is Shane who is now 20 and still at home attending a local college. Rusty is the only one who is married, so we have a lot to look forward to in the years ahead.
My husband is Of Counsel with a law firm and, until this month, has been the CEO of a medical company in Irvine. He is in the process of acquiring a business in Fallbrook, which should keep us both busy for a long time. Rudy says he cannot see himself retiring, so he is also busy with another medical company trying to acquire FDA approval for treating people with failing livers. We do find time to travel, and last year we went on our first cruise to Alaska. When the boys were younger our annual summer vacation was two weeks of house boating on Lake Powell and skiing in the winter, but we have always managed to find time to attend all of the USC home football games and several "away" games. During the time that we were raising our sons we were always busy with sports, music, gymnastics, etc., but since they are grown we now have time to travel in the U.S. and abroad.
Steve Mattern
I was born in Whittier 60 years ago. My parents, Robert and Eileen Mattern (WHS Classes of ‘40 and ‘39) had 3 boys, of which I was the guy in middle. There is a lot to be said about the favorite first-born and the youngest being the one "Mom" likes best, but that's for another time and place. I did adjust is all I will say about that. It was a "hoot" to see my kindergarten picture in the old "Mill School" class picture on the WHS64 website. I have been married to Fran since 1966 and we have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Our children and grandchildren remain the center of our lives. Our 40 years together have been wonderful. We both started our careers in the finance industry in Sacramento. Seeking a better quality of life, a smaller community and in close proximity to the "high country," I accepted a transfer with my employer to Lake Tahoe. In 1972 we moved to North Lake Tahoe on a very cold winter day, which we remember very well. We "grew up" with our children in an ideal area for a great family life. We were surrounded by beautiful country with lots of wide-open spaces and a small community atmosphere. Fran changed careers and was able to spend a lot of time with the kids while working for the local school district. After the kids were nearly out of college, with Fran and I nearing that "empty nester" stage, I was offered an opportunity with another bank that brought us to our present home in Auburn, California. Approximately 10 years have passed since then, the bank was bought (part of the plan) and I have continued with my banking career with a very large bank. I am presently a Regional Manager with offices located in 9 States. We still maintain a second home in Lake Tahoe, but enjoy the warmer climate (sans deep snow banks) in Auburn. Four of our grandchildren are close by and Fran spends most of her time spoiling them. I expect to keep on working just because I have a great team who are a pleasure work with.
William J. Hayhurst (bil.jan@verizon.net)
After Graduation I Was Drafted. After serving my 2 years I got out and met Janice, my wife of 37 years as of Aug 9, 2006. I worked in private industry for 33. Then went to work for the State of California and Retired in May of last year. We have no children. I have been active in the Masonic Lodge in El Monte and was Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1984. I am also Past Exalted Ruler of El Monte Elks in 1991-92. My wife and I enjoy traveling around the country in our motor home with my wife’s sister and her husband. We are going on a land/sea to Alaska in August. We are enjoying our retirement.
Judy Heinz McCullough (judymccullough@cox.net)
Wow, where did all those years go? Married 38 years to Mikel McCullough, 3 terrific sons (Yes I could remain a cheerleader for all those growing up years). I have two beautiful granddaughters and feel blessed by my past and really enjoying each day of the present. We raised our family in Orange Co., but the real estate growth of Las Vegas brought us here New Years' Eve 1994. I have red hair these days and I like to sparkle so my husband says, Judy, Las Vegas is your kind of town. The years have been good to us and I wish each and every one of you a fond Hello. Oh and Happy 60th Birthday Everyone.
Betsy Baumann Lipps (dandblipps@jps.net)
I married Dean Lipps in October 1971. We have two children, Joanna, 33 and Marshall 30. One grandchild is on the way. We have lived in Auburn, CA for 29 years. Same husband, same house, same jobs. We both are nurses. I work for the local oncologist. Some day we both will retire. I can dream of that day.
John Ackerman (johnackerman@sbcglobal.net)
I have been married for 19 years to a wonderful, sweet hearted, OC beauty. Our new home is in Brea, close to most family and friends. We do enjoy occasional travel. Some of our favorite vacation spots over the years have been the Cayman Islands, B.C., Canada, and the Oregon Coast.
After graduating from Whittier HS and while on a waiting list for the U.S. Coast Guard, I attended Cerritos and UCLA. The CG active duty included 18 months of 24/7 Alaskan search rescue events. Monstrous seas and a beautiful landscape are the best memories. Miss Eileen McHale, long time Orange Grove School 5/6th grade teacher saw to it that I was probably the only Coast Guardsman in history to receive a monthly copy of the New Yorker Magazine.
Upon leaving the service in 1970, I was accepted and graduated from the Art Center College of Design (BFA). Of course, the Mac Computer has largely replaced traditional drawing skills, thus it was back to UCLA in the late 1980's for education in computers and design software. Reflecting back to Whittier High, Mr. Nakamura (art teacher) introduced me to professional design via field trips to university and college design departments.
In regards to my 33-year design career, some great corporations have employed me. CBS Inc. and The Walt Disney Company are career highlights. For about 8 years I have been employed as a contract consultant working on communications design assignments for Toyota, Scion, Nissan/Infiniti, Isuzu and Hyundai. I have no short term plans to retire and if interested you can visit my online portfolio (no pitch for work intended) at http://www.creativehotlist.com/j-ackerman3.
Hobbies and interests have remained true to our Whittier heritage: fast, old cars and motorcycles.
Lou Prues (lprue@lssm.org)
It’s been a wonderful and blessed 42 years! After WHS came the MBA, MTh, and PhD. In between those came a wonderful marriage to Barbara. We will celebrate 34 years this December. We have two grown and married children and, as yet, no grandchildren. Most of my work life has been either in church work or faith based social service. For the last fourteen years I've been serving as COO of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, the largest social service agency in Michigan. I continue to assist on the weekends at an inner city Detroit Presbyterian church. Barbara serves as Director of fund raising for a residential treatment center for homeless men. Retirement seems a long way off! About nine years ago we started taking adventure trips and have now trekked in Nepal, bicycled though China, backpacked a number of times through Europe, the Baltics and Russia, and this February climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. We're working on Tibet and Bhutan for next year. We enjoy golf, friends and the garden of our Grosse Pointe home. I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone at the reunion.
Michael North (mcnorth@earthlink.net)
Diane and I were married in July of 1969 (the day before the Lunar Landing and a week after I returned from a tour of duty in American Samoa). We have one son, Christopher and live in Las Vegas, NV (about 5 miles from Chris and his wife, Andrea). After high school, I attended Cal Poly for a while studying Aerospace Engineering but was enjoying my freedom too much to really study. In 1966, I joined the U.S. Air Force and received an excellent electronics education. In 1970, I joined the staff of GTE as a Field Engineer. For the next 4 years, I was a technical representative for the U.S. Marine Corps. What a wonderful experience! They are very special people and treated me as one of their own. I was stationed at Marine Corps Air Stations in Tustin, CA; Cherry Point, NC and Futenma, Okinawa. All together, I spent 24 years in (or working with) the military and Government agencies on special projects. I left that career in 1990 as an Assistant Program Manager for Logistics Support working for TRW. 1990 was a wild year. I went out on my own and started a computer consulting and database engineering company. Over the next 11 year, I met some fascinating people and was involved with some challenging projects. One of my clients, a travel agency, bought my company. We traveled all over the world, developed a new travel-oriented software company out of the agency and sold it to a German company in Frankfurt. In 2001 I restarted my original company, RAMWrite Consulting, which is doing well in Las Vegas. Diane and I lived 28 years in San Jose, CA but moved to Las Vegas in 2005. We love the desert and the lack of state income tax. Our new hometown has some of the nicest people we have ever met.
I never was a team-sports person. I raced bicycles while in high school. It was not "the thing" then and I took a lot of guff about the shorts and riding a bicycle instead of playing baseball. I followed the Tour de France back then but it was via month-old magazines. Being alone on a back road at racing speeds was a tonic for the soul. It relieved a lot of the stress of making grades, taking tests and the other stresses of growing up. I like the individual challenge. Sports cars had my attention during college but they were too expensive and ruined my grades. After active duty, I tried returning to bicycle racing but was too heavy and out of shape. While on Okinawa, I got my dive license and enjoyed the clear, deep waters around the island. I studied the martial arts in Okinwa and the States but was not able to maintain the training due to my workload and family commitments. Instead, I turned to motocross and motorcycle cross-country racing. I still have the spinal problems to prove it. I broke no bones but bent about everything. I still get an adrenaline rush whenever I hear a two-stroke fire up. In 1993 I moved to a more "sedate" sport, the Scottish Highland Games. I still compete in the "over-60" class and still get a thrill tossing the Caber and the Weight Over the Bar. Strength athletics is what I was looking for all those years. As long as my body holds out, I will compete. And, no, I will never tell what is worn under the kilt.
If you ever plan to visit Las Vegas, drop Diane and me a line so we can meet for dinner.
Michael Shoffner (papaharly@earthlink.net)
How does one summarize 42 years of adventure, disappointment and success into a small autobiography? After high school, my plans for joining the Air Force did not work out, so I started attending classes at Cerritos College and joined the Phi Sigma fraternity. Little did I know I was living in “Animal House” before it was a movie. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two wonderful daughters who have children of their own. I spent eight years fighting the traffic and insanity while working in the City of Commerce. My marriage did not work out, so I moved to Chino, CA and attended Mt. Sac. I bought a horse to do some team roping and work cattle. I did a lot of riding in the Chino hills before they filled up with homes. After my horse died, I bought a motorcycle and started rethinking my life. I realized that all I had to look forward to at my job was 35 years to life. There just had to be something more than this to wake up to each morning. So, at 27 I joined the Army to see the world and work in the Veterinary field. After eight years of working with four-legged animals, I was offered a job as a Hard Hat Deep Sea diver with the Corps of Engineers. They did not have to ask me twice. I passed the physical, signed my name, and my life, as I knew it, changed forever. It is crazy how time flies when you’re having fun. There was always a new place to see, or project to deal with. After seven states, three countries, two islands and a ton of dive missions, I was approaching the 15-year mark in my military career. I realized that I had to decide what I wanted to do with my life after the Army. I knew I loved the changing of the seasons, mountains, wilderness, and open spaces, so I did some research at the library while stationed in Germany and found that there were only one million people in the whole state of Idaho, plus it had the second largest Elk herd in the continental U. S. “Pick me, Mr. Bill, I’ll go.” I stayed an extra year in the military—21 total—just to make sure I had my bills paid off and all of the toys I wanted. I did not want to work for anybody ever again, so I started working for myself—how did I know I was going to be working for one of the toughest bosses I ever met? The plan was to retire at 47 and move to Northern Idaho, 70 miles from the Canadian border, go to school, hunt, and fish—get away from the traffic and insanity of populated areas, and use my time as I chose. I bought a small house in Coeur d’Alene, ID in 1993 and attended North Idaho College, working for the Forest Service in the summer. By 2002, word had gotten out about my little town by the lake and it was getting pretty crowded. I then bought a small five-acre place 50 miles from the Canadian border. There always seems to be something for me to do: hunt, fish, and wander around the mountains. At home, I like to design and build. There are always two or three projects at different stages of completion. When I was in Germany, I really enjoyed the swans that lived along the Rhine River and have often thought how nice it would be to have my own, so I am thinking about digging a small lake in my backyard, calling it Northwest Schwanstein, and raising some swans. I have a place in Apache Junction, AZ, where I spend my winters. It’s close to my youngest daughter and my new grandson, so I get a chance to play Grandpa. I like riding my Harley around the country, playing with my John Deere tractor, cruising around in my old Chevy, and experiencing the culture of different countries I visit. When I get home from a road trip, I change out of my leathers, put on my Car-hart overalls and go ride my John Deere 790 tractor. Life is good! The most valuable thing I own is my time, which is very important to me. I like to stop and smell the roses I planed, or pull over the read Historical Markers along the highway from the back of my Harley.
Sherry Roland Nugent (sherrynugent@msn.com)
After graduation I worked in the purchasing field for The Ralph M. Parsons Co. and Kaiser Steel. Moved to Reno and worked for Harold’s/Nevada Club and Sierra Nevada Job Corps until I moved to Oregon in 1991.
The last 15 years I have owned and operated an adult foster home for seniors in Eugene. It was quite a change from purchasing to working with the elderly and disabled, but has been a very rewarding experience. I am currently active with our local non-profit association for Foster Providers.
Finally found "my" Mr. Right and we have been married 2-1/2 years. Jack and I each have 2 sons from previous marriages and 6 grandchildren.
Greg & Sheila Stilson Zerschling (zerschling@peoplepc.com)
Sheila and I wish the best to our fellow 1964 Whittier High Cardinals. Those years were some of the best for both of us. Sheila wishes the very best to her sisters in the BAF's. Likewise, I wish the very best to my fellow Robes brothers and to my brothers who bruised, bled, and thirsted with me on the Varsity Football Team. You are the people who made Whittier High School the great experience it was for us. We are looking forward to seeing as many former classmates as we can at the picnic on Sunday. Unfortunately, we won't be able to make it on Saturday evening.
The reunion committee requested that we write a short autobiography, so here goes. Sheila and I were married in 1968 after having "gone together" for four years. We went to college together and both graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton- Sheila with her B.A. and I with my B.A. and M.A. We both earned our teaching credentials at Cal State University, San Bernardino. I taught at Cal State University, Los Angeles for almost four years at the beginning of my teaching career before teaching for Desert Sands Unified School District in the Palm Desert area. I have just finished my thirtieth year with the District. I feel honored to have been recognized by my District as Teacher of the Year twice during that time. I am a Physical Education Teacher and Track Coach at Dr. Carreon Academy. Sheila has been a Kindergarten Teacher in the Palm Springs Unified School District during most of her teaching career. She has a little more that twenty years teaching. She worked as a full-time mom to our children for the other years.
We have three adult children. Max is 28 and does home renovations on the big island of Hawaii. Meghan is 24, married, and lives in San Diego with her husband, Darren. He works in his family's business, but is in the process of going into the military. They gave us our first (and only) grandchild in March of 2005. His name is Aidan and he is very precious to us. Our youngest, Mike, is 22 and staying with us (temporarily we hope). He is taking a break from college (giving up his athletic scholarship in the process). He is presently in a restaurant management position.
We live in the Coachella Valley area (Palm Springs, Palm Desert) during the school year and spend as much of the summer as we can at our second home on the big island of Hawaii. My hobbies include fitness activities (swimming and biking), collecting 50's and 60's memorabilia, and driving and maintaining my 1939 Chevy street rod. I plan on retiring or working half time in two years and have a 1940 Chevy body and frame in my garage that I plan on making into another street rod. Sheila's hobbies include reading and growing roses.
Again, we are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Sunday picnic. Go Cardinals!
Tom & Nancy Brock Hart (fifthwhee@aol.com)
We just celebrated our 38th anniversary. We graduated from Chapman College in 1968, married three weeks later and moved to the San Joaquin Valley to begin our teaching careers. Tom taught high school and coached varsity basketball and Nancy taught middle school and coached??? soft ball.
The next year we returned to Southern California to teach in the Norwalk La Mirada School District. We moved to Yorba Linda where we lived for 17 years. Nancy took time off with our 2 boys. Tom taught 10 years and decided enough! He made a career change to residential construction, and then switched to commercial construction.
We moved to Las Vegas 9 years ago. Nancy taught here and recently retired and Tom continues to work in commercial development. This is an amazing city for Tom's business and the "boom" continues. We enjoy eight months of the year, and deal with the summers as everyone else does - with continuous air conditioning.
Our oldest son, Chris, is also in commercial development and works with Tom here in Las Vegas. Our youngest son, Jeff, is a civil engineer in Riverside.
We love to camp and travel, and golf is a way of life here. There are many four and five star restaurants, which we take advantage of often.
We will miss the reunion as we will be with family to celebrate (is that the right word?) Tom's 60th birthday. We would love to hear from or visit with anyone who may be traveling to or through Las Vegas.
John L. Barker (autodoc@ctaz.com)
Well the best part, outside of still seeing the sunrise, is I'm still married to Carolyn - 42 years as of June 19th. I'm not sure which one of us is crazy, but one of us must be. We have three children and one grandson; Lori - 42, Johnny - 39 Shari - 36, and SHANE - 7.
We moved to Bullhead City about 13 years ago and just love it. Bullhead has been very good to the Barkers. If anybody wants to know more check our websites, www.autodoconline.com , www.avaloncustomhomes.com or e-mail me.
Marcy Wright Graves (mjgraves@earthlink.net)
After graduation I attended Mt Sac for one semester at which time, with all the youthful exuberance of an 18 year old, I decided I'd rather be married than sitting in a classroom. So in October of 1965 Tony Salinas and I married. We had two children a daughter Traci, who is now a mother of two girls, Amber age 18 and Christina age 15, and a son Tony Jr. who is still single. Unfortunately, as I turned 30 Tony Sr. decided married life was not for him and we divorced.
Having always been a stay at home mom, joining the work force at age 30 was quite a culture shock. I was lucky finding a great job with Pacific Southwest Airlines. For the next 12 years I worked at the airport in San Francisco, Los Angeles, back to San Francisco, San Diego, and finally John Wayne - Orange County. It was a great job that afforded opportunities to travel and meet many interesting people. It is also where I met a pilot, Rick Graves, who I married in 1985. With our marriage I also gained another daughter, Rebecca, who is now the mother of our year old grandson, Ethan.
In 1988 PSA was bought by US Air and the "fun" evaporated from my job so I decided to become a stay at home mom once again. In 1994 we moved to Florida to reduce Rick's commute time. It is hard to believe that we have been here 12 years.
The last five years I have been active within our community by serving on our homeowner association's Board of Directors. During this time I have been elected treasurer and president serving two years in each position. While it has been a very enriching experience I plan to leave the Board in February 2007.
The year 2007 holds the possibility of many changes for us. Because of US Airways' two bankruptcies in the last five years, Rick lost about 75% of his retirement. We are waiting to see if Congress increases the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65 which will allow for recouping a small portion of what was lost; otherwise, we will both be looking for jobs. Gee, and I thought joining the work force at age 30 was a culture shock; I can't even imagine what it will be like at age 60!
Due to unforeseen events I will, for the first time, miss the reunion and miss seeing old friends, but God willing I hope to see you all at the 50th! Best wishes to all and special kudos to the reunion committee for all of their hard work.
Tom Knox (thomasknox@comcast.net)
I have been married 30 years this October to Lise. We live in Sacramento and have two children. Our son, Ben, is 24 and a chef in Napa. Our daughter Meg is 20, and works as a hostess at a local restaurant.
I graduated in 1968 from the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Marine Corps. After three years of active duty, including a tour as an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam, I started law school, and began practicing on graduation in 1976. I am a partner now in a small firm in Sacramento specializing in business and real estate. Sacramento is a big small town, and I am active in the local Rotary club and several other community organizations.
Cathy Walker Gordon (cissy10@verizon.net)
After graduation I traveled up and down the west coast. I settled in Seattle for a while where I married my husband and we later had one daughter named Tauni. She is now 37 and has two daughters, Bleue 12 and Saige 9. They live in Huntington Beach. It was in Seattle in 1967 that I had a chance meeting at the Seattle zoo with a 500 lb. gorilla that would later change my life. He came to the edge of his cage and paused to make the kind of eye contact I had only had with humans and I felt a profound presence in this animal. I never forgot him.
My career evolved over the years through the office experience to senior management in finance and I have enjoyed it very much. I divorced. I raised my lovely daughter. I enjoy my grandkids with all my heart. I have great friends, bought my dream home on Murphy Hill here in Whittier, have traveled to Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Britain, and most of Europe. I have enjoyed my life and feel extremely blessed. However, through all of this living and through all these years, I held a private longing to go to Africa and see the magnificent mountain gorilla. In 1992 I did. I backpacked through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar for over a year and ended up in the volcanic mountain range of the Congo, where in 1993, I was allowed by this majestic silverback to sit with his family for one unforgettable afternoon. My dream had come full circle.
Raylene “Joyce” Bunch Bern (joysfromjoyce@iowatelecom.net)
Before graduating from WHS, I began classes at Rio Hondo College and was part of its first graduating class in 1966 receiving my A.A. in Psychology.
1966-1969 Married to my piano teacher's son, worked for General Telephone and attended Long Beach State (now CSULB).
1970-1977 Co-owner of a natural food wholesale business and the largest fruit stand in Fresno, CA where my daughter was born (retired Navy, married to a Naval Officer).
1977-1984 Back in the Los Angeles area, attended various colleges taking accounting, horticulture, Chinese cooking, ceramics. I held various accounting positions. Had another disastrous marriage.
1984-1986 Office mgr. for a satellite antenna business in Las Vegas, NV.
1986-1989 Rapid City, SD and worked as the bookkeeper for a company that sold boats, fishing and hunting gear.
1989-1990 Owned bar in Ulysses, (middle of no where) Nebraska. A bridge crew came to town & I fell hard for Gary. He was transferred to the Texas gulf coast and I went too. We married in 1991 and just celebrated our 15th anniversary. Finally got a good one!!!
1992-2002 Colorado Springs, CO and I worked in various sales, accounting and secretarial positions before becoming a substitute special education teacher (finally using my psychology degree).
2002 - present Farm country Iowa where Gary is from and are caretakers of relative's farm (passed away in 2002). Gary's family farm is 15 miles north of us. Our life consists of LOTS of family get-togethers (huge family), gardening a 40 x 100 foot vegetable garden, traveling, photography, craft shows and enjoying life. I work at the local Indian casino (customer service) and Gary is a carpenter.
I have very much enjoyed my position on the reunion committee as Maker of the Master List of Classmates. I have been corresponding with several and everyone has had such interesting stories to tell, I'm looking forward to seeing all who can attend this July's celebration and would love to hear from more classmates.
Robert Carter (bcarterfarm@proaxis.com)
After graduation, Jack Piccola and I took a road trip that lasted until 1965 when I enlisted in the Army. I served three years and was discharged in 1968. I married a 1964 graduate of Sierra High School in 1970 and completed a B.A. in Business Management in 1976. I worked in Aerospace until 1992 when I took an early retirement. I now live in Oregon and have remarried. I have a daughter from my first marriage and two granddaughters.
Larry Weeks (weekslm@msn.com)
After college and Navy I started flying for Flying Tiger Line in 1973. FedEx bought Tigers in 1989 and I have been an MD-11 Captain the last 15 years flying around the world. Married for 38 years to my wonderful wife Mary and have two fantastic sons, Matthew, 29, and Kyle, 26. Both boys have moved back to Seattle, which makes Mary and me very happy. Mary and I travel a great deal and enjoy golf. I enjoy riding my Triumph around the great back roads we have here next to the mountains.
If anyone gets up our way we would love to see you. We have plenty of room and a great view of the Cascade Mountain range.
Lydia Price Temmen (lydbobtem@charter.net)
It all started after graduation. I went to work for Quaker City Savings & Loan in June 1964. In January 1965, I married Bob Temmen. We have one son, Michael, who is 40 (how can that be be when I am only 40!) and 4 grandchildren, Michael, 19, Allison, 16, Kandice, 13 and Kaitlyn, 11. We have been raising our grandson, Michael for the past 11 years. He has been a blessing to us, as have our other grandchildren. Bob just retired in June. He has done landscaping for over 40 years, and I am going to retire from the Riverside County Human Resources/Safety Office in December. I have been working for Riverside County Human Resources Department for the past 18 years as an Administrative Assistant. We have lived in Riverside for the past 27 years. In January, we are planning to move to Flagstaff, Arizona and enjoy the cool summers there. We may spend some of the winter in Yuma, Arizona. I enjoy crocheting, reading, watching Dr. Phil and traveling. In 2001, we went to Australia and visited Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne. It was a wonderful experience! I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
Susan Meyer Gunter (muddypuddle@proaxis.com)
After graduating from Humboldt State University, my husband Hollis "Hod" (he is a retired Sanitarian) and I moved to Oregon where I began teaching. Did not like that but found my niche as a high school substitute teacher. Had the school district so fooled that they honored me as top "sub". HA!
We have been married 35 yrs. and have two wonderful kids. Ian, 26, graduated from Oregon State University with a masters in mechanical engineering and works for Boeing. Selby, 24, also graduated from OSU, served in the Peace Corp, Fiji, and is going for her masters in osteo-archeology (don't ask).
We retired to Eugene a year ago and I have taken up weaving. Oh yeah, my husband said to tell everyone he caught a 25 in. steelhead last night in our back yard so everyone come to Oregon. Would love e-mails.
Dan and Vicky Scavo McDonald (dpmcdonald@aol.com)
After leaving WHS we went off to school at UCSB and got married two years later. After two kids and Dan's graduation from UCSB we moved to Colorado where Dan got his Ph.D. in Chemistry. A few years later we landed in Mississippi where Vicky completed her B.A. in Business from Millsaps College.
The kids are grown. Mike got his B.S. from Caltech and Ph.D. at UCSD and now teaches at George Mason Univ. and is a fellow at the Brookings Institute. Kim is a graduate of Claremont-McKenna and of the University of Minnesota Law School. She is a former Presidential Fellow and currently is the Consular for the USA in Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia. She lives in Skopje, Macedonia with her husband and our two grandchildren. We love following her around the world. This is the 8th country she has lived in!
Vicky is currently the Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Wachovia Corporation and Dan teaches at Catawba Valley Community College. We live on Lake Norman in Denver, NC and enjoy water sports. We own a little piece of heaven in the Colorado Rockies and plan to retire there in a few years.
Mary Ellen Wood Parsons (info@parsonagewine.com)
I have been married to Bill Parsons since 1969 and have lived on the Monterey Peninsula since 1971. We have 3 daughters, Rachael, Alison, and Brooke and 2 little grandsons, Rocco and Bixby. I have been a textile artist and teacher for about 25 years. Bill and I have a 7-acre vineyard in Carmel Valley where we, with the help of our children, grow red grapes and make wine (It is delicious.) under the name Parsonage Village Vineyard. We just opened a tasting room in the Valley Hills Center on Carmel Valley Road. For photos of our family and the vineyard, and even some of my art quilts, check out www.parsonagewine.com Please say hello to all my old buddies at the reunion.
Thomas I. Klitgaard (taxmantk@aol.com)
Married 30 years to a wonderful woman named Carol and together we have raised three children, Matthew, Amanda, and Jonathan. We have resided in the city of Upland for the past 22 + years.
I received my BA/Business Administration from CSUF. In the mid 80's I began my 2nd career in the field of taxation and I am an Enrolled Agent with my tax practice in individual and small business taxation.
Sandi Katz Glasscock (hoolyjay@cox.net)
Steve and I have been married 33 years, raised four children (his two, my two), have ten grandchildren, three step-grandchildren. Attended CSUSB, where I also completed my paralegal certification. Was a paralegal with GTE, moved to Arizona in 1995 and am a Legal Secretary for an international law firm (less stress in my old age!). Three kids live in Arizona, one in California, and see them all often. Have traveled extensively throughout Scotland (my mom was born there and we’ve researched my Scottish roots in Edinburgh), Europe, Mexico, Canada, much of the U.S., cruised the Caribbean, bicycled through most western states and British Columbia, and ride in long-distance organized bike rides.
Linda Anderson Stuart (burgers@infowest.com)
After high school religion and music became important motivators in my life. As a young adult I sang with the Grand-Land Singers, promoting America in schools. From 1969 to 1971 I lived in Texas on a two-year mission for my church. Upon returning from Texas I moved to Utah where I have stayed close to my religion and family. I went to Brigham Young University for a while, then graduated with honors from cosmetology school, and have worked the rest of my life as an administrative assistant and beautician. I can't imagine retiring from either. Currently I have worked 13 years for the Washington County Board of REALTORS in St. George, Utah, I think the most beautiful place in America. For six years I have sung with the Southern Utah Heritage Choir, a 225-member group promoting God and Country. But singing solos and in groups is common for me. Last, but most important to me is family. My first marriage of 1980 produced a wonderful daughter, who lives not far from me now. The marriage ended in divorce, but my second marriage of 1989 brought a wonderful stepson and stepdaughter, who both live in Salt Lake City. Actually, my husband also works for the State of Utah and lives in Salt Lake. We are married, we visit each other often and travel together, and it’s just not your typical live-together marriage. I was able to take care of both my Dad and Mom in their old age in Southern Utah (Mom lived with me for four years), until their deaths. I now enjoy being a grandma and a have a wonderful life here.
Brian Curry (brian1@g-scale.com)
I was born right here at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. My mom and dad lived in Santa Ana through the primary school days, and then moved to Whittier somewhere around the early 50's. From there Jr. Hi and Hi School. (Whittier Hi) and then off to Fullerton Jr. College. Back then we had the draft and to avoid getting drafted into the Army, I joined the Navy. Spent four years serving our country. One year at North Island, San Diego working in the Navy Exchange's bowling alley. That was a fun job. Then they transferred me to the USS Mahopac an ocean going tug, where I served two and half more years in Japan. That was another great tour. We traveled throughout the Orient. I have been all over Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and a few other countries. I never served a weekend duty when we were in port. I always went to the USO and took their sight seeing tours to see the country I was in at the time. When I finished my tour of duty I returned to Whittier for a short time and went back to Fullerton JC. Later moving to Anaheim where I met my wife. We got married and moved back to Whittier where we moved into a house that I had purchased sometime after I had returned from the Navy. I had been renting it out while I was living in Anaheim. Later we moved to Irvine because the drive time was killing me, I was working in Tustin. And here I stay. I have a small business called On Track Productions that puts on a train show. It's called "The Big Train Show". By mid January, I have to put the show to bed. Even though the show is in June. I hold it in the exhibit hall aboard the Queen Mary. This was our last year aboard the Queen; I am moving it to the Ontario Convention Center in 2007. If you get a chance you might want to visit the web site www.bigtrainshow.com . I started it 16 years ago after helping a local train club do a national convention. Also I started a graphics business called Prep Graphics in Laguna Hills. After running it for about 19 years I sold it about five years ago. Just got burned out. I have been in the graphic business since I was in high school (graduated in 64). Today along with the train show I work at ACE Hardware. I started there three and a half years ago. Absolutely love working there. My wife passed away a year ago in January from cancer. She had put up a courageous fight that lasted two and a half years. I have two great kids, Whitney; he is 20 and Charlotte she is 24. Both are still at home. Along with Dixie, Mandy and Murphy our three basset hounds.
John Coon (JRCMD01@aol.com)
The seasons of life: Initially I thought a man's profession was most important and I was blessed to fulfill my childhood dream of being the best "Family Doc" I could be. Along the way I figured out what was much more important was the quality of woman you married and I struck gold on that one. My wife of 33 years is a fine Christian woman, incredible wife and mother, and we have three sons who are the delight of our lives. They all live within 10 miles of us and what a joy that is. The ultimate season of life though, I found out, was in 1985 when our Creator, through very painful circumstances, kicked my butt a little bit in order to wake me up to the powerful truth and relevance of Scripture and since then I have been addicted to Bible study and viewing life and eternity through the prism of God's infallible word. I still practice some medicine and we live in Mission Viejo, Ca.
Donita Fishel Stewart (donnynurse@sbcglobal.net)
I have been married for 3 1/2 years to a wonderful man. It has taken us most of our lives to find just the right person but we are certain that God had a hand in it and has a plan for what lies ahead for us.
I have two daughters, Cheryl and Danielle. I have two Grand daughters Hannah and Kimberly and 2 step grandsons, Bryan and Ian. Glenn has two daughters and a son. Together we have 8 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.
We live in Clovis, CA. Glenn is retired. I am still working. I am a registered nurse and work as the Director of Patient Care Services for a Home Health Care agency in Fresno. We moved here just before we were married because we both still had family here. It was one of the things in common - roots in the San Joaquin Valley.
We have 2 cats, a BMW motorcycle and love to travel. We had planned to be returning from Kenya just about now. But instead Glenn is starting chemotherapy. Life has a funny way of spoiling your plans! So far that is going really well and we look forward to more trips on the bike and abroad.
I love to read, work in the garden, go to the movies, and travel. Luckily I have found someone who likes to do all of those things with me. Moving back to the Fresno area was very special to me because I now live near by cousin who is also my best friend! She and I share the same birthday although we are a few years apart in age! We attend the same church and spend as much time together as we can. It has been such a blessing to be here near her and her family. My daughters both now live in Bakersfield. My older daughter has been a military family until the last two years and it is exciting to be able to see them on a regular basis now. For the first time I can see my granddaughters more than once or twice a year. I hope to be able to retire in about 6 more years. When I retire I hope to work in Parish Nursing or something along that line with my church. We hope to be able to go on next year's mission with our church if all goes well with my husband's health!
Nancy Wolcott Iverson (nwiverson@adelphia.net)
Armed with a wonderful English and literature background from WHS and the temerity of an eighteen-year-old, I left home for a year to teach English at a high school in Helsinki, Finland. I didn’t know at the time that I would spend most of the next thirty years overseas. My experience in Finland whetted my appetite for teaching; so upon returning to California, I started college at Cal Poly, SLO, where I met my future husband, Pete Iverson. I pursued both teaching and interior design, not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Peter graduated in Metallurgical Engineering and was commissioned a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and headed for graduate school at the USAEC Lab at Iowa State University. I transferred to the University of Wisconsin and graduated with degrees in both of my passions. We were married in 1969 and I worked at Whittier College while Pete headed for Westpac with his Marines. We have two daughters, Anne, born in 1972 and Erika, born in 1974. Anne is an art historian and has been working as a curator at the Getty Museum in L.A., and Erika is a spine scientist, working in orthopedic biomechanical research in Menlo Park. We have two great sons-in-law and two wonderful grand-Airedales at present. Becoming a Marine officer’s wife was a great challenge as I had to “bloom where I was planted” each time we moved. It was a huge job to provide the support network for all the wives and children left behind, and to create community within a company or battalion when all were so far from home. I continued to do graduate work in English and Education wherever we were. Additionally, I taught English, literature, writing and Shakespeare wherever I could at colleges on base, international and DoDDS schools and finally, at a university in Japan. I have written curricula for various courses and one for the Red Cross on parenting to teach skills to young Marine families. I also set up a Crisis Line at one base. I have always worked on Navy/Marine Corps philanthropies; and through those, I helped to set up feeding stations for the babies of indigenous Negrito tribesmen in the jungles of the Philippines and worked with orphanages in Taipei and the P.I. With twenty-seven moves, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to share my interior design skills in conjunction with leading tours to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and many other places in Asia and Europe. Opportunity shopping is a significant benefit of being a Marine wife overseas! In 1976, our career changed dramatically when Pete learned Mandarin Chinese and we headed for China. From that point on, we had many diplomatic tours, and we lived in China, the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, Rome, London, and Belgium with NATO. It’s been a wonderful way to raise our family; our daughters are truly citizens of the world. Pete retired as a Colonel in 1997 and has worked in Aerospace R and D, and is presently, the CBO for San Diego Unified School District. I have had a floral design business, working particularly in the specialty wedding market. I am presently floral designing for our church. I have a tutoring business now, and I teach critical and strategic thinking skills through writing about literature. It’s the best of all work and so much fun. It allows me time to do my volunteer work at our church and in our community. We are truly blessed!
Barbara June Westervelt Booth (barbara.booth@adelphia.net)
I received my B.A. & M.A. from CSUF. I worked at Rio Hondo College in student services & later in Administration for 22 years. Then I "retired" four years ago to do what I like best--teaching history. I have taught history full-time ever since at both Santa Ana & Rio Hondo College Districts. I am married & have one son & four grandchildren. I currently live in Diamond Bar with my husband, dog, & many cats. When the grandchildren come to visit, it gets quite chaotic. I have traveled all over Europe & the U.S. Many of my trips have been with classmate Mary Westphal. As a Renaissance & Victorian reenactor, I have over 40 historical authentic costumes from the Middle Ages to 1920. However, most of my vintage clothes are Victorian, since I am active in the American Civil War Society, Riverside Dickens Festival, Sherlock Holmes Society, & several other Victorian groups. My love of dancing has turned from ballet to vintage balls. English country-dance & Victorian balls have become a major hobby of mine in the last decade.
Joan Lindberg Eklof (EklofCJ@aol.com)
I graduated from UCLA in 1969 (I know...5 years, I was having too much fun) then taught in LA city schools Children Centers. I married wonderful Cary Eklof in 1972 and continued teaching until our first daughter, Karin, was born in 1976. Christine was born in 1979 and I thoroughly enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom (PTA, Girl Scouts, Band parent, church activities--I did it all and loved it). My family is still my greatest joy. Our daughters are beautiful, good people and we love spending time with Karin in West Seattle and Christine and her husband, Matthew, in Rochester, MN.
We lived in La Canada while Cary was working as a consulting actuary. When he retired in 1991 we moved to the northwest. We live 25 miles east of Seattle on a little lake in the woods. When our younger daughter went off to college in 1997 we started traveling. We both love it and there's so much to see. Some of our favorite trips have been to Antarctica, Botswana, Patagonia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and most recently Petra, Jordan. I watercolor post cards to share our trips with our daughters. When we're home we enjoy the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and local theatre. We do a lot of hiking in the summer and always spend a week at the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. I swim in our lake, tend the garden, watch birds, and take tap lessons at the senior center. Life is good.
John Herr (jjherr@bonestamp.com)
Well, I'm old but not dead.
After 30 years of private practice as a psychologist to respectable families and teenagers in the Silicon Valley, I am now the psychologist to the paroled pedophiles, pederasts, mother rapists and flashers of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. If you are a paroled registered sex offender in any of those Counties then I spend a lot of time with you in my windowless, ventilation free State offices. It's only a half time job because I am so good at what I do. I don't mean to be immodest but because of me, it is now safe in these three Counties for children to accept candy from any stranger on parole. Unfortunately, I have no control of the sexual degenerates and predators who are no longer on parole in those Counties so be sure to have your kids and grandkids ask to see a stranger's parole ID before taking candy from him.
While I, along with my parents and closest friends had hoped for considerably more from me than capping off my career as a penal psychologist, I have been making better progress in my personal life. After needing only 23 years to recover from my divorce, I eloped on April 12th with a girl I took to the Cal-Stanford Game in 1966. I also got a 13-year-old son in the deal. It's a sweet deal for a guy who had given up hoping for a wife or kids. Unfortunately, Nancy shares my dream of losing what we have left by planting a vineyard. I hope Aaron has more sense.
Finally, I congratulate Melodee on the WHS website but if you wish to visit site dedicated to e-commerce then I cannot recommend a website of greater distinction than www.bonestamp.com. It fills the niche market for those web citizens desperately yearning for a little rubber stamp with which to emboss "the finger." It's one of those items that you don't need often but when you need it, you really need it. It makes the perfect gift for Grads, Brides, Grooms, Mother's Day and Father's Day. It is small enough to be stamped on checks to be sent to annoying creditors or on disputed invoices. It is dynamite for return subscription postcards that fall out of magazines. Of course, traffic tickets and tax returns are perennial favorite targets for the little rubber stamp. Finally, for those who struggle with authority, my product is also easily concealed for making an anonymous, disrespectful comment on a bulletin board sporting a regulatory notice that offends your sensitivities.
Tom Smith (twosmiths1981@global.net)
I have worked for So. Calif. Edison for 41 years. I plan on retiring this Oct. I have been married to my lovely wife Anita for 15 years. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and talking about the good ole days and the Critics.
Jacquelyn Givan Brooks (emtis@color-country.net)
My husband Steve and I have been married for 42 years this September. We have three children: Carrin 38, Sean 34 and Krista 30. They have given us 5 beautiful Granddaughters. Steve is retiring from the railroad after 42 years. I now keep myself busy as an EMT-Intermediate working on the ambulance in our county. I am also a CPR and EMT instructor, Training Officer for our service and an EMS course coordinator for basic and intermediate classes. I am an EMS Children's coordinator through Primary Children's Hospital in Utah. We are involved in the lives of our children, Grandchildren and in our community. It all keeps us on the move.
Nancy Weeks Lewis (nancylewis7674@aol.com)
I married Rick Lewis (WHS class of '62) in 1967. We have two children, Erika (Previously the Special Events Manager for Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University) who is married and living in Chicago. She and her husband made us the proud grandparents of triplets (2 girls, 1 boy), in October of 2004. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Our son, Matt lives in Vail, CO where after graduation from college he is "living his dream" as a fly fishing guide in the Rockies. Watch out what you teach your kids! Rick and I were relocated to Chicago in 1974 and lived there for 30 years. Rick held an executive position with McMaster-Carr Supply Co. for 37 years. The last few years of my career were spent as a Special Events Manager for corporations such as Motorola and APAC Customer Services. We retired at the end of 2003 and moved to Vail to join our son. Rick is now also a fly-fishing guide "you're never too old!" I provide support and shore lunches.... no fish. It’s all "catch and release!" We live in Laguna Beach from January to June (to be near our parents) and in Vail from June to Dec. each year for the guiding season. Retirement is GREAT! We highly recommend it! We have also traveled as much as possible during the last 3 years and when not fishing we enjoy visiting the National and State Parks in the west and southwest as well as a few trips to Europe. I too, have enjoyed working on the committee for the 42nd Reunion and look forward to seeing everyone in July.
John "Mac" McFarland (mac@mcfarl.com)
I'm the "Luckiest Person I Know". My life since June of '64 has been simply wonderful with the benefit of a great education, many years of hard work, and good old-fashioned luck. And I have much to which to look forward for the next 20 or 30 years!
Highlights of the last 42 years include:
Graduated w/ business degree from UC Berkeley in 1968. I enjoyed being at Cal during the turbulent 60's.
Sent to Korea by US Army (at the height of the Viet Nam War!). Completed two-year commitment.
Married the wonderful Carolyn in 1972. We recently celebrated our 34th anniversary.
Three adult children all of whom have finished college and are "out of our house and off our payroll"!
Spent 10 years as a practicing CPA, then went to work in the oil and gas business with my father. McFarland Energy (NASDAQ:MCFE) was sold in its entirety in 1997, and is now a part of Chevron USA.
Currently serve as a Director for one public company and consult for others in oil & gas. Also serve on Whittier City School Board, and am Vice-Chairman of Presbyterian Hospital Board. My hobbies include tennis, golf, ballparks, and EVERYTHING at the beach.
Carolyn and I reside part-time in Sunset Beach, CA, but primarily in Whittier.
I look forward to seeing my former classmates at our July reunion and seeing how the years have treated us all - I'm still short and now pudgy and bald!
Sally Gygax (Sarasally@hughes.net)
In 1995, I retired from a very uneventful 26-year stint as a librarian and teacher for the Norwalk-La Mirada School District. I cannot begin to relate the elation I felt after retirement. On my last drive home, I vowed never to step foot in Norwalk again. I have kept my promise.
I graduated from UCLA, with Sue, and then received my MBA in Librarianship from USC. My first marriage was dismal, but my second one has made up for it. I have two stepdaughters and three grandchildren. Sadly, I admit that fairly soon I will become a great grandmother.
Duane and I moved to Grass Valley, CA after our retirements. Since 1995 my main concerns have been my garden, to which I have a passionate commitment, and to my very mediocre golf game. I have led a charmed life, blighted only by Sue's death last August.
Sue Gygax (May 9, 1946 - Aug. 28, 2005):
Sue, after UCLA, married her college sweetheart, and ended up in Seattle where he went to Law School after Viet Nam. She then worked for the government in a job for which she was truly unsuited, temperamentally, as an IRS agent. After their divorce, Sue became an avid pilot, and eventually landed a job as a pilot for Air Micronesia, based out of Guam.
After three years in Guam, she returned to Seattle, working for the FAA. Then, on a cycling event, Sue met Wayne, who became her second husband. With his encouragement, Sue quit her job, ASAP, and went with him to New Zealand. They never moved to NZ, but spent 5 months out of every year there, to ease weather induced blues. By this time, their home base was in Lake Chelan, WA. where winters can be severe.
Sue and Wayne supported themselves by promoting low budget, highly physical trips - cycling, kayaking, and hiking. She traveled extensively and was a very accomplished sea kayaker. Just to give a perspective on Sue's physical abilities, she and Wayne rowed from Homer to Seattle, the entire Inland Passage. It took over three months.
Ironically, Sue, while cycling with Wayne near Lake Chelan last August, was killed by a negligent driver. On a Sunday morning, cycling through apple orchards, she was hit directly and killed instantly. The driver was distracted, looking for his misplaced cigarette.
Both Steve and I miss Sue terribly. (Sent by Sally Gygax Elser)
Linda Fuller Stallard (ll.stallard@adelphia.net)
We (husband, Dave) moved to Camarillo five years ago. We love being in this area. The weather is wonderful and our family is nearby in Ventura (my mom and dad and our daughter, Jennifer). I am learning the avocado business from my dad in an orchard originally planted by my grandfather! My husband works for Interlink Electronics and our daughter is in publishing. Our son, his wife and our two grandchildren live in Portland, Oregon. I have enjoyed working on the reunion committee and am looking forward to a great weekend in July!
Mike Heacock (mheacock@pacificgolf.co.jp)
After bouncing around a lot, I ended up in the golf business by accident. I'm a grass grower now for 35 years, currently a Senior Vice President for a golf management company in Tokyo, Japan. We own and operate about 100 courses in Japan, and took the company public on the Tokyo Exchange last year. I'll be here another couple of years, perhaps. Best regards to all.
Pat Callaghan Hardin (rphardin@cs.com)
Roger and I have lived in FL since 1969. For our 35th anniversary in 2004, we did some traveling and went on a cruise and tour of Alaska and the Yukon. We were gone for seven weeks. Roger retired from GE in 1995. I lost my job at the bank in 2000 after many mergers. So I'm retired also. Both girls are married and have blessed us with three grandchildren - Amanda 4, Emily 2 and Robert 2.
Pam Willingham Olson (pjo866@cs.com)
Well, I still live in Whittier. (Just can't get out) Been married now for 40 yrs. this Aug. Have 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Still working, hope to retire within the next 2 years. Haven't really done anything to brag about. Looking forward to see everyone this July.
Karen Petersen Mengersen (kmengers@telusplanet.net)
After graduation in 1964, I attended two years of college at California Concordia College in Oakland and two at Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, Nebraska. I met my husband in college in Nebraska. Ernest is a Canadian who was also taking teacher training. We married in August of 1968. I then taught grades 1 and 2 in a small rural Lutheran school in Waco, Nebraska (1968 to 1970) and Corvallis, Oregon (1970 to 1972). We have since lived in Stoney Plain, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta; and now Olds. Ernest was an instructor of Entomology (insects) for 28 years at Olds Agricultural College. He has been on long term disability for two years now and has transferred his love of collecting insects to collecting insects on postage stamps. He spends many hours walking (collecting bottles and cans to support the stamp hobby) and soaking and sorting and mounting stamps.
We have 4 children. Michael (29) , Sarah (26, married 1 year), Matthew 24, and Mark (21). Sarah is a Physiotherapist in Sherwood Park, Alberta and she and her husband have made us proud grandparents (Kieren is 4 1/2 months old now). Mark, our youngest, has Down Syndrome and has been as much a joy as our other children. I have worked with Special Needs children and adults for at least 15 years. We have a school in town - Horizon School - for children with Special Needs and I have been on the School board twice and have worked at the school for 6 years. I am now retired and am the Chairperson of the Special Olympics Olds & District Affiliate as well at the Head Coach for the 5-Pin Bowling team. I have 54 bowlers ranging in age from 14 to 65. As of last week, I am also on our church board. Life has been very busy since retirement - don't know how I could do any of this if I were working.
The weather here has been very different for this time of year. We have actually had the equivalent of almost 90 degrees F for the past three days. Usually in May we are still experiencing occasional snowstorms or rainstorms and definitely not warm weather. I have been in the flower beds removing weeds and trying to catch up on three years of not being able to spend much time out there.
I won't be able to make it to our reunion, but I wish you all the very best of celebrations and the best in the future. Take care and have fun.
Nancy Padgett Haigh (mimipepaw@netzero.com)
Where do you start after 42 years!!! I have been happily married for 39 years to Richard Haigh, the love of my life. I have two children and 5 grandchildren.
My husband is retired now and we share a hobby of model trains. I was a stay at home mom and now I'm a stay at home grandma!!! I did some modeling in my younger and thinner days, but now I'm content to crochet, cook, read a good mystery, but most of all enjoy the wonderful life I have been blessed with!
Barbara Willard Kluver (b.kluver@comcast.com)
I have been happily married for 38 years to Mark. We have two great kids, Tracie and Chad, who are both married to their own soul mates. Our daughter has given us two grandchildren, Rachel (11) and Will (7).
We have lived in northern California for 28 years. I am still working as an RN; I am an Infection Control Nurse for Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek. I'll bet most of you don't know what that is, but believe me. You don't want to be a patient in a hospital that doesn't have an Infection Control Department! Anyway - I am happy to say that Mark and I are eagerly anticipating retirement at the end of this year.
We have done a lot of traveling throughout our married life and love it. Within the first six months of retirement, we have trips planned to Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam and Hawaii. We are lucky to both be in good health - our future plans are to keep on traveling and enjoying life with our family!
Barbara and her travel pals, Dianne Miller Larson and Margie Hoppock Jaynes toast another fun voyage.