Presenting the
CLASS of '61
Grateful to Be 80!
A-C
60 years since graduation! Back in the day we were "sump’n" else: accountants; activists; actors; administrators;
adventurists; airline workers; appraisers; archaeologists; artisans; artists; attorneys; bankers; beauticians; carpenters;
cowboys; chiropractors; clerks; college administrators; conservationists; consultants; counselors; dentists; developers;
diplomats; doctors, educators; elders; firefighters; handymen; health care professionals; homemakers; horse breeders; horticulturists; hunters; journalists; jewelers; managers; manufacturers; mechanics; military; parents; physicists; pilots;
poets; police; politicians; preachers; publicists; public servants; ranchers; realtors; researchers; sales associates; technicians; therapists; urologists; volunteers; and writers. For a bunch of 70 somethings, we think we're still pretty easy on the eyes.
CLICK TO ENLARGE
L-R: Ray Arco, Treasurer, and Steve Langley, Chair welcome classmates to the 58th Reunion.
See Silent Warriors.
Jimmy Ackerman and wife, Mary, live in Monroe, WI.
Nancy earned a BA from St. Olaf College and other credentials from San Francisco State, NY University, and the University of MN. She's taught art, traveled abroad, and skied in Vail. In ‘71 she moved to San Francisco where she’s been a graphic artist and engineer, taught art, studied textile design, and worked on nuclear waste projects at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Semi-retired, she is part-time office manager for a group of MD‘s. Her son lives nearby.
Gary now runs the family business, Akerman's Shoes features the stylish, but comfortable and "serviceable" shoes sought by those 40 and older. Open the link to an article showcasing the store.
Linda and husband of many years, Larry, reside in Rockford.
A retired firefighter, sadly Dave passed Friday, November 30, 2018, of a heart attack he suffered while attending a hockey game. See listing on Silent Warriors page of this website.
Jane lives in Rockford and has been busy with family. She is proud grandma of her 6'2" "gorgeous" grandson and daughter, Toni Ann, Jane is a longtime hardworking Reunion Volunteer.
Madalene poses with John Meyer formerly of the Green Bay Packers. See Silent Warriors page.
Steve and I love to travel and have been on 6 or 7 continents. I often say, "What's a kid from Rockford doing here?!!" See Silent Warriors.
See Silent Warriors page.
Marsha ANDREWS Voight
Please see Silent Warriors page.
Ray and Karen, live in Rockford where Ray is a top-selling realtor for Gambino Realtors. At WHS Ray participated in Orchestra and was on the staff of the school newsletter, "The Owl." He is Treasurer for the Reunion Volunteers.
Please turn to Silent Warriors page.
These 2 classmates dated in high school, married, and live in Rockford. Both are Class of '61 graduates.
Please see listings on Silent Warriors page of this website.
Now a retired University of Massachusetts Professor, Sharon and husband, Joseph, have time to pursue their interests in natural resources.
These two biking enthusiasts are pictured on bicycle trip in Switzerland.
Nina sends greetings from ID. She is VERY proud of son, Tony, who is a District Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service. Tony, shown with a pack team mule, oversees thousands of acres of your public lands. Nina, ya' done good!
Gerry is a managing member of Industrial Assembly Solutions in Sarasota, FL. His firm represents Elgin Fasteners in AL,GA, and FL. Gerry also owns Bates Real Estate.
These 2 classmates dated in high school, married, and live in Rockford. Both are Class of '61 graduates.
When Doug, became a Silicon Valley executive, Becky gave up her public health career to rear children and compete in endurance horse racing. They had their daughter and son when she was 40 and 42. Both reached age 21 without being drug-addicted, in jail, or pregnant - "success," per Becky. The downside is we have no grandchildren yet. We and our dogs, cats, and parrot live among California's historic, majestic redwoods about 45 minutes from anywhere.
Please turn to Silent Warriors page.
Rose reports Minneapolis has been good to Rose and husband, Eugene. They retired from good jobs, found good friends and churches, and educated two “good” sons.
After acquiring a B.S. Degree (U. of WI), an M.S. Degree (U. of CO), and a PhD in Archaeology from MT State U. in Billings where Lynn and husband, Dale Fredlund, settled, and where, sadly, Lynn passed September 17, 1996. Here, Lynn and Dale attend the graduation of Dan McClean, son of John and WHS ’61 Classmate, Fran McGEACHIE McClean. Fran and Lynn remained close friends over the years. Dan, an MSU student often spent holidays with the Fredlunds.
Betty lives in Rockford.
Linda and, hubby, Ken, love the outdoor West. They live a few miles north of Denver in Erie, CO. When they escape, some of their favorite activities are four-wheeling and camping.
Sam Black, retired lawyer (L), and youngest son (Redskins hat), rest after climbing Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak. In 2017, he became oldest to climb Grand Teton, the highest peak in WY's Teton range (13,776').
Carole and David, reside in Brooklyn, MI where Carole is Assistant to the President of Jackson Community College. She, David, and John Kesler authored Who’s Who in Collective Intelligence. She is the 1988 recipient of JCC’s Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award.
Ken and Sarah (Le’Brit) relax near Pike’s Peak – God’s Country! Sarah is a certified “Old Master” portrait artist, whose portraits are all over the world. Sarah painted the official portraits of Obama and Trump that hang in the Colorado State Capitol. Ken retired as a Master Warrant Officer, U.S Army, after 30 years (25 years outside the USA). Colorado Springs Police Department has awarded Ken the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with them over 15 years and he continues to serve.
move in Washington, DC arts circles. They’re often featured in Washington Life Magazine and the Georgetowner website attending silent auctions, ballet performances, and other events in the company of luminaries Bishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, (President of NC AT&T University) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. The couple has served as Vice Co-Chair of the Smithsonian’s Museum African Art advisory committee. Tim is retired.
After two failed attempts to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, Bruce declares he and Esther will try again.
See Silent Warriors.
See Silent Warriors page.
Priscilla and Carol BLY Schwinn yuk it up over some tidbit from the past. "Nursing was a huge part of my life: while nursing in Madison for almost 45 years I reared two children, Brad and Lisa. Funny how they’re now almost my age. I have three grandchildren who live in Brooklyn (WI)."
At the time of the 50th Reunion, Russ lived in Fort Myers, FL. We now need a valid mailing address for him.
Connie and Dave summer in Lake Mills, WI and winter in Englewood, FL.
Richard got a B.S. in history from Illinois Wesleyan and a Masters in Education from Illinois State University in Bloomington, where he taught 6th grade for 32 years. He was Secretary to the Deputy Commander of the Army's Berlin Brigade. He is married to Janet. They have two grown children: Bo and Kelsey, and are retired and living on a lake in Central Illinois. See Silent Warriors page of this website.
Karen is shown with her late husband, our WHS '61 Classmate, Dean S. PLUMB.
Roger majored in biology at Beloit College and did graduate work in public health at the U. of MN. Married 52 years, he and Sharon lived many places. After 40 years in public health at all levels of government, he retired from the Department of Energy where he last worked 19 years as an Industrial Hygienist. They’ve lived in Sequim, WA, since 2010.
Bill and Vicki live in Silverton, OR. Their email handles suggest Bill likes wine, and Vicki loves dogs; they do not miss the Illinois humidity.
See Silent Warriors page.
LaMont organizes developmental junior tennis programs; he is Founder of Love to Serve (LTS) and the Tennis and Education Foundation. LTS helps keep Chicago area youth of all races off the streets by promoting self-confidence and a spirit of competition and winning via structured drug-free and gang-free activities. LTS has provided free tennis lessons to over 5000 kids. His schoolyard program uses Chicago Public Schools facilities.
Here, Frank enjoys the 55th Reunion. Frank and Julie Hesler (also WHS '60) dated in high school and recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. We thank both for their longtime hard work on the Reunion Committee.
See Silent Warriors.
Bonnie moved from Oregon, IL to Mountain Home, AR, in July, 1977. She says, "It’s beautiful here in the Ozarks."
According to their hats, Beverly (right) and Sandra Marie CRON Wolfe, longtime friends, dubbed themselves “Thelma and Louise.”Beverly is a Lutheran Minister who has lived in LaCortes, WA, retired to the metropolitan Phoenix area.
Leah and Gerry live in Janesville. She is a mental health therapist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner in southern WI. Leah says travel and geneology are her hobbies. In this picture they are shown on an Alaskan trip.They plan to return to Sweden and Russia, spend as much time as possible near Lake Superior, and enjoy special weekends with the two grandchildren.
See Silent Warriors page.
Dennis, White Lake, WI, is pictured with his late wife, Mary Ann and one of their two sons. And yes, his middle name is spelled correctly – per the Commencement Programme.
See Silent Warriors.
Please see listings on Silent Warriors page of this website.
Rich sold his Allstate agency in 2000. Waiting for Linda to retire from teaching in 2016, he took on his “fun” job: substitute teaching in Rockford and Belvidere. He understates, “Today’s kids are different from us,” but says he liked teaching and setting his own schedule – even grew a pony tail. Rich and Linda reared two children and have four “grands.” Now retired together, they still enjoy teaching as well as traveling, and attending plays, games, and other Chicago events.
Grammie and Bobbo smooching (again). Cheri is Gary's bride of over 50 years. He says, "The picture says it all: life is good."
Please see listings on Silent Warriors page of this website.