Biographies of Grads since 1959
but not the contact information.
For contacting someone you miss, go to the Contact Us page and email the request to me. From there I can send it on to your desired addressee.
Bio-Info Survey Form - all entries optional
Name-- (as a Wilson student and as you prefer now to be called now)
Head and shoulders Picture (as .jpg please) - of just you, no spouse
StreetAddress: (not to be published here, but I would apprecite knowing how to contact you for further announcements, etc.)
E-Mail-- (ditto)
Phone-- (ditto)
Best Memory from Wilson--
Marital History--
Children/Grandchildren--
Post-Wilson Education/Training--
Career(s) since 1959--
Places Lived since 1959--
Special Interests or Hobbies--
What Else we should know about you since 1959,
short entries appreciated, short commentary invited - 75 words or less, but go on and on if it's good stuff--
You could even copy the list above into an email and initiate your entry to me through the contact address <www.1959wilson@gmail.com>
Newest arrivals here are Dennis Wilkes, Barbara Puddy, Camille Glogauer, Liss Jackson and Sharon McClay
Children-- 1. (stepson) John Lueder and wife Ginger-- daughters: Chelsey and Hilary Granddaughters-- Jocelyn and Charlee, and Chelsey's daughters, my greatgrand daughters;
2. (son) Andrew Lueder and wife Rachael-- Julian and Adrian grandsons
Careers since 1959: Legal Secretary, 2 attorney offices in Long Beach; then husband's secretary after our move to Oroville; olive and orange rancher in Oroville 32 years, 20 years raised sheep too
Places lived: Long Beach, Buena Park, Yorba Linda and now Oroville 32 years.
Special Interests or hobbies: Gardening, ranching, reading
What else you should know: Always shy in school, surprised myself by being the only woman on the Federal Marketing board for Olives for 2 terms; sitting on the Butte County Farm Bureau as a Director 2 terms; 13 years on the Oroville High
School Board; 4 terms as president of Soroptimist International of Oroville; president of BPW in Oroville; very active in 4-H with my son, a California diamond star in 1986. Directed and acted in Birdcage Theatre and Hock's Unlimited
Melodrama. Helped found Oroville Dollars for Scholars and Butte County Crime Stoppers. Was appointed to the Butte County Agricultural Advisory Board. Inducted into the BPW Hall of Fame for service in education. Most important
achievement: 40 year happy marriage, 2 successful and happily married sons. As you can see Liss, my life is much as everyone else's .... just lived, ha. Nan Lueder
GRETCHEN HOUGH EASTMAN
Best Memory from High School--
Being in Journalism and going to the
senior prom with John Eastman
Marital History-- Married twice. 1966 to John King, who passed away,
in a downtown parade with the rest of the Bruinettes, wearing the uniform complete with boots, despite having a fever that should have kept me at home.
Marital history-- Married Ralph Grosso, co-graduate from Long Beach State,1963; divorced 1977.
Children/Grandchildren-- 2 children (Joey & Teresa), 5 grandchildren (Riley & Blake, triplets Eva, Mae, and Logan)
Post-Wilson education/training/career-- BA from Long Beach State 1963, MSW (social work) from USC 1965. Career in corrections--as diagnostic caseworker, Calif. Youth Authority in Norwalk 1965-67 & 1976-80, then as field parole agent 1980-2002 CYA and CDC, armed since about 1983. Last 14 yrs worked for CDC parole office in Long Beach. Retired 2002.
Places lived since 1959-- Burbank (briefly), Long Beach (briefly), Seal Beach 1967- present.
Special interests/hobbies-- Travel inside and outside the U.S. Spending time with & babysitting grandchildren, locally & in San Mateo, CA (daughter's res.). Member, officer, then retired volunteer/admin. ass't. for Calif. Gang Investigators Assoc. since early '80s. Occasional clerical volunteer at Long Beach Police Dept., gang unit.
What else?-- Over the last 4 yrs, fellow Wilson grads Linda Turner Welin, Dorothy West Modafferi, Jim Mahoney and I have rekindled our relationships by keeping in better touch and trying to have our own annual reunions; we are all Long Beach State grads and lifelong friends.
CAROL LYNN CLARK RELIS
Picture?
Best Memory from High School-- I enjoyed
Wilson's atmosphere, close friendships, activities, and education. Seems like not so long ago to me.
Marital History--Married to Pete since '64. It was great til he lost his 4 year battle with cancer and
passed away on 7/3/09.
Children/Grandchildren-- We have 3 grown kids and 5 grandchildren. We've lived in the Santa Barbara area for 30 years and enjoy everything here.
Post-Wilson Education/Training-- I graduated from UCLA in '63, then finished my secondary
credential at Long Beach State 1 year later.
Career-- I have taught high school English off and on since moving here (Carpenteria).
Special Interests/Hobbies-- I retired in 2008 and love it! I enjoy volunteering in the 1st grade
classroom(very refreshing in contrast to my hard nosed high schoolers). I have a big place in which to garden & tend fruit trees. Pete got carried away with our 1 acre.
What else--Family is close, and I visit Long Beach often. I'm sorry I missed the reunion. It was a bad time for me. Maybe next time, if I'm able.
LOUANN TANNER BROWN - LANNY
Picture?
Best Memory from High School-- Graduation Day !!!
Marital History--Married to Neil Christensen (Class of 1956).He died in 1970 and I re-married Bob Brown.
Children/Grandchildren: Two Boys with Neil - "Brad" and "Paul"
Post-Wilson Education/Training-- Raising Kids !!
Career(s)-- I worked for the Long Beach City Attorney's Office for 15 years, I was the Assistant City Investigator and we defended the City and the Police and Fire Departmtents against any and all law suits.
Places Lived since 1959--Long Beach
Special Interests/Hobbies--Travel
What Else-- Not a lot, I'm pretty much a homebody. But I travel to Brazil a lot. I had two Brazilian brothers live with us for 6 years and they both got their Master's Degrees here. We're all a big family now and we travel back and forth a lot.
ANNE TANKERSLEY STURM
Best Memory from High School--- all of it - I was a very happy camper at Wilson
Marital History-- Married Rex Sturm in 1967 - three children - divorced amicably in 1988 or so.
Children -- Morgan Sturm Mandeville - 40, Maren Sturm Nelson, 38, Logan Sturm, 36.
Grandchildren-- Brian, Colby and Brady Mandeville, Anna and Drew Nelson
Post Wilson Education--
Mills, 1963-- B.A. American History.
Berkeley-- Secondary Teacher's Credential American University of Beirut-- Arabic Studies, Hood College- MA in Human Development.
Kept my teacher's credential current until 2000.
Places I have lived-- Montana, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Washington, D.C., Arlington, Va., Beirut, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Nebraska,
Maryland.
Special Interests: Arabian Horses, Bluebird Conservation, Montgomery County Agriculture Preserve
What else--I have lived on a small farm in the Agriculture Preserve of Montgomery County since 1969. If anyone wants an ear full on "saving the bluebird", shoot me an email.
and 2007 to John Eastman
Children/Grandchildren-- one child, Karen King three grandchildren-- Marc Alcorn, Brenna King, and Connor Ellis
Post-Wilson Education/Training-- BA degree in English from Long Beach State
Places Lived since 1959-- Dallas, Texas; Erlanger, Kentucky; Florence, Kentucky; Boston, Mass.; New York City, N. Y.; Irving, Texas,; Prescott, Arizona;
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Special Interests/Hobbies-- Genealogy, traveling around the U.S and the world, camping, reading, volunteering at a local museum
COLLEEN LOGAN GROSSO
Best memory from high school--
the teaching of Ed Eveland in
lively, humorous form, emulating a bird dog in class. Watching a production of "Annie Get Your Gun" starring Barbara Peterson. Marching
NANCY MADISON LUEDER
Best Memory from Wilson-- The friends I made while attending the school.
Marital History-- Married Charles F. Lueder in 1964, the love of my life, and have been his widow since 2004.
End of Page for now.
DENNIS DECK
Best Memory-- Dances after home football games. German class with Frau Buschard
Marital History-- 3 times. 3rd time was the charm
Children-- 3 adopted, one stepchild, and 2 biological
Grandchildren-- 10 with 2 more on the way
What else?-- Served about a Polaris submarine for 2 years. Worked at North American Aviation on the Apollo and Saturn programs. Went into electronic sales and made it a career. Was a Sea Scout leader in Newport Beach for many years.
Moved to Texas for 6 years. I restore WWII vehicles and participate in WWII re-enactments.
DIANNA STRONG HEINE
Best Memory— All of it - so much FUN
Marital History— Best one was being married to an Air Force One Captain
Children— 3 Grandchildren— 3
Post Wilson Education-- FAA Licensed Aircraft Dispatcher
Places lived: Houston, Texas and New York City
Careers-- Certified Medical Assistant, Flight Operations Manager
Special Interests—Jazz and Ballet
PAT FULLER LARKIN
Best Memory--I loved both orchestra and choir. When I look back, I see that I was hyper involved and receiving my jeweled W was really exciting.
Marital History-- Married 4-22-60, divorced 1963; Daughter-- Deborah Anne Larkin Shaw (2-10-61)
Son-- Michael Kenneth Larkin (5-9-62)
Granddaughter-- Shannon Kathleen Shaw 6-18-83; Son-- Michael Kenneth Larkin 5-9-62
Grandson-- Kevin Michael Larkin 10-18-93
Post-Wilson Education/Training-- CSULB (Music, Speech) -AB; CSULB (Secondary Education, Theater Arts; Music
USC (studies in musics, psychology, religion, prep for PhD)
Huntington Beach Adult School (Computer Skills)
Long Beach Science of Mind College
Places Lived--Lo ng Beach, Alameda, Westminster, Anaheim, Midway City, - the local gal
Special Interests/Hobbies-- Still involved in music, vocal and handbells
Careers-- I have supported my children and myself through a long list of jobs, mostly administrative.
Children/Grandchildren-- 2 children (Jon and Beth) 2 grandchildren (Greg and Sean)
Post-Wilson Education/Training-- BSCE from Univ of Calif. –Berkeley in 1965; MSCE from Univ of Illinois – Urbana in 1967; ABD (all but dissertation) Stanford Univ – many years
Careers-- Construction work-6 years; Civil and Environmental Engr-5 years; College Professor-30 years; Retired – 5.5 years
Places lived since 1959, dates, duration, stories:
Long Beach Area until 1963 – married with kids; started to grow up
Berkeley 1963-1966– an awakening; loved it; wish I could afford to live there Urbana, Illinois 1967-68– great people and faculty; too humid; too boring; Berkeley/Palo Alto-1968-1973- working, going to school and getting divorce; Lafayette 1973-1977 – great spot, can’t afford on a teacher’s salary; met current wife (what a break)
Modesto, CA !977-2004; great job; nice house; lousy weather; boring city; Morro Bay, CA 2004-present; neat little town; great weather; enough to do;great neighbors; dog loves the place
Special interests/hobbies/stuff you make to sell-- Fly fishing, Tennis, Golf, Walking with wife and dog on mountains and beaches
What else-- I am a classical example of “education is wasted on the young.” After many years I learned about myself the world, and then realized what opportunities Wilson had offered that I never availed myself of. I am still growing. It was chilling to see so many names of people I knew that have passed away. One of them was my first (not very serious) girl friend.
last year and we hope to become grandparents sometime. The photo was taken after her wedding.
Post-Wilson education/training-- Graduated LBCC 1962, College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, 1966.
Careers since 1959-- Practiced dentistry for 39 years; faculty member teaching dental students; co-managed Berkeley Free Dental Clinic at Mt. Zion hospital, San Francisco; consultant in quality evaluation for Calif. Dental Assoc; and regional consultant for Delta Dental. Retired four years ago (as of 2010), however have just become the Clinical Dental Consultant for Marin County Health and Human Services
Places lived since 1959-- San Francisco, CA 1962-72. Summer of Love in Golden Gate Park, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Jimmy Hendrix at the Fillmore auditorium, sex, drugs, and rock and roll, as they say. Europe, touring 8 months in 1972 - fabulous! Fairfax, CA 1972-present. Over the Golden Gate bridge in Marin County, the original hippy town where there still are some. Sedate, very suburban, little changed over the years.
Special interests/hobbies-- Sailing, tennis, bridge, skiing, cooking,travel. Traveled extensively through the years to East and West Europe, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and Asia, anad South America.
Whatever else-- I am fortunate to have had the time and means to travel. People are universally kind, compassionate, helpful and loving. Organized religion and political and economic systems all produce fear, prejudice, and poverty, conditions that lead to conflict. I'm hopeful that future generations will heed history and develop the technological and social skills necessary for their own survival. I am a little older, and a little wiser and slightly shorter than I was at 18.
Post-Wilson education/training-- B.S.-Engineering; U. S. Coast Guard Academy, ‘64; M.S.- Electrical Engineering; U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology,
‘70; U. S. Naval War College, ‘83; U.S. Army War College, ‘84;
Careers since 1959-- U. S. Coast Guard 1960 – 1994
President, SAAM Institute (Biomedical Software), 1998–2003; President, Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation (Environmental non-
profit) 2008 - present
Places lived since 1959-- Alamed, California (64-66), Long Beach, California (67-68), Dayton, Ohio (68-70), Wildwood, New Jersey (70-73), Caribou, Maine (73-76), Springfield, Virginia (77-83), Carlisle, Pennsylvania (84), Avon Lake, Ohio (84-86), Springfield, Virginia (86-89), Seattle, Washington (89-92), Alamed,a California (92-94), Lake Forest Park, Washington (94-present)
Special interests/hobbies-- Travel, Computers, Fast cars, Keeping Lake Forest Park Green
Whatever else we should know-- Still kickin. We travel extensively overseas and in the U.S. Great 50th Reunion and Reunion booklet.
SHARON ANDERSON WHITE
Best high school Memory: Good friends and
some really special teachers
Marital History-- Married 45 years
Children-- Three children (2 boys and 1 girl);
Granchildren (4 boys and 1 girl)
Post -Wilson Education/Training-- 1 year at LBCC for Dental Assisting;
Career(s)-- Dental Assisting and secretarial work
Places Lived-- Long Beach; Garden Grove; and for 42 years, Huntington Beach
Special Interests of Hobbies-- Reading, Needlework and Quilting, Music
What else-- Active in my church (Lutheran). Help with my grandkids often, and enjoy my husband's company. Also, enjoy time spent with friends.
TOM MILNER
Best Memory-- Emceei for Club Capers in my Senior year 1959. Thank you Mr. Ellithorpe.
Marital History-- Married, twice
Children/Grandchildren-- Two children, now 49 and 48 years and two Grandsons 13 and 16 years.
Post -Wilson Education/Training-- LBCC, U.S. Navy, Cleveland Institute Of Electronics and
subsequent advanced electronics training. Trained and received a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument and Multiengine ratings along with a Professional Engineers License for designing broadcast radio and television facilities. Most recently I designed High Definition television studios for broadcasters upgrading to HD. In the 1970's I taught advanced electronics classes in San Francisco and Anaheim leading students to passing the Federal Communications Commission First Class Radio-Telephone License.
Career(s) Broadcasting. Radio Announcer-DJ at various radio stations nationwide. Starting in Long Beach at KLFM (KNAC) FM, KGGK FM, Garden Grove, KNOB (The Jazz Knob) Long Beach, KEZY-AM Disneyland Hotel, KBIG-FM Los Angeles. As an engineer, I designed and built KEZY-FM. I was also an active voice actor working on many commercials. Designing, building and operating recording studios during the 1980's, I was chief engineer for Jazz Guitarest George Benson. In the 1990's to 2002 I was a designer of audio and video systems for the DOD agencies.
Places Lived: Long Beach, Anaheim, Laguna Beach, Ventura, San Francisco, Des Moines, Flint, Ft. Lauderdale, Maui Hawaii (fifteen years) and now Ojai.
singing. I discovered then that I was not a soloist, but was better at singing in groups.
Marital History-- Married Patsy Sloan in 1960, divorced in 1966. Married Gerre Guianen in 1967 – still happily married.
Children/Grandchildren-- Three daughters (Elizabeth, Erin and Janice) and five granddaughters (Catherine, Laura, Emma, Chloe and Ruth). All of them have attended Montessori schools (Ruth will start next year) and at one time, my wife Gerre, daughter Janice and granddaughter Emma were in the same class. Janice as the teacher, Gerre assisted her and Emma was the student. All of our children and grandchildren live in or near Austin.
Post-Wilson education/training-- Attended Long Beach City College and Long Beach State College. Started out to be an engineer, but that didn’t work out. Moved to business school and graduated from the University of Texas (BBA in Business Management) in 1972. Paid for all of my education, formal and informal, and worked 40 to 60 hours per week while at UT.
Careers since 1959-- I worked for North American Aviation (Autonetics, then Space Division) from 1962 to 1968. My work at the Space Division was during the Apollo Program – I analyzed bids from subcontractors. Moved to Austin, TX and worked for Tracor, (which became part of BAE Systems), from 1968 to 2007. Started as a buyer, and ended as a Director of Finance, mostly dealing with project budgets and schedules, manufacturing cost accounting, and with computerized accounting and manufacturing systems. Moving from North American Aviation (huge company with lots of rules) to Tracor (small, with few rules) was lots of fun because we were able to make things up as we went along. We had all worked for other companies, and were able to use whatever had worked best elsewhere, or come up with brand new ideas.
Places lived since 1959-- Lived in Lakewood for a while, then Belmont Shore, and in 1968 moved to Austin, TX. For the last 23 years, we have lived on a 5.6 acre lot just south of the Austin city limits. We have added an upstairs guest room, a carport, a pool and lots of landscaping to the house and its surroundings. We have lots of deer and other critters that frequent the yard, including foxes that nest under one of the walkways. We love living in Texas and anticipate staying here until the end. We have seen Austin grow from a relatively small town to a somewhat large metropolis. We can still get out of town in a few minutes, so it is still OK.
Special interests/hobbies-- I have been a stamp collector since I was 11, and continue to do so actively. I am treasurer of our local stamp club and of two Texas-wide organizations and was named Distinguished Philatelic Texan for 2002 by the Texas Philatelic Association. I have exhibited some of my collections and also work with the local post office on special events. I was a member of the committee that celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Texas Statehood in 1995. I have designed pictorial cancellations for many events, including the Inaugurations of President George W. Bush (the ones used in Austin and Crawford). My wife is a serious runner and cyclist and I have dabbled in both just to keep fit.
What else? As all of our children/grandchildren live nearby, our main focus has been on them. We help them improve their houses, watch their children, and support them as much as we can. As a result, we tend not to travel, although Gerre and I did make it to Hawaii for our 40th Anniversary.
ALEX (SANDY) BEATTIE
Best Memory-- Drag races at noon on Park St; Mr. Wade trying to catch people ditching classes; Mr. Phipps Econ class; Ms Townsend’s English Lit. class – only took it because I had to but have learned to value it more than all the math and science that I had to take.
Marital History-- First marriage in 1961 that lasted 11 years; Second marriage in 1977 that is still lasting
STEVE PLUSCH
Best Memory-- Dr. Voisard’s little bottle of hydrogen sulphide that I got whiffed by many times.
Marital History-- Once in 1964 to Karen (Stanley), Wilson ‘60
Children/Grandchildren-- Son has three daughters;
Post-Wilson education/training-- BS (CSULB);
MS (USC); PhD course work (UCLA); Licensed Civil Engineer and/or Structural Engineer in California and 15 other States, Published over 40 technical texts or papers
Careers since 1959: All work as Structural Engineer practicing Structural Engineering. Complete resume available via Google.
City of Los Angeles..1964 to 1970; Brandow and Johnston Structural engineers…1970 to 1972;
Fluor Constructors..1974 to 1988; EQE/ABS Structural Engineers..1988 to 2004; Exponent Failure Analysis..2004 to present; Part time faculty at CSULB
Places lived since 1959-- Long Beach, CA.;
Lakewood, CA. Worked for City of Los Angeles and Brandow and Johnston; Los Angeles, CA. Santa Ana, CA..1974 to present
Special interests/hobbies-- Travel around the world for vacation and for work; Tennis/Golf; read
History/philosophy
Whatever else we should know about you-- I have been responsible for the structural design of off-shore drilling platforms and on shore facilities including petro-chemical plants, nuclear reactors, high rise buildings, residential structures, industrial and commercial complexes, schools, hospitals, jails and prisons. I have investigated the damage due to earthquakes and hurricanes around the world and have evaluated many structures for potential damage due to environmental forces. I have provided expert witness testimony for over 30 litigation cases/trials concerning errors and omissions and/or construction defects.
JOHN G. SHIPP, SE, F.ASCE
Best Memory from High School--
Excellent education and founda-
tion for collage.
Marital History-- Married:
Wife, Judith
Children (Gregory and Karin)
Grandchildren (Shannon, Christopher, Kaitlin, Connor and
Tucker)
LYLE BOARDMAN
Best Memory from High School-- Being in the a cappella Choir, going on tour with them, and being in operettas. The Choir Director, Mr. Ellithorpe, was a special man and I learned a great deal from him, more than just about
Grandchildren— 3 boys and 3 girls
Post-Wilson Education/Training— Occidental College – 3 years; BA – University of the State of New York – 1977 (Psych Major); MBA – University of Texas at Austin – 1980
Career— Property/Casualty Insurance Underwriting
Places Lived since 1959— Port Washington, NY; Houston, TX; Austin, TX; San Antonio, TX; Atlanta, GA; Richmond, VA; South Thomaston, ME
Special Interests/Hobbies— Art Quilter – make contemporary wall hangings from fabric.
Reading, Travel. One of our children lives in Australia, so we’ve been there and to New Zealand twice. I’ve also been to England, France, Mexico, Alaska, and Canada.
What Else? I was a stay at home mom when my children were young. Then, when the youngest was in first grade, I went back to college part time and
finally finished my degree (14 yrs late). After getting my MBA, I worked for Aetna Insurance in their property casualty division. At the end of my career I was an underwriting manager for the state of Virginia. When we moved to Maine, I worked part time for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We’re enjoying the coast of Maine and a rural lifestyle, and I have my own studio where I spend several hours a day working on art projects which has been very satisfying and a whole new direction for me.
SUSAN WARD GERHARDT
Best Memory from High School— Orchestra and Mr. Furjanick, Mr.
Rainey’s history class, and my friends
Marital History— Married Akira Endo (class of ’57), Divorced after 17 years.
Currently married to Rolfe Gerhardt.
Children— 2 daughters, 1 son and 1 stepdaughter
Children/Grandchildren—Daughter Katie 9/66--full time mom of Zoë, Erin and Alec;
Son Matt 12/68--Teaches English at SDSU, his son Jack; Son Zachary 10/94--9th grade Francis Parker
Post-Wilson Education/Training— Occidental '63 AB; USC '66 JD
Career(s) Lawyer with 4 firms: Gray, Cary (now DLA Piper); Luce, Forward; Duane Morris; Sheppard Mullin
Places Lived since 1959-- In and around San Diego
Special Interests or Hobbies— Fly fishing, biking, racquet ball when my knees worked, boating on our little trawler.
What Else? It was great saying hello to so many old friends at the 50th.
BOB COPELAND
Best Memory from Wilson— Minami's
Reganeau Party; Raney's classes; Miss
Wilcox when she turned sideways and
disappeared.
Marital History— Harriet 6/64-9/72; Marcia 1/77-10/89; Lynne 10/93-and still the winner.
Children/Grandchildren – 3 sons, 9 grandkids (4 boys, 5 girls) Two oldest sons have businesses in CO (one a auto repair shop and the other a custom cabinet shop), the youngest son is a sheriff for LA County. Of the two oldest grandsons (both 23), one is married (July 2010) and was blessed to obtain one of 3 spots for a fireman in Chyenne, WY. The other will graduate the end of Feb. as a LA County Sheriff. Granddaughter (21) is a junior in college and majoring in education, grandson (21) finished 2 years college and working to take over the cabinet shop. Grandaughter #2 junior in high school, granddaughter #3, second year of middle school, graddaughter #4 first year of middle school and twins (boy & girls) are 3. Quite a exciting family.
Post-Wilson education/training-- 4 years apprentice school in construction.
Careers since 1959-- Worked for Coastate Builders for 25 years. Moved to Durango Colorado for 2 years to work on mall there. Returned in ’82, went back to Coastate Builders. Worked for North American S&L for 2 years then for Pinner Construction for 17 years.
Places lived since 1959-- Stayed in Long Beach until 1968, moved to Cerritos for 2 years; back to Long Beach. In 1980 moved to Durango, CO (what an experience that was), tried to start a business. That wasn’t successful but 2 of my sons found their wives there. Returned to CA in 1982 to support 2 sons in college. Stayed in Lakewood Village until 2008 where we moved to Loveland, Colorado where my two oldest sons live.
Special interests/hobbies-- spend a lot of time making fishing rods. Love custom making rods and love fishing. The one thing I miss about moving is my ocean fishing boat. There’s plenty of lakes here but miss the ocean. Also have 36’ motorhome which is my baby and we love to travel with it. Since we moved in July ’08 we lived in the motorhome for 5 months while looking for a home; that cured my motorhoming for a while, but it’s time to start again!
Whatever else -- Totally enjoying retirement. Have a motorhome so we love to travel but really enjoy the grandkids. Have been blessed with a large and wonderful family.
LARRY SATHER
Best Memory from High School --
Beating Poly in football in my Junior
year. The day we wired all the trash-
cans in the trees and wired all doors
shut in the school.
Marital History – 50 years this June
(I know, hard to believe)
MIKE AARONSON
Best Memory-- Industrial Drawing, glazed donuts and orange juice bars for “nutrition” period, Mr. Turnbull, tennis team, Janie Fakes, Donna Billings, and cutting school to go surfing
Marital History-- Married 42 years to Julie Farr, from Fullerton CA and UCLA grad
Children/Grandchildren-- One daughter Cassiana, an attorney, who just married at the age of 37
MICHAEL KELLY
Best Memory from High School-- My memory of my high school years is a little sketchy. Being sixteen or seventeen I was a typical immature teenager and was just happy to have graduated.
Marital History-- I have been happily married to my wife Anne for the Last 45 years
Children/Grandchildren-- We have a daughter and son and six grandchildren and all doing well in life. Post-Wilson education/training-- I earned a
Bachelor of Science Degree from Long Beach State University
Careers since 1959-- I spent thirty-two years in Law Enforcement first with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and then the California Highway
Patrol, and for the last twenty-six years as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
Places lived since 1959-- I have lived and worked in the following locations: Germany; Redding, CA; Thousand Oaks, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Washington DC; Brunswick, GA; Spokane, WA; Bellingham, WA and Las Vegas, NV. I was in the US Army in Germany, and with the California Highway Patrol in Redding, CA. As an ATF Special Agent and Supervisor I was transferred approximately every five years to these different locations and finally retired in Las Vegas.
Special interests/hobbies-- I have a bad case of wanderlust and my wife and I have traveled over most of the globe during the last 10 years. I like to
think of myself as a gourmet chef and love to cook. I like to read and work out at the gym four or five times a week.
Whatever else -- I have been blessed with an interesting career, a good wife, great kids and good health. My life is good and it all started at Woodrow Wilson High School in good old Long Beach, CA.
Married to college sweetheart. Two boys one married, two grandchildren.
Post-Wilson Education-- Pomona College, Baylor Medical School, Internship Denver, Residency in
Orthopedics- Universilty Calif. Irvine-Yale, Lt. Commander- US Navy, Orthopedic Surgeon. Practiced in Long Beach for 25 years at Long Beach
Community and Memorial. Retired in 1998.
Places lived-- One year sabbatical in Berne, Switzerland. Live now on Alamitos Bay.
Hobbies-- golf, skiing, fishing, taking an afternoon nap. Currently on Long Beach Planning Commission, Tichenor Orthopedic Clinic for Children Foundation-- Director of that
clinic as a volunteer for 30 years.
What else?--Feeling lucky about our era and all
the fun and pleasure each episode has brought with it but realizing it is important to focus on the good episodes and not the unpleasant ones.
Cali Sue, John Braeden Posey (Denise), Dylan, Skylar Rae
Post-Wilson Education— UCLA, Cal-Berkeley - B.A.; Pepperdine - M.S. Education with Education
Technology emphasis
Places lived since Wilson— South Pasadena, Altadena, Pasadena
Interests/Hobbies— Being "Grammy," building memories with family and friends, Bridge, reading, volunteering.
Career— Taught freshmen and sophomores English at San Marino High School for 27 years. Retired in 1999 and began after school tutoring. Taught English teachers how to bring technology into their classrooms as an online instructor for the University of San Diego.
Interests—I'm a Facebook enthusiast and thoroughly delight in staying in touch online with family and friends.
CAROLYN PRICE (CARI HALL)
Wilson memory— Hody's in Sandie's Ford Fairlane(?) convertible: French fries with ketchup and a cherry coke.
Married to John D. Hall for 26 years
Children— Julea Posey Douglass (Mrs. Brooks...), Brody, Cali Sue, Brody,
CHARLEY DURNIN
Fondest memories of Wilson would be the dances at the Bruin Den after the football games, living in
Long Beach and getting to still see all those people I grew up with.
like rotten eggs. I departed Chem Lab with the makings for H2S (the devil made me do it). As I sauntered into English, Mr. Eveland had not yet arrived. With everybody watching, I taped the tube of Sulfuric Acid inside his podium, dropped in a piece of zinc, and sat down. In walks Mr. Eveland who broadly proclaims, “My God! Voissard’s at it again. Close the windows.” With the classroom closed up tight, H2S concentrated. Richard O’Brien was the first to say, “Mr. Eveland, it’s under your podium!” I reconnected with Ed Eveland later in life when he was retired and had written several books. We spent several afternoons discussing our writing. He was my mentor.
Marital History-- I married my college sweetheart too young. Then in ‘75 I found the perfect woman. Teddi is half Italian and half Danish. Boy, can she cook! We lived on the ocean with a view of Catalina. In '87 we moved to Las Cruces to the DESERT to work on Reagan’s star wars project: Ground-Based Free-Electron Laser Technology Integration Experiment. We were going to zap Russian missiles in launch. Teddi and I acquired a huge adobe mansion full of views and opened our Hilltop Hacienda Bed and Breakfast. You can find us on-line. We’ve had thousands of guests including our last man to walk on the moon.
Children/Grandchildren-- Bobby is a VP computer guru in San Jose. He and Janet have five darling angels. Patricia just graduated from college and is married. When Bobby was 14, we took him all over Europe for a month and bought him a liter at the Hofbrau House. Three of the grandchildren are autistic, so it is a challenge for them.
Post Wilson Education/Training-- I went to Stanford, USC, and Azusa Pacific and got masters in ME, and Marriage and Family Counseling.
Career-- Defense and aerospace helping design the DC-9, Apollo, Shuttle, missiles, and I ran a department for NASA at White Sands. I was a Professional Engineer. In ‘71-’73, I spent a year in East LA working with Mexican gang kids and a year at the LA Downtown Central Juvenile Hall as a deputy probation officer.
Places Lived-- Long Beach, Palo Alto, Santa Monica, Venice, Huntington Beach, Brazil, Altadena, Westchester, Palos Verdes Shores, Las Cruces. In 1969-70, I spent a year traveling all over Latin America and lived with a family in Brazil from Christmas through Carnival. I speak Spanish and Portuguese and know French and German.
Special Interests and Hobbies-- In 1993 my car slid on black ice while driving up to Ski Apache. I rolled down the mountain side and smashed into a tree. I was unconscious for seven weeks and hospitalized for 3½ months. I am disabled for life and recovering from brain injury, broken neck, and paralysis. I recorded an album: “Love Is Everywhere” in which I play my love songs on piano. I’ve written two books: “Mortal Deception” and “Black Ice." One is a novel about twin girls separated at birth. The other describes my accident and our recovery. Both are accessible @ www.zianet.com/hilltop/bobpeters. In my spare time I play poker and bridge. In 1978, I ran the Santa Monica Marathon.
What Else-- I miss all of you. With Penny (Bryant) Turk, I shared poetry. With Pam Freeman I shared HAM radio. Get my email address and phone number from Liss and get in touch.
us a granddaughter Morgan (13)
Post Wilson Education-- Bachelor Degree in Technical Management from Regis University, Masters Degree in Telecommunication Management from University of Denver
Career-- Ski Instructor/Patrolman, Resturant worker/waiter/bartender/manager, Telecomm Manager, Facilities Manager, Glass technician, CRT Technician, Facilities Designer, Instructor, Professor in Grad School, Sales Associate, Tour Guide and Red Bus Driver
Places I have lived-- Long Beach, Mammoth Mt., Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Co., Denver Co., Aurora Co., Highlands Ranch Co., The Caribean Sea
Special Interests-- Sailing, Skiing, Woodworking, travel, history
What else-- I currently have the best job of my life, I drive a Red 1936 White Cab bus (worth about $250,000) and take 17 guests to see one of the most beautiful National Parks as this is in Montana it is a summer only job.
GARY NORTON
Best Memory from Wilson-- Playing sports, the last day 0 free at last! free at last!
Marital History-- three strikes, and I'm out!
Children/Grandchildren-- Two boys, one girl, and three grandchildren.
PostWilson Education/Training-- building environmentally "green" houses: adobe ones in Arizona, SIPs ones in Oregon, the most beautiful state in the country, so many tall redwoods.
Check out pictures of SIPs on Notable Grads page.
Career-- building houses - also creating small chain of health food stores, and other small businesses: nursery and tree-plantig, meat sales, and catering trucks.
Places Lived since Wilson--Caifornia, Arizona, Oregon.
Special Interests/Hobbies-- chasing bears, kayaking, bicyling, growing grapes in a dry and rocky river bed, sawing logs, enjoying the peace and quiet of mountain living.
What else-- Contact Liss for my personal email address or phone number.
MARDELL HEGEDUS DAHL
Best Memory from High School— Other than a few special long-standing friendships, I would have to say that I suppose that senility has taken over and I really don’t have any special or outstanding memories of high school ~ Only that I graduated!!!
Marital History— Divorced for second time 30 years ago and that is it for me!
Children/Grandchildren-- Son and Daughter,
and granddaughter
Post-Wilson education/training-- AA – Long Beach City College - 1961; BS –Security Administration from CSULB - 1984 finally!!! All the training from U.S. government for my career job.
Careers Disneyland security ~ 1977 to 1987; U.S. Department of Defense ~ Defense Security Service 1985-2007
Places lived— Long Beach, CA ~ 1959-1961, Seal Beach, CA ~ 1961-1967, Huntington Beach, CA ~ 1967-1969 ~ First Home owned; Fountain Valley, CA ~ 1969-present ~ Raised myfamily and thoroughly enjoy my house and home and will probably die here.
Special interests— My most special interest is my three year old granddaughter that I waited quite a few years for ~ and she is the delight of my life. I love to knit and quilt ~ I’ve probably made 50 or so afghans and blankets over the past few years. I retired in 2007 from the government. But I also still volunteer in a local industrial security organization ~ Greater LA ISAC.
And I am active in my synagogue community.
Whatever else — Life has been good to me ~ what else can I say? Indeed, I’ve had my ups and downs as has everyone, but I’ve always gotten back up! My two marriages have produced two children (from my first marriage) which have given me much delight. They are healthy and happy individuals and both are happily married. My daughter has one child. I was what you might call a late bloomer ~ I was able to raise my children without having to work outside the home. Then I went back to school in the early 80s and finished my degree. I started working for the government in 1985 and stayed until my 2007 retirement.
Still pluggin’ away!!!
STEVE ARCHER
Marital History-- Married to
Mary Lee 1963 she past away in 1970,;Married to Darline 1971 to the present
Children/Grandchildren-- Son and Daughter adopted from first marriage;Stepdaughter from the second marriage who had given
Married in '74 to Carolyn Rule from Knoxville, TN and 35 yrs latter still married.
We have 3 children-- Micah, 22, Kristyn, 28, and Tobi, 31; grandchildren-- 4 little girls and 1 boy; 1 more due this week by our eldest girl, Tobi and 1 in
the oven with Kristyn our middle child.
Post-Wilson Education/Training--Air Force Medic, '61~'65; BA in Art, '74
Careers-- Respiratory Therapist at a local hospital and Photographer for the local newspaper (both while earning my degree). Following graduation
in '74 became Art Director for Orange Grove Center, Center for Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities...still here (good web site:
www.orangegrovecenter.org [go to services, art dept, and art dept again, & there I am])
Places Lived-- Philippines; Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; No. CA (Humbolt Co); Chattanooga, TN.
Interests-- hand built pottery, photography, woodworking, fishing and exercise.
What else-- In '67 I placed my confidence in the historical person of Jesus as Messiah. I'm still a mess, but my hope is in Him!
DENNIS WILKES
Best Wilson Memory-- Cutting school at lunch time with Larry Twombley and Jeff Gates in my '53 Ford 2-door hardtop, lowered on a slight rake, or Larry's '50 black Buick, also very low. Eating our lunch at the Marine Stadium (and "smoking" which I quit a hundred years ago)
BOB PETERS
Best High School memory-- Dr. Voissard was Chemistry at 10. Mr. Eveland was English at 11. I’m loving the 11th grade with compatriots like John Keipp, Fred McLane, John Rowe, Mary G., Rae Demler, Penny Bryant, Susan Ward, Carol Clark, Keith Wisot, Richard O’Brien…. This one memorable morning I am in Chemistry making hydrogen sulfide. We had Park Ave. smelling
having the honor of being chosen Junior Princess are the highlights
Marital History-- Married and divorced…once was enough.
Children/Grandchildren-- No children…hence no grandchildren
Post-Wilson education/training-- BA from CSULB
CLAD and ELIC credentials, Many post-graduate classes through several institutions of higher learning (LBCC, Pepperdine, St. Mary’s, Irvine, San Bernardino, Fullerton)
Careers-- I taught grades 3,4 5, and 6 for LBUSD for 40 years. My career for the last 7 years has been thoroughly enjoying retirement. How did I ever find the time to work?
Places lived-- I have lived in Long Beach, Rossmoor (Seal Beach), and Cypress (for the last 15 years). Sticking close to home.
Special interests-- Reading, scrap booking, traveling, taking classes, substitute teaching on occasion and getting together with friends are among my retirement pursuits. I have become a quilter and LOVE it. My sister, Carol, is the recipient of many quilts. I spend lots of time in Las Vegas visiting my sister (class of ‘60).
Whatever else-- Traveling through Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, USA (Hawaii and Alaska) has been great fun. I am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and a Red Hatter…on occasion, visiting our brother, Len Glogauer (class of ‘ 63), at his home near Lake Tahoe in June.
CAMILLE GLOGAUER LANG
Best Memory-- There are lots of memories, but meeting friends in the Quad, being a member of AMI, being the only girl in mechanical drawing and architectural drawing classes, cruising Hody’s after school, and
and doing all the fun summer beach activities with Wilson friends.
Marital History— I have been married for 45 years. My husband attended Poly High School.
Children— We have 3 children: Johnny 41, Kevin 36, and Debbie 34.
Grandchildren— We have 4 Grandchildren: three boys and one girl. They are 21 years 16 years, 21 months and 15 months. The little ones keep us busy.
Post-Wilson education— I graduated from LBSC in 1964 with a degree in Education.
Careers— I taught Kindergarten in Garden Grove for 4 years. I stayed home for 18 years with the children, and then went back to teaching. I taught Kindergarten for 19 years in Cypress. I have been retired for 5 years.
Places lived— I have not lived very far from L.B. When we were first married we lived in Garden Grove for 3 years. We then bought our home in
Cypress, where we still live. When we moved in Barbara (Peterson) Conrad lived down the street. Dee Griffin lived next door on one side, and Steve Lane lived on the other side. What a coincidence!
Special interests— I like to sew (mostly quilts now). I like to work in the yard, because I love the spring and summer flowers. I enjoy reading,
putting puzzles together, and doing Sudoku puzzles. We like to travel, and have gone on many Cruises with friends.
Whatever else— Our children are our biggest pleasures. They all live close, so we get to see them often. Last summer all the children and
grandchildren (12 of us) went to Hawaii to our Time Share in Maui. It was quite an adventure, and a lot of fun. In 1967 John and I went to Europe for the summer. We bought a car and
traveled all through Europe for 2 and ½ months. We then shipped the car home. Since we were both teachers we had the time for this great
adventure. We are both retired and enjoy living in Cypress.
BARBARA PUDDY O'DOWD
Best Memory from High School— Being a Bruinette and going to football games, singing in the choir and the operettas, having great friends, and swimming in the swim shows. Living in Belmont Shore
ornament that was exchanged each day for a larger one; finally he complained that at least someone could snicker, so I ran up to his counter with a Snickers bar, and then he didn't laugh.
Marital History-- Once, to an Englishman. He lost his job at CSULB for not publishing, my fault for wanting him home in the evenings, so we left for England. When we got home, he left us after five more years. I was a single parent after that.
Child-- Michael Lewis Jackson, born in England with midwives, who were feared in the U.S. at the time. We stayed in the U.K. until flying home on Mike's fourth birthday. He is now married but so far has no children.
Post-Wilson Education-- 30 years of some sort of college ongoing until the M.S.Ed in 2000. B.A. from CSULB, also where I met Richard Jackson, who tripped over a chair asking me out behind the Science and Tech library reference desk. Secondary teaching credential from there after returning from England, and then the usual teacher life-long education practice, never stop learning more and more and more and more....
Career-- high school English teacher at an at-risk (population) school in Lawndale (both my uncles termed "the land of the ex-con"); it still is so corrupt and insular (the generations stay there), that only bad guys supported (still support) corruption in the school board and adminstration. It was a horrible experience professionally, but many of the students rewarded my efforts by returning after graduation, sometimes after a lapse of two years, for a hug and to thank me. I stayed on for 21 years.
Places lived-- England for six years, Manhattan Beach ever since 1974.
Special Interests-- sixpences (see the Grads Ads page) We lugged 10,000 of them back from the U.K. because the government withdrew them from circulation when they decimalized their monetary system. I sell them on Ebay, but a lot of other people have had the same idea in England, Ireland, and Australia - no wonder I'm not selling many myself. I think their story is sweet.
What else? I am dismayed by organized or any other form of religion after having taught several of the world's mythologies along with global literature for so many years, and after reading so much anthroplogy, history, psychology, comparitive religion, and physics. The scales fall from the eyes. I have learned so-called "belief systems" are all made up to answer former unanswerable questions. Now we all have answers available, if only people would read! Religion only causes trouble - it's the same with rabid politics.
Best Memory-- Mr. Ellithromp's Glee, Mrs. Minami's classes (two years of them)--senior year one day we all dropped those big books on the floor at 11:00 precisely, Dr. Voissard's inanities--we got so used to them we stopped laughing at them, even at Christmas when he hung up a single
LISS JACKSON (MELISSA HARDESTY)
I stay away from both except for watching CNN and CSPAN to keep up with what happens. Therefore, I now have no close friends nor much family (excepting Mike, my hero!) as so many in my current acquaintance roll in the holy; although, I think most people do their best to be kind and careful. I had two dogs, now down to one, Rupert the Bear, pictured here.
We have 3 children-- Dennis who is married with 4 boys and a 6th grade teacher and lives
here. Dwayne who is married with 3 boys and is a computer programmer in DC. Teri who
is married, no kids; she lives in Sweden (married a Swede) and teachers at a tech university.
After Wilson, I worked as a secretary for architect and a bookkeeper at the Farmers and
Merchant bank down town L.B. then got married! Went back to work in 1980 for Special
Ed as a clerk and just retired last June. It was a great job.
Career since 1959-- All sorts of things! I was the clerk for the deaf/hard of hearing and physically disabled probrams; admin, not with kids.
Places lived— Since we were in the Navy, we lived in several places. Started out in Eva
Beach, Hawaii for 1 year; Lincoln, NE for 1 year, Imperial Bch, CA for 6 months, Oak Harbor,
WA for 3 years; back to Eva Beach, Hawaii for 3 years and in 1969 came to San Diego and
stayed until Herb retired in 1978. We never did get to the East coast! I did make a couple
of trips to meet Herb when the carrier pulled into Athens and Hong Kong, always fun!
Special Interests—The grandkids keep me busy, day trips with friends, reading, just normal things for me! Volunteering for veterans events; they are special people. I have painted the inside of my house and not white!
What else—I cannot believe it has been 50 years since I graduated – I really do not feel
that old! I just do everyday things to stay active and am just now learning how to transfer
pics from my new digital camera to the computer with the help of a son.
SHARON MCCLAY SCHAMP
Best Memory is "Annie Get Your Gun," what fun that was! Bruinettes was fun - making my
own pompoms, not so much!
Married my sailor Herb May of 1960. He passed away May of 2001, too young.
