John Adams High School Class of 1961
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last revised August 11, 2006 |
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| Aronson (Skaggs), Jane |  |
For the last 9 years I have been a renal dietitian in a dialysis unit in the same hospital where I have worked for 25 years. As of August 31, I will be a retired dietitian! It has been a good run. My son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Maureen (we call her Mo), live in LA, where she is a Rheumatology Attending at UCLA Hospitals and he is doing cancer research for his post doctorate. Daughter, Sara, is a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. There are no grandchildren......yet. Husband, Jim, works for SAP and is busy doing software implementations. My father (you call him Moe) turned 90 in February. Although he probably will not attend the picnic this year, he still enjoys visits from former students and, if any of you have the time, he probably would enjoy a visit from you. You just might have to remind him of your name. |
| Barbara, MaryAnn (Lau) |  |
This will be my first class reunion and I look forward to meeting with my fellow '61 classmates. I now live very far from my origins but South Bend is still a very important part of who I am. In the years since 1961 many things in life have changed....along with maturity, having a child, relationship changes, moving all the way to Florida, and parents passing away, I still have a special place in my heart for South Bend and memories of JHS. |
| Bartow, Caryn |  |
attending |
| Beebe, Jack |  |
I have missed the last few meetings of our class. I lost my first wife (Sue) over ten year ago. However, my present wife Connie is the bright spot of my life. My two girls are both doing well with local families. After spending many years in sales dealing with GM, Ford, Chrylser and JCI I retired over a year ago. Now spending time fishing and grand kids. Workd at local golf course part time. We go to Florida or down south for Jan-Mar to stay away from the snow. I had open heart bypass about three years ago and am doing fine. I look forward to my further retirement. Hope to see many of you Friday night. |
| Bennett, Dick |  |
Attending |
| Bethke, Natalie Roxanne (Handley) |  |
My work world involves working as a Senior Director of Development for the
University of Illinois Foundation. I travel extensively, mostly in the Southwest and Chicago. I love meeting with the diverse alumni of the University. I am currently involved in a two billion dollar campaign and plan to conclude my career with the U of IL at its close. |
| Britton, Cindy (Davis) |  |
Since the last class reunion, My husband (John) and I are both retired, I still live on 26th Street, My son Butch has 2 children Bryan 25yrs. old and Nick who is 7yrs. old. Bryan and his wife have 1 child Britteny who is 1yr. old, My daughter Christine has 2 children Amy 27yrs. old and Bobby 24yrs. old, Amy and her husband Wayne have 1 child Brady 7yrs. old and expecting another a (little boy) in August. Bobby and his wife Trica is expecting their first child in Novermber which will also be a boy. My Mother is still living on 34th St. were I grew up. |
| Brooke, Bill |  |
In 2003, I retired from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory after 28 years of service in Quality Assurance. Since 1988 have been working part time as an adjunct faculty mathematics/physics instructor at Roane State Community College, mostly at their Oak Ridge campus. They have seven campus locations in East Tennessee. Since my 2003 retirement, I have been teaching algebra classes, almost full-time to adults not yet meeting the entrance math requirements. Teaching is my thing and has been since 1988. Still do all kinds of mechanical-electrical repair but dropped electronics hobby decades ago. Saves a lot of money, particularly for car repairs. In 2005, my oldest daughter Jennifer graduated from Emory University with highest honors in psychology. Other daughter Andrea just graduated from high school and will start college this fall. She is still choosing her path. Have two dogs, a very large white Great Pyrenees named Sage and a mixed Labrador/Dalmatian name Hallsy, all black from the top side view with white spotted paws and an all Dalmatian view on her underside. For the past four years I have had a very great relationship with my dearest named Jill. Jill and I will come at about 1:30 Saturday afternoon to the picnic and then to the reunion that evening. Head home Sunday. |
| Brown, Jerry |  |
After I graduated from school, I went to Elkhart University and learned how to make dentures and Crown&Bridge work as a Dental Tech. From there I worked in a Dental Lab in Ft Wayne. I found it was much better in the sales of Dental Equipment and supplies, so I took a cut in pay and went to work with R&R Dental supply. From there I worked both wholesale and retail in the Dental Field most of my life. I have lived in,Indanapolis, Dallas, Canton, Tampa, Chicago, and Orlando. Most of the time I spent traveling around the country. I did take a corporate VP marketing job for a major Dental Supply house in Chicago. I also when into Real Estate selling dental Practices in Florida as a Broker. About 10 years ago I started a company that buys used dental equipment and refurbished it. My son and I have done real well. My wife and I are now looking toward retirement. We have a home on the Gulf and a Cabin in Tennessee Mountains. We do alot of traveling and enjoying life. God has been good. I have 5 children 2 are Police officers 1 is a computer program, 1 is my partner and the other I never could get too. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. |
| Brueseke, Hal |  |
Five more years and memories may fade even more. I look forward to seeing everyone that will attend this year. Jack C is to be complimented for all the time and effort that has gone into this event. For those who don't make it this time, please plan on the summer of 2011 |
| Bunyon, Jim |  |
attending |
| Champaigne, Jack Michael |  |
Can't believe it's time for another reunion. I'm still working 40+ hours/week and travel a lot both domestic and foreign (Germany, France, England, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, and probably some I've forgotten). We make magnetic valves and I train people to perform shot peening. See our company web page Electronics Incorporated You can see more about our training at The Shot Peening Universe My older daughter, Diane (1975) lives in Seattle and younger daughter, Amy (1978) lives in Lansing, MI with two children. |
| Champaigne, James Frederick |  |
After graduation, Jack and I were fortunate to work summer jobs at the Aero Jet General site in California where the monster rockets for the manned moon vehicles were being built and tested in 1962 and 1963. I attended Purdue for a few semesters, but returned to South Bend and enrolled at the IUSB campus only to be drafted in January 1967. I spent one year in the states, then two years in beautiful Germany during the height of the Viet Nam war. Teaching Sunday School on the Army base directed me to choose Elementary Education as a career instead of Engineering. After my student teaching experience at Harrison Elementary, Robert Slauson (our 7th and 8th grade teacher from Lincoln) hired me to teach 4th grade in the very same room. I finished my masters degree (even started on my doctorate, but that’s another story) and then met my wife of 31 years. We met at a party at the end of January, dated in February and Married on Good Friday in March. Now we have two Carol Champaigne’s in the family. Curtis, (Carol’s son) was joined by David in 1976 and Jason in 1978. Curt manages the best (and only) hardware store in Wakarusa, David is a flight instructor in the Navy with a degree from Purdue in Aerospace Engineering specializing in rocket propulsion. Jason graduated with distinction from Purdue in Building Construction Management and is currently working for the city of Elkhart building code department. I left teaching in 1976 to work in the Recreational Vehicle industry, was exposed to COMPUTERS, and was hired by Abitibi-Price to develop and manage computer systems for the plastics manufacturing plant in Middlebury, Indiana. I have been here for 24 years and starting to like it. I have also been teaching a freshman level course for IUSB the last seven years in the Computer Science Department. Some day I will teach Jack not to lose the John Adams Class of 1961 information every five years. Probably after the 50th reunion. I enjoy carpentry, woodworking and building furniture in my basement workshop. You must remember that Time is Mother Nature’s way of keeping everything from happening all at once! So, come to the 45th reunion and let’s have a really good time. James F. Champaigne B.S. M.S. |
| Clarke, Sherry |  |
Attending |
| Davis, Dave |  |
I live in wonderful Colorado with my beautiful wife Jan (Mishawaka H.S. 1962). Our son Corey is finishing his higher education and will be entering a career in secondary education, soon we hope. With my wife retired the pressure is on for me to get with it. We enjoy blue water sailing, riding our mountain bikes in the Colorado mountains, and travel. My architectural practice has taken me all over the country but never to South Bend where we travel to attend reunions, see old friend and old relatives. I look forward to seeing my young classmates at our 45 reunion. |
| Ditsch, Fritz |  |
After graduation from Adams I attended Tri-State College, graduated in 1964 with BSME. Started to work for General Motors in Jan 1965, The Ternstedt Div. Joined Navy in 1966 for four years. Discharged in 1970 and returned to work at General Motors, Ternstedt, Fisher Body, Fisher Guide, Inland Fisher Guide, Fisher Guide, Delphi Automotive. All that brings us up to 1999 when GM spun off Delphi as its own company. I had a stroke in March of 2001 and spent year on sick leave. Then, in March of 2002 I retired from Felphi as a Senior Project Engineer, married in 1970 to my present wife Patricia. We have three children, David, 36, Linda (Kelly) 32 and Robert (Joey) 19 who is going to ITT Technical College. I currently have a 1955 Studebaker that I'm trying to get into shape to drive. It needs a power steering system for me to drive, I'm open to ideas. |
| Eichorst, Kurt Karl |  |
Jan and I still live in Niceville Florida although we have moved into new home about 2 miles from our pervious house. We have 6 grandchildren; Thad (son) and Susan along with their three children live about 18 miles from us, Lisa (daughter) and Jeff with their three children live in northern California, while Lynn (daughter) lives in northern Maryland. Jan and I have both retired, Jan from 30 years of teaching and me from 22 years of flying and engineering in the Air Force and 19 years of engineering with Sverdurp Technology. Jack,
We have had some family problems arise over the past couple of days which will prevent us from attending the reunion. Sorry that we will not be there, we were looking forward to it.
Kurt & Jan Eichorst |
| Frank, Fred |  |
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| Harris, James O. |  |
BS Business Adm. from Central State Unv. Wilberforce, Ohio 1965 JC Penney's Managment Trainee 1965-1966 US Army Finance Corp 1966-1969 A M General Corp. 1969-1995 Owner of Harris Liqour Store 1995-present Three boys, all graduates of John Adams High |
| Herschberger, Shirly (Sackman) |  |
Hi Jack,
Carl and I are planning on attending the picnic and dinner on Saturday.
We look forward to seeing everyone!
Best regards,
Shirley |
| Hutchison, Paul |  |
After graduating from ISU in 1965 I enlisted in the Marine Corps for two years. After completeing a tour of duty in Viet Nam , I returned to Indiana and began teaching at Lowell Middle School. I retired in 2005 after 38 years. My wife Laura and I have four children (3 girls and 1 boy). We still live in Lowell, In. |
| Lamont, Denny |  |
Attending |
| Martz, James W |  |
Since 1992 I have been publisher and owner of Florida Tennis magazine and editor of CaneSport magazine. Before that I was a sports writer and editor at the Miami Herald, beginning in 1970. I have written several books on University of Miami football and one on Miami baseball, and have written for several magazines. After Adams, I received a BA from Alma College in Michigan and MA from the Univesity of Iowa. In 2000 I became legal guardian (and a single parent) of a junior tennis player training for the pro tour, Marlon Korbut. |
| Mitchell, Don |  |
Attending picnic but not attending dinner |
| Miller, Ross |  |
attending |
| Nelson, Eric |  |
Looking forward to the 45 th! 30 th was last I attended. After John Adams-101 st Abn Div. (no Vietnam); Ind. Univ BA; Univ of Denver Accounting (CPA); now live in Gulf Breeze across from Pensacola, FL via CO and VA; current obsessions include hurricane survival and the lonely search for property insurance; have a lovely wife, Brenda, an RN and retired chemical engineer; she has three children; my dad deceased in ’87 (had an enjoyable retirement); mom at 93 remains in good health, still lives in her house and drives; brother retired DDS; sister practices law in SW Ohio; my health reasonably good albeit a couple bumps and the obligatory midsection; currently a tax auditor for State of FL. We also have a 15 bed assisted living facility; Brenda is administrator and I back her as financial and plant manager et al. as we hope to expand and/or develop the property further (so much for retirement). Past and present interests: camping and canoeing; sailing; flying; distance swimming; some theatre. Computers were an avocation but now more a necessity. To quote the immortal Mrs. (Miss to the Latin class) Kaczmarek in understatement, “tempus fugit”. I’ll enjoy attempting to recognize and renew acquaintance with each of you. “Am still trying to find the answers to life’s persistent questions” ala G.K. |
| Ramsey, Kent |  |
Married with one daughter. Lived in S.B. all my life. Active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Have lake cottage in Michigan. Long time Scuba diver. Do volunteer work at Center for Homeless and Police VIPS. |
| Rumpf, George |  |
attending |
| Sackman, Carl |  |
attending |
| Sink, Dave |  |
Indiana! Friends here still say, "Well, I knew you were from some place else, but I didn't know where." My wife still thinks the South was robbed and that I'm a damn Yankee who didn' have enough sense to leave while the getting was good. I still don't like country music, but somehow, I can't get "Suspicious Minds" out of my head. I was flying from Chicago to Washington, D.C. earlier this month and we passed directly over South Bend. I was able to pick out the school and my house from 15,000 feet. Some memories are indeliable. For some crazy reason, I remember singing the John Adams fight song on the football bus taking us from the school to School Field for a game against Central. Kurt Eichorst sang the loudest and Don Mitchell sang off-key. Mickey Strickland sang the best. I was in the back of the bus throwing up. Forty-five years ago and I can hear it and smell it and see it like it was yesterday. We're not getting old, we're getting better! Why walk when you can dance. You are all in my will. |
| Spilis, Dave |  |
Since our last reunion, I had full knee replacements for both knees (it's a bummer getting older). I retired in 2002 and have been spending my time golfing, traveling (by RV and otherwise) and "puttering." I also spend time with my two children (Carrie and Jason) and five grandchildren. In 2005, a friend and I traveled to Alaska by RV via Northern Canada. The trip took 7 weeks and covered nearly 11,000 miles. It was truly the trip of a lifetime |
| Stricklen, Mickey |  |
Retired from IBM 30 years.
Retired from AirTran Airways. Currently working with the Hilton Suites. Enjoy golf and travel. Just love going to our great beaches. |
| Sweitzer (Jackson), Jean |  |
I am fortunate to be able to combine having an interesting career, eight gradchildren, and pursue a couple very special hobbies. I sent two daughters and one son off into the world and now when they come home to visit there are 14 altogether! I have two great sons-in-law, a special daughter-in-law, three grandsons and three graddaughters. They all live within a couple hours of West Lafayette making me a lucky woman. I am the Manager of Corporate Relations for the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University. I have the opportunity to meet many interesting people, interact with the students, and work in a fast moving area. By the way, there is a national shortage of women going into the field of Computer Science. Please tell your granddaughters to consider the super opportunities available to them with a career in CS. Now that I have my plug in I need not bring my "recruiting hat" to the reunion. One doesn't get rich working at a university; however, the vacation benefits are nice. I use those vacation days to do plein air (outdoor) watercolor painting and go on hiking trips---and, of course, be with my family. Pura vida/Life is good! |
| Walker, Jerrold |  |
attending |
| Ward, James Robert |  |
I have been a Hairstylist for the past 45 years an still love it. Working with my wife as her passion is hair styling also. We both have worked for Redken as Guest Artists traveling through out the USA and Internationally for 20 years. Lin is my love of my life, we owned two large salons in Kansas with 60 empolyees, sold them 5 years ago and moved to small town in south central Colorado, where we work 3 days a week with NO employees. We have a small ranch with four horses, that we ride over 1500 miles a year in trail ride competitions. We don't have any children, but have a seriously cute Goldendoodle and two cats. We love the mountains an the lifestyle of a small town |
| Weiss, John |  |
Worked for the Bayer Corp for 37 years. Retired in 2002. Married have two grown sons, one stepson and one stepdaughter and three grandchildren. Hobbies are walking and biking for excercise. We spend a lot of time at the Disney parks enjoying the different parks and events. |