Sycamore High School

(Click on any picture below to enlarge it)

Rick Anderson

I attended local college after SHS graduation until the summer of 1959 when my family moved to Los Angeles, where my parents had many relatives and my father secured a new job after working at Ideal Industries for about 12 years. In 1961 I graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a business major.

The next three years were spent on military active duty as a Special Agent in Army Intelligence, stationed in San Francisco and Korea.

After the Army, I worked in the credit business until the late 70's when I became interested in information technology and computer programming. I went to work for General Dynamics, Data Systems Division, in San Diego as a systems analyst and programmer in their world-wide payroll and tax reporting section. In 1991, GD sold their Data Systems Division to Computer Sciences Corp. where I continued to work as a project manager until retirement in 2001.

My wife, Alexandria, a retired school teacher, and I have three daughters, eight grand-children and two great grand-children, all living in California. I have one sister, Eve, a retired federal government employee, in Phoenix, AZ and one brother, Neil, a computer network engineer in San Jose, CA.

Alex and I have been fortunate to have traveled to 46 states, DC and about 15 foreign countries. We have lived in San Diego for about 35 years, where we enjoy visiting children and friends, day trips, playing bridge, local theatre, etc. Longer trips are still on the radar, but have become more of a hassle than they used to be.

I'm grateful for having been raised in a small town like Sycamore (in the heart of America) and for six years (jr. and sr. high) attended the old multi story brick school building on State Street. I have many fond memories of my classmates, teachers and school activities. It's too bad that the building has been demolished - it was a place of great memories for us and would have been to walk through the halls once in a while. The "new" HS building is just not the same.

Since moving to California, I've returned to Sycamore only twice. First in 1997 for a day touring the old "haunts" and a brief visit with Pete Johnson at the bank. The second visit was for the 50th in 2007. The town has grown with many new homes on the outskirts, but still many older places in town (including the two houses I lived in on Somonauk and South Main) are still remaining from the 40's and 50's when I lived there. We hope to revisit again soon. I would welcome a call or visit from any Sycamore grad who's in the San Diego area. Thanks for the memories and best wishes to all SHS grads.

Rick and Alex currently live in San Diego.

Sarah (Anding) Bailey

I left high school at the end of my sophomore year to go to work and took a job at a local laundry. Some of my friends and I spent our free time in Aurora and that's where I met my future husband, Reginald "Reggie" Bailey.

We moved around the country a bit, living in Dallas for a year in 1958. In 1959, we moved to Memphis and in 1960 we moved back to Sycamore, where I worked at Sparkle Cleaners. Reggie was fifteen years older than I was, and in 1964 we were married. Following the marriage, we moved to Kalamazoo, MI where Reggie's mother was living

We had one daughter, Antoinette "Toni" Bailey and then in 1966, moved to Joliet, IL. After a few years we returned to Sycamore, where I worked at a local factory.

Reggie passed away in 1985. I came to Bethany Healthcare in 2005, and our daughter, Toni, died of a heart condition in 2007.

I don't participate in all the activities they offer here at Bethany, but I do enjoy the weekly trips to Walmart.

Sarah currently resides at DeKalb, IL

Mike Bauer

Following graduation I attended Iowa State University at Ames, IA majoring in mathematics and physical education. I finished the fall of 1962 and was promptly drafted into the U.S. Army where I spent 16 weeks in wonderful Ft. Ord, CA. I volunteered to be a Chaplain's Assistant and I was sent to Ft. Riley, KS assigned to the oldest stone chapel in Kansas. In 1964 while in the service I married my college sweetheart, an Iowa farm girl.

After the service Jan and I stayed in Manhattan, KS where I got my M.S. in Education. Jan was a catering dietitian at the Kansas State Union and got me through grad school. Our first son, Christopher, was born there in 1966. I took my first teaching job in North Platte, NE teaching math and coaching in all sports. Our son, Daniel, was born in 1967. After two years we moved to Beaverton, OR where I taught math for a year before becoming interested in computers. We came back to the midwest to work for Univac in St. Paul, MN. Our daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1970. We lived in Apple Valley, MN while raising the family. Our son Chris lives in Jordan, MN with his wife, Sheila, and granddaughters Sydney and Natalie. Our son Daniel works for Microsoft in Seattle. Jennifer and husband, John, and grandsons Jack and Michael live in Centennial, CO.

Univac changed ownership several times and I retired from Lockheed Martin after 30 years in October of 1999. We bought 30 acres of woods and fields in NW Wisconsin where we enjoy the birds, deer, turkeys and occasional bear. We garden, raise a few chickens, tap the maple trees, grow shiitake mushrooms and can and freeze a lot of what we grow.

After I retired I finally got my dream job. I spent 6 summers as National Park Ranger on the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Teaching school groups and campers about the river, its history of logging and the importance of clean water was a fantastic experience and great fun.

Life after work now revolves around volunteering as a board member of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, our local Natural Food Co-op and in church.

I've been back to Sycamore for reunions, funerals and Pete Johnson Hall of Fame festivities. My Dad is 94 so I think I will be around for a few more years. If Sycamore wasn't so far from the family I think I would move back. Mike is pictured with a close friend from the area.

Mike and Jan currently live in Cushing, WI

Carolyn (Carlson) Burns

Following graduation, I attended the University of Illinois and then went to work for the Northern Trust Company in Chicago. My sister was working for American Airlines, so we had the opportunity to visit Mexico and much of the U.S.

While working in Chicago, I met my husband, Lowell Burns, who was in the Army and stationed at Fifth Army Headquarters in Chicago. We were married in 1961 and have two children, Kathy born in 1962 and Jim born in 1966. Kathy and her husband have three sons and live near Columbus, OH. Jim and his wife have two sons and live in Rockford, MI.

Following his military service, Lowell worked for Ford Motor Company and we lived in the Detroit suburbs. In 1970 we built a cabin near Traverse City, MI (much like Door County, WI) and we knew then that we wanted to retire there.

While raising our family, I did volunteer work and held various jobs, teaching piano and working with adults who couldn't read or were learning English as a second language. In 1998, we toured Sweden and visited with many relatives living there.

Family, friends and our hobbies have made our retirement a real pleasure.

Carolyn and Lowell now live near Traverse City, MI.

Sharon (Sibley) Carlson

After graduation I attended NIU receiving my degree in education in 1961. While at Northern I met my husband, Marv. He worked in Chicago after graduation until entering the army. I taught one year at Central School in Sycamore until our marriage in 1962.

Baltimore, Maryland was our first home while Marv was stationed there with the Fifth Army Headquarters. I taught in the Baltimore County School System. We enjoyed the location and close proximity to Washington, DC and other interesting and historical places.

In 1963, we returned to Illinois, settling in Lombard. Marv worked in the accounting field and I continued to teach, completing my masters degree. In Lombard we raised our two children; Christopher, born in 1966 and Catherine in 1969. During these years, through Marv's work, we traveled through many areas of the United States.

Our two adult children now live in the midwest. Chris, his wife and three children live in Rockford, Michigan. Cathy, her husband and two children live in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Our five grandchildren, three girls and two boys, range in age from 17 to 7. We enjoy the company of our families and always look forward to spending time with them.

Our hobbies include traveling and among our favorite trips were two trips to Europe. In 1999 we enjoyed all the Scandanavian countries on an adventure tour. After our tour ended, we returned to Sweden for a memorable visit with Swedish relatives. In 2000, we experienced a special trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria. One of the highlights of that trip was attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. We celebrated our retirement with a trip to Hawaii.

In 2001, after retirement, we sold our Lombard home and purchased a new town home in Geneva, Illinois. We love the heritage and ammenities of the Fox Valley and our "small town feel" community.

Sharon and Marv currently live in Geneva, IL.

Merle Carter/Betty (Cady) Carter

I married Betty Cady following high school in September, 1957. The following month, I enlisted in the Navy and began active duty. By November, I was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. From February, 1958 thru September, 1959 the carrier visited nine ports in the Mediteranean and provided support for the Marine landing in Lebanon. The ship received orders to transit the Suez Canal. Within two days we were in the Red Sea bound for Formosa. The ship's air groups flew support off Formosa, then sailed on to the Philippines, Singapore and Ceylon. Crossing the equator, we went on to Capetown, Rio Janeiro and back to our home port of Mayport, FL. We had traveled over 100,000 miles. I disembarked the ship in August, 1959 at Naples, Italy and then flew to Morocco, Azores, Greenland, Norfolk and on to Sycamore.

In October, 1959 I was installing plumbing for the new Sycamore High School and worked as a plumber through 1976. In December of 1976, I became the City Plumbing Inspector for DeKalb and in 1986, the DeKalb County Plumbing Inspector. In 1996, I became a State of Illinois Plumbing Inspector and retired in March, 2005.

Betty had open heart surgery in May, 2005, and I assisted her with her rehab and kept the flower beds weeded. She made sure that I knew the difference between the weeds and the flowers.

I'm still working part time as a plumbing inspector and photographing family, friends and Betty's flower garden. Betty is doing great!

We have three children and three grandchildren. Our grandson, Wes is 21, Emily is 18 and Adrian is 15. Wes is in college. Emily will graduate from high school in May, 2009 and on to college in the fall. Adrian is a high school freshman. I have become a loyal Rochelle High School fan.

Merle and Betty live in Sycamore, IL.

Kathy (Morris) Case

I was married at graduation to Wayne Buffington, a marriage that lasted just eleven years. During that period we had three children and I was a stay-at-home mom. Our first child, Kim, was born in 1957, lives in Winnebago and has two girls. In 1960 our second child, Bart, was born. He now lives in Genoa and has two sons. Kathy was born in 1965 and is living in DeKalb with her son.

I was divorced and in 1968, David Case and I were married. In 1970, we had a son, Paul. Paul has one daughter and lives in Belvedere.

In 1971, I entered the work force, taking a secretarial position with Northern FS, a fertilizer and chemical company in Kirkland.

In the mid-seventies I returned to school at Kishwaukee College where I completed several courses that I had an interest in.

I went to work in 1979 for the Sycamore Savings and Loan which later was aquired by the National Bank and Trust Company. My position was Residential Loan Specialist.

In 2002 while returning from dinner on our 34th wedding anniversary, I had severe chest pains that wouldn't go away. I went to Kishwaukee Hospital and was flown by helicopter to St. Anthony's in Rockford where I had two stents put in. Thankfully, there have been no further problems.

I retired from the National Bank and Trust Company in 2004. Since 1968, Dave and I have lived on our farm at Kingston. We are not good travelers, and after being away for a few days, are anxious to return home.

We love quarter horses and have bought, sold and shown our horses since 1968. We've competed in Halter and Western Pleasure and still have two horses and a pony (for the grandchildren).

We often think back to High School days and are thankful to have grown up in that environment. Life was simpler then.

Kathy and Dave live in Kingston, IL.

Sue (Safford) Clemson

Following graduation, I attended Illinois State University at Bloomington and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Home Economics/Education. While I was in college, I met and married my first husband, Ron Williams. From Bloomington, we moved to Chicago where Ron attended medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Following med school, we moved to Michigan for his internship at Wayne County Hospital, then back to Chicago for his residency at Presbyterian-St. Lukes. From Chicago, it was on to Hawaii and Tripler Army Medical Center. From Hawaii, we moved to Maryland where he took an additional residency at Walter Reed, and finally to Ft. Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. It was in Frederick that we were divorced.

During this period, we had four children. Eric, born in 1962, is married with two children and lives in Maryland. Amy was born in 1966. She has three children, is divorced and lives in Missouri. Kurt was born in 1967 and lives in Arizona. He's married and has two children. Our last child, Sally, was born in 1970. She's married, lives in Missouri and has two children.

I was employed as a lab technician and continued to work in Frederick for about ten years following the divorce. In 1983, I met and married Frank Clemson and this began our love affair with the outdoors. We moved to Hampshire County, West Virginia where we bought hunting property (deer and turkeys). I continued my work as a lab tech and eventually we sold the hunting property and bought a "Mom and Pop" farm where we raised horses and sheep.

Land was fairly cheap in West Virginia and people were rapidly moving in from Virginia. It was just getting too crowded, so we picked up and moved to Missouri. We have 202 acres of land with lots of woods for hunting and trail rides. We have 55 sheep (24 ewes, 1 ram and 30 little ones) and 7 horses (including Swedish Gotlands, a small Swedish work horse).

I love to weave baskets, though my brothers tease me endlessly about it. We love the farm, continue to be in good health and hope to get back to Sycamore if there's a 55th reunion.

Sue and Frank live in Norwood, MO.

Pat (Johnson) Davy

After high school, I attended Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. Ken Davy and I were engaged and he was in the Army. After 2 1/2 years of college, Ken received notice that he was being sent to France. I decided to leave school, get married and be with him in France. We were married in December, 1959. We were in Verdun, France for two years and our first child, Bob, was born there in 1961. Bob, his wife and two children now live in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.

In 1962 we returned to Sycamore where I became a full time mother. Our second child, Laura, was born in Sycamore in November, 1962. Laura, her husband and their four children currently live in Kalispell, Montana. Our third child, Chris, was born in Sycamore in 1966 and he and his wife have two children. They live in Blaine, Wisconsin.

We then moved to Davenport, Iowa and Ken became a barber. I went to work for Travelers Insurance Company and then opened a day care center which I ran for eight years.

In 1974 we moved to Blaine, Wisconsin where I went to work for the Kroy Printing Machine Company. I became a supervisor and remained there for eleven years. I then worked as a cook and in a nursing home, responsible for maintenance and housekeeping.

In 2002, we were planning our retirement and had bought a place in Mulberry, Florida. In 2003, while driving to a hunting trip, we were involved in an accident. Without God watching over us, we would have been killed. Prior to the accident, Ken had undergone open heart surgery and the accident impacted his chest, resulting in more heart surgery.
I had numerous fractures and a compound fracture of the wrist. Many months later, we made it to Florida and we now enjoy traveling to Montana and the midwest to see the children and grandchildren.

In high school, we country kids boarded the bus right after school, so I don't have many memories of Sycamore, but I do remember that on the holidays, we could sit in the little park next to the theater and they'd show movies on a sheet hung on the outside wall of the theater. Also, many of our classmates may not know it, but my mother-in-law, Cecile Davy, bought the popcorn stand in 1962 and operated it for several years. When the 55th reunion rolls around, we'll be there.

Pat and Ken live in Mulberry, FL

Mary Jo (McMillan) Dees

After high school I moved to California to care for my two nephews while my sister was pregnant with her third child. While I was living in California, I met and married Gary Krenmeyer. We were married in 1958. Following our marriage, we moved to Iowa, where Gary was from. We were divorced in Iowa in 1959.

After the divorce, I moved to DeKalb where I worked in the Dime Store. In DeKalb, I met Lewis Collier and we were married in Tennessee in 1965.

Lewis and I had six children, three girls and then three boys. Our first child, Mary, was born in 1963. She and her husband have three children and live in Rockford. Next was Margaret. She was born in 1964. She and her husband have two children and live in Arkansas. The third was Jessie, who lives in Rochelle. She was born in 1966 and she has three children.

Lewis was born in 1967 and lives in the state of Oregon. Keith was born in 1968. He lives in Rockford and has three children. Our youngest, Ed, was born in 1970. He and his wife live in Arkansas. All of our children were born in DeKalb.

My husband, Lewis, passed away in DeKalb in 1979 and I married Bill Dees in 1982. We were married in Arkansas and divorced in DeKalb in 1994.

I had worked for many years at Suter's, the food processing plant, in Sycamore while living at a high rise in DeKalb. In 2001, I tripped on the stairs at the high rise and broke my hip, requiring hip replacement. While at the hospital in Rockford, I sufferred a stroke and now use a walker to get around. My eyesight has also sufferred.

Getting old brings on many problems, but I'm fortunate to have my daughter, Mary, and her family to live with. Life is okay when you have six children, twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with more on the way.

Mary Jo lives in Rockford, IL

Jim Duffy

I'm going to be on the sidelines for much of this year as I'm in charge of organizing and overseeing a Navy reunion for the men who served on the same ship as I did (between 1944-1973). I also serve on two Gaston County, NC Commissions, i.e. Personnel Commission and Quality of Natural Resources Commission.

I served with the U.S. Navy, enlisting in the Naval Reserves at 17 years of age in June of 1956, and was on active duty from January, 1958 to December, 1959, then on inactive duty until April, 1962. I then returned to active duty until my retirement from the Navy in April, 1980.

My most exciting duty was serving at the Pentagon, Office of Chief of Naval Operations from 1969 to 1972, and with the Naval Recruiting Command in Arlington, VA from 1972 to 1977. The balance of my career was with Naval Reserve Centers in Tampa, FL, Winter Haven, FL and Charlotte, NC.

I joined Duke Power (now Duke Energy) in 1981 and served in various roles, becoming Recycling Manager in 1991. I retired from Duke Energy on the last day of 2003.

In July, 1963, I married Shirley Matz and we're blessed with two beautiful daughters, Lynn born in 1964 and Janice in 1966. I enjoy shooting sports and woodworking. I have a 20 x 24 sq. ft. shop in the back yard.

My inspiration for the shop was Leland Strombom, our "shop" teacher at Sycamore High.

Jim and Shirley currently live in Mt. Holly, NC.

Elmer Gaul

After High School, I worked on a farm near Elburn, IL for about a month and then moved to McHenry County where I managed a dairy farm of about 64 cows for four years. In 1961 I went to work for Hintzsche Feed and Grain, starting as a salesman and working my way to manager. I passed up an opportunity for a promotion as it would have involved too much travel. After spending seventeen years with Hintzsche, I bought the Sycamore Feed Store and operated it for about 20 years, selling it in 2000.

After that, I took a few years off and became involved in my hobby of building HO scale model trains and layouts. It didn't keep me involved full time, though, so I took a job at Meijer's Food Store in St. Charles, IL.

When our 45th High School Reunion was held, a woman by the name of Janet Herrold drove Sandy Larson to the event. To make a long story short, it was Sandy Larson that got Janet and me together. Janet and I had our first date on June 8, 2003 and were married on November 8. It was the fourth marriage for both Janet and me.

Between us we have six children and eight grandchildren. The first child, Debby Lynn, was born in 1958 (she was named after Lynn Harazin). She has one boy. Next was Dale, born in 1960. Donna was born in 1961 and has one girl. Next was Darrell, born in 1965, who has 2 boys. Patty was born in 1966 and has a girl. Jeanine was born in 1971 and has two girls and a boy. All of the kids live in Sycamore or DeKalb except Jeanine who lives in Parsons, Kansas.

Janet and I have put our place in Maple Park up for sale and have bought a home in Hendersonville, NC. As soon as our place sells, we'll be making the move to NC (hopefully soon).

Elmer and Janet live in Maple Park, IL.

Lou Ann (Yeast) Glader

After graduating high school I attended Evanston Hospital School of Nursing in Evanston, IL. In the summer of 1959 I met my future husband, Bert Glader. I received my RN the summer of 1960, and we were married the following December.

We stayed in Evanston while he was finishing his education and getting his MD. I worked at Evanston Hospital and then in an obstetrical group practice. It was during this time that our 3 children were born: Laurie in 1962, Anders in 1965 and Eric in 1967. Over the next 9 years we lived in Mountain View, CA, Washington, DC and Boston, all great places to live. In 1977 Bert accepted a position at Stanford Medical School, and we made our last move, to Stanford, CA.

From 1969 to 1977 I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and volunteered teaching a science program in the elementary school. In 1978, after moving to Stanford, I returned to nursing and worked in a small, multi-specialty clinic with a cardiologist and then an endocrinologist. For 10 years I was also the nursing supervisor. It was such a nice place to work that I stayed until I retired in 2007.

We have been blessed by good health and the opportunity to travel to Europe, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Our children are all happily married, and we have 5 wonderful grandchildren; two girls 11 and 13 in Boston, a 10 year old boy in Mill Valley, CA, and a boy 7 and girl 6 living less than 10 minutes from us.

I am spending my retirement time gardening, reading, hiking and enjoying friends. But most of all I love being a grandmother. Bert likes his work so much that so far he has been unable to retire. Life has been very, very good to us.

Lou Ann and Bert live in Stanford, CA

Sharon (Erlewine) Hampel

Following high school, I went to work at the National Bank and Trust Company in Sycamore. I had known my future husband, Fred Hampel, since the age of fourteen and he was serving in the U.S. Air Force in England. In 1958, I boarded the Queen Elizabeth and sailed to England where Fred and I were married at Ipswich in November of 1958.

Our first child, Tarri, was born in England in 1959. Tarri now lives just a short distance away with her husband, three girls and two boys.

Fred's tour with the Air Force was up in 1960 and we returned to Hampshire, where both Fred and I had grown up.

Our second child, Craig, was born in 1963. Craig has two children. He and his family live in California.

In 1968, we adopted Christopher. Chris and his wife live nearby and have one girl. Our last child, Mia, was adopted in 1973. Mia is divorced, has a boy and a girl and lives in Colorado.

After being a stay at home mother for over twenty years, in 1981 I went back to work at a bank in Elgin. Fred retired from IBM in 1991 and I retired from the bank in 1994.

We've enjoyed traveling over the years and have seen every state except Hawaii. We have a log cabin that sits on 80 acres near Rice Lake, Wisconsin and most of our travel these days is up to the cabin where we can spend time reading, catching a few panfish and an occasional walleye.

Sharon and Fred live in Hampshire, IL

Chuck Hendron/Lou Ann (Parsons) Hendron

Chuck: Following high school I joined the Marines and took basic training at Camp Pendleton, California. I was discharged in 1960 following two years duty in Alaska. I was married in California and remained there, working at General Mills and International Harvester. We had one daughter, Kimberly, who lives in California. Kimberly and her husband have two children, Kayla and Phillip. Kayla is single but Phillip is married and has two girls and a boy.

I was divorced in 1986 and moved back to Sycamore where I worked for Jenson and Sons Tool and Die. I worked there for 17 years, taking time out to marry Lou Ann, the love of my life. We were married in Las Vegas in 1996. In 2003, I went to work for Drive-Lok and retired from there in 2005.

Lou Ann: After high school, I worked at Duplex Industries for two years and in 1959 I married Bill Meyers. We moved to California where I worked in the sewing industry. Our first child, Laurie, was born in 1959. She now lives in Texas. She and her husband have three children, Harmony, Russell and Randy. Our second child, David, was born in 1962. He's married but has no children.

My husband passed away in 1990 and I stayed in California until 1996, when Chuck and I were married, and then returned to Sycamore. I worked at Auto Meter Products until I retired in 2005, the same year as Chuck.

In 2005, we were planning on retiring in Texas and moved there that year. We live very near Cedar Creek Lake and have a pontoon boat there. We enjoy fishing for panfish and the occasional bass. Tuffy and Dianna Ross visited after we moved here and liked it so much that they moved down in 1997.

Since our grandkids are living out west, we take the opportunity to visit with them and also get back to Sycamore about twice a year. We'll be there in December when my mother turns 100. Believe it or not, she still drives.

Chuck and LouAnn live in Gun Barrel City, TX.

Bill Johnson

After graduation, I went to the University of Illinois where I received my degree in Chemical Engineering, and then on to the University of Minnesota where I earned my masters degree.

I stayed in Minnesota, working at several chemical firms including Cargill, 3M and General Mills. I loved all the outdoor activities available in Minnesota, especially sailing, fishing and cross country skiing.

In 1962, I married Pat Curie and we had two children, Katy born in 1968 and Charlie born in 1971. Katy has remained in Minnesota and Charlie is working on his PhD in Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University in Ames, IA.

I was divorced in 1985 and remained in Minnesota, where I continued to enjoy the outdoor activities.

In 1995, I sufferred a stroke, which has made it very difficult to get around. Following the stroke, I moved to Rockford, IL, where my younger brother is a physician.

In 1997, I remarried to Jan Blakely. Jan and I get back to Minnesota occasionally and into Chicago once or twice a year. Bill and Jan live in Rockford, IL

Lynn (Harazin) Johnson

Following graduation, I attended the University of Illinois. After a year of college I returned to Sycamore and went to work at Ideal Industries in 1959.

In 1960, I married Bob Munson. We had a great marriage and two children, Heidi born in 1961 and Amy born in 1963. Heidi has two children, Page and Myles and they are living with me. Amy is married and lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She has two children, Rachael and Ian.

Bob's death in 1968 was a real blow to me, one that I haven't really recovered from. I married again in 1971, but was divorced.

I travel to Calgary once or twice a year to visit with Amy and her family, and in 2003, both the kids, their families and I met in Victoria, British Columbia for a great family vacation.

Over the years, I've had various part time jobs and have been involved in volunteer work with the church. I still enjoy a quiet evening with a good book,

My mother has passed away, but my father is holding his own at the age of 94. Heidi and I frequently go over to Oak Crest to take him on at a game or two of cards. Thankfully, he continues to do well.

A few years ago, I took a part time job with DeKalb County Hospice. Although I'm not directly involved in patient care, the staff is wonderful and I really enjoy working with them. Patients arrive at the Hospice when their life expectancy is 6 months or less and they receive very caring treatment. You can imagine our feelings, though, when a child arrives at the center.

I still miss Bob, but life must go on.

Lynn is currently living in Sycamore, IL.

Ric Lahti

After graduation I headed for Iowa State University. Following graduation from Iowa State, I went into the Air Force officer training program and was commissioned in February, 1962. I married Kay Stripe (SHS Class of '60) in July, 1965 after she graduated from Northern Illinois University and spent a year in Chicago as an editor of commercial magazines.

My first assignments in the Air Force were to Illinois, Texas and Mississippi. We went to Europe in England and Germany where our son, Richard McKay Lahti was born in 1969 at Wiesbaden. We returned stateside to Texas for three years, then Hawaii for six years and finally five years in Minot, North Dakota. My son graduated in Omaha, Nebraska in 1987. We finished our 29 years in the Air Force at Montgomery, Alabama. We loved all of our assignments.

In 1991, I retired as a Colonel and we had our "unapproved" move to Daphne, Alabama. We didn't have a job there, a home, nor any friends...but, it is where we wanted to go. It reminded us a lot of southern Wisconsin. I worked for Armstrong Business Services for the next 13 years while Kay involved herself in several community activities. This included getting her garden club to assist the Daphne High School Agriscience program in their plant sale. Over 12 years, the sales totaled over $200,000 and provided income for the ag programs and scholarships to graduating students.

Kay passed away in September, 2008. I stay busy with golf and several other activities. Kay's mom, Clara (95 yrs). lives in Fairhope, Alabama and we go out to lunch every Sunday. I try to visit my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter (7 yrs) and grandson (2 yrs) who live in Omaha, Nebraska at least once a year and they come down once a year.

Ric currently lives in Daphne, Alabama

Larry Linden

Following graduation, I attended Michigan State University, taking a break midway through to take six months active duty in the Army reserves and get married to Micki Tenpas.

I then returned to Michigan State to complete my degree and take some advanced work.

After college, I joined Baxter Laboratories. I held various positions in the company and had the opportunity to visit over 40 countries, typically doing work with the artificial kidney and heart-lung bypass equipment

Micki and I had two children, Steve born in 1965 and Susan in 1973. Steve remains in IL, a confirmed bachelor. Susan married her college sweetheart who went on to play

football for the New Orleans Saints. They now live in NC and have given me two granddaughters, Sydney and Sophia. Sidney and grandpa are shown in the picture.

I was divorced in 1989, and then through divestitures with the company, wound up with Cardinal Healthcare in the same role. I retired from the company as VP in 2003.

In retirement, I've traveled to Sweden a few times in search of my family history, and have written 5 books on the subject. My greatest pleasure, however, is spending time with my granddaughter, and introducing her to that stuff we here in the north call "snow".

Larry currently lives in Lincolnshire, IL

Kathy (Gooch) Livingston

Following graduation from High School I attended the University of Illinois where I received my degree in Home Economics. That's also where I met my future husband, Barry Livingston.

We were married in 1961 and moved to La Grange, Illinois where Barry's family ran an insurance business. I worked in the family business until 1964, when we had our first child, B.T. (Barry Thomas). B.T. is married and lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He and his wife have no children. Our second child, Jeffrey, was born in 1967. He and his wife, Jodie, have one child, Alexander, and live in Kissimmee, Florida.

In 1970, Barry had an offer to go to work for the Worthen Bank in Little Rock, Arkansas, so we left La Grange and headed south. I was basically a stay-at-home Mom, but worked part time for a local doctor doing book keeping, payroll, etc.

In 1994, I returned to school at the University of Arkansas where I received my bachelors degree in nursing and then went to work at Children's Hospital. After two years at Children's, I joined the doctor I'd worked for earlier and became part of his Family Practice team.

While in Little Rock, I found the time to train and show Irish Setters, Border Collies and Yorkshire Terriers. Then I became interested in horses and rode Hunters/Jumpers. My days of horseback riding ended in 2001 when I was thrown from a horse and broke my back. I spent six months in a cast, but fortunately have had no issues since then.

Barry is not much of a traveler, but we did get the boys around the Southern states when they were growing up. My sister, Marilyn, lives in Batavia, Illinois and she and I enjoy traveling together.

My Mother passed away a year ago last March at the age of 99 and my Dad lived to the age of 97, so I expect to be around for a few more class reunions.

Kathy and Barry live in Little Rock, AR.

Jim Mulligan

In 1957, like some of our classmates, I wanted to see the world and I followed Butch Craig into the Marine Corps. That was a big mistake as my whole tour was spent as a prison guard on a naval base in San Diego. After getting out in 1960, I moved to Janesville, WI, and while living there, I got married. It was a big mistake and I was married and divorced in short order.

Back in the 60's, you could quit one job and be hired somewhere else the following day, so I bounced around for a few years. One job I took was with Mayflower long distance movers. The pay was lousy and there was no health insurance. The only requirements were a strong back and a weak mind, but at last it gave me the opportunity to travel and I saw all 50 states.

One day when heading back to Janesville, I spotted the Chrysler plant on I-90, pulled in and filled out an application. They called me the next day with a job offer. Finally, good pay and full medical insurance. While working there, I met and married my wife, Velma, who was also working there. After 30 years to the day, I retired. I had seen too many people having heart attacks or falling over dead on the production line.

While Velma and I were living in Belvedere, we got to Sycamore quite often, catching a Bears/Packers game with Tuffy Ross or Jim Mandery - and they joined us in Belvedere as well. We often had dinner out with my parents and had the opportunity to visit with many of their friends.

I lost my Dad in '95, my Mother in '96 and my wife, Velma, in '97. In 1999, I moved to Las Vegas. I love the hot weather and the shows. Dec. through Feb., they have "local pricing" for the shows and I'm often there. There is always something going on in Vegas. May through Sep., I'm poolside and I've gained a reputation - the old man with the young eyes.

I'm surprised how many friends, neighbors and co-workers come to Vegas. When there's enough warning, I meet up with them. I do dislike living alone. I'm the chief cook, bottle washer, house cleaner and laundress. I continue to remain in close touch with many of our classmates through email and the phone.

Jim is currently living in Las Vegas, NV.

Don Olson

After graduation, I moved back to Chicago with my family. After an unsuccessful semester at the U. of Illinois Chicago, then at Navy Pier, I joined the Army and spent 2 1/2 years as a military policeman at the the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

I returned to Chicago with hopes of joining the police department, but ended up with a job at an advertising agency.

In 1966, I took an advertising position with Inland Steel. 42 years later, I'm still with the same company, though through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the company is now ArcelorMittal, the largest steel producer in the world. Through the years, I've been involved in marketing communications, promotion and event planning. I've managed numerous sales and customer events in the U.S. as well as Cancun and Monterrey, Mexico and Beijing

Since much of that work is now handled out of Europe, I was asked to become involved in facilities and building management. I've been doing this for about ten years now and I found out that "you can teach an old dog new tricks". I've managed the construction of two offices in Chicago, including our headquarters, and a government affairs office in Washington, DC. I currently spend much of my time as the office manager for the corporate headquarters.

I met my wife, Mary, while working at Inland. We were married in Chicago in 1973. We then moved to Bartlett, IL, a western suburb of Chicago. We have three children - Kati, who is married and has a daughter, Teagan. Tim works for Harris Bank and Michelle works for an events company in Chicago. All three live in Bartlett, which is great for family events and granddaughter visits.

Mary and I have traveled across the U.S. and have visited, with the kids, her family homestead in Ireland. In recent years, we've been taking family vacations in the Cancun, Mexico region.

In May, 2008, I was invited to deploy for 24 hours aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, off the coast of FL. The landing and takeoff were a little unsettling but what a privilege and great experience, one I won't forget.

Don and Mary currently live in Bartlett, IL

Curt Perry

After high school, I moved to Rockford to live with my grandmother and attend Rockford College. While there, I injured my knee, requiring surgery. A year on the farm was enough, so I enrolled at Augustana College, but couldn't see myself being a chemist, so I transferred to the U. of Illinois.

After graduation, my options were teaching or research, neither of which appealed to me, so I entered veterinary school.

While in veterinary school, I got married and after graduation began working at a vet clinic in Decator. My wife, Sue, needed to be closer to her mother, who was very ill, so I looked for work around Chicago and wound up in southern Wisconsin, where I went to work for a clinic and purchased the clinic a year and a half later. In 2002, I retired and sold the clinic.

In retirement, I do a lot of volunteer work, including doing surgeries 2-3 days a week at local humane societies, delivering meals on wheels and helping the elderly and low income people with their taxes. I also go on a mission trip once a year to Appalachia to help fix up homes.

Our first child, Pammy, died at the age of 22 months of a freak accident and our first son was born ten days later. Another son was born two years later and then we adopted two girls. Three of them live in the Milwaukee area, so we see them often. We have six grandchildren, ages one to eleven.

Sue has a master's degree in social welfare and worked in the field until our four kids were in school, then entered Marquette University where she received her law degree. She still practices full time, primarily in family law.

We love to travel and have been to many neat places, including Thailand over this past New Years.

Curt and Sue currently live in Franksville, WI

Al Quitno

In 1962, I married Carol Hodge, the girl I double dated with for many years...she with other guys and me with various other girls. However, our match with each other has been great! Together we raised two children, Dawn and Dan. Dawn and her family live too far away in Maryland. She is Executive Director of the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology. Her husband, Patrick, works for the Department of Energy in D.C. They have one son, Joseph, who is now ten and, of course, is a great kid. Our son, Dan, resides in California which is also too far away and is with the AF Reserves. Although he flew C130's for many years in the Air Force, he is now a recruiter for the AF Academy. His full time job is working as a pilot for Southwest Airlines and loves that flying! He has two sons, Ethan who just turned 9 and Graham who will soon turn 6. They will join us for a month in June, and we are looking forward to a great time fishing, swimming and just having fun.

After graduation, I continued to work with McGirr Equipment Co. as I had done with D.O. After Ed McGirr retired in 1969, I bought him out and started my own business in 1970, selling and servicing lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws and various other lawn and farm equipment. It required many long hours, but was a source of much pride. Although we sold the business in 1999, I continue to work there a few days a week. It seems it was harder to retire than I thought it would be so I continue to keep active physically and mentally by keeping involved at the "shop". I also spend a fair amount of time assisting Carol with maintenance of the grounds at our church along with maintaining the lawn and snow removal equipment.

One of the perks in the business was the many trips we were able to take. We started out with Las Vegas and continued on to Switzerland, Spain, Africa, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, Canada and the Bahamas. For many years, I was also able to go to Manitoba fishing with the Toro folks and then again with friends and family. I look forward to going at least one more time! Two more trips fill my dreams...a train ride across Canada and another to Alaska.

In the summer, I keep busy with a big vegetable garden and helping with the freezing and canning of those veggies that taste so great in the winter! I also help Carol in the flower gardens but I tell her you can't eat the flowers so I spend most of my time in the vegetable garden!

We still live in Sycamore in the same house we bought 40+ years ago and are always happy to return after a trip away! Our only regret is that our children and families live so far away. Thanks to Dan, though, we have many opportunities to fly relatively free to see them.

Al and Carol live in Sycamore, IL

Judy (Craig) Richardson

After High School, I married my High School sweetheart, Dale Tucker. After 21 years of marriage, we were divorced in 1978. He was no longer my sweetheart, but had a new name, (unprintable). While we were together, we had two sons, Jay Dale Tucker and Jeffrey Craig Tucker.

I worked at Henderson's Department Store, and after the divorce, moved to Arlington Heights where I worked for All-State Motor Club as a tour guide. Then I worked for Baskins in the Hawthorne Mall at Libertyville. It was an upscale mens and womens clothing store, where I became store manager. I worked week-ends as hostess at the Gale Street Inn, a restaurant in Greyslake.

Jeffrey was in the army for four years. Jay married a Sycamore girl and they had two sons, and my first grandchild.

I met Gene Richardson and we were married in April, 1981. We honeymooned in Hawaii and moved to NC in 1983, where both of my brothers and two of Gene's seven children lived. During that time, we had 25 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Jeff came home from the Army and moved to NC with us. They have one girl, Gabriella, almost 4 going on 40, the light of my life. Jeff works at the Charlotte airport and his wife, Teresa, works for an insurance company.

I went to work for Belks, a locally owned department store with 26 stores on the east coast. Gene worked for Lincoln Bank and sold real estate. We traveled a lot, including a trip to London to watch one grand daughter sing at the Royal Opera House.

Gene retired in 1990 and I retired in 1995. We bought and restored a 100 year old house in the historic district of Mooresville, NC, a showplace now on the tour of homes.

We loved it and hated to sell it, but Gene got Alzheimers and it was more than I could handle. I've lived the last three years in a condo. I've spent 18 years in Mooresville and 25 years in NC.

Gene passed away last November 4, election day, 2008. We were married 27 wonderful years. I plan to remain in NC with all of my friends in the Red Hat Society. Jeff and family come over each week and we're heading to Disney World in March (2009). Both my brothers, Butch and Richard, live 3-4 hours away.

Come and visit anytime. Jim Duffy lives only an hour away and Nancy (Stearns) Hord lives near Hendersonville, NC (in the mountains). We'll be at the beach house after May 16 (2009) for awhile. Love ya'll.

Judy lives in Mooresville, NC.

Kathleen (Brennan) Ronan

After high school, I attended college in Minnesota which included clinical education toward a Bachelor Degree in nursing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. My working years as an R.N. were spent primarily in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Children's Hospital where I was a "Head Nurse".

In 1966 I helped establish the first pediatric intensive care unit in Wisconsin, where we cared for many children recovering from open heart surgery.

That year, while on a ski trip, I met my future husband. He had attended high school with the mother of one of my "heart kids". She told him about me and said he needed to meet me. Forty-three years later we have a daughter, a son, three grandchildren and one granddog.

My husband, Pat, is a tax and estate attorney. When he established his own office, I helped plan the space and design the desks and tables. Also, I was the cleaning lady. Later design projects have included remodeling our family room and kitchen, and currently our patio and yard.

Photography has been my life long interest. I was encouraged by winning a national contest in 1957. The photo was of a high school sqare dance and several of our classmates, including Lou Ann Yeast, Jerry Kitchen and Sandy Larson, were in the photo. That was my only claim-to-fame! I've enjoyed photographing our children growing up, their big moments and our vacations together.

Later, Pat and I were fortunate to travel in Europe. We have special memories of Ireland, Russia and a wedding in Rome. Many of my photos have been gifts to family and friends. At times, I've been hired to photograph weddings, special events and children.

During this summer of 2009 I'm still recovering from extensive foot surgery with related complications. However, at a slower pace, I'm able to enjoy life and undertake the patio and yard projects. Also, I finally have a digital SLR camera. A computer will be coming soon.

Kathleen and Pat reside in Milwaukee, WI.

Dave "Tuffy" Ross

I stayed in Sycamore until I joined the Navy in June, 1959. While I was in the service, Marge Read and I were married. We got out of the Navy in 1963 and moved back to Sycamore.

I worked for Duplex Products in Sycamore for three years, and then worked with my brother for a local telephone contractor until I was hired by Contel. I took the buy-out from them in 1994 and retired.

Marge went to work for Duplex after our kids were in school full time and was there until her death in 1997.

I remarried in 1999 to my current wife, Dianna. Between us we have six children, fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren - so far.

Most of my life was spent in Sycamore until 2007, when we sold our house to our son and moved to Gun Barrel City, Texas.

Tuffy and Dianna currently live in Gun Barrel City, TX.

Dick Snyder

After graduation I joined the Navy, spending time in Mayport, Florida and aboard an aircraft carrier at Pensacola, Florida. My time in the Navy was completed in 1960 and I came back to the farm on Snyder Road in Maple Park where I farmed with my father.

When I got home, I met Carol Stearns and we were married in September, 1961 at Virgil. We have three children. Christine was born in 1962 and lives in DeKalb. Steven was born in 1966 and lives in Goshen, Indiana and Gregory was born in 1972 and lives in Sycamore. We have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren that we love to pieces.

In 1992, I took a fall and injured my shoulder. That's when Carol learned to operate a combine. When traveling to Florida, my shoulder always seemed to feel better about the time we passed through Tennessee, and when we returned to Illinois, the shoulder got stiff again. So, in 2002, we moved to Florida.

I worked with a landscaper for three years and now I enjoy working in my yard and woodworking. Carol works at the S.S. Dixon Middle School and I volunteer there on occasion. We get back to Sycamore 2-3 times a year.

Dick and Carol live in Pace, FL

Joe Tomlinson

After graduation I attended Northern Illinois for one year and then transferred to the U. of Illinois, graduating in accounting in 1962. I passed the CPA exam that year and went to work for Price Waterhouse in their Chicago office. I spent 6 months active duty in the Army in 1963 and another 5 1/2 years in the National Guard in Chicago, mostly as a "week-end warrior".

In 1969, I married a cute little redhead from Chicago and we were transferred about the same time to Indianapolis, where Price Waterhouse had opened an office.

Over the next five years, we became the proud parents of a boy and girl and decided to remain in Indianapolis. I accepted a job with my largest client, Inland Container Corp. as their V/P and Controller, later becoming V/P Finance. We had a nice life in Indianapolis where I

maintained my golf handicap at about the same level as high school.

The company underwent several ownership changes, but I remained with them until my retirement in 2000.

At retirement we moved to Wilmington, NC and again took up living alongside a golf course. I still maintain a handicap of about 7 (avg. score 79) thanks to improved ball and club technology. I've recently taken up competitive bridge. My wife, Judee, is not into golf or bridge but loves it here, pursuing her own hobbies.

Our grown son, Mark, lives in Chicago. He and his wife have no children. Our daughter, Amy, lives in Austin, TX, has two young children and was recently divorced.

I realize more each day that I'll always be a small town boy longing for the "good old days" in Sycamore.

Joe and Judee live in Wilmington, NC.

Joe Trapp

After SHS, I received a bachelor's degree from the University of Portland (Oregon). I then went to Milwaukee where I obtained a law degree from Marquette University. In the last year of law school, I married my longtime sweetheart and best friend, Martha Platt.

One year later, we had a daughter, Mollie, and every two years thereafter welcomed another child, Michael, Katharine and Brian. Three grandchildren later, we are happy to say that we are in touch with all seven two to three times per week.

After forty two years of practicing law, I retired in 2008. I thoroughly enjoyed practicing law and, quite frankly, couldn't wait to get to the office each and every day.

I was fortunate to have a wonderful law partner for thirty plus years, great associate attorneys and truly outstanding support staff. However, retirement is great.

Papa Joe is pictured here with 5 year old Riley Joseph Trapp.

Joe and Martha live in Brookfield, WI and spent the winters in Naples, FL

Tony Whitney

Since high school I have tried on many hats. Auto mechanic, carpenter, factory worker, draftsman, factory supervisor, plant supervisor, appliance repairman and finally, in 1995, I along with two other service techs became owners of Knodles Appliance Service Co. I sold my interest in the company in 2006 and retired to a life of leisure (ha,ha). I now have a part time job hauling little baby pigs from one farm to the next, two - three days a week.

On my off days I enjoy working with my model railroad and doing woodworking projects that my wife and daughter dream up. In 2001, we bought a Model "A" Ford. That keeps us busy in the summer going to parades, shows, weddings and going for ice cream with friends (All Model "A"ers like ice cream). We look forward every summer to attending the Model "A" National Convention. So far we have driven our "A" to Green Bay, WI, Dearborn, MI, Madison, WI, Grand Rapids, MI, Toledo, OH and Williamsburg, VA. This summer we will go to Merrillville, IN. It's a lot of fun and we meet many great people.

In October, 1960 I married my high school sweetheart, Alice Stroberg. We have three children, Tony Lynn born in 1964, James born in 1967 and Kelly Jo born in 1970. Tony Lynn and her husband (Mike) have one daughter, Jim and his wife (Kelly Lynn) have a daughter and son, Kelly Jo and her husband (Doug) have two daughters. They all live in Sycamore except our oldest grandaughter. She enlisted in the Navy five years ago. She is out now but while she was stationed in Jacksonville, FL she met her husband, who is also in the Navy. Jeremy is still in the Navy and they are now stationed in Virginia Beach, VA. They have given us 2 1/2 great grandbabies. The other half is still in the oven and is due in June.

Tony and Alice live in Sycamore, IL

John Worden

When I got out of the army in 1962, I moved to Chicago to attend DeVry. I got married there and divorced two years later. Then I moved to Clearwater, FL, lived there for about eight months and started Contract Engineering.

I've worked in many of the larger companies and on government contracts. I'd work through and engineering temp agency and when the project was finished, I'd move on to another. It paid well and I was able to live in many different parts of the country, as well as Ottawa, Canada.

I went to the Philippines in 1994, where I married my present wife, Glory. I've made that trip about six times now and it's a long trip. Traveling today is stressful and not as fun as it once was.

I've lived in Arizona since 1976 and bought a house in Paradise Valley in 1977. I kept the house as a base when I took jobs in other parts of the country. We moved to Sun City West about 10 years ago.

This is a great place for retirement and we enjoy the peace and quiet and all the amenities. We've made some great friends and spend quality time with them.

We did make the trip back to Sycamore for the 50th reunion. We traveled there frequently when my Mom was still alive and my three sisters still live in the area, Anne in Sycamore, Shirley in Rockford and Norma in West Chicago.

We don't do much traveling during the winter months as we have the good weather right here.

John and Glory presently live in Sun City West, AZ