Tech 65 Class Prophecy

RRRiiiiiinnnnnnggggggg!

It's only 8:00. Why did I have to set the alarm so early when it is the first day of my three week vacation? Gee, I wish I could think of something exciting and different to do in the time I have. I've got a brilliant solution to the whole problem! Why couldn't I check up on some of my old classmates? After all, it is 1985 and it has been twenty years since the members of the class of '65 were all together. I can't wait to see what some of my old school chums are up to, but I really don't know where to begin.'

'Aaaaahh! The telephone should be the most logical and easiest way to begin. I'll call long-distance to our old home town and maybe the operator can help me.'

'Hello. Yes, operator. I was wondering if you could help me. I just got back from a long trip and I'm trying to locate some of my friends who graduated with me. Yes, it was 20 years ago, but I was hoping you could assist me since it is a rather small community. The class of '65 from Gerstmeyer, that's right. YOU WERE IN THAT CLASS, TOO? Karla Woodsmall, I didn't recognize your voice. You say that Donna Webb and Karen Kyle are working for the telephone company also? It certainly is nice to find out this much so quickly. What a coincidence! Tell me more.'

'That's wonderful! Dave Walls is President of General Motors and Duane Hunt is President of such a large chain of men's clothing stores. I've already heard about Pam McCune being a choreographer on Shindig and Shirley Schaefer using her dancing ability to teach the Green Bay Packers to be nimble. No, I didn't know FBI work was so popular. Brenda Montgomery, Camille Herrin, Jim Wright, Pat Hoctor and Roberta Hall are working there. Yes, Lyndon Tucker takes care of the Seelyville Park, Sheila Spillers is a fashion coordinator and Pat Serkosky, Judi Hayes and Anna Perrelle are designing the latest styles of dresses. Well, I've taken enough of your time. Thank you very much. I must get ready for my vacation.

With this remark, our traveler proceeds downtown to do some last minute shopping before leaving for Florida. As he entered the new department store owned by Tom Asbury, he recognized Ora Ladd, Carolyn Lawhorn, JoAnn Snow working on the first floor with Carol Hogue, Alice Hetterscheidt and Linda Schrorer working as clerks in the woman's department. Suddenly he remembered a bill that had to be paid that day and went upstairs to pay it. Peering over the counter, he noticed Larry Heald busily working as an accountant surrounded by his secretaries, Linda Hart, Debbie McClintock, Marilyn Liehr and Diane Conn.

On his way to the barber shop, our friend passed a beauty salon and noticed a sign, owned by Mary Malone. He stepped in to speak with her and she informed him that Linda Servie, Sheila Hyde, Cheryl Greene and Paula Ingle were working there.

Continuing on, he saw a fire truck whizzing by and mounted on its running boards were Jim Harris, Mike Beck, Jim Sandifer and Ron Smith.

As he stepped into the barber shop, the barbers, Charles Bonar and Max Reed greeted him. While his hair was being cut, Sherry Clark gave him a manicure and Warren Acklin shined his shoes.

Biding his classmates good-bye, our eager traveler hailed a cab to the airport and found that Jim Williams was the driver. On the way, Jim told him that he had received a letter form Bob Meyers who was in the Air Force. He wrote that James Horsley and Danny Boyce were on the same base with him.

Jim drove his passenger to the airport just in time to board the luxury liner. As he mounted the steps, airline hostess Penny Silvers greeted him. Other stewardesses who would help to make his trip more enjoyable were: Trudi Graham, Margaret Miller and Linda Hensley. The pilot, Rocky Davis, announced the following crew members: co-pilot Clarence Dickerson and navigator Tom Combs.

In a few hours he arrived at Miami Beach and went straight to his hotel, the Koerner-Lowe, owned by Dave Koerner and Terry Lowe. The desk clerk, Max Downs, gave him the key to his room and Jane White took him up in the elevator. The palatial suite overlooked the beach and our tourist paused to look out at the ocean. Much to his surprise, he saw another one of his classmates, Alan Holt, giving surf board lessons.

That evening after dining at the Walker-Smith restaurant owned by Gerald Walker and Jack Smith and managed by Richard Beacham, the visitor walked into the casino upstairs. He spotted Frank Holt, the owner, Dale Andrews working as the card dealer, and Bob Oehl spinning the roulette wheel. Jim Jackson and Dean Thompson leisurely tried their luck with the slot machines.

He then started over to the bar and noticed David Hagerman sampling Larry Sagrave's Malt Liquor. The bartender, Denny Cress, also got into the conversation. Dave, a millionaire bachelor at once contributed more information about their fellow classmates. He said that Donna Gettle and Peggy Howse were happily working as social workers in New York City, Curt Harper was employed as a sampler of wines, and Eddie Fischer and Nelson McCampbell were policemen. During the conversation, Denny commented that he had heard that Jackie Schofield had moved to Tanganyika to teach and Peggy McKee, Susie Altman, Carolyn Session, Brenda Dalton, Pat Ray and Geri Edwards had been hired to teach in the new metropolitan school district in Miami.

He bid farewell to his friends and went to watch the floor show featuring Jamie Arnett as a comedian and Mike Tribby singing to the music of Steve Peters, Bill Liffick, Cheryl Larrabee, and Becky Myrick. Bonita Krone, the cigarette girl and photographer walked by. She stopped and informed him to be sure to see Sharon Tomlinson the hat check girl, as he left.

As he unlocked the door to his room, he glanced across the hall and noticed the former Sandy Cook and her husband just entering their room. They chatted for a while and Sandy told him that Sharon Sankey, Patty Fouts, Jane Greenlee, Lea Mace, Sharon Knopp, Brenda Cesinger, Patty Grist and Betty DeWeese were happily married housewives.

He awoke early the next morning and turned on the radio. He heard Bev Richardson, Bill Perchman, Ellen Cheatem and Jim Waldon, The Gospel Four, singing on a local radio station owned by Mike Patrick and Wayne Massey.

Later in the day he visited Cape Kennedy just in time to witness Linda Kunkel, the first woman astronaut, being launched to the space center on Mars which was designed by Patty Kress and Shirley Hess. Sharon Lampton, Woody Conover and Steve McCloud observed from the space tower.

To avoid the inconvenience of riding in cabs, our friend rented a car from Kenny Bilyeu's Rent-a-Car. Sharon Daughtery, who was employed there, handed him the keys.

He whizzed into the stream of traffic and pulled up in front of the hotel. As he entered, Delight Thompson, the hotel personnel manager spoke to him. The pool lifeguard, Gary Wiram, strolled through.

Our friend picked up the daily newspaper and noticed that Patti Light happened to be the editor. Also on the staff was: Don Bradbury, news reporter; Ron Milton, photographer, and Ron Miller and Jerry Rickard, printers. The front page story told about the reception the governor of Florida, Keith Bealmer, was giving for U.S. Ambassadors Sarah Bennett and Alva Greene. The feature story related the tale of Mike Zimmerman's successful rise as the owner of Florida's largest orange orchard. There was an interview with the personnel manager of the company, John Miller and the head of the production line, Larry Rodneff. Their business manager, Larry Thompson confirmed the rumor that Zimmerman's company would back John Creasey in opening his new candy factory.

He left his room only to find that Janet Robinson and Nancy Nelson, meter maids, issuing him a parking ticket. They proceeded to tear up the ticket when they realized he was an old friend.

Going on down the street, the tourist noticed a sidewalk art display with pictures done by Melinda Anderson and Linda Bandy. Anne Gainor was sketching portraits and Dorinda Elder was drawing a picture of Steve Herner, Mr. Universe of 1985.

Men dressed in business suits came streaming out of the neighboring hotel which was hosting a convention of traveling salesmen. The men were: Jay Copra, Tom Rollo, Richard Hankins and Dennis Daniels.

Next he ran into the president of the Daytona Beach Test Track, Ed Rossiter. Ed invited him to the festivities at the track that day and while reading the program our friend found many familiar names. Mike Gilbert drove the pace car, and some of the test drivers were: Jim Giffel, Jim Seim, Don Black, and Ray Johnson. An added attraction, Carol McCombs, woman hell driver, stole the show. Mechanics for the drivers included: Dan Taylor, Don Jones, Gary Hendrix, Charles Harvey, Larry Downing and Lee Roy Anstead.

That evening, Denny Kraemer, owner of Florida's Playboy Club treated the visitor to a night on the town. As they entered the club, Allen Dixon issued him a Playboy's license and Rick Titus, the club's bouncer, succeeded in tossing out two guys. The doorman, Richard Hale, closed the door behind them. Mary Frerichs served as the club's hostess.

The next day our traveler friend decided to begin his journey back to Indiana in the rented car. He pulled into a gas station owned by Pat Barnhart. The head mechanic, Richard Helton, looked over the car. Don Chamberlain was working motorcycles and came out to talk to him. Don said that he knew the whereabouts of some of their classmates. Ronnie Hay, Jim Roberts and Bill Cain had been working in the foundry, and Jim Harmon, John Helm, Pat Barnett and Steve Keller were employed in various supermarkets throughout the nation. Saying farewell, he continued on his journey.

On his way through Atlanta, Georgia, he stopped along the road to ask directions. Debby Tyler, an elementary French teacher, greeted him. She said that Paula Orth, Linda Perry, Mary Ann Davies, Patty Evola, Dave Treadway and Larry Russell had acquired various teaching jobs in the surrounding areas.

Atlanta was left far behind as he drove on a new super highway which was still under construction. Many of the construction workers happened to be his old classmates: Dave Fields, James Batton, Kenny Brush, Jim Anderson, Daryl Hughes and Neil Davis were among those whom he recognized. Engineering the project were Jim Dowden and Doug Orman, and designing a bridge was Ben Schull. Standing on the edge of this activity was Greg Brown, surveying the land.

Pushing harder and harder on the accelerator, and blinded by the sun he failed to see a car pulling out in front of him. Suddenly, all was black. The next thing he became conscious and the attendant told him that Errol Cesinger was driving the ambulance. Errol informed the injured passenger that State Troopers Rick Cannon, Tom Hein, Bob Blitz and Jerry Smith investigated the accident.

Upon his arrival at the hospital, admissions director Betsy Seidel took the needed information. Linda Lee wheeled him up to X-ray and technician Linda Kuckewich x-rayed him.

After he awoke from sedation which Donna Carrico had administered, he learned that Dr. Robert McConville was handling his case and was being assisted by a team of nurses which included: Linda Fell, Jane Fagg, Peggy Jackson and Karen Minnis. He learned from the nurse on duty that Lorraine Young had taken a job as a mental health nurse, Sara Goldman was a physical therapist, Patty Hall and Star Weddle were employed as practical nurses, and Nancy Whitehouse served as a hospital dietician and Randy Kriebel operated the hospital pharmacy. He also learned that the dental clinic next door, run by Norm Lowery and Bob Dyer, was well staffed with dental assistants: Lynn Nicoson, Donna Henderson, Connie Fry and Barbara Starkey. Connie Russell worked as a research technician and Denny Gummere headed the staff of chemists.

Sue Church, a patient in the room next to our friend, kindly sent her old acquaintance a bouquet of roses and a box of candy. Barbara Dill and Judy Walmsley delivered the gifts. They reported that Bruce Daily and Jim Petty worked with them.

When he realized who the gifts were form, he decided to visit Sue and thank her. During their conversation, Sue, a secretary, chatted about some former classmates. These included George Long, manager of a coal yard, Peggy Samm, a ranch owner, Sally Allen, Liz Shaw, Kathleen McKinney and Priscilla Cordell, beauticians. She remembered that Larry Rodeman, Ray Oldham and Mark Levin had become successful accountants.

He then went back to his room and turned on the TV and found the 1985 World Series in progress. The game was between the Space Angels and the Venus Veterans. Opposing pitchers Larry Grizzel and Bob Ash were backed up by Ray Watts, Lou Lawson, Earl McCullough and Tom Wade.

A news bulletin suddenly flashed across the screen reporting that Bob McCauley and Steve McCray were competing in the Master's Golf Tournament and that Bob McCallister had won the Davis Cup in tennis.

Tom Norris, the mailman, brought a court summons for our friend to appear in court the following week. The person with whom he had been involved in the wreck had decided to sue. It was signed by prosecuting attorneys Craig Fox and Judy Hedding and Judge Ron Newlin. The defendant at once consulted a phone book and found suitable legal aid with classmates Don Anthony and Gary (lifeguard on the side) Wiram.

The accumulation of dirty clothes he had with him was sent to the neighborhood laundry before he left the hospital. Leo Downey, laundry owner, employed Paulette Ewing, Don Faulkner, Wayne Myers and Bruce Tracey. The healed patient went downstairs to pay his bill, after he was released. Hospital secretaries Liz Harris and Mary Jeffers assisted him. On his way out of the exit, he saw Donna Fulk, Amy Lou Scott, Jackie Anderson, Mary Ellen Lee and the former Nancy Joseph were coming to visit a secretary with whom they worked.

Electricians Tim Brenton, Bob Petty and Ron Lewis worked at wiring the hospital lobby and our friend stopped to talk with them. They spoke about Larry Holmes, Pat Hoctor, and Charlie Osborn who were currently employed as guards at the federal prison; Jan Ferrari, Shirley Bingham, Susan Foulke, Marlene Lybarger, Kelly Bedford, and Sharon Cook had jobs as teachers in luxurious new high school; Tom Rothrock and Paul Nusbaum driving wreckers; and Gail Rector, Blanche Rice, Nancy Greene, Linda Pershing and Sandy Strong typists for large corporations.

The weary traveler crossed the Indiana line and pulled into a gas station at Evansville. The attendant, John Lee, greeted him and told him a little about his acquaintances in Evansville including teachers Judy Sharpe, Don Green, Janice Haltom, and Rodney Boyd.

He reported that Bev Woods, Rose Shores, Donna Shepard and Shirley Lawson were happily married. Finally, late that evening, he arrived safely home. As he read over his mail that had piled up, he found an invitation to the city's centennial on the following Saturday.

The week passed quickly as the centennial day arrived. The festivities were in full swing and our friend was anxiously hurrying around to see if he could find any old classmates. The first one he met happened to be agricultural agent Bob Farris accompanied by football player Ron Bowman. They reported that Rick Kupferer and Rita Pound had gone to Ghana as missionaries; Jesse Wedding and Jim Royer worked as advisors at the YMCA; Ron Mullen was preparing to take his track team to the Olympics.

Many classmates have done well in the teaching profession, among those Charlie Lewis, John McGee, Ronnie Rusk, Margaret Walker, Myra Kelsey, and Bob Rose teaching in the consolidated schools and Aliceann Brown, Ron Cox, Bob Petzold and Tina Fairbanks are earning a living as professors at the University. Becky Pate's job is a high school counselor and our friend learns that Rick Roberts, Patty Kirchner, Carol Kirkpatrick, Linda Jackson and Sharon Simpson and Eddie Deischer are on the same faculty. Allan Griffith occupies his time by being a math professor at Tulip Poly.

Our friend learned that Carolyn Jones works as a linguist. Local veterinarians Tal Snedeker, Bruce Maxwell and Steve Milner came for the Centennial as did Sharon Miller and Sherry Updegraf who were telephone operators. Gary Turner, pro fighter, Manford Rudisel, motorcycle racer; Jack Fields, owner of a custom shop and Les Bowling, plumber, gathered to talk over old times with the famous architect, Bart York.

The main event of the day was a pie eating contest. The pies, baked by Alice Beardsley and

Paulette Witt, were gulped by Don Van Horn, Charlie Van Vactor, Don Ward, Tim Wiggins and Joe Laswell the winner. Connie Stiles, fortune teller, read the palms of Elsie Bowling, Marcella Poett, Linda Smith and housewives Bev Wagner and Patty Phillips.

Men on leave from the service who were in the class of '65: Ronnie Harris, Bill Henry, Jack Roman, John Long, Bill Long and Bill Nevins.

Aaahh! What a success these three weeks have been! It gives me great satisfaction to have found out so much about the class of '65 graduates and talking and seeing some of them after 20 years was quite an experience. (That evening, our narrator slowly closed his diary and signed his name.)

Richard Morgan, M.D.

Compiled by:
Donna Carrico
Donna Gettle
Jan Ferrari
Carol Kirkpatrick