Occupation:  teacher
Marital Status:  Divorced
No. of Children:  3
From Lynn :

Thank you everyone for helping to make this website and reunion a success. All your hard work is appreciated. Where to start... I left high school and went straight to CWU for 4 years and obtained my teaching degree. While at college, I married, and moved to Centralia on the "wet" side of the mountains. Over the next 7 years I had three great kids; Amy, Alex, and Ben. After 15 years of marriage, I left, got a divorce and moved to the Olympia area, where I am still living. I am currently teaching 5th grade in McCleary. This past May my first grandchild was born, and he is a delight. While I was in college my parents and kid brother all abandoned me and moved to Thetis Island in British Columbia, where my parents still live. So I have no family ties left in Yakima. My brother ended up living in Abbotsford, BC, and he turned out to be the rich one in the family, becoming president and owner of ICT. He's asked me if I'd like to work for him when I retire in 2 years, but somehow having my little brother for a boss just feels weird. Well, this is rather a nutshell version of 40 years of living, but I am looking forward to seeing all of you soon. Smiles....Lynn 

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Occupation:  Hippie Elder
Marital Status:  Single
From Randy:
                                          "WALK WITH A LIGHT FOOT"

 

This has been a great decade.  I have been blessed with good health, I've had a lot of thrills, and I've had some great jobs.  I've spent this decade living in a Seattle/Capital Hill apartment overlooking Lake Union with Toulouse, The Best Kitty In The World.

 

I endeavor to lead a healthy life, and I strive to walk with a light foot through this world. My bicycle is my car, I eat a near-vegan diet which I've enjoyed for the past 30+ years, and I play music most every day.  And I try to remember to thank God each night, and pray for peace.

 

I've accumulated a collection of ethnic folk art from around the planet including Africa, Mexico, Asia and Native America.  Celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism means a great deal to  me.  I'm inspired seeing what people can make with their hands.  I've even tried making a little "found art" myself.  But I'm a lot better at music!  I still write songs and play a gig now and then.  I perform in the blues, folk and rock genres.

 

While attending WVHS, I started a band, the Velvet Illusions.  We played together for about 2-1/2 years, and made quite a few records of original music.  Those songs are now found on compilation cd's all over the globe.  The Pebbles cd series, which chronicles psychedelic music, features several of our songs.  Young bands cover our songs.  And, one of our 45's sold on Ebay last year for $900!  I'm happy that something I did in the 60's can be entertaining to today's young people.  If you want to know more about my Velvet Illusions, please go to this website:  http://pnwbands.com/velvetillusions.html

 

I have no offspring of my own.  But over the years, I've been fortunate to work with many bright, enthusiastic young people.  I've adopted many as my surrogate nieces and nephews.  I had a wonderful career at Experience Music Project from 2000-2004.  In addition to working with hundreds of young folks, I was able to rub shoulders with some great musicians.  A small list:  Alan White, the drummer on John Lennon's "Imagine"; Bruce Hornsby; members of Metallica; the Grateful Dead; The Doors; and the legendary African-American folksinger Odetta.  Also, I hosted scores of school groups, including those from West Valley High, escorting them around the museum, speaking about the beneficial aspects of music.  Having the opportunity to help share music with literally millions of visitors was fabulous.  (One of my favorite co-workers was a young man named Cary Wakeley!)

 

These days I work in the Women's Center at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  It's a good place to work.  I'm glad to have a career that is a mission.

 

The young woman in the picture is my niece, Alex.  She's one of my bro Al's four children.  He went to Heaven in June.  I'm not worried about him; he's with our parents.

 

I became divorced in 2000, and presently am not in a relationship.  But I'm looking forward to my Next Great Romance! 

 

Have a wonderful reunion.

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Occupation:  Attorney
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
From Andrew:

In regards to the reunion......sadly I must tell you that I will be unable to make it.  I have a prior commitment.  A 30+ year "tradition".....that is "opening day of pheasant season" in the Palouse!

I certainly will miss seeing old friends and being part of updates.   It would be interesting to find out where everyone' lives have taken them.   If you compile any kind of "scrapbook", I certainly would be interested in the information.  I had a nice visit from Mark Porden about a year ago when he went out of his way to return one of the campaign signs from my brief and unsuccessful high school political career  : - )  It must have been prompted by his anticipated political aspirations to be mayor/county commissioner (I think) somewhere in Wyoming.

On the home front, since I won't be there, Barb and I continue to live in Colville (33 years)!  Originally living here was to be short-term.  However, we soon made too many wonderful friends and found a wonderful piece of property with a great view.  We are also just 2 hours from Priest Lake (Idaho) where Barb's cabin is located.  Our two "little" children have grown up and left the nest!  How can that be!  As of this year, they are both in Seattle....at least for the moment.  Our son, Andy (of course), spent some time after college (Whitman) in Washington D.C. and San Diego, and is now married and an attorney in downtown Seattle specializing in renewable energy resources.  Our daughter, Lindsey, has lived in Santa Clara (college), Meno Park, San Francisco, London and continues to travel throughout the U.S. and Europe as part of her job.  She has been a risk analyst/broker for Marsh?Buy Carpenter and now Willis, both reinsurance firms.  I am still "practicing" law.  I like that phrase  : - )  Barb has the more difficult task of teaching 27+ 4th graders (many of whom are low income and/or Ukrainian) and doing everything she can to help them pass the dreaded state WASL....usually she is pretty successful in their passage rates.   

We've had too many fun times and places we've been to try and list them all.  Looking at the variety of addresses around the country I'm sure there would be a good book written about our class.  I know there were several with great grades in English (back in the good ole days of when they were hard to get).   I hope everyone is well.   Sorry not to be there (unless they cancel hunting season).  

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Occupation:  retired
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Amy:

I have started this about three times and it is hard to decide where to start.  I have been married since 1973 to the same man, Sam.  We have 3 children.  My oldest, Tyler, lives in Seattle and is single.  He works in the HR department of a food co-op.  My second son, Evan, lives in Yakima and is a truck driver.  He is married and has 2 sons, Owen who is 3 and Ellis who is 9 months.  My only grandchildren.  My daughter, Alaina, is living with us until she finishes her medical assistant training.  I retired 3 years ago after teaching for a very long time.  I loved teaching but I really do not do well with stress and I enjoy life better without it.  I told my son that I would retire and take care of his children and that is what my husband, Sam (who retired this year) and I do.  About 2-4 times a week we have the boys.  They are fun but a lot of work too.  Sam and I sometimes get away in our RV, but not as often as we wish.  I spend some of my time volunteering, doing some computer work and even leading an exercise group at an assisted living retirement home.  I love a great mystery book and sewing altered art.  The picture I am hoping to add was taken three years ago, my adopted daughter is with me, in front of my classroom, on the day I retired.  My husband and I will be at the reunion.

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Occupation:  Mason County Auditor 
Licensing Manager
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  4
From Jackie:

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Occupation:  Retired
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  2
From Suzanne:
Bill and I just celebrated 38 yrs together.  Have resided in Az all but 6 months.  I retired from banking after 21 years and continue to practice my culinary skills on friends and family. We had our own mini reunion in Az in February with Karen Ellis, Paula Clifton and Jill Whitney. I will miss seeing all of you at the reunion, but I will be in Italy in September.  In October we will have three of our granddaughters during the reunion week.  Paula, Karen and I and our spouses are putting together a trip for our 60th Birthdays to Austraila anyone else our there interested  let us know Spring of 2009.
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Occupation:  Dental hygienist
Website:  NorthwestDentalHygiene.co -
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From Susan ("Susie"):
  At a time when I should be thinking about slowing down a bit, I decided that really doesn't suit me well!
After working for "someone elses"  for so many years, I decided it was time to jump in with both feet and start my own dental hygiene practice. In September 2008 I opened the doors to the first dental hygiene office in the State. I managed to turn the tables on tradition by hiring my own dentist and stepping fully into being an entrepeneur...scarey at a time when the ecomony went sideways just a month later! But I can hear my Dad's voice in my ear saying "well done, honey!". Haven't taken a paycheck yet, but the bills and the rent are being paid, my banker is happy, and so am I! The website is up and running as of June 1st, and remains a work in progress, but much to my delight, it is getting great response!  (I pay homage to the fact that dinosaurs apparently can learn to use the computer) I guess I never did want to play it safe...just took some time to discover it is OK to go for it!
Like so many of you I changed the odometer reading into the 60's this year. I am amazed Medicare is only a few short years away. I've decided however, that this new decade will be the best ever...the alternatives are not acceptable.
More updates to come now that I've learned how to do this....
 

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Occupation:  Records Manager
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  1
From della:

How wonderful it was to receive a call from Gay the other day.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend the reunion. Every year we spend a week in October in Wenatchee with our dear friends, Pat and Gale Vachon from Yakima and the reunion falls during that time. Pat introduced Al and I over forty-three years ago, I truly love Pat for that introduction! Al and I celebrated our 39^th anniversary last month.

My recollection of the first reunion was "What do you do for a living, are you married, where do you live, any kids?" The twentieth was "Are you enjoying your career, how are the kids doing in school, still married?" The thirtieth was "Are your children married, any grandchildren, why are we gaining weight and going gray, where’s the wine?" Now I would love to know "Where did the last forty years go, are you happy, are you in good health, how’s retirement – please tell me."

When I saw you last at the 30^th reunion I was the principal’s secretary at Capital High School. Over six years ago I left Capital and went to work for the Washington State Patrol at the Academy in Shelton. I manage the Patrol’s training records management system. Al has been with the City of Olympia for twenty-five years and is a supervisor with the public works department. We both have a few more years to retirement. Can’t wait, envy all of you already there.

Our daughter Aimee, her husband Tom, and our two grandchildren live only few miles away so we are very fortunate to see them often. Aimee is a dental assistant but has opted to be "a stay at home mom" for the next few years. Tom, bless his heart, commutes to Kent each day for his work as manager of a waste management company. They love Olympia and he says it’s worth the time commuting in order to raise his family here.

Grandson Sam started second grade this year and is busy with sports; flag football this fall and soccer in the spring. Kiersten started her freshman year at Capital High and has a crazy, busy schedule and we all take turns transporting her here and there. This is why they say to have a grandchild is to have your heart walk outside your body. We spoil them terribly and don’t feel bad about it at all, it’s our job!

Al and I have had some wonderful travels but our favorite has to be Christmas in Maui with Aimee, Tom, and the grandkids. We have been three years and plan more holidays in the islands.

I know you will all have a wonderful time at the reunion. See you at the 50^th if not before. The reunion committee is wonderful and thanks for putting the reunion and web page together.

 

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Occupation:  Flight Attendant
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Roberta:
Merry Christmas from Alaska! Married in 1970, three daughters, five grandchildren, 37 anniversaries. Ed and I came to Anchorage, Alaska in 1976 where Ed has run a truck dealership and fabrication business. I was a "stay at home" mother and wife until 1988 when I went to work for Alaska Airlines as a Flight Attendant. This year is 20 years in the airline business and probably my last. I'm looking forward to being a "stay at home" grandmother. Two of our girls and all five grandchildren live in Anchorage so we enjoy a lot of family time and I love watching the kids grow up. Our youngest daughter lives in Seattle and is our first stop every time we leave Alaska. Building our life together has been one grand adventure but we're getting close to "cashing out", moving to the lower 48 and swapping stories with all our friends. Thank you Gay for your perseverance and hard work putting all this together. I have enjoyed catching up and reminiscing about people, things, and adventures we've kept to ourselves all these years. I am looking forward to our 45th. YIKES! Roberta
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Occupation:  retired
Marital Status:  Married
No. of Children:  3
From Pamela:

Hello fellow Rams fans!

Reading the bios has been great fun so thought it only right to add one more.

Since our last reunion I have been diligently trying to stay off the "In Memoriam" page.  I am fortunate enough to be one of those ladies at the "Race for the Cure" who wears the pink hat and pink T-shirt. I have been a breast cancer survivor for seven years and counting.

My husband David graduated from Oregon State University and UCLA Dental School.   He practiced Dentistry in Portland for eleven years then went back to school at Oregon Health Sciences University for a two year residency in Orthodontics.  Consequently our three daughters have very beautiful smiles!  Through our twenty-seven years of marriage he has held my hand, loved me and laughed with me through the years many ups and downs.  I laugh as I read the bios about us all ageing. I really don’t mind getting older - it’s my body falling apart that I object to.

I have been blessed in many ways. Elizabeth, our middle daughter, provided us with two terrific grandchildren, Ashley (9) and Ethan (6). Grandparenting - how wonderful! Our youngest daughter, Chelsea, who is an attorney and her attorney husband Josh moved close by. We feel very well protected by our "legal team" and are looking forward to them starting a family in the near future.

Two years ago I "retired" from the Longview School District where I worked in the field of Occupational Therapy with special needs children. The last few years working mostly with children who have Autism.  My husband David was surprised when my staff gave me a retirement party.  He thought I was just changing jobs.  Funny thing is he was right!

I really enjoyed working with children, teachers and parents but as many of you can relate I now have ageing parents to care for. So I have essentially taken up the job of helping my parents later years be comfortable. My mother is 85 now and my dad is 89!   Much of my of my time is devoted to their care. An exhausting job but I feel it a privilege to make their final years as pleasant as possible.  They have been married 68 years!  Amazing.

Before this little bio becomes a book I’ll just say that David and I are enjoying our time together. We are traveling more now and enjoy meeting with friends - old and new alike. I feel very blessed by my family, friends, church community and small town life in Longview.  It has been a busy last ten years and I feel very fortunate. I hope to see all of you in another ten years if not sooner like on October 19th.         

   Thank you so much to the reunion crew for their incredible drive, diligence and determination in reuniting the class of 1967!    

                      Pam                     

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