Virginia Wolfe (Scheffer)

We were in Yakima racing horses at that time.  It was a beautiful sunny day and when the sky turned black, I though it was the end of the world.  We had to leave the horses there because we did not want to chance driving with them and getting stuck.  Poor things, they had dust in their noses for weeks.  We kept damp kerchiefs in their halters covering their nostrils so they could breathe.  Yikes! what an awful experience.

Pat Nordyke (Johanson)

I lived in Snoqualmie at the time, but I was in Issaquah with my daughters brownnie troop taking a tour of McDonalds.  The kids were scared to death until  got them home to their families.  This was also my sons 10th birthday, he will never forget.

Bob Beveridge

I was following the eruption from my home in Livermore, CA.  It was one of those events that just held you in utter facination. I used to go on backpacking trips in that area and was amazed at the extent of the destruction.  I flew into Seattle a year later it was impressive to look out to the horizon and see all the blackened trees laid out flat all facing the same direction.   I remember my great-grandmother telling me as a child about how the volcanoes were smoking when they arrived here in the 1890's.  

Dennis Morse

Following the killings at the gay night club in Orlando, I would like to express my sympathy and support to all gays and especially to those in our class.  In 1964 gays were ridiculed and degraded by most of us because we just did not understand.  I have changed and I hope my classmates have changed too..

Gregg Wilson

A person who is a homosexual was born a homosexual. They did not choose it. They are stuck with it. Let them be.

Virginia Wolfe (Scheffer)

Since our days in class, we have come a long way with our acceptance of everyone regardless of race, creed, color, or whatever.  I am proud of our country for doing so much.  We still have a long way to go.  We must stop the hate.  Bless all those families affected by this horrible tragedy.

John Bartkowski

Here's something you may want to consider watching as it does provide some things to think about should you ever find yourself in an environment where there is an active shooter and your life is at risk.  http://www.targetfocustraining.com/dealing-with-an-active-shooter/

http://www.targetfocustraining.com/dealing-with-an-active-shooter/

Al Peffley

I have supported an active shooter training exercise in the recent past at LCC and am on a regional emergency management information distribution list. The reality is when something like this starts it takes a long time for armed first responders to arrive and set up an incident  command center. The worst thing you can do is hide and cover. If you have no weapon to defend yourself you need to leave the incident site as soon as possible.

The Muslim shooter operated 37 minutes before enoughpolice firepower was on site to negate him. Three senior, SWAT-qualified Orlando Police officers arrived at the scene before the Islamist entered the club and were not able to take down the shooter with multiple shots.

Most of the lame stream media fails to tell you it was Gay Pride week in Orlando. Muslims don't tolerate LBGT, period. Stay away from these events because this tradgety will probably happen again. This shooter was professionaly trained at a security company and had worked for Homeland Security as a contractor mercenary.

My wife was at the Clakamas Mall shooting when the Occupy Portland perp opened fire. she was less than 50 feet away when the first shot was fired. I talked her out of the mall to safety via cell phone instructions. My daughter was at a pub in Seattle where the shooter killed the owner and a customer before killing himself. She remembered what I told her when the shooting started. Don't bother texting -- if shots are fired the police are usually already on their way, so get the heck out of Dodge!

It always amazes me that most people in a large assembled crowd will willingly be shot instead of charging the shooter. The crowd can overwhelm the shooter in most cases just using tablles, chairs, and other hard objects as shields. Stay aware of your surroundings 24/7!

The world we grew up in is gone. Welcome to the new world of instability and extremes. We are prayng fro those who are grieving their loved ones and friends.

Gary Lindberg

Amen Al!!!!!

Waynne Blue (James)

Thank you for sharing the information!!  Waynne

Diane Paulson

Thanks Ed Hesner for posting the 3rd grade photo from Gregory Heights elementary. I am number 23. And Linda Alderson, Tommy Gustafson and Melissa Geffel were also in that class, but looks like they didn't get into the picture.

Dennis Morse

Given the tragedy in Dallas and the general turmoil in major cities I was wondering what members of our class became first responders. I know Lynn Britton was with the police in Kent for many years.  It was almost a tradition in his family to be a first responder. I had lunch with Lynn a few years ago and he is still a quiet and humble person.  Ever since grade school I think he knew his life direction. Well done Lynn.

Gregg Wilson

In regard to Dennis Mores's statement:

The police, firemen, first responders are caught between two mobs of moral idiots. They might as well be in No Man's Land on the Western Front in the Great War. Glad I'm retired and far away from this tragicomedy.

Lynn Britton

Dennis, thanks for the kind words.  You are right about my family tradition of First Responders - my father, all 6 brothers and I were all in the Burien Fire Dept.  3 brothers were career Firefighters and I had a 30 service as a Volunteer Firefighter in Burien.  I also have 45 years in police service.

Thank you Gregg (my childhood next door neighbor) for your comments - they are right on.

Dennis Morse

Does anyone know if a  Highline graduate from any class has been an Olympian athlete?

Richard Leisy

We have a round-about connection to an Olympian of note.  Gordon Adam, father of David (HHS`65) and Tracy (HHS`63?) was team captain and one of the “Boys in the Boat” eight man crew from the University of Washington that won the gold medal in 1936, much to the displeasure of Adolph Hitler.  http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920329&slug=1483554Mr .

Mr. Adam went on to have a nearly forty year career as an executive at Boeing.  His son David was a good friend who sadly has since passed away (not sure of the year).  If I remember correctly, Tom Nixon went to David’s funeral and may be able to provide more details if you’re interested.

Linda Pompeo (Worden)

Very interesting. 

Tom Nixon

Dave Adam died in March of 1996. I did not attend his services but my daughter Andrea did as she was attending U of A in Tucson. She was very close to the Adam family. Later that fall Karen and the two kids brought Dave's ashes to place them near the Crystal Mtn area per his last wishes. His grandparents had a cabin at Silver Springs area at the foot of Crystal Mountain Blvd. As it turned out we were unable to find the right cabin so we compromised and scattered them at our property on the White River nearby. 

Dave's dad Gordon, had his oar mounted above the fireplace at the house on Maplewild and when we were kids we all marveled at Gordy's Gold Medal. His dad wasn't tall like today's rowers but had the biggest hands I ever saw  he taught Dave and I how to hit golf balls  I'm sure Dick L has similar memories. 

I spoke to the author of Boys in the Boat and he indicated that he had very little info on Gordy and didn't know how to contact the family  too bad, they could have added another chapter to the book. 

Karen remarried ......to a law professor in Tucson and has since retired as a juvenile judge after a long career on the bench. She and Robert have moved into a smaller home but are still in Tucson. Dave and Karen's children, Brian and Katherine have married and have children of their own. 

That's it for now, I will attach a wonderful tribute from a fellow sportswriter when I find it. I. Really miss Dave and think of him often......Tom Nixon

Virginia Wolfe (Scheffer)

This is so cool.  Thanks for sharing a really great story.

Cheryl Miller

About classmates who participated in the Olympics:

I remember working out with Dale McClemenets but I don't think she was in our class.  Both her brother and sister are listed as Olympic team members, but not sure what years.

Kephart, Dale McClements: Moved to Seattle 1959 from Canada. Attended Highline H.S. Also Gym Kamper. Turned out at High school and also Seattle "Y". Won 1962 National AA in Seattle. Olympic team member in Japan. Highest U.S. score. Graduated from U.W. Married (later divorced) Mike Flansaas of the U.W. men's team. Coached and taught at schools and clubs made compulsory routines for Olympics. Coached at Olympic games and coached at college level. Living presently in Alaska. Also judged at Olympics. Inducted into U.W. Hall of Fame, 1999, and WA. state USAG Hall of Fame 2003. (For her extended biography, please see the chapter on Who's Who In WA. Gymnastics.)

Pam Wilkes from our graduation class married a man (Don Martin) who was a Olympic Gold metal winner for rowing, but I can't remember what year.  He was older so it would have been in the late 40's or early 50's.

Linda Pompeo (Worden)

So many things that we don't know about classmates.  

Thank you for sharing with us.

Dennis Morse

Just read on the Burien facebook page that Jack Horsley, class of 1969, received the Bronze in the 200 meter backstroke at the 1968 Olympics. Does anyone know if he is related to Beth Horsley from our class.

Dennis Morse

To all our classmates who live in warm places, such as Arizona, it is close to 100 degrees in western Washington today. I like my air conditioning alot!

Sandra Lewis (Allen)

I live south of Sacramento, and you were warmer than we were today.  Welcome to my world!!

Pat Nordyke (Johanson)