Does anyone know about Russ at all? He and I could hardly be called friends, but I remember him as a kind of blue-collar wiseguy, always digging at people and situations with his sarcastic humor. Bright—but his own worst enemy as a student. His family lived, as I recall, out by one of the clayholes along the expressway.
I remember Russ from Waterman Elementary. I think he played on the basketball team with...let me see if I can remember some names...Dennis Mion, Dennis Kaufman, Loren Walker, Phil Kaminski, R.J. Preski. I know there were more, but I've only had one cup of coffee today. He was quiet and he did live over off Greenwood Road. Quite a few Waterman and later Thornridge students lived over in that area...Lyn Rau and Noreen Rakich come to mind. I don't think we ever went to his house for a party, but his older brother, Larry, went to a lot of the basketball games. I remember he was an "older guy" who came to Waterman and rode the bus with us to the away games. Russ was the type of guy who always had a smile. We really lost touch once we got to high school.
I can tell you exactly where Russell Hatch lived. It was just south of 158th Street between Greenwood and Paxton, closer to the latter. Eventually Steve Knitter and his parents lived just north at the corner of 158th and whatever that little road was called. Noreen and Susan Conterio lived right on 158th. Noreen's home was on the south side near Clyde Av. Susan was a few doors west closer to Greenwood. Phil Kaminki, Richard Chiatello and Tommy Vania lived on Paxton. Sandridge Nature Center was across for Phil. Bob Schultz and I lived at 156th. He was the first kid I ever and he lived across the asparagus field to the north. Pete Matovina and his cousin Thersa Lutter lived on 154th between Clyde and the old road called Merrill. A surprising number of us from that little unincorporated area began first grade together in the basement of Berger School Just prior to the Baby Boom explosion which had the school system hopping to keep adding onto the building and then to finally build Waterman. Jack Herma was in our class too.
I do not know how Russell died but had heard of his passing many years ago. Ed Wojtusik died of a brain tumor I think.
I remember when the entire area south of Waterman was still undeveloped. In fact, there were NO developements anywhere along 154th, NSE or W. The Raus had four acres , an old farmhouse, a barn (until it almost fell own ) ,poultry buildings converted to dog kennels and lots of room to be a kid. Loved it. ''Shoreland Day Camp'' was immediately south of us which enabled us to feel like we had much more open space than even our 4 acres. My parents purchased the property in September of 1945. I was born the following APRIL of '46.
Russ lived over off Greenwood until midway through our junior year. He then moved into South Holland where his mom owned a shoe store on South Park Avenue. He and I became very close to the point that after I went away to NIU, one of the neighbors asked his mom where her other son had gone. She thought he was referring to Larry, Russ' older brother, but in actuality he was talking about me.
Russ was about the smartest kid I ever know who didn't go to colllege. It was a waste, since he was very bright.
You want one that will really make you feel old? Russ and I went to see the Rolling Stones at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick place. 13th row center tickets were $12.50 and we complained about how expensive they were.
Russ died under some unfortunate circumstances in Colorado.
Stephen Franklin
Does anyone know about Russ at all? He and I could hardly be called friends, but I remember him as a kind of blue-collar wiseguy, always digging at people and situations with his sarcastic humor. Bright—but his own worst enemy as a student. His family lived, as I recall, out by one of the clayholes along the expressway.
Sharon Hardin (Summerlin)
I remember Russ from Waterman Elementary. I think he played on the basketball team with...let me see if I can remember some names...Dennis Mion, Dennis Kaufman, Loren Walker, Phil Kaminski, R.J. Preski. I know there were more, but I've only had one cup of coffee today. He was quiet and he did live over off Greenwood Road. Quite a few Waterman and later Thornridge students lived over in that area...Lyn Rau and Noreen Rakich come to mind. I don't think we ever went to his house for a party, but his older brother, Larry, went to a lot of the basketball games. I remember he was an "older guy" who came to Waterman and rode the bus with us to the away games. Russ was the type of guy who always had a smile. We really lost touch once we got to high school.
Lyn Rau (Pence)
Hi Everybody
I can tell you exactly where Russell Hatch lived. It was just south of 158th Street between Greenwood and Paxton, closer to the latter. Eventually Steve Knitter and his parents lived just north at the corner of 158th and whatever that little road was called. Noreen and Susan Conterio lived right on 158th. Noreen's home was on the south side near Clyde Av. Susan was a few doors west closer to Greenwood. Phil Kaminki, Richard Chiatello and Tommy Vania lived on Paxton. Sandridge Nature Center was across for Phil. Bob Schultz and I lived at 156th. He was the first kid I ever and he lived across the asparagus field to the north. Pete Matovina and his cousin Thersa Lutter lived on 154th between Clyde and the old road called Merrill. A surprising number of us from that little unincorporated area began first grade together in the basement of Berger School Just prior to the Baby Boom explosion which had the school system hopping to keep adding onto the building and then to finally build Waterman. Jack Herma was in our class too.
I do not know how Russell died but had heard of his passing many years ago. Ed Wojtusik died of a brain tumor I think.
I remember when the entire area south of Waterman was still undeveloped. In fact, there were NO developements anywhere along 154th, NSE or W. The Raus had four acres , an old farmhouse, a barn (until it almost fell own ) ,poultry buildings converted to dog kennels and lots of room to be a kid. Loved it. ''Shoreland Day Camp'' was immediately south of us which enabled us to feel like we had much more open space than even our 4 acres. My parents purchased the property in September of 1945. I was born the following APRIL of '46.
History ! SO interesting !
Lyn Rau Pence
Jerry Dykhuisen (Jerry Dykhuisen)
Russ lived over off Greenwood until midway through our junior year. He then moved into South Holland where his mom owned a shoe store on South Park Avenue. He and I became very close to the point that after I went away to NIU, one of the neighbors asked his mom where her other son had gone. She thought he was referring to Larry, Russ' older brother, but in actuality he was talking about me.
Russ was about the smartest kid I ever know who didn't go to colllege. It was a waste, since he was very bright.
You want one that will really make you feel old? Russ and I went to see the Rolling Stones at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick place. 13th row center tickets were $12.50 and we complained about how expensive they were.
Russ died under some unfortunate circumstances in Colorado.