Gary E Hahlbeck

I met my wife, Jean at the original WLC in 1969. Dated through college and we married in 1973.

Graduated from DMLC in 1973, called to teach and be principal at Christ Lutheran in Eagle River WI. Jean also taught there.

Later took a call to Menomonee Falls and taught at Bethlehem Lutheran until 1979. Our son, Michael, was born in 1978.

In 1979, I quit teaching to pursue a business I actually started while at WLHS. We were truly blessed - the business grew and prospered and our speaker systems were sold all over the world under the "Sonic" brand name.

Later, I started a second business selling the brand of guitars and amplifiers played by the Beatles in an online web site located at www.northcoastmusic.com.

My wife and I are now semi retired and split our time between our homes in Wisconisn and the Ozarks in NW Arkansas.

I came to WLHS mid year in 1966, after finishing my freshman year in public school as a mid year graduate. As there was no mid year class at Wisco, I took the second half of my freshman year over.

It was one of the scariest things I ever did to start my freshman year - mid year - knowing absolutely no one in the entire school. My thanks to Ernie Walbert, the very first classmate that spoke to me at WLHS, and helped me thorough my first day. I bet Ernie doesn't remember that, but I certainly do.

49 of 50 states, UK, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and South Milwaukee