Marilyn Gushe (Budde)

Burton (Burt) Williams

The "In Memory" feature of this site is important.  I always read and appreciate the comments posted whether or not I knew the classmate we've lost.  It is sad and often surprising seeing the name of someone you knew but at the same time comforting when you read the kindness afforded.  I wish I had known each of them better and be able to submit a fond memory.  Lastly, I doubt the list is complete and encourage everyone to contribute both memories and/or information.  I think we all benefit...

You can visit our veteran classmates who died in Vietnam at the online Virtual Wall.  Please submit memories and photos to their page:  http://www.virtualwall.org/index.html

Charlene (Cissy) Taylor (Brazil)

Excellent post, Burt! Well said...

Mary Kaye Pearson

Hay Burt   so happy to see that car.. YOU left  it at my house on Baxter when you went

on a trip. I drove it around.. wow.. I hope all is good with you.. I  really love your comment

See you at the reunion

Mary Kay Pearson

Bruce Erricson

Hola Mary Kaye & Burt (alias A. B.),

Sorry to break in on this but I want you to know that nobody ever left their baby with me --- and I liked it that way.

See you both next month.

Bruce Erricson

Sandra Swearingen

It is so good to hear from everybody and relive some much needed good memories. Burt I'm smarter than Bruce!!! Well, I had to say something whether it is true or not?? Can't wait to c everyone. Soon!!!

Sandra Swearingen

Oh now I remember why I'm smarter than I was a college professor!!! Game on!!h

Sandra Swearingen

Ops maybe not too smart--I didn't proofread. It should read why I am smarter than Bruce. Am I still talking? Luv u guys. 

Bruce Erricson

Keep talking, Sandy.....you're sinking deeper & deeper -- as usual.  Glub, glub.  Can anyone help her?  Or is it too late?

Mary Kaye Pearson

Hay its me again,  My  brain is swelling up with memories.. maybe I need some help!   help...

.

Bruce Erricson

Hey Mary Kaye,

You're a nurse -- you know what to do about brain swellings. (In the Sherlock Holmes stories it was called brain fever?)  A little brain swelling never hurt anyone.  That's why we have ears -- to allow the excess to escape.

How can I help you, my dear?  I trust the memories are mostly positive....

Bruce

Gerald (Jerry) Thomas

Hey Bruce, Following that logic, your ears must be totally useless !!!

Sandra Swearingen

Well said. Leave it to a man to think swelling of anything is ok!!!

Burton (Burt) Williams

It's really nice to finally get some participation on this forum!  I'm surprised that so few classmates have posted photos, shared life, and taken part in the discussion...  The reunion is just one short evening and a part of the next day.  My point is that surely in the last FIFTY (FIVE-0) YEARS you've each led interesting lives and might want to contribute?  Photos of grandkids, you in your prime, old cars, hobbies, memories; all are worthy.  It's who we are.

Don't be shy.  We are, each of us, almost 70 years old; time to dump the old high school facades...  make new friends, remember the old, and celebrate those we've lost along the way...

Charlene (Cissy) Taylor (Brazil)

As I read this forum and many of the memorial posts and comments, I realized how lucky you all are. At age of 67, and that is relatively young, my memory is failing. I don't remember nearly all my classmates. Of all the memorial posts of classmates that have passed on, I do not recall any of them :-(

Of the few classmates that have not left my memory, two have died (Karen Buch Barnes and Patrick - his full name escapes me. See what I mean? Lol He was killed in Vietnam) .

I remember Bill George, Bob Pachelli, Andrea Swars, and a few others. Some of the names are familiar, but faces I can't recollect. Very frustrating. Oh, I remember Bruce Erricson, Ron Weien, Jerry Beldon, Tim Hewlett, George Gibson, Leszick Schmidt. Those faces, I DO remember. 

Anyone know whatever happened to Tim Hewlett and Andrea Swars? Anyway,the point is, I have lost so much memory of high school and my fellow students, I feel really sad. I was a quiet student, but I am sure I had some memorable times...if only I could remember what they were!!  Hahaha ! 

I am hoping to attend the reunion. I have put down my payment. However, I had total knee replacement and it's still healing. We will see. 

One question......and this is a really weird one. Does anyone remember me? My profile shows my 64 graduation picture to jog your memory.  I was not one if the popular students, but I do remember enjoying high school and being in the band. My best friend was Andrea Swars. My high school sweetheart was Ron Weien.  Is that question awkward or what????? :-)..

thanks!

Margo Lanpheir (Holland)

I've enjoyed reading all your comments.  I remember Bruce from Ridgeview and your comments made me laugh.  I remember Burt a little but I don't remember Cissy, yet I remember your boyfriend, Ron.  I remember Jerry Thomas and his best friend, Dave.

I've been living and working in Napa since we graduated. I actually never thought that I would be here in Napa all these years.  I've taught at Shearer, Salvador, Northwood, and Vichy.  I actually taught a few children and grandchildren of some of our classmates.

Thank you Burt for encouraging us to add to the message.

Margo

Bruce Erricson

Jerry, I don't know how to thank you for that comment, but I'll think of something.  Oh, yes -- you're at the top of my list.  You've obviously forgotten -- I know where you live....

Charlene, of course I remember you.  We were in band together; I'm trying to remember whether you played flute or clarinet...I think it was clarinet, but my memory is also not what I'd like it to be.  Please forgive me if I'm mistaken.

Margo, I certainly remember you as well; great sense of humor as I recall.  So you ended up teaching some of the ignorant offspring of your ignorant schoolmates.  What a challenge!  I saw your photo of your trip to Machu Picchu -- I've done some traveling, but that's one I'd love to visit.  Don't know if my tired old bones would be up to the challenge @ this stage of the game.  I did go to Cuba a couple of months ago.  I'm afraid that's as close to South America as I've been thus far.

I'm really looking forward to seeing all of you next month.

Great work, Burt.  Keep 'em coming.  If nothing else works, try insults; that often wakes 'em up.

Bruce

Charlene (Cissy) Taylor (Brazil)

Thanks, Bruce! Good to know someone that I remember, remembers me. I played clarinet, sometimes the Eflat. That's all I remember! ;-)

Paula Quandt (Libby)

So interesting to see what you've all written and what you do, or don't remember, from our school yrs.  Afterall, it has been 50 yrs., and that's just from high school.  So many of our class have passed, but so many that we went all through school with, are still around.  How great is that?

When I see someone on here, or even just a name, that I began Westwood with and are now looking forward to the 50th. reunion, it makes me happy.  I'm sure most of you, feel the same way. How fortunate we were, back then, to pick up new friends along the way, especially when Napa was still small enough to filter all grammar schools, into the Jr. highs and then into one high school.  That's pretty special in its own way.  Keep the comments coming.  We all enjoy them.

Paula Quandt Libby

Mary Kaye Pearson

I am so happy to hear all the  posts .  Burt , you  really got us going.  I came up from St. Helena in the 9ith grade.  I thought I was going to have a breakdown leaving all my friends behind.  and so shy.. so  there I was at redwood junior high and wondering why it is  3 years and high school only 2 years.. Most of my friends were from Redwood.  This is who I remember hanging out with, LynneBrooks, Marilyn Newberry, Marilyn Millet, Joyce Coulter,Jeanne G, Sandy  Swearigen, and more for sure.  I can not rememvber  how I  met you Burt.  oh Gary Brambrink.  Remember all the dances, at Vichy Springs?   I am really glad to have this  time to  talk to one another as we try  and think back.. I hung  with Johnny Cozad at a couple of the reunions. .. Janice Rutherford said she heard he went to Idaho or Wyoming...Does anyone hav e any ideas  how we can find him. We are so lucky  to have this time thank you to all the coordinators.

Mary Kaye

Mary Kaye Pearson

Hi its me again,  I remember when the Beatles got off the plane in San Franciso in  1964  also I was so excited my first album was the Beach Boys.. Surfer Girl I remember going to the show on a Friday night to see A Hard Days Night.. I cannot remember who I went with though. Vietnam  was so hard to understand... Mary Kaye 

Pamela Easton (Greco)

OMG!  This is great. So glad to hear all of you can't remember things from 50 years past.  I went to Westwood from the 5th grade.  I remember you Jerry Thomas.  I also remember David Aitken. He lived across the street. What a gentle giant. So sorry to hear of his demise. It seems as if my junior high school years have become more prevalent in my memory banks.  After all, high school was only two years and junior high was four.  My grandchildren went to Harvest and River middle schools and I was blown away when I went to back-to-school with my grandson.  Every room I passed brought back teachers' names, just to name a few:  Mr. Dimmitt; my home room teacher in 7th grade; Ms. Baker, the librarian, Mrs. Dauer (English, I think), Mr. Feriole, mr. Russo - he never thought girls could do math - and he was right when I was in the 9th grade, and many more familiarities associated with location of rooms!  You former Ridgeview students should take a stroll through Harvest Middle School - it's a trip!  

Thank you everyone who participated in this forum. Keep it going as it does jog memories!  

Pam (Easton) Greco