Patricia Blair (Neil)

Thanks, Gerald, for all your efforts to track us down.  Hope that percentage does not get too much higher and we just moved out of state a lot.

Gerald Wiebeck

Our attempts to locate as many of the class as possible is a labor of love.  It is with sincere gratitude to each of you for all of the fond memories you've given to me that I try in some small way to give back to you.  As we find those who are on the missing list is like finding a very precious gem.  We only home and pray that as many as possible can make the reunion.  The reunion Committee; Patricia, Marilyn, Edith, James, Janice and David have worked very hard to make this opportunity happen and I am indebted to them and you.  Blessings and prayers from my wife, Ish, and I to each of you and your families.

Gerald Wiebeck

How many of us were there at graduation?

Jan Carter (Ziegler)

The official count on our commencement program was 244.

Gerald Wiebeck

Wow that's 24% and growing...... that hurts so much!

David Daniels

Jan & Gerald,I  was surprised when I saw Jan's number.  I think she had a typo in there.  I just printed out the commencement pages that are in the website photos, and I counted 344 names, not 244.  With the 59 deceased names that we have, that would put it at 17%.  However, we have an additional 33 names that were also connected to the `63 class -- didn't graduate, transferred before graduation, etc., making an unofficial total of 377.  That would drop the percentage down to 15.6%

Bob Michaluk

I know its important to remember our lost colleages. One of them was my best friend all those years, Dick Bubb.  We may never know what happened to Dick but there are some three hundred of you out there  that I did share those precious times with.  And you are here now. We may not ever get a chance again to remember those times that were special.  How do I know they were special?  Because for some reason I remember them now. I never said a word at the time. I'll give you an example. Jerry Weibeck had a famous wresling hold that I actually went to she him perform in a match.  It was outstanding.  I have no idea what he did and it was over before you could even cheer. I was impressed Jerry and that is one of hundreds of special memories I have of you in our class.  We all have them. I urge you to share yours now. I will miss Dick but hes not here and you are. Tell me about a moment we shared that you remember before we both get alsheimers.

David Daniels

Bob Michaluk, good suggestion to post some of those memories here.  By the way, we have located Dick Bubb recently (I sent you a separate email with contact information).  You're absolutely right about Gerry Wiebeck.  He was a phenomenal wrestler, especially with that move -- he'll have to remind us what it was called.  I would go to the wrestling matches to see him, but it was usually over so fast, I didn't know what happened.  The Wiebeck brothers made us a pretty big name in the state for several years.  Unquestionably Kenny was the best swimmer around (I'd argue that in his time, he was the best ever in Michigan); and Gerry was pretty much at the top in wrestling.  If I remember correctly (and that's always a bit iffy at this stage), Gerry lost only 2 matches in our senior year, and that was to the same guy -- once in a dual meet and once in the state semi-finals.  Again, he'll have to correct or confirm.  What amazed me was that 2 brothers could excell so much in 2 so different sports.  We were fortunate to have them.  I've got a story about Ron Gatzka (also a swimmer), but I'll put that up on his memory page.

Stephen Leuchtman

Gerry's patented move was called the "souffle," I suppose because he flattened the other wrestlers with it.  The guy he lost to was David Porter, who went on to be a two-time NCAA champ at Michigan.  I think it's fair to say that in most other states, Gerry would have been the champ.  We were blessed to have a number of outstanding coaches.  Although he left after our sophomore year (breaking my heart), Bob Parks built a formidable track program.  He went on to spend several years coaching at Eastern, where the track is now named for him.  He had a number of Olympians at EMU and is in the NCAA Coaching Hall of Fame.  I thought Jim Knotts (wrestling) and Joe Mracna (swimming) were as good as any other coaches in the state.  I'm told Knotts was abrasive as a coach; but Knudsen, Orlikowski and I, among others, were good friends with him and often visited him and his wife, Sue, at his house in Livonia.

Dave's mention of the Wiebeck brothers brought to mind something I've wondered about, which is how many of our classmates lettered at the college level in their respective sports.  Even though Eastern was only a few miles from the Michigan campus, the only track guy I can remember lettering there was Ralph Stephenson, who was an exceptional half-miler, probably the best guy on our team in '63.  Len Capelli and Bob Stockton can certainly help with EMU alums, both having played football there.

Keith Spicer (baseball) and I (track) lettered at U of M, as did Dave Post (wrestling, '61) and Ken Wiebeck (swimming, '64).

I would love to know who else lettered, and where.

Marilyn Rouen (Dimitroff)

Hey - I think we graduated fifty years ago today!  I waiver between feeling like it was yesterday and feeling like it was another lifetime.   Happy Anniversary 1963 Eagles!

Sharon Dumler (Davis)

Wow Marilyn, pretty impressive.  I retired today, and the connection with graduation sort of reflects our lives.  You are right when you say it was yesterday and a lifetime ago.  Pretty neat that we're still here to reminisce.  Congrats graduates, we really did make it!

Stephen Leuchtman

Sometimes I think it was in another life; other times I think it was the day before yesterday.  I remember that it had rained, so we had to have commencement in the gym.  In going up to get our diplomas, we were paired up with a member of the opposite sex, more or less by height if I remember right.  I got paired with Sue Haight, whom I really didn't know---but I remember being struck by how pretty she was.

The highlight of commencement for me was Marilyn's salutatorian speech.  Most commencement speeches are boring, pretentious, or both.  They're either a reminder that the future of the graduates lies ahead of them (where else would it be?) or an exhortation that the graduates can do anything in life they want to if they put their backs to the task (really?!?). Instead, Marilyn's speech was about the sights, sounds and memories of Thurston High, how it would stay with her forever, and how quickly it had all passed.  It was very moving, a word picture that really let you see in your mind what she was describing.  I've thought about that speech on and off over the last 50 years.

It's funny how life comes around in a full circle.  We leave the place where we grew up and the people we grew up with, go off, have careers, raise kids, travel, laugh, cry, make love, fight, and live our lives.  And then as it becomes evening, we remember and cherish our roots.  I've lived in Bloomfield Hills and Montana, and I've spent a large amount of time in New York and Los Angeles.  But in the end, I tell people I'm just a guy from Redford who went to Thurston High School.  I imagine that at heart, we all feel that way.

Thanks, Marilyn, for once again taking us down memory lane.

William Cox

To Sharon;  Congrats on the retirement, I've just not been able to do that, just yet!  By the way, you look wonderful..............The passage of time changes us, but somehow we look just the same?

To Marilyn;  Wow, very impressive, that you could remember our high school graduation date.  Some days, I can't find my keys, others, I can't remember which vehicle they go to?  In general, I can't remember whether it's the long term or short term, that I miss the most..................You look stunning, as well....................

To Steve;  I've always known the secret to Gerry's athletic success, he was built like a 'freakin' Oak Tree!!!!

Leonard Capelli

Steve, Joe Halonen lettered 4 years in football and a couple in wrestling at EMU. He was captain of the football team 1966. Bob, do you remember we made some money selling custom greeting cards. You did fine art special cards and I played Mr Hallmark with custom verses. I don't know why we stopped. Steve I have fond memories of riding around in your little convertible. We were usually packed so tight that if we had been in an accident, there would have been no secondary collision. 

Bob Michaluk

Thats what I'm talking about folks. Share those memories.  I only wish I could remember them more clearly sometimes the detail gets fuzzy, but please keep it up anyway.  The jogging helps.  Haven't got Dick Bubb to respond yet.

Daniel Orlikowski

Hey Len, You mention Leutch's little convertible. It was a Rambler...I think a Metropolitan and one day we decided to time it in the quarter mile...only the quarter mile was the THS track. It was summer and nobody around, or so we thought. Can't remember what the E.T. was but young Stevie got a ticket for "Driving on a Footpath". Guess there WAS someone around. Nothin' but fun, right Steve?

Bruce Kordenbrock

Wow, fifty years ago last Thursday (13 Jun 2013)….are we all certain that it wasn’t yesterday?  Time is an ethereal thing, elusive yet carved out by each flip of the calendar page.  I’m still an 18 year old, just trapped in a 68 year old body. We can still all meet at a local park and have a senior vs. junior water balloon fight, or pick up Mr. Knox’s car and put on his porch.

 I totally agree with Bill Cox, sometimes I can’t remember why I walked into a room and have to turn around and walk back in.  However, I do remember that Kathie’s and my 41^st wedding anniversary is tomorrow: June 15, 2013.  That also seems like yesterday.  One has a good and full life when he or she loves, is loved and cares for others.  Life is great when we paint the good images on our minds and weave them into the fabric of our character.

High school was half a century ago, and the world we grew up in is no more.  Our classmates were the ones that were scholarly, athletic, beautiful (some all three)--destined to change the world; others destined to help those to change the world.  Many were given the most important job in the world-- caring for our children, some as parents, others as educators and/or administrators; from what I read in your bios, many as all three.

Today’s world is far more stratified than the one we knew as kids—more political, more divided along philosophical ethos.  The world of Ozzie & Harriet, Leave to Beaver, or Father Knows Best has faded away with the growth of cable television and the internet.  Not all is lost. Many of us taught our children that they can make their way in this world through hard work with a few breaks along the way.  We taught them to make good decisions and that one bad decision does not dictate their entire future--just continue to make wise decisions and trust in your own abilities.

I’ve had a great life and look forward to many more years.  Thank you, Class of ’63 for being a large part of the foundation of my life and helping me to build a little character along the way.  I told you the world is more ‘philosophical’ now.

Stephen Leuchtman

It was a Rambler American, a snappy gold & white two-tone with a white convertible top and vinyl (i.e., fake leather) seats.  What it lacked in internal space, it made up for in slowness.  On a good day, its top speed was maybe 87---if you were going down a slope and had a stiff wind at your back.  I'd have done better with our lawnmower's engine under the hood.  I was living proof that males shouldn't get driver's licenses before age 18.  My father, who was nobody's fool, had a '56 T-Bird that he got rid of about a week before I got my learner's permit out of (here's a trip down memory lane) Wall Driving School.  I never forgave the Old Man.

As stupid as the vehicle on the footpath incident was, I once got the car stuck up to the rocker panels in the spring mud when a bunch of us decided to drive across the field between the school and the football field to play touch football on a Sunday afternoon.  We managed to call a wrecker, but the guy just laughed when he came out.  Finally, we got Paul Christie to come out with a couple of shovels and some boards, and we got the car out.  We took it to Paul's house to hose down the undercarriage.  I was sure the aforementioned Old Man was somehow going to find out about my idiocy and kill me, but I got away with it.

Catherine Micallef (Kosikowski)

Ok Steve, every time I see the picture of Nick, I just crack up.  I'm having so much fun reading all of the stuff you guys did.  I thought you guys were so straight and never did these kind of things.  It's amazing how quick we can go back. I talked to Ken Black a month or so ago and it didn't take much time to go back 50 years. Having this web-site is just fantastic.

Bill Cox, I would have recoginized you immediately, what are you the Dick Clark of 1963?

Bob Michaluk

Steve I remember the Rambler.  Dennis McDonald's Mom dad a Rambler and he always used it for date nights over his Dad"s too big finned car.  The truth I bekieve was that Rambler was the only one with fold down seats.  A feature only guys could love.  I remember when the police brought Dennis's Mom home after she totaled the car in a grocery store packing lot.  Two ladies backing up at full speed from blind angles to get an empty spot. 

Its funny you remember Wlls driving school. I couldn't drivers ed at school quick enough so I had to cough up the $50 bucks to get my license early.  I owe that instructor. It appeared like we were just driving around doing his personal errands but he really was paying attention and at one point on Grand River doing forty five he pulled the car onto the very rough sholder and made me stay on it for a long way bouncing all over the place because he could tell I was afraid of the shoulder. I was never afraid of it after that. 

Same place where I later beat Kent Garbin in his brothers 409 with my Moms Catalina.

Funny how one memory triggers another.  We were so luckey.

Stephen Leuchtman

Hi, Cathy.  For a short time, when I had hair on my head and it wasn't either real short or gray, I was occasionally told I look like Nick.  Obviously, that's not always a good thing.  If you look on my profile, you'll see one of our grandsons in a Nolte-type photo, although his dad swears it wasn't posed.

I look forward to seeing you and Ed at the reunion.  He's a great guy, and I was honored to be his teammate at THS.

Bob, I went to Wall's for the same reason you did---to avoid waiting most of a semester to drive.  Like everyone else whose 16th birthday wasn't on a Sunday, I got my license exactly on my birthday.  As bad a driver as I was, the one guy who was absolutely nuts was my friend and neighbor, Danny Cox.  He was the one person my parents wouldn't let me ride with.  Once, when jets were still a novelty, we drove out to Metro with a couple other guys to watch planes take off.  He said, "Watch this!" and drove onto the runway.  Of course, a Wayne County Sheriff was there immediately.  Danny swore he'd made a wrong turn and got off with a warning.  I won't say whether alcohol was involved, but fortunately there was none in the car.

When Drew Barrymore came out with a movie called Riding in Cars With Boys, I told my wife I didn't want to see it because I lived it in high school.  See you in October.

All the best.

Dennis McDonald

Bob, I have not thought about the old Rambler in a long time but it was a great car for a 16 year old kid. We had a nick name for it which I won't mention here.  Speaking of memories, one of the best of my high school years was the trip you, Dick Bubb and I took to the West coast for the Seattle World's Fair in '62.  Glacier National Park and hanging out with the locals in Havre Montana.  Hard to believe our parents would turn 3 17 year olds loose with a new car for a trip like that.  It is a different world today.  And I remember your '54 Pontiac. You were the first in our group to get a drivers license and unlike some of us you were a careful driver.

Leonard Capelli

Steve., I always looked up to Big Al. I will never forget my introduction to shrimp and lobster at a family event in Ann Arbor to which I was invited. I believe it was at the Rubiat. Omar Kyam. 

What an experience for a freshman from Thurston with parents from Kansas. 

Stephen Leuchtman

Len, I didn't know your parents were from Kansas.  I really liked your dad (Pete, right?), don't remember your mom well.  My wife grew up in Wichita.

Happy Father's Day to all the guys in our class who have kids.  My oldest son's 43rd birthday was today.  I felt really old (as if I don't always) when I learned that Phil Mickelson's 43rd is tomorrow.

Bob Michaluk

Dennis I was not a careful driver. I was scared stiff I would have to pay the exorbident insurance priemiums we all had to pay when we turned 16.  When I turned and I looked for the huge bill all the rest of you were getting, but it never came. FInally I called my insurance agent. We had just changed companies but our agent had convinced my dad to stay with him.  He looked it up and said I guess the company had made a mistake and included me as a new driver over 26 years old. He said he would let it ride as a legitamate mistake and no one would ever know it as long as I never had an acident or got a ticket or told the home office. I was paying $76 for six months and everyone else was over $300.  I had major incentive and it worked. I just didn't get caught as much.  And my first car was a 1955 Pontiac.  We went out to dinner the other night and I washed the car and detailed it.  My wife asked why I did that and I couldn't answer her. I had always done that starting with that old 55 Pontiac. Do you other guys do that or am I just wierd. I don't mind replacing the wife but I miss that old car.