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As I look back 55 years ago, we were finished with high school, proud graduates of Shaker Heights High School, and most of us off to college, military, peace corps, or other form of service. We were living in an era that was truly enlightening to us, our country and the world, probably never to be the same as we moved on to the 1970's.

This past weekend was also the 55th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, and by a bit of curiosity (and stroke of luck luck) I was fortunate enough to attend. It was a weekend that really opened my eyes to a vast community of individuality and comradery outside our secure microcosm of Shaker Heights. I also learned a lot more about music, much of which was not being played on our local radio stations, e.g., WHK Johnny Holiday's "Stairway to the Stars," until stations, like WMMS came on the scene. Many of us were musicians, orchestra and band, garage bands, choirs, etc. Some fared very well (Bob Elliott, Catesby Jones, Ted Kulber, etc. [apologies to those I missed]). I was fortunate to have played guitar with both Bob and Ted during high school and college and still carry those fond memories with me when I pull my guitar out to strum a little.

As I look back and reminisce on a life well lived, I am also very fortunate to have gone to school with so many wonderful individuals who have gone on to make a difference locally, nationally and globally; not something many people can brag about. We have lost many of our classmates, most way too young, yet we remember the stories, memories, and time spent with them, so they remain part of our special community.

And a special community we are, were and continue to be. Many of us are happily retired, volunteers, or still contributing to causes important to us. In 1969 we graduated, we moved on, we became successful, and many of us succeeded in making a difference. We were fortunate to be at the beginning of a time when society began to change; some good, some bad, but most importantly, the opening of a passage to new ideas, movements, and experiences. As Aldous Huxley wrote in "Brave New World," Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."

I think many of us have lived that 'advice,' and for that, I thank you. Be well, be happy and continue to do good things. I believe that is still our mission.

Robert Siegel

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Hi Classmates,

I’ve read with great sadness and respect the memorials about some of our recently deceased classmates.

I was talking with my good friend Robert Lebby and we were discussing how sad it is that some of the wonderful memories and sentiments were not able to be heard by the individual. Robert called because he knew of my professional work creating memorial videos as family heirlooms. He asked if I had any method to allow input from multiple folks about individual classmates. I do not. However, we talked about whether it would be possible to create a place where we could express our sentiments about classmates before it is a memorial statement.

It’s not in my wheelhouse to create such a place but our class is so talented that I’m sure someone out there has the skills.

I’m just presenting the idea and Robert and I would be willing to help if someone in the class has the interest in pursuing or discussing the concept. Or, if you like, take it as a challenge and do it yourself…. Just let us know where we can say nice things about you.

Your friend and classmate,

Bob "Bert" Elliott

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I was saddened to hear of Howard Dunn's passing. As our class gets smaller, it makes me think back of the wonderful years I had in Shaker and all of the lives that crossed, whether it was in class, football games, parties, AZA meetings, Flossie's, Manners, etc. As we get older, and we read about our friends, realty sinks in that we, as a class are getting older, smaller. and more distant from each other. We all face day-to-day challenges, some more challenging than others, but in the end, the memories, friendships and kinships remain.

We may not all be in touch with other, but this wonderful site affords us all the opportunity to be a small part in everyone's life...thank you for that.

For some, death can be personal and intimate; for others, death is not only deeply individual but can be public and communal. We as a community should respond, as we should cherish life and be thankful for what we have, the experiences we have shared, the friends we have lost, and the impact we have made on our communities.

Rest in peace, Howie...you were always one of the good guys!

Zikhronah livrakha...may his memory be a blessing.

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I just read an announcement regarding the lack of responses to the deceased 1969 graduates....I do not visit this site often as I don't know many students, only attending 2 years but, I must say I agree with the opinion. I saw numerous deceased students who I knew well enough for my heart to sink. I am soooo sorry I was not aware and did not post a comment. Thanks for the notice, I will try to take notice and be responsive in real time. And if possible, I will leave comments for those I knew well but was unaware of their passing. Thank you again for the call out.

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I moved to Shaker Heights at the beginning of 10th grade. My parents sold their little $12,000 home in South Euclid and barely were able to pay the 49,950 for our new home on Brighton. My mother, a past Shaker graduate, wanted my brother and myself to be graduated from Shaker and go forth with what she referred to as "The Shaker Way". We were to learn, in her eyes, the proper way to walk through life. In keeping with that philosophy, I want to propose a challenge to our classmates.
I was amazed when I entered Shaker High how many people knew each other since Kindergarten. Many people knew friends nearly their whole lives. I only mention this because, I think with all the good that great class of 69 did...we may have failed in one area.
I find it hard to believe that our "IN MEMORY" section has so many past classmates with no comments from any of us. I know my friend Joe Roberts, also a transplant, has one comment from me. I think we can each find a comment for the many people who have almost been forgotten.
My challenge to this great class of 69 is this. We should set a goal that no classmate should be forgotten. I know each of us can find someone we know, knew or miss and can have a memory, a story a humorous moment. We should as that hippie...want to make the world better...and set a better standard for those who follow, should go now and honor a fallen classmate. We should show the other classes what my mother would call, "The Shaker Way" of remembering and honoring those who shared our teen years at school.
Thank you for letting me ramble ........ Mike Felder SHHS 69

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https://www.prlog.org/12879239-national-black-distance-running-hall-of-fame-to-induct-michele-tiff-hill.html

National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame to Induct Michele Tiff-Hill

Michele Tiff-Hill, the first African-American woman to run in the US Olympic Marathon Trials and with a marathon best of 2:50:19, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

By: National Black Marathoners Association

Michele Hill

TUCSON, Ariz. - July 29, 2021 - PRLog -- The National Black Marathoners Association is pleased to announce the induction of Michele Tiff-Hill into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame. The induction banquet and ceremony will be held during the National Black Marathoners Association's Annual Summit at Cincinnati's Fly Pig Marathon Weekend on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

"We're looking forward to inducting this Cleveland native and current Tucson resident into the Hall of Fame," says NBMA Executive Director Tony Reed. This 1969 Shaker Heights High School graduate earned her Bachelor of Music in piano from Curtis Institute of Music (1974), and was subsequently awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Harpsichord Studies (1989) and a PhD, Summa cum laude, in Historical Musicology (2001), both from UCLA.

She started running at the age of 29 in 1980. She comes from a family of athletes. Her father, Benjamin Tiff, was in the same high school sprint-relay team as Jesse Owens. He was also an accomplished tennis player who was team captain at his alma mater, Wilberforce University. Her brother, Milan Tiff, was world-record holder in the triple jump and also held US records at high-school, college and national levels. He won the triple jump at the inaugural World Cup in 1977. Her sister, Margot Tiff, was a gifted tennis player who played on the professional circuit, and was the first black woman to play in World Team Tennis. She was also part of the Cal State sprint-relay team that won the NCAA championship.

Michele ran her first sub three-hour marathon in Dec, 1982 at the Fiesta Bowl (2:57:14) in Scottsdale, AZ. Shortly afterwards, she met Eino Rompannen, sculptor and running coach. He helped her to realize her goal of achieving the qualifying time for the first US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. In the process, she became the first African-American women to qualify for and compete in this historic event. She would go on to run several marathons under three hours until the age of 41.  The Sri Chinmoy Marathon in Foster City, California would remain her personal best at 2:50:19. Master's Track and Field News gave her a No. 1 U.S. ranking (5k) in the 35-39 age group. Later, she was cited in Running Times, March 2008, for honorable mention in the 55-59 age group for leading U.S. Masters runners of 2007. Along with her husband, Dave Hill, she started the Tucson (AZ) Grinders running group in 2004.

Michele says, "It is such an honor to be recognized by the national running community and I am indeed humbled by the gesture.  To be in such esteemed company warms my heart and makes me very proud to have been chosen."

Previously announced inductees include Ingrid Walters, Michele Bush-Cuke, and Shawanna White. Additional inductees will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

About the National Black Marathoners Association

The National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA) is the largest and oldest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to encouraging African Americans and others to pursue a healthy lifestyle through distance running and walking, as well as awarding college scholarships to deserving high school distance runners. It is open to everyone, regardless of his or her athletic ability, ethnic background, or previous marathon experience. The NBMA hosts an annual multi-race summit. Previous races and locations have been Lewis & Clark (St. Charles, MO), New Jersey (Long Branch, NJ), Cleveland (OH), Lost Dutchman (Apache Junction, AZ), Cowtown (Fort Worth, TX), Georgia (Atlanta), Bermuda International Race Weekend, Deadwood-Michelson (Deadwood, SD), Madison (WI), Richmond (VA), Windermere (Spokane, WA), Dallas, Columbus (OH), and the Go! St. Louis, Baltimore Running Festival, and Little Rock Marathons.

For more information, visit www.BlackMarathoners.org.

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The donation to the Cleveland Food Bank is wonderful! Thank you for putting the $ to help the many who need it.

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I am sad to say that Fred Richards has died. His obituary was on Cleveland.com a couple of days ago.

https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=frederick-berkeley-richards&pid=197889815

He was a good friend while at Shaker and I met him again 30 years ago or so, unfortunately lost contact.

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 Dear friends,

I have recorded and am releasing a JAZZ EP!

It's called "Have We Met?"

I love these songs and I hope you will too!



ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE

Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Bill Withers

NIGHT AND DAY

Cole Porter

WHERE OR WHEN

Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart

WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME

Carole King & Gerry Goffin



I am very excited for you to hear it!

It's available now. I hope you'll buy it or stream it, and you could even request it on JAZZFM.91 or CBC!

If you can share it on your social media that would be wonderful - here's the link:

b.link/havewemet

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The 50th Reunion was a great success.  

Check out the photo gallery.