Robert Ayre

Robert Ayre

Steve Hardy

Park High 100yr Anniversary Celebration · July 9 · 

Park High lost a true Icon today.....Granny Smith passed away at the age of 98....
His wife was by his side.......
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers

David Frazer

Granny always treated people as someone special (me too!). Back in the 90's I went to visit him after he had surgery. He never forgot my visit and the prayer; we would talk at events and he was so engaging (the last time was my Aunt Joyce funeral, our classmate Mary Jo Dalluhn - Buss' mom).

Bob, I am interested in Kayaking. I only have one weekend (24-26 of July) that I will be gone to see my one-year-old Granddaughter Adeline for the first time; that is the weekend you will probably pick. I'm not paranoid, I just think something is fishy. 😊

    Hey guys! Lively discussion about science. What a crazy world. I have to remind myself that my problem might be when I lean on something before leaning on God. After all, He is God! He chastises the Israelites for turning to someone else instead of Him first (i.e., Egypt to protect against the Assyrians). Somethings are falsely called science and the issue for me is to continue to be amazed at the variety in everything (even differing opinions). This morning I was amazed by being encircled in a flock of birds (while waddling on a bridge). Seems the problem is when falsely called science is used to replace the truth and stop scientific questioning (Anyone watch the film, Expelled?). For instance, the young soldiers from colleges and universities would quickly mention Darwin in their “let’s get the Chaplain” (Darwin is still a theory 😊 based on no recorded reproduction with reproductive capabilities outside a species); and yet, they would not even know who is my favorite real ‘science guy,’ Michael Faraday. About creation and Jesus; “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). Glad to hear what you think!

Mark Jarvis

Speaking of science ... some March 2020 news about Darwin ... "One of Darwin's Evolution Theories Finally Proved" ... see link ...  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200317215626.htm

Mark Jarvis

I tried using Ancestry.com and related family history websites to find information about our "In Memory - Deceased Year Unknown" classmates.  Here's what I found on Daniel Duane Jordan at the findagrave.com website.

Daniel Duane Jordan

Birth: 30 Dec 1954 Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA

Death: 5 Jun 1995 (aged 40) Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA

Burial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA

Plot: 10, 0, 190

Memorial #: 854816

Bio: Daniel D Jordan age 40 of St. Paul survived by his daughter Margaret, mother Margaret Hoffman, father William Jordan and 3 brothers, Terrance, David and Randall. Preceded in death by one brother Rory. Retired from 18 years of service in the U.S. Army

URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/854816/daniel-duane-jordan

Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 July 2020), memorial page for Daniel Duane Jordan (30 Dec 1954–5 Jun 1995), Find a Grave Memorial no. 854816, citing Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA ; Maintained by Loyal Meech (contributor 47988498) 

Mark Jarvis

Another "In Memory - Deceased Year Unknown" classmate found... information from findagrave.com for Terrence (Terry) Jerome Robotnik.

Terrance Jerome “Terry” Robotnik

Birth: 19 Aug 1956 Newport, Washington County, Minnesota, USA

Death: 16 Mar 2008 (aged 51) Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota, USA

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota, USA

Memorial #: 135862189

Bio: Robotnik, Terrance Jerome.  Aug. 19, 1956 - March 16, 2008.  Terrance "Terry" Jerome Robotnik, 51, of Bemidji, was found dead Sunday, March 16, 2008, near his home.The funeral was at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. Burial was in the Calvary Cemetery in Bemidji.He was born Aug. 19, 1956, to Jerome and Elizabeth (Witchen) Robotnik in Newport, Minn. He was raised and educated there. He married Susan Reinhardt, Sept. 16, 1978. They were later divorced. He worked at a number of jobs including bartending at the Rolling Stone Bar in Newport, doing carpentry with his father-in-law, building racquetball courts around the country with his brothers, auto salvaging, as a toll bridge operator, a St. Paul Park refinery worker and he worked at Exide. He was also a machinist at Steel Prep and at L.A.W. in Minneapolis. He lived in Cambridge, Minn., for several years. He moved to Bemidji in 2002 and worked for North Central Door. He was a handyman and was able to fix almost anything.He is survived by his daughter, Tera Robotnik of Bemidji; son, Jeff Robotnik of Newport; sisters, Nancy (Denny) Michaelson of Backus, Minn., Judy (Bruce) Sherman of Hibbing, Minn., Bev (Terry) Lund of Newport and Debbie Pawlik of North Branch, Minn.; brothers, Kenny Robotnik of Hackensack, Dave Robotnik of Longville and Bob (Kelly) Robotnik of Newport.He was preceded in death by his parents.Bemidji Pioneer    March 20, 2008

Created by: Cecelia McKeig (47602903)

Added: 13 Sep 2014

URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135862189

Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 July 2020), memorial page for Terrance Jerome “Terry” Robotnik (19 Aug 1956–16 Mar 2008), Find a Grave Memorial no. 135862189, citing Calvary Cemetery, Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minnesota, USA ; Maintained by Cecelia McKeig (contributor 47602903) .

Mark Jarvis

Information on another "In Memory - Deceased Year Unknown" classmate found ... Jan Marie (Boileau) Black at ancestry.com (Minnesota Death Index)

And here is a link to Jan's obituary from 2010 ... https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary.aspx?n=jan-marie-black&pid=139920489

Jon Kroschel

It's been  a few days but I now have access to the website and feel the need to say a few things about Granny.  As some of you might know, I grew up in St. Paul Park and my neighbor was Granny.  I have known the man forever, with Liz and I just seeing him a little less than a year ago with his daughter Robin outside Norris Square.  I was proud to say he definitely knew both Liz and I as well as reciting to me the name of my brothers and a number of other kids from our old neighborhood.  A year earlier Liz and I delivered Christmas cookies to him and his wife Janet at Norris.  A great conversation followed.  

It is tough to describe a man as just a neighbor when he had as much influence on you as Granny had on me and my brothers.  Because he had summers off, he had no problem taking neighborhood kids on field trips, hikes, and other things that brightened our days as well as our lives.  Having him as a teacher and coach only made it better. 

As a neighbor, I remember my Dad helping Granny build his house addition, building the kids playhouse in the back yard. and him always stopping in for my Mom's cookies when he was out for his evening walks.  He was truly an amazing person and someone I'll always admire.    

Steven Kaufhold

I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Granville Smith. Was he a teacher besides a coach?

As long as I'm thinking of teachers, I'll give my tribute (and he's still living). One of my favorite teachers is Gerry Van Peursem. He was my 7th and 9th grade shop teacher. I use some of those electricity lessons at work today. The bonus came when we moved to Cottage Grove in 1984 and Gerry and his family lived right across the street.

Who's 1 of your favorite teachers?

Jeffery DuBois

Hey Classmates! 

I was planning to organize a kayak/canoe outting this year.

However, given the pandemic that is not doable (from my perspective) this year.

Better to be patient and safe.  Let's plan on it for next year. 

Hopefully vacines or reliable treatments will be available by then.

I hope you and your families are doing well.  Take Care!  

-Jeff

David Frazer

Thanks Mark for the post. I will try to look the link up when I get a moment in a few days.

Jon, I was wondering why the Poineer press didn't do a ful page on Granny. Certainly, his temporal death was the loss of someone whom generations of people thought highly of... thanks for your sharing!

Karen Romanchuk (Garaghty)

Joe and I had the privilege of being neighbors of Granny and Janet for 20 yrs. I never had Granny for a teacher but Joe did. He always took an interest in Joe and I and the girls lives. He always read everything Rachel had sent to the Bullentins " letters to the editor" they were usually political and she has a strong opinion. He always commented on how well written they were. He made an impact in her life as well as Joe and I. Jon I remember your moms cookies and all the visits we had with your mom and dad also. We were blessed with a great neighborhood the first 20 years of our marriage.. it taught us how neighbors should be!

David Frazer

Karen, just as Granny left you some good memories, I need to encourage you that you are remembered by my kids with a great legacy! One of their best memories is you, Joe, Rachel (and later Lindsay) coming over. Not only would you come and bring a party of laughter, but sometimes you would buy pizza. Even today when i buy pizza, I think of Joe telling me it is ok for the ones who pick up the pizza to have a piece in the car. Thank you!

David Frazer

P.s. Mark, I looked up the site you posted and it was an advertisement. :) Thanks for the LOL moment.

John Cavanaugh

A few thoughts on recent posts,

Granny Smith was one of my favorite teachers.  I loved his class.  In general I love history, I ended up getting a minor in it in college, not as a planned thing, I just kept taking the classes and just realized I was only a few credits short of a minor.  Granny was one of those people that motivated my love history.  He was one of those teachers that you could tell he loved kids and teaching. He is one of those people that have had a positive impact on many others.  Do you remember that little A & W building next to 70th street? Not Gale's in Newport, but the little one that I never remember open.  I was told that  Granny Smith owned that business as a place to give his baseball players summer employment.  How is that for going the extra mile.  (I think the building was removed when highway 61 was upgraded.)  Rest in peace Mr. Smith.

Speaking of history.  Do you remember who you walked with at graduation?  My partner as we processed in Aldrich Arena was Jan Boileau.  I didn't know her real well.  Her dad was a chaplain for Civil Air Patrol.  A youth organization I was involved with all of my teenage years so I knew her from that relationship and some classes we were both in.

In closing, Mark thank you for your research.  If you get the chance to look up Robert Duane Christensen I would appreciated it.  I've been trying for a number of years and have not found Bob's obituary.  It sad to think how many of our classmate we have lost.  Our memory of them helps to keep their legacy on earth going until the one day we will be reunited in glory.

Mark Jarvis

Hello John C ... I'm glad you liked my "In Memory Of" classmate research ... I was trying to think of a way to honor those folks that we did not have information on.  I will attempt to find more on Robert Duane Christensen next.

UPDATE ... Here is what I found ... using Ancestry.com and SearchPeopleFree.com ... with about 90% accuracy based on known names and dates ... it was helpful for you to provide Robert's middle name ... as "Robert Christensen" is a common name in Minnesota.

I cannot find any death or obituary information on Robert Duane Christensen (born 29 October 1955 in Ramsey County, Minnesota) to parents Duane Christ Christensen and Wilma Jean Christensen.

Based on another clue you gave about Robert's service in the Navy ... I searched his military record and found this award information ... this is probably him .. but  I am not sure because it is only name data ...  

Robert had two siblings ... I think both are still alive ... perhaps contacting them would be the best way to find out more about their brother Robert.

1.  Steven Lawrence Christensen, born 29 April 1957 in Ramsey County, Minnesota ... married Patricia Helen O'Boyle on 31 March 1984 ... as of June 2018 living  in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. (Full address and phone number available on SearchPeopleFree.com)

2.  Susan Marie Christensen, born 10 June 1960 in Ramsey County, Minnesota ... married Donald J. Dalton on 17 December 1998 ... as of June 2020 living in Mora, Minnesota. (Full address and phone number available on SearchPeopleFree.com)

Note .. There is an 85 year old Duane C. Christensen living in Cottage Grove, MN .. and this might be Robert's Dad ... but I am less sure of it.  (Full address and phone number available on SearchPeopleFree.com)

Mark Jarvis

Hello David F.  Is your PS note for me or another Mark?  I did not post any link to an advertisement or a joke.

David Frazer

Great posts!  John, I was not a Christian and graduation time meant a few beers and an egotistic, self-serving attitude; so I can't remember who I walked with. If a class mate would be kind enough to admit that you walked alongside me, I would love to know! John, I admire people who are not wrapped up in their lives; and know who they are walking with thru life! Thanks for the challenge.

Mark J., the link you posted said "Advertisement" about four inches down on that page. Didn't mean to imply anything but my wife. Sue. and I thought you were being funny. Sorry. Thank you for finding information on the classmates.

If I'm not compassionate in my responses; please call me out on it. Sometimes I'm teasing, laughing, or just not getting something. Does it get worse as we age? I pray blessings on all the class of 1974!

Mark Jarvis

Hey Dave ... I understand.  No worries!   One thought ... I am not sure what ad you saw on the site ... because everybody sees a different ad ... based on their own browsing history ... because of personalized cookies that are placed on your computer for targeted marketing from the sites you visit and things you search online.  If you've got a teenager in the house using your computer ... you might see some "interesting" ads from time to time.  ;)  

And thanks for the appreciation on the classmate research ... it's sort of fun amateur detective work ... sometthing to keep the brain exercised ... but also a bit scary to see all that information about us in databases!

John Cavanaugh

Wow Mark, thanks for the quick responce.  I'll follow up on your clues and let everyone know if I find out any thing.  Bob and I sat together in homeroom we had lots of good times together.  I knew the middle name would be important as you mentioned there are a lot of Christensens in Minnesota. If you get a chance, read the "In Memory" I posted on Bob on this website.  Thanks again.

Mark Jarvis

Hey John C ... you are welcome! I am eager to hear "the rest of the story" as you discover it.  And thanks for pointing me to your post on Bob's "In Memory" page ... it is a very sweet experience that you shared.

Steven Kaufhold

David Frazer

Steve, I missed the article about Granny; I was out of town. Was the article a good one? How is the summer folks? One third to go until September's snow storm. :)

Steven Kaufhold