Joe died during the Vietnam war; as recounted in one of the earlier reunion letters, his jet stalled taking off from a carrier and crashed into the south china sea.
Joe was a superb trumpet player; that is how I remember him---doing solos at the school talent shows and in the band. He was a nice and gracious guy in class.
Yes, Joe was a marvelous trumpet player. He won the trumpet contest and I the piano in 1961 - - we were featured with the Topeka Civic Symphony under the direction of Mr. Fetter. I have seen and touched Joe Klugg's name on the Viet Nam Memorial wall in Washington. I understood at the time that he left a wife and son. Tragic...but such wonderful high school memories.
This is not a story I ever wanted to write. Joe and I have been friends since 4th grade, that summer when I was diagnoised with polio and in a iron lung,Joe Mom & Dad(my second family), were their.Remember not much was known about polio and people were scared. I remember playing basketball in Joe's back yard. Then Joe's mother would say "Joe its time to practice."When we went to THS, Joe went the music way and I went the sport way,I never got to see Joe perform at football games as I was in the gym at halftime. Joe went on to Julliard school of music, where not only did he receive his degree, for a short time he played with the "STAN KENTON BAND". In his own words the best thing he received at Julliard was his wife also a concert pianoist, and with a big smile told Penny and I they found out on the way to our house they were having a baby. This is the part of the story I hate. Joe went on to his first assignment as a fighter pilot based in the Tonkin Bay. According to his mom, Joe took off, a tire blew out, he ejected but could not get out of his ejection seat and drowned. What a waste of great talent (by the way) Joe never saw his child. All I can say Joe, is it won't be long before will be together again, Love Greg Mott
Okay, in addition to having a crush on Mr Madl and Mr McCarthy, I had a crush on Joe. He was a fellow band member. Not only was he very talented and handsome, he was, also, very nice. But I am not disclosing any more crushes.
Robert W. Farnsworth
Joe died during the Vietnam war; as recounted in one of the earlier reunion letters, his jet stalled taking off from a carrier and crashed into the south china sea.
Joe was a superb trumpet player; that is how I remember him---doing solos at the school talent shows and in the band. He was a nice and gracious guy in class.
Melvin "Skip" Fritze
Joe's name can be found on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Panel 6W, Line 60.
Martha S. Ladner (Williams)
Yes, Joe was a marvelous trumpet player. He won the trumpet contest and I the piano in 1961 - - we were featured with the Topeka Civic Symphony under the direction of Mr. Fetter. I have seen and touched Joe Klugg's name on the Viet Nam Memorial wall in Washington. I understood at the time that he left a wife and son. Tragic...but such wonderful high school memories.
Greg J. Mott
This is not a story I ever wanted to write. Joe and I have been friends since 4th grade, that summer when I was diagnoised with polio and in a iron lung,Joe Mom & Dad(my second family), were their.Remember not much was known about polio and people were scared. I remember playing basketball in Joe's back yard. Then Joe's mother would say "Joe its time to practice."When we went to THS, Joe went the music way and I went the sport way,I never got to see Joe perform at football games as I was in the gym at halftime. Joe went on to Julliard school of music, where not only did he receive his degree, for a short time he played with the "STAN KENTON BAND". In his own words the best thing he received at Julliard was his wife also a concert pianoist, and with a big smile told Penny and I they found out on the way to our house they were having a baby. This is the part of the story I hate. Joe went on to his first assignment as a fighter pilot based in the Tonkin Bay. According to his mom, Joe took off, a tire blew out, he ejected but could not get out of his ejection seat and drowned. What a waste of great talent (by the way) Joe never saw his child. All I can say Joe, is it won't be long before will be together again, Love Greg Mott
Cherlyn D. Seckinger
Okay, in addition to having a crush on Mr Madl and Mr McCarthy, I had a crush on Joe. He was a fellow band member. Not only was he very talented and handsome, he was, also, very nice. But I am not disclosing any more crushes.