http://www.radwin.org/awalt/class/1969.html The Awalt High School Alumni Directory is an e-mail/web page listing of alumni, faculty and staff from the former Chester F. Awalt High School in Mountain View, California. en-us Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:21:00 GMT http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001208.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:21:00 GMT 1208,1246562460@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 2-Jul-2009. That nearly half a century has elasped since the passing of those sun-drenched, halcyon times we shared together is a rather sobering thought. My last entry was both brief and sorely outdated. That I am missing the 40th, but still desiring to attend the next, I thought it good, like so many others, to leave a brief synopsis of what has transpired. I went into medicine, choosing anesthesia as my field. I married my wife, Barbara, who I met while working in the surgical ICU at Northwestern in Chicago. We raised two remarkable children, Amy and Jonathan, ages 30 and 27, respectively. Amy is me in a girl-suit, and Jonathan has a great deal of Barbara's gifts and nature in him. Even their faces bear this out, to a certain degree. Funny how physiognomy bears true.... We first lived in the midwest, then in the southwest, and at last in upstate New York before coming full circle back to Chicago, living once more in St. Charles- a quiet bedroom community 50 miles directly west of Chicago. I became a Christian in 1973, and now my passions lie in theology and apologetics, studying history and philosophy as well, in order to answer the "why questions", like why is it that we have come to think the way we currently do. There are times when I wish I had gone to seminary, but there are always opportunties to share (or defend) one's faith where ever you may find yourself. "There is a destiny (God) which shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we may." I have or had a number of other outside interests, most of which have now fallen by the wayside. I rode horses for years, culminating in an appreciation for the subtle joys of dressage. I also developed my skills in wooden ship building, and have a few large scale clipperships to show for it. As far as music, I did play the piano while in highschool, and intend to return to it presently, having recently the privilege of purchasing a grand Estonia piano. I never lost my love of classical music, and, in addition, developed an appreciation of the fine art of film scores. Staying in touch with treasured old friends is of paramount importance, and I spend a considerable amount of time in correspondence every day. The children have moved on, and Barb and I live quiet lives of contemplation, in the company of three dogs and an actively ringing telephone. I have no love of current culture, (nor did I ever) but use my time to read and study. I will close with a quote from the film, Zorba the Greek, which rather handly sums things up for me. Zorba asks his bookish protege, "Why do people die?" He meekly replies, I don't know." Zorba then angrily challenges him, "What's the use of all your damn books? If they don't tell you that, what the hell do they tell you?" Comes the quiet response: "They tell me of the agony of men who can't answer questions like yours." http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001454.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:21:27 GMT 1454,1246472487@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 1-Jul-2009. Well, here we are 40 years later..I really cannot believe it.After Awalt I attended Foothill, received a degree from UC Davis, a teaching credential from CSU Sacramento and later a Master's from there. I taught elementary school in Woodland, became a principal there then moved to the foothills in El Dorado County in 1986. Also got married in that year--4 step kids so bacame an instant family! Together we had 2 more boys. Of the 6 kids--the oldest flies helicopters in Sacramento, the next one is a pilot for Continental, based in Houston and gave me 2 grandkids; number 3 works in Woodland and gave me 2 more grandkids;#4 lives in Denver and is still looking for Mr. Right. Kris, my oldest son is a junior at UC Santa Cruz and wants to be a commercial pilot; Jesse, my youngest, is a junior in high school. Kris was just 4 weeks old at our 20 year reunion---damn, I feel old. Divorced a couple of years ago, so single now after 24 years of relationship. Professionally, I have been a school district superintendent in El Dorado County for 12 years and , for the past 4 years have been the supt. for 2 districts(budget reduction solutions--there are a few of us in the state who do this multiple district thing). I have a total of 6 schools,all of which are now Calif. Distinguished Schools. Where I work is like Napa Valley in the 60's--great family owned small wineries in a beautiful area...check out Somerset, FairPlay and Shennendoah Valley.If you are up there stop in at the Pioneer or Gold Oak School District offices. I have done my civic duty and tasted most of the local product and can point you in the right direction. What a trip it has been since Loyola, then Bloch then to Awalt. I do appreciate each day, but the person I see in the mirror is not the same person that I feel like inside, I feel so much younger!--what is up with that? I am looking forward to the 40th...it will be a good time to slow down a bit and reflect on what life has given us. Saw Professor Larry Conyers on the History Channel when the last Indiana Jones movie came out--- he was giving info on archeology...now that was weird...watching TV then realizing,"Hey, I know that guy" ...Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make this reunion a reality!! http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001170.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:14:04 GMT 1170,1246338844@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 29-Jun-2009. I hope that everyone keeps this site updated and to pass the word on to anyone else they know to get on board and keep the committee informed of where people are... Well, I'm still in the Mountain View area for the past 16 years now and I caught up to the technology age... I'm working as a Computer Technician, doing systems integration of high-end servers with a startup company, VA Linux Systems, Inc. Now they've changed the name to VA Software and I've been with them for 8 years now and it's still growing with exciting possibilities... Never married, but now an Uncle about 3 times over now... :-) Please feel free to e-mail me or contact me at (650) 964-6245... Hope to see everyone at the next reunion... Keep in touch... !! http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001149.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:05:16 GMT 1149,1246118716@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 27-Jun-2009. AWALT CLASS OF 1969 40th REUNION UPDATE, 6-27-09! The Awalt High School Class of 1969 40th Reunion is TWO weeks away! 40th Reunion invitations HAVE BEEN SENT OUT! Please contact the committee at Awalt1969Reunion@aol.com if you have not received an invitation. Please send in your registration form and money NOW to save your place at the reunion. Registration forms and checks must be RECEIVED NO LATER THAN July 9, 2009 for the Saturday, July 11, 2009, evening dinner and dance at Michael's at Shoreline in Mt. View. Awalt Class of 1969, students and teachers - If you have NOT been contacted and/or received an invitation as of June 26, 2009 then we do NOT know where you are and you NEED TO CONTACT US at Awalt1969Reunion@aol.com The Class of 1969's 40th Reunion will be on Saturday, July 11, 2009. Schedule of events: *** Friday, July 10, 2009 - Grads and Teachers Only at Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto, 6:30 PM start. ***Saturday, July 11, 2009 - Greg McIlhiney Memorial Golf Tournament, Shoreline at Mt. View, 10:00 AM start. Registration has closed as of 6-26-09. ***Saturday, July 11, 2009 - Reunion dinner/dance at Michael's at Shoreline in Mt. View, 6:30 PM start. Grads, teachers and guests. Prior registration is required. Registration forms and checks must be RECEIVED NO LATER THAN July 9, 2009. ***Sunday, July 12, 2009 - Coffee in the Quad, Awalt (now Mt View) High School, 9:00 to 11:00 AM Coffee in the Quad - there will be a coffee cart there where people can purchase any kind of coffee they want. Maps of the current high school will be passed out. All Awalt grads from any class can attend. Family and teachers invited. Please spread the word. In addition to all of the above, the annual Los Altos Art and Wine Festival, held in downtown Los Altos, will take place on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, 2009, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. To make sure that you receive an invitation, please send your contact information (Name, address, phone number, email) to: Awalt1969Reunion@aol.com All information is strictly confidential, will be used ONLY by the Reunion Committee, and will not be given out. Dress is: Come as you are! Just come! Mark your calendars: 7-9-11 is the Awalt Class of 1969's joint 60th Birthday Party! Go Spartans! Thanks, Ann Anntiga_2@hotmail.com Awalt1969Reunion@aol.com http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001123.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:23:41 GMT 1123,1245957821@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 25-Jun-2009. COME TO OUR 40TH REUNION JULY 11, SEE ANN TIETJEN’S POST FOR DETAILS!!!! Hello All! Time for an update, I'll try to do a shorter one to accommodate our shrinking attention spans. Life is great, actually as long as I continue to wake up in the morning I feel pretty good about things. Happily married to Cathy (Vandagriff, Awalt '70); been 36 years now, I'm sure the result of me slipping a little valium into her morning coffee daily. Two excellent kids, both graduates of Cal Poly, SLO. Son Jameson is a Fire Fighter for the City of Santa Clara. He recently crashed his Harley but after 36 days in hospital is doing well and back to his normal active life which also includes flying his ultra light plane. Daughter Joanne graduated with a BA Theatre Arts, and is a professional (Equity) actress in NYC. She recently married a nice Italian boy from Jersey; they hope to move to California within the next 6 months or so. Me? Foothill, than BA Theatre Arts and Teaching Credential SJSU, taught for a few years in Palo Alto, and still do some local theatre when the bug hits. I work for myself; been a headhunter since 1979. Business sucks currently as most companies are laying off versus hiring, but hopefully the tide will turn soon. My wife Cathy was Director of IT for a local high end home builder but got sick of the grind a few years back and retired for a while, overseeing a complete remodel of our house. She is now working part time in Palo Alto for another developer and is a happy camper...which makes me a happy camper. We enjoy the outdoors, have a cabin at South Shore Tahoe, and try to travel somewhere fun at least a few times a year. She grows great flowers, and I grow great vegetables, so no wonder this is a good match. Cheers! Jim http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001340.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:56:40 GMT 1340,1245866200@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 24-Jun-2009. Wow! Can't believe it's been 10 years since our last reunion. I am still a Registered Dental Assistant working in the same Oral Surgery office in Mountain View for 37 years now. In the 70's it was Dr. Bob Lundquist and from the 80's until now it's Dr. Bob Byers. We might have seen some of your family members in that time. Chuck and I celebrated our 25th anniversary last October. We are "parents" to 2 more Australian Shepherds, Bella and Buxton, who are now 7. Up until just recently we took them for a week to Mendocino every 6 months to run and play off leash. Lots of dog friendly accomodations up there. Every year we also attend the NHRA Drag Races in Sonoma at Infineon Raceway (Searspoint). No dogs....too hot. This year my dad turned 95 and is in failing health. He still lives in his house in Los Altos where I grew up and attended Awalt. He has his up and down times. I won't be able to attend the reunion this year in order to take care of him. I do look forward to seeing everyone in 10 another years. http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/002551.html Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:44:38 GMT 2551,1245433478@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 19-Jun-2009. Wow where do I start..... After graduating from UCSB, I moved to Santa Cruz, and have dedicated my life to my wonderful family and public education. I have been married for 27 years. My husband Rocky has a nursery business in Watsonville, and grows prize- winning poinsettias and 85 other varieties of ornamental plants. I am the principal of a California Distiguished School in the small coastal commnunity of Corralitos where I worked as teacher and assistant principal before moving to the principalship (7 years ago). I love the work, but will be challenging next year with so many budget cuts...another conversation...... Daughter Amy, 25, is teaching third grade in Los Gatos. Son Wes, 23 just graduated last Saturday from Cal Poly, Landscape Architecture and Design. Proud of both of them!!! Never have been to one of these reunions. Looking forward to seeing you in July. http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/002507.html Sun, 24 May 2009 07:58:41 GMT 2507,1243151921@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 24-May-2009. Check out "The Awalt Vault" -- your source for apparel and other gift items from Chester F. Awalt High School! Great for class reunions, homecoming games, and gifts for that special Awalt alumni (like you)! Check it out at www.cafepress.com/AwaltVault http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/001469.html Sat, 09 May 2009 17:48:43 GMT 1469,1241891323@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 9-May-2009. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. Still married to Ken for 34 years. The boys are grown. Kevin graduated from Chico in Criminal Justice and is waiting to hear from Law school. Brett gaduated from Colorado-Boulder, and has been working in the product placement industry for home videos and games. I had bilateral knee replacement this past year and am doing great. Ken is still practicing medicine and says he does not think he will ever retire. See you all in July. http://www.radwin.org/awalt/detail/002522.html Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:47:33 GMT 2522,1240966053@www.radwin.org/awalt/ Updated 28-Apr-2009. Hi, Dick Williams and Steve Knight here... Regretfully, Scott was killed in a structure fire back in 1976. He was married and had step children on the East coast having served time in the National Guard. Scott did not know all of the family members had gotten out of the house and went back in to check and save his family. Part of the structure collapsed resulting in Scott's death. All of the family was saved and his life was not lost in vain. Scott loved boxing and driving his Maverick--(remember that car?) around Los Altos and Mt. View. He was a good person. Steve and I felt it fitting to let people know about Scott-it just took us a while to do it.