Janice R. Bower (Adkinson)

Hi, Pete,

First, thank you for your service in law enforcement. I have several friends who are in law enforcment or retired. One of my best friends was a Washington State Trooper- then detective for 33 years. You have to be a special person to be in that field.

I only had one teacher that was a stinker and will remain nameless. I took both academic (college) courses and business classes. My guidance counselor discouraged me from pursuing a career in veterinary medicine (wrong advice) with the excuse that I was too small (85 lbs), and very few women were veterinarians.  HA!  All that sure changed. I'm pretty much my own veterinarian with the horses, other than surgeries, but I have done a trach.

Enjoy your retirement in your beautiful part of the world. Good grief, it doesn't seem we graduated 53 years ago.  We are not that old.

All the Best,

Jan

Peter C. Frank

I was very luck with the crap  I ran into being an office, I didn't really get hurt. If fact I am very luck with the health I have. Like us all I have my aches and pains, but I am very mobel with NO meds. Think I am fortunate that I am able to enjoy KANSAS. That's a statement - Kansas. We are in a nice area. I have a lot of freedom here.

Pete

David W. Kinne

It's been a long time since anyone posted here, so I don't know if this will get read... I just reconnected with this site after 4 years away from it myself. Have been enjoying participating on a Facebook page called "You are positively from Ft. Wayne if you remember... "  https://www.facebook.com/groups/140262392730780/  

A couple of people remembered me there from my posts, and that started the search for connections which lead me here. 

Born and raised in Ft. Wayne, to two NSHS grads, I left when I was 20 and have since lived everywhere else. I no longer have any relatives in the area. My last visit there was maybe 5 years ago for a cousin's funeral in Auburn, and I have a brother who lives in Bloomington, so no blood ties in town any longer. But I do have a thousand fond memories of my early days there. 

Among other things I am a professional writer, and have written a biography which begins just as I was preparing to leave Ft. Wayne for the outside world, and I hope to finish it soon. I am using my unusual and paripatetic life to explore the great changes in the country and our culture over the last 50 years.

I was surprised to find messages from three old friends waiting for me here when I finally got logged in yesterday, courtesy of James. But they were all old. The messages, I mean. Hope we can still connect. 

If you care to reach out beyond this site you can friend me on Facebook (David Kinne) or email me at d.kinne at gmail dot com. (No bots need apply) 

Love to all, 
David

Stanley O. Needham

Dave,

Just a heads up in case the email I sent you gets caught up by your spam filter.  My email is stanneedham@embarqmail.com

Stan

Norma K. Soughan (Hoffman)

According to Mike Morris, Alice Coatney is still on the staff at the college  where she is a professor.   Is our information correct about her death.  I am not sure who sent in the original notice.   Check with Mike Morris for updates.   Surely, she would not still be listed as on staff if deceased.

Norma Hoffman

Susan K. Housholder (Johnson)

Saturday, September 1, 2018

It's hard to believe that a week has passed already since our 55th class reunion took place.  It really was a wonderful weekend for all who were able to attend - but if you weren't there, you were not forgotten as there was much talk about old friends, rememberd events, and special places and moments from our high school days.  It truly was a special weekend.  We started on Friday evening at the Ramada Inn Plaza North in Fort Wayne where a privatte room was reserved for us, and all who were able to come floated from group to group, table to table, renewing acquaintances and memories with former classmates - all the while cathching glimpses of ourselves at our 50th reunion on the screen set up at the head of the room.  It was informal and noisy and joyous  - truly a special time.  On Saturday morning we were treated to a wonderful tour of our alma mater, and while you may say that we did that five years ago, things have changed a lot in five years, and we saw parts of the building that had not even existed at that time.  It was a terrific tour and all who attended really enjoyed it. On Saturday evening then, we came together at the Pine Valley Country Club to eat and drink and chat and dance - and laugh, of course, - at our own silly antics recalled from our days in the Redskin Halls (Remember: once a Redskin, always a Redskin.)  The decorations were beautiful as each table glowed with candle light and bouquets of red and white balloons, centered by one beautiful mylar balloon wearing the famous redskin logo that we all remember from the center of our basketball floor.  These balloons, by the way, were the last remaining in the city to wear this logo - a new Legends logo has now replaced it.  We all received a book with classmates information - and if you weren't there but ordered one, it will be coming soon.  All in all, it was another wonderful Redskin memory.  It brought home to all of us, I believe, how truly special the Class of 1963 was and is.  We are lucky to have been counted among its members.  I am sure you will be seeing some photos here soon as lots of pictures were being taken as the Saturday evening gala progressed.  Wait until you see the beautiful cake we enjoyed for dessert!  To all who were there, blessed memories, and to those who were unable to join us, you were with us in spirit, and our hearts and hands were reaching out across miles.  Hope everyone made it home safely, and just a reminder, plans for our 60th are already underway.  Until then - be well and happy all of you - and thanks so much for such sweet and special memories.

Susan M. Campetti (Mulligan)

Susie, you and the others did a wonderful job planning this reunion. A good time was had by all.

David C. Green

Thanks to you and the entire committee for a great reunion. Just sorry I didn’t have more time with many of my old friends and acquaintances. See you all in five days years, if not before. 

Francis M. C. Thompson

Nice Nov. '19 newsletter! Many thanks to those who did it. Will try to catch a quarterly dinner.

-Francis Thompson Pueblo, CO

Thomas W. (Tom) Snyder

Several days ago i took the time to look at the "in memory" for those fellow North Side 1963 graduates that we have lost through the years.  It is sad to see the many fine fellow classmates that we have lost. There are many who have paid wonderful tributes to those friends that have lost. It makes one think how important it is to live each day and enjoy our time one day at a time and enjoy our friends and family. It goes to say once again to tell those that we care for and love how we feel about them before it is too late.  Life is way to short.  

Tom Snyder  

Barry N. Donovan

Just saw the In Memoriam posting for Steve 'Orange" Konow. Loved that red hair, and Griff would always smile when he called Steve "Orange" It was always in good humor. Steve was a good friend, as was his entire family, Arnie, Bonnie, Larry and Tom. Larry was a good friend to my brother, Tim, when they both worked at American Electric Power in Ft. Wayne for 20 plus years. The summer of 1962, Steve made me play tennis with him at a park off Spring St about once a week-to stay in shape he said-and I did not win a set off him the entire summer! At least it gave him something to crow about and kept me from having a big ego. He was a great guy and a very good half-miler, when a half-mile didn't have any kilometers in it. Great memories from from great friends we had in the best years of our teens. I will miss you, "Orange".

Stephen S. Furste

Barry, you & orange played tennis at Hamilton Park where i hung out each summer - my second home !  will miss Steve too - a lot of great memories..................

Stephen S. Heine

Regarding the recent posting for Steve Konow. He was one of the funniest classmates I remember and he was a good person. I went to school with his brother Tom at St.Francis. I remember going to his home and being greeted very congenially by both his parents. He truly was a class person.

Barry N. Donovan

Just a note to the classmatesof 1963, I hope you all are safe and healthy. I wish a Happy Birthday to the upcoming Birthdays shown thru October 4th, and a belated Birthday to the guys and Gals who had one inthe last 8 months. I am saluting two classmates I competed with in sports and laughed and probably rankled feathers with occasionally in class and at "Johnnies"; Dana Failor and Jack Fry. I met them both at Northwood Junior High when we were all members of the first 9th grade class there. Jack was a hell of a basketball player and I was a 6th or 7th man on the 9th grade team. Dana was a pretty good track man and he and I would practice hurdling in the gym in the spring as we had a loosely knit track team that year. Dana was a better runner than me, but he was a fun guy and I have cool memories of him and his smile. I counted him as a friend. Jack Fry was very good athlete and friend also. He was sort of an impish guy, who was ready to do a prank or pull a joke on someone when an opportunity presented itself. He, too, always seemed to have a smile on his face whenever I would run into him after college days. Sorry to lose more good members of the class of 1963. The rest of us still have those great memories of each other. Thanks to those of you who set up this website so we can revel for a few moments every so often in the moments of the first "Happy Days"

Donald S. Leuenberger

Barry, thanks for all the good thoughts. I really appreciate your postings and your memories. I still have pictures of our Northwood basket ball team. Doan, Fry, you and Cummings are ther and others. I remember we got beat by Grifs team in a playoff. I had gto play against him

.Maybe if I can find it again, I'll send it to you if you would want it.

Barry N. Donovan

I'd love that Don. It will bring a chuckle or two, seeing us all with hair and no wrinkles. Thanks my friend!  LOL

Steven B Doan

Barry and Don, as I recall I was assistant water boy or some such! Such fine athletes I got to play with. And that one year at Northwood got us started on the right foot toward high school. Jack Fry was a smooth, natural athlete who never got nervous, cool under pressure and an intense desire to win. Barry, indeed those were "happy days." Thanks for your fine and sensitive post. We all need to be reminded of what is important. Take care, guys!

Stephen S. Heine

Sorry to hear that Vera Bowman Passed. I rode the bus with her and remember that she was quiet and compassionate. She will be missed by all her classmates. May she rest in peace.

Stephen S. Heine

I read today that John D. Gross passed. So sorry to see another Redskin passed and I wish to offer my concolences to his family.

Stephen S. Heine

This is a message to Steve Doan as I recently heard you are coming to The Fort. I would love to have a get together but I need your input. Please call me at 260-749-8737 and leave a message

Barry N. Donovan

Just a note to all who will celebrte a July Birthday; Enjoy the day and congrats!! I remember you at least in name, and the old guys I have interacted with the most, Mr. Gilbert Parker, Mr. Dale Yoder, Mr. Steven Heine, all notorious in suspiciously wonderful ways, may the road rise up to meet you and the may the Sun shine warm upon your presence and your families. Lets make the world a better place....... BRING BACK THE 60's !!!! 

Steven B Doan

Steve Heine, I am free either date right now, but how about lunch on that Friday the 22d? I can't tell you how much this means to me, and Donna and I are eager to see former classmates yet one more time. I have loved the pictures and accounts of get-togethers you all have been able to have, and I am proud of being a part of a class that has such cohesiveness and friendship and comradery. Thanks for putting this together!

David Paul Myers

1963 October: from David Myers’ college freshman English assignment to write a paragraph 3 days a week for a semester… this was one of the hardest to write.
   
Here yesterday; but gone today.

It was just a year ago this past Saturday that we marched in the N.I.S.B.O.V.A. marching contest at Northrup Field at North Side High School. She was one of “my” twirlers for I happened to be the Drum Major for our contest-winning band.  Just a little over three months ago we sat in the same home room at North and shared some of the last days she would ever sit in a classroom.  She was a perfect lady, so soft, gentle, and kind.  There was always that quiet sweet smile and warm heart that pumped a soft flow of cheer into everyone whom she came in contact with.  Today her small frame lies cold and within it rests the malignant growth that so prematurely took the life of one of the most perfect ladies that I have ever known.

                                                    Pam Nuzum Second Row  Third from Right

Norma K. Soughan (Hoffman)

Pam belonged to my church---Crescent Ave UM.  Dave described her perfectly.  

Norma Soughan Hoffman

Susan K. Housholder (Johnson)

Dear Michael Claphan,

Thank you so much for the wonderful music video you shared with us this morning.  It is a sunny spring day - early morning - here in Fort Wayne as I write.  Sitting at my dining table, coffee cup empty, about to begin my day, I found your message.  I played it through, and as I did so, I found myself glancing out the window here nearby, but rather than the sun on grass and cardinal on the fence that I usually spy, I see you and 500 more of you:  sun splashes through the tall, oblong windows of the school onto the hallways - long, narrow hallways in the science wing, or in the study hall splashing on the rows of aged, brown wooden desks.  I hear the chatter - so much of it that I could not really make any sense of what was being said.  Just kids gabbing about sports or clubs or weekend plans, maybe a math quiz or science lab, and English essay. 

How wonderful to begin my day with memories of you, Mike, and all of you - those I knew well, or thought that I did, and those I knew only through short, side glances as we passed in the hall, hurrying to class day after day.  Thank all of you for being the good, kind, decent, and funny people you were and are, and  for sharing your days and lives with me when we were all too young to know what life really was all about.  We are so fortunate to have been where we were and when we were. I'm looking forward to the reunion next year, and I just noted it on my calendar, so that with God's grace I can be there with many of you to thank you in person for the gift of you in my life.  If somehow we do not connect again, please know you are remembered daily through this page, and I am grateful for all I gleaned from you - even in those quiet side glances.  Be well, all of you, and happy in these days, and thank you all again for the gift of you and the class of l963.

Susie Housholder Johnson