12/22/02
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PHS Alumni On-Line
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Dec 22, 2002
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6 Bulldogs today:
Tom Ritterspacher (`58)
Carol Sue Custer Perkins (`59)
Shirley Deweber Swan (`62)
Pat Mitchell (`62)
Randy Gosseen (`74)
Jonathan Barkhurst (`95)
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Merry Christmas to All!
from PHS Alumni On-Line
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From: Tom Ritterspacher (`58)
Wow, what a great literary treasure! Paul, you are to be congratulated for putting together and maintaining this newsletter. I think you deserve a Nobel Prize or at least a Pulitzer Prize nomination for this noble effort! I have read this newsletter with names from the past and reexperienced many treasures that have really shaped my life.
I, like probably many, have read this newsletter with great interest and vowed to make my own contribution, when I found the time. The thing that finally got me focused were remarks from Mike Pugh and Bob Gregson. I, like so many who appreciated someone's actions but never took the time to tell them, really envied Mike Pugh's musical and leadership talents. As I recall, Mike was one of the only none football or basketball jocks from the class of `56 that were considered a BMOC.
Mike and I have very little in common, other than Mr. Gladden's Latin Class in `55 and `56! What an experience, perhaps "purgatory" would be a better description. I am sorry I can no longer name every member of that class but, I do recall George Votava maintaining a list of students who would be called on to translate each day, and good ol' Jon Thorpe who would whisper translations to me when I wasn't properly prepared for one of Sparky's inquisitions! And, I can still see Dicky Davidson studying the next chapter when Mr. Gladden was out of the room, and Janet Keltch planning the next class social event while chaos reigned in Latin I! I wonder what ever became of George, Jon, Dicky and Janet?
And, although I never had the pleasure of meeting Bob Gregson II, who could ever in a lifetime forget Bob's dad, Col. Robert Gregson? Whenever I start to reminisce about Pasco and the people that shaped my life and the community The Colonel is always at the forefront. Has anyone that had Chemistry from the Colonel ever forgotten how they made ice from brine? If everyone that had a Gregson class or made the tennis team at PHS were to leave town, there would be no one left to turn out the lights! I dare say, The Colonel was probably the only high school principal that held the respect of the community to the extent that he exerted more control over the school system than the Superintendent and members of the School Board! Bob Gregson epitomized the phrases, work ethic, responsibility for ones actions, do what's right, and if you think you are right stand your ground and don't be intimidated.
Keep `em coming, Paul!
Tom Ritterspacher (`58)
Clarksville, TN
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From: Carol Sue Custer Perkins (`59)
Re: Claudia Jones (`59):
Great news! Beverly Bishop Walker met Claudia a couple of years ago in Spokane and sent Claudia's address. Here it is for her mature (I'm reluctant to use the "old" word) friends from Pasco Hi and CBC.
[Contact PHS Alumni On-Line if you would like to get in touch with Claudia]
Carol Sue Custer Perkins (`59)
Richland, WA
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From: Pat Mitchell (`62)
I was just recalling Bill Bode who directed the PHS band. He encouraged me to learn the oboe for the concert band (I played clarinet in the marching band). It was a trick because he needed an oboe soloist! The only good things are that he was such a wonderful man, that I learned to play another instrument and I had a chance to solo. I guess that's quite a bit, huh? But my recollection was one day at band practice I didn't have any more reeds (darn!), so Mr. Bode flipped me his car keys. "Go to Korten's and get one!" he said. So, off I went in his new Dodge (darn!). Well, you may recall this was the early days of power steering, and that Chrysler products had overdone the feature. You could literally steer with your little pinky, and I was having fun; this was my first experience with power steering! Well, I went around the corner of Sylvester & 4th nicely, but I had no idea that this car would not straighten itself out. So it kept cornering right into the parked cars on 4th. Fortunately, my Gregson-enabled tennis quickness recovered and I didn't hit anyone, but the Dodge was swerving back & forth down 4th Avenue for awhile.
How DID we ever survive growing up?
Pat Mitchell (`62)
Beaverton, OR
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From: Shirley Deweber Swan (`62)
I enjoy reading about all the memories people have of PHS. It brings back many memories for me as well. I was wondering what PHS was like for Llewellyn "Scotty" Green in 1933, and what Pasco was like then. My family moved to Pasco when I was a baby in 1944 and I know lots of changes when I was growing up. Pasco has really changed since I left after graduating in 1962. I had a great time at our 40th class reunion in August. It was wonderful to get to see so many I hadn't seen since high school.
Paul, thanks for this great site.
Shirley Deweber Swan (`62)
St. Maries, ID
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From: Randy Gosseen (`74)
I've moved back since leaving for Yakima in `81 and working all over the states. It's great to be here again. The best part is running into old faces from the past.
Randy Gosseen (`74)
Richland, WA
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From: Jonathan Barkhurst (`95)
Hello everyone! I stumbled onto this site this morning and thought I would give an out shout to everyone. I am currently living in South Central Florida, making a daily commute to Disney World where I am currently head technician, running the lights and foam machine for their newest live attraction, "Run Like Riverdance." I love it. They let us wear our uniforms home after our shift, and that has proven to be quite the lady magnet! Who knew? All in all, I love life. I was back in Pasco last year and ran into my old tennis buddy, Patrick Racsa. I'm sure you all remember Patrick of "Blaine & Pat" fame. Anyway, he challenged me to a match and we had a great time hanging out and reminiscing about the "good ol' days." I guess he is a doctor now, which wasn't surprising because he drove a brand new 4-Runner in high school. I'm rambling. Just wanted to say hello to everyone. Can't wait to see everyone at the reunion in 2+ years. Go Bulldogs!
Jonathan Barkhurst (`95)
Boynton Beach, FL
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