Classmates

Hello, Classmates! We've been here for 10 years now... We would love to have you update your profiles to include any changes during this time. For those of you just joining us, please include answers to the following questions:

1. What would you like to tell us about your life over the past 60 years? High points, unusual experiences, travel, career(s), jail time, family, passions, regrets, etc.?

2. What are your plans for the next years of your lives?

Select the "Add Your Profile" button below. Fill in the info (NOTE: PLEASE TYPE YOUR COMMENTS DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMENTS BOX. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE FROM ANOTHER WORD PROCESSING PROGRAM) and please upload your favorite "Now" photo. We will upload your "Then" photo from the yearbook for you when we receive your information.

We're looking forward to hearing from all of you!
 

Fred Schlachter

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: Physicist
Comment: I live in Berkeley with my wife, Susan, not far from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, where I worked for 34 years doing research on atomic and molecular physics and fundamental questions on the nature of matter and energy. I retired in 2009. I remain busy with physics and travel, scuba diving, and woodworking.



I am on an advisor to the Director of the Thailand Center for Excellence in Physics, located at Chiang Mai University, and I travel there frequently to present lectures and to go scuba diving in Southeast Asia. I teach a class on "physics of everyday life" for OLLI at UC Berkeley, and frequently lecture on health aspects of microwave radiation (think mobile phones) and on electrification of transportation (think hybrids and electric cars).



Travel has been a major source of pleasure, often mixing science, diving, and fun. Recent trips have included Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Ecuador, Peru, France, and Madagascar. My next trip after yet another visit to work in Thailand will be as a Visiting Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in the Fall.



I spent a month in Washington DC last year working for the American Physical Society. Our goal is to further funding for scientific research and K-12 teaching of science and mathematics.



Our youngest son, Daniel, is still in college, but now living with his girlfriend.



I am looking forward to many more years of science, energy efficiency, diving, and travel.

Paul Schmidt

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: retired
Comment: I went to Oakland City College right after High School for 2 1/2 years.  I transfered to San Jose State in Feb 1962.  I went into San Jose Police Dept in Feb 1964 and then after seven months, I went into the U.S Coast Gurad Reserve. I did my 6 Months active duty and I returned to work on the Police Dept, working midnights and returned to school during the day time.  I graduated in Feb 1968 and got married  May 1968.  I retired from the dept. in 1994 and I still live in San Jose. 



I have two grandchildren, one is six years old and the other is 6 months old.

Walter Schopfer

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Occupation: Retired

Allan Shurtleff

Then Then
Comment: 1) After High School I went to Laney Trade School (carpentry) and then BYU. I built my first house in 1961-63 and got married in August 1964 to Janet Ann Kuder (Oakland Tech High School, class of 1960).  



In 1966 I was called to active duty and spent most of 1966 and 1967 in Viet Nam in the US Navy Seebees and Third Marines.  



After my tour of duty I returned to work as a carpenter and started Shurtleff Construction and I’m still at it.   We have four children, one boy and three girls, eight grandchildren and one great grandson.  



I like to snow ski and continue doing this winter sport. I also like to garden and have a collection of Bonsai trees. We have a cabin in Twain Harte where we like to spend time. Spending time with our grandchildren is a treat.  



For 25 years I was a scoutmaster. I served as a Bishop in the Castro Valley First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for five years and I am a founding member of the Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. I have also served on the board of directors of the Merit Shop Training Center.  



Other interests include river rafting, beekeeping, enjoying life and people.   It has been fun serving on the OHS reunion committee for the last 35 years.  



I like to travel. Jan and I went to Russia in 1993 and made some great friends who we are still in contact with. Three of these Russian friends have become US citizens and love the freedoms here, being able to vote and express their opinions. God Bless the USA.    



2) Keep on working some and spend more time at Twain Harte. I’m planning to build a log home in Heber, Utah (Timber Lakes). I’ll also spend time with family & friends and continue enjoying life.    

Judith Skorina (Krolski)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 5
Occupation: REALTOR
Comment:

I moved from California in 1974 and lived in six different states during four years.  I settled in Las Vegas in 1978.  I worked in the casinos for ten years and got a degree in Casino Management Technology.  In 1989 I got my Broker/Salesman's license and went to work for Prudential, Americana Group, REALTORS  and I am still with the same company working under the name of Judye Phebus.

George and I married in 1993.

We have five daughters, counting my husband's three, and lots of grandchildren and greats (some inherited). 

I am on Facebook as Judye Phebus.

Sharon Sloan (Cox)

Then Then
Comment: Fifty-five years is a long time to go back but will give it my best. Married in 1960, had two sons. Relocated to Davis, CA in 1972 because of husband's promotion. I went to work at the University of California, Davis. Divorced in 1978. Was single for 12 years and remarried in 1990 in Kaui, Hawaii. Was married to my second husband until his death in June of 2012. I retired early from UCD in 1993 and went on to enjoy several fun-type jobs: travel agent, bartender, and worked at a golf course. I am now fully retired and doing better now after the loss of my husband to cancer two years ago. I have been traveling and enjoying being with my two children and their families. I have two granddaughters, 18 and 16, that I absolutely adore and have so much fun with. I am looking forward to the upcoming 55th reunion. I'm attending with my long time friend, Margarita Benson. We've been in and out of contact for the past 55 years but I'm happy to say we are back in contact and am looking forward to seeing her and others from our class.

Elaine Smith (MacArthur)

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: leisure lady
Comment: Well, after OHS I worked for 1-1/2 yrs so I could pay tuition for Heald Business College.  Gary & I got married in 1962 and I also graduated that year.  I worked as a legal secretary for many years on & off.

My first experience with Swiss was STEAK.... steak is steak, right? Fry and serve it, right? Hey, it was cheaper than the other steaks (and I am a Scot). Then why the heck was it tough??? (My mom allowed me to set the table & do the dishes....no cooking in her kitchen.) But being persistent, I chewed until my jaws were sore!  Gary said he wasn't hungry....

We lived on his paycheck & saved mine so we were able to buy our 1st house in 1964. Our daughter Shannan was born in '64; my heart throb was Sean Connery (how I loved that man!).

Gary went to journeyman school on Tuesday nites....my man was on a TV special. I put the baby down and had a whole hour to spend watching the MAN.  Noise came from her room. I ignored it; more noise...I still ignored. Finally, during the commercial I went to see....She was writing on the walls & her crib with what had been in her diapers.....UGH!!!! She watched my man & I washed baby, walls & crib! P.U.!!!

In 1969 I acquired a recalcitrant rover (a male Samoyed I got conned into by an Animal Control Officer).  That started my "addiction" with dog training.  (Good Time) Charlie (the Sam) flunked obedience training; HOWEVAA....I became the obedience trainer for San Lorenzo Dog Training Club 15 years later! I taught for Oakland SPCA, Alameda Rec Dept, PetSmart, TriCities Animal Shelter, Oakland Shelter, Fremont DTC, and privates. In all those years I never forgot a dog's name...couldn't remember the person's name.  I still do privates.

So far, learning has never escaped me....I've taken courses in upholstery (reupholstered anything I could get my hands on), furniture refinishing, interior decorating, ceramics, art classes, music, gardening, various classes on religion, PLUS I went back to school. At age 48 I went to Chabot College & majored in business/real estate AND da..da..da..da..da.....I graduated with Highest Honors (I had to work my fanny off to improve my GPA from Healds). I went to work as a "Real Estate Agent".....boy what an eye opener!  But enuf of that!

After remodeling as much as we could to our "Williamsburg" style house in San Leandro, we decided we need to find a place to retire.  I scoured the Gold Country....too hot, too cold, too this, too that....  A friend suggested Port Townsend or Sequim, Washington. I said....hey, it rains too much there...But I'd check it out. (Would you believe less rain than the Bay Area??) So here we are after being here for 13 years and loving it! We're still working on our new house (a never ending project).  Gary built it and I designed it.  It is a SIP (structural insulated panels) built home with all the bells and whistles...radiant heating, south-facing, some kind of clean air thing-a ma-jiggy for my COPD (lousy cigarettes), can't remember the windows but they're "green".

Oh, getting back to the Swiss, that's my son-in-law and where my daughter lives. I have one granddaughter. So I visit there every other year. (Next time I'm going to drop in on Evie Lederer).

My youngest is dating a young man she went to Jr. High and San Leandro Hi with (well, he's not so young....42) PLUS the parents also went to Oakland High and graduated in the early 60's.

Now (reallly!!!) I do my private obedience classes, I volunteer for Native Horsemanship Riding Center (we work with either mentally, emotionally, or physically disabled kids) and horses!  (Gary won't let me have a horse....tell him I DESERVE one....)  We have 2-1/2 acres and the poop makes great fertilizer.  Need I say more???? (Oh, I forgot, I've written a few children's stories and also a few songs).

Eugene Smith

Then Then
Comment: 1. Moved to Medford, OR 1960, attended Southern Oregon College, married 1964, son, two daughters and eight grandchildren.  Insurance business for 39 1/2 years, sold agency 2003 and retired.  Travel to Arizona for the winter, back north in the summer.   Hobbies are RV travel, golf, fishing and grandchildren.  

Gary Smith

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: putterer
Comment: After OHS I went to General Motors Training Center in an apprenticeship program for Body & Fender Repair and Painting and to Laney College for four years night school  to become a journeyman. In 1970 Elaine & I moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where I ran a dealership's body shop.  Elaine didn't like the 9 months of winter so we moved back to California. I was shop steward at Val Strough Chev for years. I specialized in Corvettes and classic/antique cars. I've done a ground up restoration of our 52 MG TD and will some day complete the 54 MG TF. I continued on in the trade until retirement.



I coached San Leandro Girls' Softball never losing a season (we had some special plays the other teams never figured out).



I've always liked aquariums so got involved in raising various species of fish and then I began building my own tanks and biological filter systems in the 70's. I've raised both fresh and salt water fish. My company was "Advanced Filtration Systems" and I enjoyed building and selling complete systems.  I've got an area set aside for a 300 gallon tank here in our new house but Elaine says I can't have it until I finish the house (this winter's project).



I had a great time building our new house and wanted everything to be as "green" and efficient as it could be.  It is rather large tho (6,000 sq. ft).



I had a pond dug behind the new house and we have Kamloops trout weighing in at 5-1/2 lbs. Elaine won't eat them (they're pets).  We enjoy sitting on our swing on the back porch and watching the geese, ducks, herons, eagles, hawks. etc.  We've even had river otters, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, and deer.



I've always enjoyed "do wop" and "rhythm and blues" so I have an immense collection of records, tapes and CD's.  We have a local radio station that plays music from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. I'm working on some tapes for them right now.



Elaine and I have two daughters; Shannan lives just outside of Lucerne, Switzerland; she teaches English to Swiss children and is the mom of our granddaughter, Natalie, who is in competitive ice skating.  Rebecca, aka Becka, has her own beauty salon on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland and hosts art shows at her salon.



We have a great life together!

Lynne Sneiderman (Schneider)

Then Then
Comment: My husband, Marshall, and I have lived in Bethesda, MD since 1982. I have 2 children, 3 step children and 11 grandchildren. The past several years I have enjoyed continued education for retired adults as well as keeping fit at a local gym. We travel and enjoy our family and friends.  



I hope to remain active and healthy in mind and body for the next 50 years.