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!
 

Pete Bergin

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
Comment: Graduating from good old OHS was indeed a miracle.  Strange things happen in life. By the time we graduated, Margie (Margaret Aadland) and I had married.  Next to playing on OHS's golf team for a week when I had never played golf, this was the best thing that ever happened to me.



After graduating, I managed to get my degree from San Francisco State with a B.S. in Business. I took a job at Edwards Air Force Base as an intern in their procurement (contracts) field. It was pretty exciting in those days when the space program was in its infancy.  We worked on rocket propulsion projects as well as the early space shuttle prototypes.  In 1966 I transferred to the Air Force's Space Systems Division in Los Angeles and worked on various space projects.  Good stuff for being so young.  After the decline of the Aerospace business, I transferred to the Small Business Administration in Los Angeles and in 1980 became the District Director in Fresno.  I retired in 1996 (working for the government finally wore me out) and in 2000 we moved to Las Vegas to be near our children and grandchildren.



During those years Margie finished college and received a M.S. in geography from Long Beach State.  She spent the rest of her career teaching.  We were blessed with two daughters, Debbie (USC), and Patti(Fresno State). We have 5 grandchildren, and recently a great-grandaughter.  Our girls are both in the construction business, one being an architect and the other a project superintendant.  Must take after Margie's dad who was in the construction business. Margie and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  Hard to believe.



Our family life over the years has centered mainly on outdoor activities.  We spent our summer vacations for over 20 years at Lake Shasta, camping and waterskiing.  We are all sports fans, closely following Fresno State sports and The Green Bay Packers. (my hometown).  Lately we are playing golf.



Since moving to Las Vegas we have enjoyed our family in a way that you do when you are retired and have plenty of time.  Living in Las Vegas is never dull and very different, especially if you like living on Mars for 5 months out of the year.  We have spent quite a bit of time traveling and have fallen in love with Costa Rica.



We hope our next years will be as wonderful as our first 50.

Frank Bermudez

Then Then
Marital status: Widowed
Occupation: Retired (Twice)
Comment: After high school I joined the Marine Corps Reserve. I enjoyed it so much I went into the regular Marine Corps in 1964.



During my thirty year career I visited some very interesting foreign countries. Eh, some not so interesting. You think smoking is hazardous to your health, I think I should have stayed out of Vietnam.



I was married in 1968 and had one child but it ended in divorce in 1978.

I remarried again in 1980 to the love of my life, Karen.



We were stationed at MCAS El Toro, and MCAS Tustin, in Southern Cal. Great duty assignments mixed in with some overseas tours.



Our last six years were spent on Oahu, at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Some of the most beautiful sights we have ever experienced were available to us on all the islands.



We retired out of Hawaii, in 1990 and relocated to Orlando, Florida. Mainly because of the warm weather (and in- laws).



I went to work for the City of Orlando, as a department manager until I retired in 2002.



We bought our retirement home in "The Villages" about sixty miles north of Orlando. It's a good sized retirement community, about seventy thousand strong. We have ten championship golf courses, twenty eight executive courses, and happy hour every night.



Unfortunately, I lost Karen, to a stroke/heart attack on June the third of this year. I'm trying to put my life back together as best I can. It's difficult, but I've always believed that things happen for a reason. Some day I may know why.



Some of my fondest memories from my high school days are the friends I made, some of which I correspond with to this day.



Go Wildcats.

Dennis Bertaud

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: Retired elevator mechanic/School bus driver
Comment: After OHS I attended Laney for a year and studied Aircraft Engine Maintenance. In 1960, being sick of people telling me what to do, I enlisted in the Air Force. Go figure. After the Air Force I attended Napa College, where I met Paula, my wife of 43+ years. I transferred to Cal Poly, Pomona, to study Environmental Design. It didn't take. No talent! Having gotten my new bride pregnant, I returned to what I did best, airplanes. After a brief stint working for airlines that got merged out of existence, I went to work in the Elevator industry. I retired from that in 1998 after more than 30 years. In 2000 we moved from our starter home(30 years) in San Leandro, to Sequim, WA. We have a home overlooking the Juan De Fuca Strait. Paula retired from nursing in 2005 after 20+ years as an O.R. Nurse. and taught Head Start for about 2 years. She is now retired, works in the garden with the able assistance of our 2 cats, Max and Jolie, mentors two of our eight grandchildren and does Stained Glass. I drive a school bus for Sequim Schools. I really enjoy working with the kids and tooling around in that big yellow "Chick Magnet". We like to travel and pay our kids bills.



Our oldest son, Erik, lives and works in Green Bay, WI. He has a 19 year old daughter in Nursing School and two sons 11 and 5. Our oldest daughter, Amy, lives here in Sequim with her three sons 19,13, and 11 years old. Our youngest daughter, Cosette, lives in Naraganset, RI with her 17 year old daughter. Our youngest son, Matt, lives in and works in Livermore. He's a single Dad with a three year old daughter.



My wife and I took a long road trip this last summer, with two grandsons, to points east. We also took a cruise to Alaska. I figure I'll drive for a couple of more years and then we'll do some traveling. We'll see. We won't make the reunion but best wishes to all, Dennis.

Marion Billings (Oppenheimer)

Then Then
Comment:

1) I am married to Jerry Billings and we have one daughter, 41 years old and two granddaughters, ages eight and 14.

 

My husband and I have been on several cruses and trips to Las Vegas over the years. We go to Sacramento once a month to see the grandkids.

 

2) Stay healthy and have a good life.

Barbara Blakeney (Gruenewald)

Then Then
Comment: 1) The last 50 years have flown by! I started my medical career the day after graduation — the unemployment agency had a job listing for a pathology lab assistant at Samuel Merritt Hospital. I interviewed and got the job thanks to my chemistry and math studies at OHS. I worked there for 10 years and loved it.    Meanwhile, a tall, dark, handsome knight in shining armor swept me off my feet and the next thing I knew I was married and having bouncing baby boys, who have developed into tall, dark and handsome knights themselves.  



In 1976 I began my serious college education to become a physical therapist. I love higher education as much as I loved OHS, which was a lot. In 1982 I graduated from UCB with honors and went directly to UCSF for the curriculum in physical therapy. I had 20 wonderful years in my profession including seven years in my own practice on ‘Pill Hill’ in Oakland.  



Travel has taken me to Germany, Japan, Mexico, Canada and to most of the United States (my husband Phil & I lived in a 36-foot motor home for almost 10 years).  



My passions have been sewing, photography, beading, quilting, horticulture and gardening. Most recently I’ve taken up lapidary. I had a long love of astronomy when Halley’s Comet came cruising by our solar system. I designed and learned to build a telescope. Sadly, several factors interfered with completing the project so I donated my partial scope to the Chabot Observatory telescope-building group.



For several years I’ve reignited my love of ceramic arts thanks to Rossmoor’s wonderful studio. In fact, I made eight ceramic vases for our January ’59 reunion this past March. They were used for centerpieces.   



2) Plans are in the works to go to Paris for our 50th wedding anniversary and to continue with my passions. 

Leila Bloomberg (Manson)

Then Then
Now Now
Comment: I graduated from Cal, got married, became a teacher, and mother of two. We spent 28 years in Riverside, CA where I taught grades 3-8, worked as a curriculum specialist, project coordinator, etc. and later as a school principal for 14 years. 



My husband and I took early retirements and moved to San Diego in ’95 where I worked part-time for 10 years training future teachers at San Diego State University. My husband and I have been avid bridge players throughout our married life and got into tournament-style Bridge in ’96. We both became “Life Masters,” and I became a certified teacher and director of bridge. I continue to enjoy playing bridge both socially and competitively plus teaching and directing bridge – especially on cruises. 



I also coordinate a Spanish conversation group, chair a committee for our Homeowners Association, volunteer as an usher at many theaters, play guitar and sing with children at schools and enjoy babysitting for and spending time with our two adorable grandchildren.   



My future plans are to keep on doing what I’m doing in good health for as long as possible. 

Carole Bottarini (Ryan)

Then Then
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
Comment: I married Cedric Carlen of our class after High School, divorced after 2 yrs. Have now been married for 42 yrs. to a man that was in the restaurant business. We have two children and 4 grandchildren. I worked in Banking, in the Construction lending dept. for 36 yrs. and we were owner/builder of our 3700 sq. ft. home in Millbrae. We owned the Sixteen Mile House Restaurant for 15 yrs. 



I have owned and ridden thoroughbred horses for pleasure for 28 yrs. I own a 6 stall barn on the Water Shed and still ride 5 days a week. I love retirement. 

Wendy Arnell Brophy

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Single again
Children: 2
Occupation: writer/editor
Comment: 1. My mother, Miriam Charlotte Brophy, died September 9, 1959. I ceased to pursue my ballet career and married. From that liaison came two sons; I was divorced in 1964.



At 23 I left the Bay Area to live with my partner, a physician, writer and actor who taught me so much about life in our nine years together. We lived in Panama City, Panama, where the Army had sent him during the Vietnam War. Our return drive to the US took us through Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and most of Mexico. Ah, there are some stories to be told!



We ended up in NYC (Greenwich Village) for several years. While the world watched Woodstock, Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, Joan Baez, the Beatles, JFK, RFK, MLK and feminist burning their bras, my sons attended a British boarding school while we traveled throughout Europe: Denmark; Sweden; Austria; Germany; England; Scotland; Ireland; France; Netherlands; Brussels; Greece; Spain; Italy and the former Yugoslavia.



When we left NYC, the boys and I moved to Martha's Vineyard where I lived for 30 years and, yes, I know exactly where the Obama's stayed. I do believe there was a second marriage in there somewhere that ended in divorce in 1991. I can't quite remember his name; perhaps it was just a 14-year bad dream with bennies?



The best thing I ever did was to attend Mount Holyoke College as a Frances Perkins Scholar. MHC is a women's college in western Massachusetts and the FP program is for women of non-traditional college age. I began as a first year student at 49 and lived in a dorm with 11 other FPs. It was absolutely fantastic!! I highly recommend women's colleges for your granddaughters, and you too if you haven't completed college.



Other serious learning includes: Homeopathy; courses at the College of Psychic Studies in London England; and becoming a private pilot. I have lived many places, including San Francisco; West Tisbury (Martha's Vineyard); Panama City; Amherst; Philadelphia; NYC; Boston; Paris; and London. Living outside of your native country is a life altering experience. All the things we think we know are thrown out the window and we have to relearn them to those countries' standards; our way is not the only way. It also challenges you to reflect on who you are and how you fit into the greater world.



I'm a 'Jack of all trades, master of none!' Here are a few of the things I've found myself taking part in: ballet; choreography; carpenter (yes, I can use a hammer and nails); home designer; pilot; motorcyclist; clothing designer/buyer; owner of The Fireplace Shop; co-owner of a salmon fishing camp in Canada; began Big Brothers/big Sisters on Martha's Vineyard; fundraiser; one of three founders of a camp for children with HIV/AIDS; president of Friends of Family Planning; journalist; short story and poetry writer; dance critic; features editor; and photographer. And the fun goes on.



2. I will continue to write, photograph and travel; walk miles and miles; continue my spiritual journey and take-on anything new and interesting.

Bob Brown

Then Then
Comment: My wife, Jeanie, and I have been married 46 years. We have two children, Randall and Jennifer. Randall is Director of Sponsorships at Infineon Raceway and Jennifer is a dental hygienist in Vacaville. Randall and his wife, Kristin, have two daughters (5 & 9). Jennifer and her husband, Shawn, have two boys (4 & 9) and two girls (2 & 7). That gives us a grand total of six wonderful grandchildren.  Being grandparents certainly does keep us busy!  



My career has been mainly in construction as a Mechanical Estimator. The last 19 years I’ve been active in our national industry association (MCA). I was fortunate to serve as President of Northern California MCA for a year. Through this association, we have been fortunate to participate in numerous international conferences in both Europe and Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. On these trips, we always add on extra weeks to include sightseeing the surrounding areas or countries. We visited my sister, Virginia, who lives in Turkey, after a conference in Germany. We also drove through Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France after another conference.  Another fun driving trip was made after a conference in Australia. We took three weeks and drove from Cairns (Great Barrier Reef) to Sydney. My wife and I love to be adventurous and usually travel with no set plans. As a result, we’ve had some unbelievable experiences! These travels have been one of the high points of our lives, and we hope to travel through the U.S. after I retire. We both have been bitten by the travel bug! We leave the day after the class reunion for another trip back to Australia (visiting Broome, Perth, Adelaine, Melbourne, and Sydney).  



We have five acres in Vacaville, CA and really enjoy living in the country. We’ve had horses for over twenty years but don’t currently own any. We do have three dogs (two yellow labs and a small Lhasa Apso/Maltese mix) and a cat, that are all spoiled rotten! Hopefully, that may change after I retire later this year. The grandkids are anxious to learn to ride so we are interested in an older, gentle horse. Our main source of relaxation is our houseboat, which we keep at Trinity Lake (located in northwestern California, outside Redding, and west of Lake Shasta). We’ve been house boating since 1983. 



My hobbies also include woodworking projects, bird hunting with my son, and reading history books. I have absolutely no regrets looking back. I would like to have obtained a college degree; but, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have gone any farther in my career. Fortunately, I had a strong mentor and was allowed to learn “on the job,” which has proven to be very valuable. I hope to do consulting work part-time after I retire.   



In the future, Jeanie and I would like to do more traveling and spend more time at our houseboat. I’d like to learn to fly fish and maybe get a Harley (I can dream)! I definitely plan on staying active, healthy, and as young as my body allows me. I also plan on spending more time with my wife enjoying life.  We have been so fortunate and are extremely grateful for everything in our lives.  

Harold Brown

Then Then
Now Now
Children: 3
Occupation: Retired
Comment: Hello, "Fifty Years" has come so fast and its here!  I have had my highs and lows in life just as all of you have had.  I became a plumber and welder and enjoyed the work and challenge.  I became active in the union teaching apprentices and journeyman and on the executive board for many years.



I have been married to Bonnie for forty-six years.  We have three sons, Greg, Mike and Jeff.  Greg died at a young age of fourteen from heart complications.  Jeff is on the S.F.P.D - K9 Unit at the airport with Chico a two year old Belgian Malians.  Mike is also with the S.F.P.D at Ingleside Station.  Mike is married to Carol, and they have Thomas and Lindsay my "GRAND KIDS".



I enjoy traveling, camping and hunting with my family and also walking.  I have been looking to see All of you for a very long time.