Bios of Classmates

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After having miraculously been given my diploma, I joined the Marine Corps (1965 –1971). I had overseas assignments in Japan, Viet Nam, and the Philippines. After the Marines, I attended Wichita State University, received a BA in criminal justice, and an Army ROTC commission (Military Police Corp) 1973 – 1995. In the Army I had overseas assignments in Korea, Germany, and Saudi Arabia. In 1991 I completed an Army Fellowship in Forensic Medicine at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, received a MA in forensic sciences from the George Washington University, and was certified in forensic medicine thru AFIP. After retiring from the Army we moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where we owned an operated Merry Maids and ServiceMasters franchises in Las Cruces and El Paso.  Yeah, with all that education and experience, I wound up clean’n toilets for ta make a live’n. We sold our business and retired in 2005. We continue to live, happily in Las Cruces.

I met my future wife Pat while on an ROTC assignment at Wichita State in 1982. We married in Manzanillo, Mexico in 1983. We have one son, Kyle (from my previous marriage) who lives in Lawrence, Kansas. We have two daughters (from Pat’s previous marriage). Jill and her family live in Phoenix, Arizona. Andi and her family live in Cody, Wyoming. Both girls graduated from Hutch High. We have four grandkids.

I was an avid runner, bicycler, skier, and golfer until ten years ago when my health suddenly failed. Even in bad health, I remain disturbingly pugilistic.  Some things just never change.

Pat is an artist  (painter).  She shows and sells her art at a local gallery. She has shown her work in several one-artist shows, two of them, in Kansas.

I travel, having been in all fifty States, and over sixty foreign countries. In the year 2010 alone, I traveled to all seven continents. Now days our travels are mostly in our small motor home, which we will travel in to the reunion.

Jim died in June of 2015.

Steve Hayes passed away this past spring. For many years he had been a very successful artist in the Kansas City area-projects included the Woodlands Race Track logo and the Worlds of Fun water tower art work.

 I can't remember the last time I updated by profile. So I will try not to repeat and bore everyone. I'm retired twice now, but still working for the State of Alabama State Supreme Court. I handle Drug Court and Veteran's Court for the 12 Circuit for Pike and Coffee counties. I've been quite active locally with the American Legion Post here in Troy and Salvation Army. I am active with the Troy Exchange Club which is part of the State and National Exchange Club. If there any Exchange club members out there, let me know.I was elected to be the District (State) President for Alabama for 2015-2016. Some of you may remember me as the class buffoon. I think 20 years in the Army and 2 tours in Viet Nam knocked that out of me. Anyway, God permitting, I hope to be at the reunion this year for the first time.

What have you been up to since 1965?: Attended and graduated from Fort Hays Kansas State College (Now Fort Hays State University) with a Bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Married Gwenell Trosper in June of 1969. Held teaching and coaching positions in several smaller schools around Kansas as well as a four year stint at Garden City Community College. Went to summer school at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas where I received my Masters Degree in History in 1979. Returned to Hutchinson in 2006 after taking advantage of Kansas' Early Retirement plan. Under that plan I was able to continue to teach and receive a pension and taught for five more years at Hutch Trinity and Buhler High School. In 2012 Gwen and I quit teaching, bought a building in downtown Hutchinson and started a used book store, "Bookends". We are currently remodeling the upper two floors of the building (which used to be an old hotel) to include four apartments. We plan to live in one of these apartments upon completion of the remolding project and rent out the other three.

Gwen and I have a daughter who lives in Wichita with her family which includes her husband Tim, and her two children, Maura (10), and Nathan (8).

What have you been up to since 1965?: Married to John for 32 years. Farm near Haven. Crops and cow/calf operation. Retired after 33 years at Dillons headquarters in Hutchinson.
My oldest is Douglas Warner, 49. Lives with his wife, Terry in Hutchinson. He has two sons, Joel, 29, his daughter, Hallie, 7, and Brandon, 27 and his wife Bailey. My daughter is Shelley Dickey, 46.  Lives in Greenville, S. C. with husband, Gerry and children, Kyndal, 15, twins Caleb and Caden, 13, and Cody, 11.  John's daughter Christy, 45, lives in Wichita with husband Mike and daughter, Eden, 13, and son Carson, 12. 
We live in the country and love having all the family over which includes John's parents (nearing 90!) his two sisters, their kids and grandkids, so it can be quite a large and enjoyable group. 
I have LOVED getting together with my "lunch bunch" of classmates every month and getting to know them in a way I never would have any other way. I hope more will come because of our reunion"!  
Sorry I wrote so much. I didn't expect to!

What have you been up to since 1965?: Went to college at Oklahoma City University where I met and married Jim Holmes .

   Moved to Central New York ( a long way from the city) and have lived there ever since 1968l

  Had 3 children Kevin, Lori and Shawna.  The girls are now married and live within 2 1/2 hours of us.   Have grand children.

  Worked as a student liason for exchange students for 16 years.

   Now do a lot of traveling to help take care of friends and family.

  Have a summer cottage on the edge of Lake Ontario and try to spend the summer up there.

  Travel back and forth to Kansas a lot now checking and helping out with my father who lives in Augusta.

What have you been up to since 1965?: Was married in Sept of 1964. Two sons, Don (49) and Richard (47) by 1967. Husband was in construction and we moved all over eastern and northern US. Don was born in Alexandria,Va and Richard in Green Bay, Wis. After 15 yrs, got divorced, moved back to Hutch. Got my GED, went 2 yrs to HCC and received an AA Degree in Mechanical Drafting. Worked at Collins in drafting dept for 11 yrs. Then went to work at Eaton. I got reacquainted with Warren Smith and we were married in 2000. Warren passed away in 2013 of cancer. When Warren passed we had 4 children between us, 13 grandchildren. We now have 14 grands and 1 great granddaughter. 

I now spend my time in the flower garden and crocheting. Have set a goal of crocheting each grandchild an afghan. I have 6 already done.

I'm also companion and chauffear for my Mom who is now 87. She's in good health but doesn't drive anymore.

Name: R. Lantz Pohlman

Email: lantz@centurytel.net

What have you been up to since 1965?: US Navy two years, completed HCJC, broke arm sport parachuting, returned to USN as Survival Equipmentman (Parachute Rigger). Stationed in Hueys and then Bell Jetranger helicopters, Pensacola, FL. Completed 1000 parachute jumps, FAA Master Rigger.  Married, transferred to Key West with A-5 aircraft, made Med cruise, divorced. Jacksonville FL with S-3 Aircraft. 4 1/2 years at MCAS Cherry Point, NC, riding altitude chamber, drowing Marines in water survival. Sailed until I couldn't in the summers at Cherry Point with a Hobie 18. Participated in military free fall formations with Navy Spec. Warfare members out of C-130's & 123's. in airshows at Pensacola, Memphis and Little Creek.  Stationed in VQ1 Guam in P-3's and A-3's.  Completed private pilots license.  Out of parachuting with just under 2,000 jumps.  VPU-2 (more P-3's) in Hawaii, then advancement exam writer for survival equipment rate Pensacola, FL.  Built and lived in hangar near Bayou La Batre, AL, while learning to fly Starduster Too aerobatic two place aircraft.  Retired from USN, completed FAA A&P school and qualified for license.  Rebuilt Starduster Too while in school, even bringing it to Hutch to see my father.  We won't talk about the runway marker I clipped and repair of wing fabric.  Knee replacement, worked for Rohr/GoodRich Aerostructures as overhaul mechanic.  Built house facing runway on grass strip airport, conned Hilda into marrying me and riding in Starduster.  Taught high school Aviation Technology for 5 1/2 years.  Purchased 1942 Navy Stearman with Hilda & I going to fly in's, Jennings, LA for Stearman end of season events and Galesburg IL for one Stearman convention with her doing the navigation.  Still teaching as adjunct instructor at the local community college.  Packing/maintaining a group of emergency parachutes for competitive aerobatic and glider pilots.  Maintaining grass, hangars etc on the airport.  It is my intent to make another adventure in the Stearman to the reunion and then the next weekend travel to Jennings, LA for the end of season gathering, then home.  This time Hilda is staying home and taking care of Grandson Caleb and our two character dogs.  Not too sure just how much longer I'll be able to fly so am taking this opportunity to stuff one more adventure in the bag of life.

Name: Fred Hilton

Email: fredhilton123@hotmail.com

What have you been up to since 1965?: Since 1965 I did the Hutch Jr College thing then decited to go active in the Navy. Stationed on Destroyer out of Hawaii, got to see the world from there.
Did a tour in Viet Nam as a River Rat in the old DMZ up and down the rivers. Saw alittle action and country that was there.  Got out of the service came home married we had a great daughter ,lasted sixteen years . Played in a number of different bands here and there was a lot of fun,did grocery business about sixteen years,supervisor fo olympia beer for a  time. Lived in Tulsa ,San Antonio and Remarried  had no children but a great time. Ended up in Kansas city in Merrian Kansas where I retired and have been driving a school bus dealing with special need children, foe about 12 years. 
 I came to the 45th reunion ,I had lost my wife that same year. Had a good time saw people I have not seen since High school. I am looking forward to this 50th  reunion to see more old friends .


                                                                           Everyone have a blessed time till we meet.

                                                                                               Fred Hilton

Its been 50 years, looking at the class of 1965 roster brought to mind a lot of people I have often wondered about. I live in Wichita, ks. but planning to rv around the country starting in late june, heading west first. Feel free to email me. Betty

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