Karl Morthole

Like everyone else who has commented on this message forum, and is able to come for even part of the reunion, I am looking forward to it very much. I have been in contact with several classmates, both on this website and through separate communications, and I am looking forward to being with friends whom I knew very well and with others whom I did not know so well, but have learned more about on this website and over the years.  I am looking forward, also, to sharing memories of friends and classmates who have gone from us.

Fred is a classmate whom I knew, pretty much throughout high school, but we were in only a few classes together, so I did not know him so well but have always considered him a friend.  Now, with this website, I can really appreciate his talent and dedication.

I have gone back to several reunions over the years, but this one will be very special, in large part because of all the contacts and information we have had due to Fred's creation and maintenance of this website.  And I venture to guess that he has enjoyed doing it -- and giving all of us, his classmates, this wonderful gift -- probably more than, or at least as much as, we have enjoyed using it.

One thing I know . . . in part from past reunions . . . I will be absolutely frustrated by the impossibility/inability to see and talk with nearly as many friends and classmates as I will see and want to in the short three days of the reunion.  But this website, and the opportunity to communicate over the weeks and months leading up to the reunion, and maybe even after the reunion if it can be maintained, are things that will definitely mitigate that frustration into something much less distressing, less painful, than what I have felt before and after prior reunions. 

Thanks, Fred, for your gift and all the effort and genuine caring that it represents.

Sincerely, Karl

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

Karl: I share the feelings you expressed 100%! Saved me lots of typing!!

Rose Ann Lind (Verheyen)

Wow!  Thanks Preston for your "behind the scene", overview of the past 18 months.  The technology used for this reunion has definitely brought us together more than any reunion in the past.  The commitment of classmates has made the 50th reunion a SUCCESS even for those who are not able to attend.  "Hats off to everyone!"  Can't wait to see everyone.

Rosanne Bass (Keynan)

A hearty second from me to Preston's note, thanking by name everyone who worked so hard to give us the gift of reconnecting and catching up.

Jacqueline Clare (Louis)

Not sure how this is done, but I regret to announce that our classmate Mark Duwe passed away in late July. He had battled cancer for the last few years and I thought he had won that fight. I heard from h in late Kune and all seemed well. I don't know the cause of death but I am guessing it was related to either the treatment or the disease. He had two grade school age children that he adored and had been very envoy bed with his church. He lived in Wisconsin. He will be issued by many. 

Jacqueline Clare (Louis)

Many typos. Sorry we had talked last in June. He was very evolved in his church. Fat thumb issues for me and not proof reading first. 

Terry Levine (Rose)

I am sorry to hear that - grade school children - I feel bad for them too.  I believe Mark went to Oakton with me.

Janet Bengtson (Leahy)

I'am so sorry to hear about Mark , he was a great guy and wonderful father. He did go to Oakton school. He will be missed.  Janet Bengtson Leahy

Bonnie Robinson

Thank you, Jackie, for posting this very sad news. I just adored Mark and was friends with him from Nicholss through high school. Underneath a semi-tough exterior, he was a really sweet guy with a good heart. I am happy he found love in his life; but, of course, I am very saddened that he is no longer with us. I hope his passing was peaceful and that he was surrounded by his loved ones. RIP, Mark!

Patricia Richey (Wanzenberg)

I am totally heartbroken.  We had lunch with Mark during the holidays when we were in IL and he was doing pretty well...fighting a good fight!  Mark was a very close friend to both Phil and I and will be so missed.  He was the first "boy" I ever kissed, a fantastic bridge player and was the person that introduced us to Marco Island.  Mark's life was fulfilled when his two beautiful children were born...his life was complete!  He will always be in our hearts.

Rose Ann Lind (Verheyen)

Need more information.  I checked the profile page to see if he had set his profile and there was nothing. So, I have to asked.  Is this Mark Duwe who's father was the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Evanston.  Both Gerri (Bach) Deerfield and I attended the church for second grade and were both married in that church.  I'm shocked and deeply saddened..

Patricia Richey (Wanzenberg)

Yes Mark' s father was the pastor.  Mark told me he did not want to be involved with the reunion because he had a lot to deal with and he wanted to send time with his children.  He also had his own business for years which he was still running.  It is such a loss.

Merry (Elizabeth) Bennett (Plocar)

What sad news this is!  We were at Nichols together, and poor Mark was often in trouble with Miss Minnie Jane. I had a crush on him but he had a crush on Chris so....

  I'm so glad he had a church family to sustain him and children to love.  RIP, Mark.

Holly Romans (Green)

Thank you,Jackie, for posting the sad news regarding Mark's death.  Terry Levine, Janet Bengsten and I were all classmates at Oakton School as was Mark.  I concur totally with what the two of them had to say about Mark.  In fifth grade my family moved to the other end of town and I Iost track of my Oakton classmates until reuniting at ETHS.  Mark was such a nice guy and quite courageous.  I remember that sometime in early grade school he suffered horrible burns from a home chemistry kit.  He missed a lot of school but it did not hold him back.  At that young age, I had no idea what a traumatic event he had endured nor did I have any comprehension of the pain he must have suffered.  He was a sweet and kind guy and lots of fun with a very welcoming smile.  I am saddened by his death and for his wife and young children.  We will miss you, Mark, and God speed.  XO Holly

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

Yes, sad to hear about Mark. Didn't know him very well but do seem to recall isues with Minnie Jane Drey.

And his name has crossed my mind a number of times while on the reunion site! He will be missed. Nice to read all the fond comments

I had my own issues with Mildred Vitek just down the hall at Nichols. I spent much time in Thomas A Sinks t(principals) office! Dont recall if I shared the office with Mark or not. Hope he had a good life up till the illness. Any one know what his buisiness was?

Vernon Neece (Neece)

Saddened to learn of Mark's passing.  Mark & I were not what I would consider friends only acquaintances. Mark's father was minister of Grace Lutheran Church located on the corner of South Boulevard & Wesley.  My home was adjacent to the church's parking lot.  I too remember Mark's accident with his chemistry set which resulted in scarring of his neck.  May he rest in eternal peace.

Holly Romans (Green)

When I first took the plunge into our amazing website, I was totally unprepared for how recollections from my past and rememberances of all of you would entice me onto the site again and again.  This compulsion started slowly but as more of the class signed on, it became simply impossible to resist logging on.  It was as if reconnecting with all of you these last ten months awakened the wellspring memories of life's journey and propelled me back to another time and place.  And so, just like a fingerling trout to the lure, I was hooked.  Reading your amazing life stories, your loving comments on deceased friends, and  pictures from our youth and today, put me in a space I can only describe as similar to re-reading a favorite book that I never wanted to end.   With a little nudge, all the details of the book come flooding back!  That is what happened as I responded to different people on the web-site.  The only difference is that our story, this voyage, continues to be a work in progress with the succession of our live's events.  And, so, sharing on-line exchanges with so many of you has been a marvelous way to continue our story. as well as being stimulating, rewarding, and so much fun - just like a great novel, but one that does not have an end..  This website has been a wonderful ice breaker which has invited so many conversations.  I am looking forward to reuniting and continuing these conversations very soon.  And, so, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, FRED, for giving us this opportunity to dive into this fountain of our youth and the mainstream of our present lives.  It has truly been a gift.  Also, PRESTON, THANK YOU for all the cudos you gave to the rest of the 1964 Reunion Committee which has worked so diligently to see this reunion conceived and planned.  I know it will be an extraordinary event and so I will truly miss those of you who will be unable to attend.  Thank you, Judy. You are one amazing and dedicated woman!  And thanks, Pat and Phil, for all your follow through. Two more weeks!  See you then.

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

Holly: Well said, ditto,and you didn't hit return once in that long piece! SJS 

Preston Cook

My wife would like the names and email address of all spouses who feel they have been abandoned due to the ETHS Class of 1964  50^th Year Reunion and its website.  She is contemplating the immediate commencement of a Reunion Spousal Support Group to assist abandoned spouses to get through the next two weeks, as well as the Reunion.  Skype meetings could be held on a regular basis, or when individual spouses need one-on-one intervention.

If a classmate’s spouse shows or notices any of the follow signs please contact my wife:

1. Overcome by abandonment feelings.
2. Sick and tired of hearing about people they never heard of before.
3. Excessive preparation for the Reunion including ill-fated attempts at quick weight loss (NO, you cannot lose 25 pounds in two weeks!), repetitive spa or hair coloring treatments, and excessive gym workouts.
4. Asking why a three-day reunion is necessary when one event should be enough.
5. Asking, “And just who is that person you seem so interested in?” followed by, “Maybe I SHOULD go with you”.

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

Preston: that's hilarious, and true! ESP since my wife is from New Trier and has no interest in hers! Ps, I have lost 10 lb. Started ) weeks ago but won't make the 25 lb goal!

Holly Romans (Green)

Preston, what a hoot!  The very reasons I've never brought my husband!  He and I both know he would be abandoned and forlorn!  XO Holly

Michael Silverman

Yeah--there's definitely a private side to the whole nostalgic experience.  My wife doesn't care if she attends and  I'm OK coming alone.  Also, and this may be just me, I'm looking forward to the reunion but not without some trepidation.  There are a few demons back there in my head--either specific memories of acting badly or vague memories where I'm pretty sure I acted badly.  ETHS, paricularly those first two years, wasn't easy.

Anybody else have a demon or two that could be slain at the reunion.  Maybe a priest with a confessional booth--or a rebbi at the cash bar would be help.  I think I just need a few hugs

Mike Silverman

Patricia Richey (Wanzenberg)

Over 70% of classmates that are attending are coming solo....I am sure there will be plenty of hugs for all!

Susan Chausow (Southam)

Hi everyone, I also want to thank Fred and the entire committee for all the hard work!  I love seeing all the profiles, reading the comments, and having memories triggered as I do.  In the NYTimes today, an article about our generation that many of you may find interesting.  Here's a link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/sunday-review/the-boomers-biggest-challenge.html?ref=opinion

Enjoy----and see you all in less than 2 weeks!

Alison Van Swearingen (Brown)

Preston - I loved the Reunion Spousal Support Group bullet points, pretty funny!  My husband, Jim, is NT '64.  He has come to our class reunions and had a good time, more so than at his own class reunions.  Maybe it's because Jim Deerfield and a couple of others made him an "Honorary Member" of the class back along the way.  Jim played football for NT and knew some of our players.  Or, maybe it's because there are some from his class who married some from our class.  I can only echo Holly's sentiments when it comes to having this fabulous website as a tool to re-engage people we shared growing up with for four years.  ETHS gave us a gift of a wonderful education that provided all of us with a path to the future, whatever that turned out to be.