In Memory of Alice Joann Riley Dague

Good Morning David,

My mom, Alice, passed away this week and her obituary and service information is found at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Thankfully my two sisters and my brother were all present with her when she drew her last breath. Is it possible to share the song I wrote about her on our web site again? It is called “Alice’s Song” and you had it in the clouds. Thank you so much David, for all you do for our class to keep us connected. In times like these it really helps to hear from old friends who knew our parents. I hope you are having a nice autumn.

Hugs

Jackie (Dague) Nicholson

Here is the beautiful “Alice’s Song”

Alice’s Song

Dan Hackmann Update

Morning Dave,

Thanks again for your continuing and tireless efforts to keep us from the class of ’73 up to date and connected. Was just thinking, as I read your weekly news from Saturday (and, yes, I always do read it!) about two or three things of perhaps newsy value:

1 ) Incredibly enough, Switzerland is celebrating its 725th Birthday today – it’s our national holiday here and a great ending to an extended weekend. Also in August, we are celebrating our 17th year living here. Not long compared to 725, but already almost 30% of Muecki’s and my life (!).

2 ) I’m still with Gartner, and moved (organizationally) in January to Strategic Accounts , based out of our EMEA HQ in London and am responsible for IBM, HPE and Microsoft across all of DACH (Germany, Switzerland and Austria). Still have a Swiss contract, work mostly out of home office or am travelling to clients across the area or in London for team meetings. Never a dull moment, but I don’t miss the daily commute to our Swiss office, which is on the other side of Zurich (only 40km, mostly autobahn), but was every day a 1.5-3.0 hour commute, depending on the status of the traffic jams. Even though I still need to drive to clients around Zurich or take the train to Geneva to clients there, the new set up is saving me 7.5-15 hours a week(!) sitting in the car.

3 ) Speaking of travelling, I was actually motivated by Arnie Moore’s post to write this response to you today : ) I know many of our classmates travel from time to time on European trips, and I’d be happy to help out on tips, etc., from a “sort-of” insider (last time I lived a whole year in the USA was 1992). That is, especially for Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, the northern half of Italy, London and surroundings, we know our way around pretty well. Whether it’s for summer holidays, snow skiing, wine and culture tours, car stuff (esp. Germany, Italy !) I could certainly be a resource. Plus, perhaps some may be up for a visit to our wonderful neck of the woods on the lake in Uetikon am See, 15km up Lake Zurich from downtown Zurich (14 min with the train to Zurich main station). Our village (approx 6500 population) is built on the very steep slopes of the hills facing south toward the lake, and we have 5 local vineyards that produce over 12 varieties of grapes and many different kinds of mostly white, but some red wines too. The surface of the lake is about 400m (ca. 1310 ft.) above sea level, and we live on the big hill (street is called “Aelpli” ) ) above town at about 600m (ca. 1970 ft.) with a great view of the lake and the Alps to the east of us. As we are only about 1km from our village center, you can imagine how steeply the hill rises up to where our house is. The hill continues on into a great hiking area directly above us up to a peak of 850m (ca. 2790 ft.). So we’re not really in the high mountains, but the nearest ski area is only 30 minutes to the east of us.

4 ) Thus, please let folks from the class of ’73 know that they can contact me if they’re coming over or planning to come over to good old Europe-this goes for you too, Dave. BTW, although the news that comes over to the US lately regarding Europe probably mostly focuses on terrorism and danger, it really is quite safe here-especially in Switzerland. But people over here are certainly much less used to amok shootings, etc. than in the US-although this is something we in the (still) free world should certainly not get calloused or “used” to.

The attached pics are from around our 21st anniversary, which we celebrated up on the German island of Sylt, where we spent 3.5 weeks of vacation in June-July. The pic with the dogs is with our black lab Finn and one of his best friends, Paula. They were both taken on the longest day of the year at around 11.30 PM!

All the best, and enjoy the rest of summer!

Dan

Arnie Moore Update

Hello Class of ’73

It is hard to believe that we have been out of school for over 40 years. I assume most of us are looking forward to retirement and sort of a second life.

First of all, thank you Dave for keeping this site alive for all these years and keeping us informed of important events. Secondly, congrats Don for your new choice of occupation. I did not now that Embry-Riddle had a west coast campus. One of my students, she was in my classes for 4 years, got a full ride to play softball for Embry-Riddle in Daytona. It was very exciting for her, as it was her dream school for education and then softball paid her way.

As for Julie and I, we just returned from our second European vacation. We did a Viking River Cruise down central Europe. We visited The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. A couple that we are close friends with us, joined us on the trip. The cruise line treats you like royalty. We visited many historical sights, with the cathedrals and a trip to Colmar, France being the highlights of the trip. After living in South Florida where everything looks alike, seeing these buildings and towns built hundreds of years ago, it is amazing. Going to The Netherlands where there are still working windmills, what can you say. We sampled many local wines, beers and food. For those that have never taken a cruise, there are only 190 passengers with 50 staff members. The cruise was great and for those that want a relaxing time without the wild parties, highly recommended.

With all the terrorists situations, there was a concern on our part, but we were advised if possible to avoid large crowds and gatherings. There were several times that the military was on duty making regular passes around a given area. We tended to stay away from them in the event some wacko decided that they would make targets.

The local people where ever we went were friendly and seemed to welcome us. Most people spoke English and communications were seldom a problem. A few times when were outside of the commercial areas people tended not have a great grip of the English language.

Retirement looms for me, I figure I will end my career in education in December of 2017. I am just old school and with all the testing, I just do not fit in. This will be my 30th year in a profession I expected to leave after a few years. I had a passion a really enjoyed what I was doing for many years, but the past few has just driven that passion from me. I still believe in giving grades for what you know and what you do. Testing in my opinion is only one part of the teaching/ learning process. Unfortunately, I am in the minority. I do not know what my next journey will be but I am considering a couple of things to keep me occupied and out of Julie’s hair.

Arnie and Julie in the Netherlands

This is Julie and myself in Kinderdinjk, The Netherlands. They have 19 operational windmills located there. You can see a couple of them in the background. This happened to be our first stop on our cruise. A very interesting place.

Jeff Bagford Update

Jeff Bagford asked your Webmaster to update his email and street addresses. When asked why, Jeff explained:

“Well I did retire but the move was because my wife got a job in Sacramento. We plan to be here for about 2-3 years until she retires and then will move back to Phoenix area to be near the kids.”

In Memory of Verna “Gert” MacQueen

Hi Dave,

Guess it’s my turn to let folks know about my precious mother’s passing. It’s a powerful time of life moving into elderhood as their generation makes room for us to do so.

All blessings,

Jennifer

Gert MacQueen

Our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Gert MacQueen passed into the Life Eternal on Monday May 16 just before dawn peacefully and gracefully at Sunnybrook Assisted Living Memory Gardens. She was 96 years young.

Born May 1, 1920 to a poor family of farm laborers, Verna Gertrude McLaughlin was the 3rd of four children. Her father abandoned the family when Gert was very young. As a child, Gert had to work hard to help support her family through the Depression. With the encouragement and help of people who saw her potential, she graduated from nursing school in 1941 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, Washington. There she met her husband, Dr. John Charles MacQueen. They married and he left for WW2 for 3 years. On his return they began a family. They moved to Iowa City in 1947 so that Dr. MacQueen could begin his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Hospital. The family quickly swelled to six children.

Gert was a stay at home mother until the youngest was eight. She then returned to nursing to work part time for 20 years as a Surgical Intensive Care nurse. Gert was a fabulous and famous nurse at the hospital. Known for her excellence in nursing skills, she was also deeply compassionate and a great advocate for her patients.

Gert was also deeply involved in politics for all of her adult life. She served as the State Chairwoman for the Democratic Party for seven years and ran state campaigns for various presidential hopefuls. Her enthusiasm, passion for the public welfare, and engaging style made her a natural leader and organizer in a time when women did not often have leadership roles in politics. This passion did not dim with age. At 88 years old, she walked door to door to canvas her entire precinct for Barak Obama in heels.

Gert also volunteered at the Iowa City Public Library, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library as a docent, Iowa City Community Theatre, Project Green in Iowa City, the Visiting Nurse Association and spearheaded the Heritage Trees project to locate the largest trees in Johnson County. An avid cyclist, Gert rode RAGBRAI for 11 years. She would offer help and assistance to all who came to her.

Gert was truly a self-made woman … who read literature, history, enjoyed poetry, theatre, opera, and sponsored the fine arts and artists who made it. Her home was filled with music, beauty, art and a glorious garden. She was the consummate hostess and loved a good party. Gert travelled the world with friends and family. Often described as “larger than life”, she inspired and encouraged all around her by just being who she was.

In the midst of a very dynamic and engaged life, Gert was deeply devoted to her family. She remained married for 66 years until her husband’s death in 2009. She cared for her oldest daughter, Candace, in her home who died of cancer in 2000. She is survived by her daughters Susan in Bettendorf, Debra (Stephen) in California, Jennifer Hamilton (Doug) of Fairfield and sons John (Nancy) of Des Moines, and Brian of Fairfield. Her grandchildren Dr. John Hartman (Lori) and Gabriel (Rieko) Hartman of Bettendorf, William Hamilton (Elizabeth) of Fairfield and Mila Hamilton of Minneapolis. And 5 great grandchildren. She had a huge “family of choice” who embraced her and who she embraced over the years. There will be a celebration of her life on Saturday May 21st at St. Gabriel and All Angels Church in Fairfield at 1pm. By her request, the body has been cremated and her ashes will go the Puget Sound in Washington State.

In Memory of Betty Fomon

Bonnie (Tappan) Weldon let us know that Dave’s mom Betty passed away recently. Dave gave us permission to share his mother’s obituary a tribute to her life

Betty Fomon

Betty Lorraine Freeman Fomon, 90, of Iowa City, Iowa, died peacefully in her sleep March 29 while visiting family in Overland Park, Kan.

Born Nov. 24, 1925, in Donaldson, she was a daughter of Harry and Bessie Long Freeman.

She graduated from the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing, passing the State Board exam for registered nurses in 1946. She began her nursing career as a surgical nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

On July 19, 1948, she married Samuel J. Fomon, M.D. Betty and her family moved to Iowa City in 1954.

She was a nurse at the University Hospitals and Clinics in Pediatrics Newborn Nursery and later in the Obstetric Department caring for both mother and baby.

Betty retired at the age of 74, but continued having summer parties with the friends she had made over those many years.

She enjoyed socializing with family and friends, cooking and having parties at her home. She always looked forward to music club, Bible study and attending book clubs in both Iowa and at her winter home in Texas. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was kept busy attending their many activities.

Betty had a remarkable ability through conversation to find a common bond with everyone she met.

Betty’s 90th birthday was celebrated last summer at a surprise party held at the University Club, her favorite place to dine. She was surrounded by family and friends in celebration of her life, telling stories of her youth in Pennsylvania and of life in Iowa City.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel, and brother, Clair M. Freeman.

Survivors include five children, Betsy (Dick) Seiberling, Lakewood Village, Texas, Kathy Anderson, Overland Park, Kan., David (Kari) Fomon, Coralville, Christopher (Kay) Fomon, Iowa City, and Mary Fomon (Bobby Joe Hollingsworth), Little Elm, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Roberts, Michael (Victoria) Anderson, Rachel (Brad) Huggard, Sam (Jennifer) Seiberling, Josh and Kristin Fomon, Eric (Alyssa) Fomon, Heather Fomon and her fiance, Spencer Coulter, Siiri (Michael) Hill and Dayna (Mike) Walden; 11 great-grandchildren, Ryan and Leighton Roberts, Chloe and Alden Hill, Ashlyn and Jayce Walden, Sloan and Shane Anderson, Mason and Asher Fomon and Charles Seiberling; sister-in-laws, Geraldine Freeman, Pine Grove, Lenore Marie Fomon, Bronx, N.Y., and Terry Fomon, Miami, Fla.; nephew, Clair Freeman, Bethlehem.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Coralville, with the Rev. Stephen Page as the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to St. Thomas More Parish or the American Heart Association.

Mark Ferguson Update

Hi Dave.

Here is a picture of a car wash (the first unit off the production line) that I designed and installed in Mesa Arizona this past week. I am now off to York Pennsylvania this week to install the second unit. As soon as I get home Thursday Susan and I are off to Texas for a little Rendezvous with our grandson, Miles. We found out last week that Miles will have a baby brother in August – and the kids will be moving to Harleysville, Pennsylvania sometime soon. Krista’s husband got a great promotion.

Sorry I didn’t get this out earlier to you. I’ve been a bit busy.

Thanks,

Mark Ferguson

Mark Ferguson Car Wash
Mark Ferguson’s Car Wash

In Memory of Barbara Elliott

Bonnie (Tappan) Weldon let us know that Betsy (Elliott) Stough’s mom Barbara passed away recently. Betsy gave us permission to share her mother’s obituary a tribute to her life.

Barbara Lee Elliott

Barbara Lee Elliott, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Iowa City.

She was born July 1, 1923, in Monticello, Ill., to the late Jonah and Mabel Conard.

Barbara grew up in the middle of a large and active farm family in central Illinois during the Depression. Her parents sacrificed so that every one of their children went to college. Barbara attended Purdue University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was elected Freshman Queen and met the love of her life, “Bump” Elliott. She graduated in 1946 with a degree in home economics. Barbara and Bump were married April 30, 1949, and they enjoyed 66 wonderful years together.

Above everything, Barbara kept a loving home for her husband and family. The consummate “coach’s wife,” she endured the defeats and celebrated the victories and always had a big pot of chili waiting after every game. She was proud, intensely private, loyal and very tough.

She was active in the Iowa City community, serving St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in many capacities, was co-chair (with Bump) of the Iowa City Library Renovation Fundraising Committee, a longtime reader in the Rockin’ Reader volunteer program, a member of the Hillcrest Family Services board of trustees, among many other callings. A friend once said, “Barbara’s volunteer time is spent helping others less fortunate.”

Barbara is survived by her husband, Bump; her sister, Carol Hake; brother, William Conard (Marilyn); sister-in-law, Maerene Conard; sons, William (Janice) and Robert (Karen Jo); daughter, Elizabeth Stough (John); grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sarah), John (Stephanie), Grant, Jessica (Kyle), Madeline, Michael (Kady) and Sam; and her magnificent great-grandchildren, Levi, Mara, Daphne, Robin, Ruth, Lillian, Dexter and Corinne.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses, staff and friends at Oaknoll Retirement Community.