Thank you again for keeping us all connected! Just a quick up date from sunny Arizona :
I recently re-retired from coaching track and cross country at Embry Riddle University in Prescott, AZ. Getting too old to chase 20 year olds on mountain trails…even on a bike! Did have the privilege of being a part of 8 Cal-Pac Conference Championships and coaching 8 NAIA All American runners during my tenure as assistant coach. Our boys cross country team was 4th in the nation (NAIA) this year. It was a fun time.
Had the pleasure of catching up with former West High Track Coach Gary Hollingsworth in October. We had a great visit and look forward to connecting again this spring when I get back to Iowa.
Tami (Thompson ’74) and I bought a cabin near the Grand Canyon and will spend Xmas there with our kids and 5 year old granddaughter.
Now I can look forward to playing golf, arthritis, going blind, becoming deaf, using a walker and getting bald(er)! Ain’t retirement great?
We had a good Thanksgiving. Ours was the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Firs time we ever had it early, but my youngest had flown home from Co. Springs for my granddaughter’s baptism and he was one of the sponsors. It was my oldest son who thought to have Thanksgiving early while Mike was home – can’t believe I didn’t think of that.
In rear: Chris Noth, Jordan Noth, Michael Noth In front: Ruth, Kairi, and Dixie Noth
So, on Thanksgiving, momma and I were alone as Chris, Jordan and Kairi went to her folks’. Nice that they had two and several days apart so they didn’t get worn out.
Jordan’s mother has to have rotator cuff surgery Monday, so I’m going to be baby sitting Kairi until she’s done with rehab, which could easily be 2-3 months, sometimes more.
Kairi Noth at Three Months
I’ve had two of them myself, one in 2001 from falling in Walmart’s parking lot and one in 2011, so I have matching left and right scars, as neither could be done laparoscopically. Both were complete tears, Jordan’s mom’s is a partial, so hopefully she’ll rehab quicker than I did. They say it’s one of the top 2 most grueling rehabs there is and I believe it.
Jordan only works parttime, and in the next two weeks, only works 2 days each week, so I shouldn’t get too tired. LOL She’s such a good baby and she’ll be 5 months old Dec. 7th. Jordan also only works mornings, and that’s my best time. There’s 15 years between her mother and I, so I’m middle of her parents and grandparents for age, and then there’s my mom at 85. She’s doing well for the most part. Doesn’t like to walk very much or take steps too often. I’ve attached a couple of photos of her.
Dixie Noth
My mom recently was honored by UIHC for 35,000 hours of volunteer time. She’s been crocheting baby hats for the nursery and book worm book marks for the children’s library for 40 years. She’s made a little over 10,000 hats and over 19,000 bookworms. She got to bring 6 guests to Iowa City for a special luncheon. She thought she’d quit after that with Iowa City as I have to take her down every 2-3 months to get more yarn, but nope – she picked up more after the celebration. There were about 100 volunteers in attendance and the Chief Medical Office sat at our table. They gave mom a beautiful glass piece award with the U Logo, her hours and name. Photo attached also. Feel free to share any of this with the class about mom and my granddaughter.
So Thanksgiving day mom and I had Papa Murphy’s pizza and Culver’s frozen custard and watched the parade for the first time in years. Today we are going to do a little shopping for Christmas and that’s about that.
We would like to extend another thanks to our class president, Alan Huey, for the work he did that allowed us to share our precious memories in the Graduation Candid Photos Slide Show.
In case you were curious how he digitized these ancient slides, Alan pulls aside the curtain and gives us a peek behind it.
Alan’s Gizmo
Basically, a Lego stand for the iPhone, and a stand for the slide so they align in a fixed distance and position. Then a white screen behind that with a non-strobing bulb. I found it’s important that the screen is beyond the focal range of the camera. Photos I took before I figured that out showed the texture of the screen material. I tried copy paper and then this 3 ring binder divider. I used an Apple Watch for the camera trigger to reduce movement and shot with a zoom about 3.1 in this set up. Once set up, you can snap a pic every 10 seconds or so.
Alice (Barker) Miller wrote us at the end of November in 2019 to let us know that her father, our class’s principal Ed Barker had passed away after a long and happy life.
We are celebrating Ed’s life by sharing the following reflections on Ed’s life and work.
Ira Jesse Andersen, loving husband and father of three children, was called by his Lord on Friday, October 25, 2019, at the age of 89.
Ira was born to Arla and Carl Andersen in Lyons, Nebraska, on November 3, 1929. Moving to Omaha, Nebraska at age 10, he later attended South High School, where he met his future bride, Ruth Clare Prem. They were married in 1949, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Ira trained as a licensed plumber; but by 1955 had advanced to a management position at Natkin and Company, then the largest mechanical contracting company in the world. In 1963 he was transferred to Iowa City, Iowa, where, after several years, he founded his own company, AAA Mechanical Contractors, which he ran successfully for over two decades. AAA Mechanical completed numerous major building projects for the University of Iowa, Proctor and Gamble, and Sheller-Globe, among others. Retiring in 1988, Ira and Ruth soon purchased a second home in Palm Springs, California, where they spent winters before moving there permanently in 2000.
Ira frequently applied his mechanical expertise and managerial talents to the betterment of his church. He was an Elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City. He helped oversee the church’s renovation and physical expansion, and was instrumental in the construction of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Iowa District East Offices. He served a similar role as head manager of the rebuilding and expansion of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Palm Springs. Ira was a grillmaster who won several awards for his delicious cooking, including being crowned Cookout King at both the Johnson County (Iowa) Fair and at the Iowa State Fair. He enjoyed creating meals for both small and large groups, including pit barbeque for the Boy Scouts, and at innumerable church functions. Ira was a founder of Iowa City’s “505 Melrose”, a pioneering drug treatment halfway house. He was an active member of the Lions Club for 50 years.
Ira’s generosity to others is reflected in the warm feelings his friends and neighbors share towards him. He will be remembered for the sense of responsibility and high ethical standards he brought to all his endeavors. He touched many lives, and will be greatly missed.
Ira is survived by his wife Ruth, sons Martin and Michael, daughter Ingrid Wulf, grandchildren Jessica, Ian, and Sean; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Elvin.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Palm Springs California, and to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa.
Bradley Eugene Gilpin, 62, of Iowa City died on November 5, 2019 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was the beloved brother of classmate Becki (Gilpin) Milne.
Brad was a life-long Iowa City resident who worked for many years at Gilpin Paint & Glass and then McComas Lacina as a cabinet maker. He was a long-time member of the choir at St. Mary’s Church, an avid Cubs fan, and loved tailgating for Iowa Hawkeye football. Brad always had a (bad) joke to tell, a “let me help you” attitude and his ability to use his “Gilpingenuity” to build or fix anything was legendary. Brad’s love for his family, friends, and his rescue dogs knew no bounds.
Brad is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deb, daughters Alysha (Justin) Ahlf, Meghan Carter, Katie (Kirk) Ryan, Abbey (Jess Adam) Gilpin, and sons Andrew (Sarah) Gilpin and Nathan Gilpin, his mother Joan Gilpin, brothers Patrick (Sandy) Gilpin, Jay (Staci) Gilpin, and sisters Victoria Gilpin, Rebecca (Bruce) Milne, Jean Gilpin and Elizabeth Bernard, and three grandchildren, Henry and Julia Ryan and June Ahlf.
He was preceded in death by his father William Gilpin.
A Celebration of Brad’s Life will be held on Friday, November 15 from 4-8 pm at the Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at the UIHC Holden Cancer Center, Hospice Home of Johnson County (the Bird House) and Iowa City Hospice for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the entities listed above, or to the Iowa City Animal Shelter & Adoption Center. For more of Brad’s life story, to share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.
Rose Mary Spaulding, beloved mother of classmate G. Richard Newell, died September 1, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida, at age 87. Rose was born in Proctor, Minnesota on February 6, 1932. She attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, and had a long career as an elementary school teacher. She taught in Iowa City for about 30 years, mostly at Ernest Horn Elementary School. After her retirement, she moved to Florida, and lived in the Clearwater area for about 20 years.
During her retirement, she was able to indulge her desire for travel. She took many ocean and river cruises. She told family and friends about things she especially enjoyed: seeing penguins in Australia, driving a dog sled in Alaska, and seeing the terracotta warriors in China. Most recently, she enjoyed a trip in January to Acapulco, Mexico with her son.
She is survived by her son, G. Richard Newell of Tracy, CA; her brother, Walter (Lois) Newell of Duluth, MN; sister-in-law Margaret Newell of Iowa City, IA; nephews and nieces: Steven (Deb) Newell of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Kathy Day of Apple Valley, MN, Mark (Karen) Newell of Camp Hill, PA, Blaine Newell of Bicknell, IN, Arna (Tom) Rutledge of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jan Rutledge (Dave Ulrick) of Iowa City, IA; and former son-in-law Paul Hauser of Rochester, NY. She is also survived by Nicolas Degennes, of Paris, France, who lived with Rose and her family while he was an exchange student, and who remained a dear friend. Rose’s family is grateful to her friends for their visits and support, and is especially grateful to Jean Norris, who was often at Rose’s bedside during her final illness.
Rose Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Cyrus R. Spaulding; her mother and father, Rose and Clifford Newell; daughter, Jackie Hauser; brothers Orville Newell, Robert Newell, and Frederick Newell; and son-in-law Benjamin Chavez.
Rose’s family is grateful for the high quality of life afforded by The Oaks in Clearwater, and for the excellent and compassionate care provided by the staff members of Morton Plant Hospital.
Rose enjoyed the many activities available at her complex in Clearwater, and several times was the Wii bowling champion. She enjoyed dining out, and attending live theater and other entertainment venues. Rose chose to have her remains cremated, put in a biodegradable urn, and released into the Gulf of Mexico. Rose’s ashes can travel the seven seas, as Rose takes off on her next big adventure.
If you have ever wondered what the decision making center of a nuclear power plant would look like were a nuclear accident to develop, you have come to the right place.
Dave and Gary leading the Palisades SAMG Validation
My colleague Gary and I are leading one of the “validation” exercises, where the plant staff gets to take their brand new Severe Accident Management Guidelines out for a spin.
We used the big screen in the upper right corner to give them simulated information about the plant, and they worked their way through the guidelines to get the plant under control.
The staff did a great job at “working the plan” and were able to deal with a wide spectrum of events. I feel good about the work I do, bringing the best advice from the latest research to the plants in the fleet, helping them to be better prepared for the worst.
