Larry Olsen

I met Debbie (see Debbie) in February 1977 and married her in September 1977 (3 months after Debbie graduated from - oh yeah - Jeb Stuart).   We have lived in the states of Utah, Maryland and Virginia.  We started our own tiny computer consulting company and worked mostly with DOD/Office of the Secretary of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Agriculture.   As the company grew and we grew a bit older and a bit tired of ownership headaches, we sold the company.  I went to work for Lockheed Martin.

We now live in Fredericksburg, Virginia.   We have raised 8 wonderful children, ranging in ages today from 17 to 30.   We have ten grandchildren.

Larry

                    Robin Milhado Wilson

Just want to say thanks to Joni and Tom for the web page.   And to those who have contributed their photos and stories.   It was good to see you all again.  Sorry for missing the 35th reunion.

After graduation, I went to work at the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company in Loehmann's Plaza in Falls Church.  I saved up enough money to move to Western Montana in 1974.  Nine years later I graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula with a BS in Business Administration, Accounting.  Nine years seems like a long time to obtain an undergraduate degree, but time went by really fast there; so many things to do, what with the great outdoors, and the part-time jobs. Oh, yes, and the studying.

In 1985 I moved back to Northern Virginia.   Fifteen years went by while I worked at a series of jobs in the area; some were more interesting than others.  Time passed but not so fast this time. By 2000 I ended up at Dulles working for an air cargo company.  This was a good move personally as I met Bob there.  We were married two years later. Since then I've traveled with my husband to Hong Kong, Britain and Europe.   And time is going by a lot faster these days.

I've included a photo of Bob and me (see picture) taken at Ft. McHenry, Baltimore, MD, on Veteran's Day, 2008.  And I'll look forward to the 40Th Reunion.   Until then, take care.

Robin
AlmackHouse@yahoo.com

                    Mark Waymack

Dear All,

I am terribly sorry that I am unable to attend the 50th reunion.   I had made a promise to a grandson to be here for a special event on October 28 before I knew of the date change.  Alas.

First of all, a BIG shout out to Joni for doing so much work to put the reunion together.   Even if I can't be there, I am deeply grateful to Joni for taking this on....once again.

Funny.   I can remember when I was in high school see current picture that when there were extended family sorts of events, the older folks would sit around and (a) moan about how the world has gone to hell n a hand basket, then move on to (b) the sorry state of the younger generation--no taste in music, no respect for their elders, no manners, etc. From there the conversation would move to (c) comparing notes on everyone's respective ailments: "How are your knees doing Edward? Awful, Johnny.  That arthritis in your hands any better?   Nope.   Worse.   Still, did you hear about Elsie's angina?   Something awful.   Yeah...and Stuart's cataracts are getting bad.  I heard tell Tom has cancer...prostate.  Hmm hmm.  And Evelyn has breast cancer.   Fighting it, though.   Wish I could sleep through the night....sigh.   WHAT DID YOU SAY?   GINGER, YOU NEED TO GET SOME HEARING AIDS.  I DON'T NEED ANY HEARING AIDS.  YES YOU DO! "

The ground (and my toes) seem a lot farther away than 50 years ago.   How did that happen?

The back can be a bit creaky some mornings.

I have had COVID.

I certainly think the nation and the world are a mess.

And in the last couple years of my teaching career, I confess I was not as enthused about my students as I used to be.   (Hence my decision to "move on.")

So, yep, I now qualify as a cranky old dude.

Deciding it was indeed time, I retired in June 2023.  After living 36 years in the Chicago area, we are experimenting with living outside of Madison, WI.  (Two grandkids live in Madison.)   And when winter comes (as it does to Wisconsin--duh) we will flee to Florida for the worst of the winter.  We have not yet sold the house in the Chicago area, and are on a one year rental lease here in Wisconsin.  So USPS is very confused about where to send snail mail.

I signed up for Medicare (what a bureaucratic nightmare!).   Started taking Social Security. And have started dipping into those retirement savings.   (And I keep my fingers crossed that the economy stays reasonably healthy....)

Since I no longer have to spend my days responding to the Dean or dealing with disgruntled faculty or evaluating people in their jobs, I have time!

Having picked up the bagpipes as a hobby about 14 years ago, I work at practicing every day, and have even been foolish enough to get sucked into competing at festivals, etc.   Even qualified to compete (in a lower grade) at the World Solo Bagpipes Competition based in Glasgow.   (Nope, didn't win a thing!!!)   But mostly stick to Highland Games festivals in the MidWest region.   And it is a real challenge competing against those 20-something kids who started when they were 9 years old and who have really nimble fingers.

I've played at a few weddings, and far more funerals than I care to remember.   So I seem to be pretty good at making people cry.

With actual retirement, I have jumped into trying to learn how to use watercolors.   Feels like a steep learning curve!   But fun.

Will probably get a small (14 or 15 foot) sailboat before next summer to have some fun on the lakes here in Madison.

I was saddened to see the list that Joni posted of those of us who have passed.   Lot of folk there that I have fond memories of.   And also a not so gentle reminder of our own mortality.   Grab each day!

My best wishes to all of you.

Mark

Mark Waymack
mhwaymack@gmail.com