Classmate Updates

Don Raker

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Occupation: retired
Comment:

After Reynolds I Graduated from UNCCH and went to work for Hart Shaffner and Marx until 1971 after which I was employed as a sales representaive by Ortho  Pharmaceuticals of Johnson and Johnson for 32 years. I retired from JnJ in 2004.


My wife, Ann and I were married in 1969 and have 2 children. Ann retired from teaching in Guilford Co. schools in 2003.


We spend a lot of time traveling and I collect antique toys and still have a love of hot rods. Too bad the Triangle is gone. Would love to criuse it just one more time!!

George Reid

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: RN - retired
Comment:
1963-67 UNC-CH BA English


1968-71 USAF Space Track Radar 20th Survl Sq


                                   Ft Walton Beach, FL


1972-73 LCCC, Lake City, FL  AS Golf Course


                                            Maintenance


1973-74 Federal Prison Eglin AFB - deported


1974-77 Golf Couirse Construction Super                Fuji Kaihatsu LTD, Shimonoseki, Japan


1977 Repatriated to USA via Transiberian RR


1978-79 Golf Course Superintendant Crystal                               River & Rainbow Springs, FL


1979-81 LCCC AS Nursing


1982-1991 RN Shands Teaching Hospital @ UF


                                  Gainesville, FL


1992-2000 RN University Hospital, Augusta, GA


2000-2013 RN Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN




8/2013 Homeless, living in our camper, visiting National Parks, US & Canada





1976 Married Karmen Kale - Fukuoaka, Japan


1986 Meredith born - 2010 graduated from UW


       Stout, catering (Meredith Foodie on FB)      Ann Arbor, MI


1990 Alexis 2009-2011 Hampshire College,        Amherst, MA Animal Rights/Vegan




        Works @ Mayo Clinic                                Rochester, MN





 

Linda Rhyne (Hauser)

Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Sales
Comment: I attended UNC-G, earlier known as "Woman's College".  A short time later I married Charlie Rhyne and we have two sons, both of whom are still bachelors.  Jay is 37 years old and Chad is 33. Both have a number of rescued dogs that we "baby-sit" for when they are out of town.  I never imagined I would wake up on a Saturday morning with a pit bull licking my face!





Charlie's work with Ciba Pharmaceutical Company took us up and down the East Coast - Spartanburg, Atlanta, Memphis, New Jersey, Atlanta (again), Charlotte and then Atlanta yet again.  We have come to love the Atlanta area and will probably stay here through retirement.  I sell major appliances to builders and remodelers and this is certainly the right market for that.





We enjoy traveling and have been on safari in Africa, cruised up the Amazon, hiked up Machu Picchu, drank wine in the Mozel Valley and toured the ancient ruins of Western Europe.  We still have family and friends in the Winston-Salem area so we return "home" four or five times a year.

Bruce Rose

Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Physician
Comment:  Currently I live with my second wife, Ellen, in a very rural setting in a house built in 1813. We've been together for 6 years. Didn't know life could be so good!





 I have two children from a previous marriage which spanned 1969 to 1993. Ellen also has two children, and we are fortunate to be able to see the three who live nearby frequently. My daughter lives 5-6 hours away in Brooklyn, NY so it's more of a special treat to be able to see her.





Back to where we left off in 1963.......I attended Duke for a year then transferred to Florida State and graduated in 1968. Spent 1969 through 1976 in Hawaii, the first three years in the US Navy and the last four picking up an MD degree. What a place to live! But duty called, and I went to California for three years of residency training followed by practicing medicine in small town New Hampshire.





Currrently, I'm practicing emergency medicine. Spare time near home is spent gardening, fly fishing both fresh and salt water, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing. Away from here Ellen and I love to travel and scuba dive.





I am looking forward to seeing old friends and showing Ellen Winston-Salem.

Larry Smith

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Single
Occupation: graphic designer
Comment:


I must say, as I read these entries of the past 50 years of experiences, one struck me more than the others. The others are very interesting. But something about this one came through. Of all my classmates, I only hung with a few, whereas I was not all that outgoing. For this reason, I don't recall personally most of my fellow classmates including Kent LaRoque. However, his entry carries a very powerful message for any of us who have had overwhelming struggles. I can relate to Kent, in that, my own demanding struggles have led me back to the undeniable, life saving, personal relationship with Jesus. Testimonies like Kent's serve as a reminder of what our lives are truly about. I'm sure many of you, like me, wish we had latched onto this much earlier in life. It's never too late. Blessings to you Kent for your endurance and restoration. God rewards us for enduring the trials.




 




Don Raker's entry reminded me….. what memories cruising the Triangle in his powder blue '55 Chevy.




 




After RJR, I completed four years at Western Carolina University. From there, immediately into the Army for service during VietNam era. Exited as quickly as possible after four years. My last transfer placed me in Washington, DC. I have remained in the metro area (Alexandria, VA) to this day. To look back, I must say God has moved immensely in my life, most of it unacknowledged until recent years. A BA in Fine Arts from WCU may not sound all that thrilling in terms of financial security. But art was my talent and I loved it. Strangely enough this carried me through the military as a graphic designer, then into private life as the same at a local design studio.




 




www.LarrySmithDesign.com




 




One thing led to another and within a couple years was able to go freelance renting studio space with three others in Old Town, Alexandria for 10 years. Connections were established, word of mouth….. I was always busy along with overseeing several other freelancers. Over the years I've had the privilege of working for numerous clients including Smithsonian Institute, agencies, non-profits, private and commercial businesses, ministries and diplomatic offices. As I'm sure the case is with many of you, our generation saw great leaps in quality of life. As a child, I recall visiting my grandparents in rural NC, using their outhouse and water well complete with roped bucket. Now, living in this DC area, I have had the experience of sitting in foreign ambassadors' offices discussing magazine articles I would be designing. Believe me, this moment did not escape me as I sat there in amazement at the contrast of my childhood.




 




I am one of those who never say I'm retired. I would suppose this is the case with any who feel their talents were with them from childhood. So for me, music and art are always energizers. They keep us young in spirit. That said, workflow is up and down in these latter years. With available time, I'm currently about to finish a great testimony of my life which will soon be an ebook on Amazon. I know this will be a powerful message for any younger folks who may be struggling with parental relationships and perhaps vice versa. Testimonies of others have always had overwhelming impacts on me.




 




I have been single with a couple of close calls. The latter I thought would be the one, but my recovering from chronic stress at the time made it impossible for a future of security and marriage. This can be painful for sensitive folks such as myself. But I'm ok with it. Living for the Kingdom is the main thing.




 




I attended the 2010 reunion. Not sure I will make this one. Hopefully workflow will increase by then. I thoroughly enjoyed that reunion and appreciated all the planners' efforts. I was literally shocked when Bobby Burke recalled me drawing pencil cartoons on those shiny new desktops and asked me if I was still with the folk group from high school. He remembered! Couldn't believe it! We were the closing act in the Key Club Follies (The Cavaliers). We sang for three summers at Myrtle Beach (well, Ft Caroline), then Tweetsie Railroad. The other dudes, along with a brother, still do gigs today. If you live in W-S, they are The Conrad Trio (contact Tom Dawson on Hawthorne Rd). I join in when I visit W-S. Music and harmony are unlike anything else. They enrich the soul.




 




Sorry, but my "NOW" photo is not really "NOW". Not much of a photo record. RJR. Thank you all for the experiences!

Elaine Tucker

Marital status: Widowed
Occupation: Retired
Comment: Can't contact Rosemary Greenwood pulliam

Kathy Unger (Smith)

Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired
Comment:

Spent my career in accounting, working for several small businesses.  Married 43 years, 2 children and 2 grandchildren, not counting the 2 more children and 4 grandchildren that "adopted us"..What a joy!  We are so fortunate to be living on Edisto Island (40 miles south of Charleston SC) after 40 years in Columbia!  Dick still practices law, and drives an hour each way daily to Charleston.  He says it is worth it to go for a boat ride or fish when he gets home.

Buddy Vance

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Comment:

After graduating from N.C. State with a BSME degree in 1967, I worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company for 18 months and then joined the Air Force. I served 9 years on active duty and 17 more years in the Air Force Reserve. My Air Force assignments took me to Texas, New Mexico, Washington, D.C., and Germany. While in Germany, I earned my Master’s Degree in International Relations from Troy State University.


After separating from the Air Force I worked for International Paper Company in Mobile, Alabama as a maintenance foreman for 18 months. I then went to work as a Field Service Engineer for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. I spent thirteen years teaching Air Force mechanics how to maintain and repair jet engines at Hill AFB in Utah, Kelly AFB in Texas and Edwards AFB in California. I then worked at Pratt & Whitney’s West Palm Beach, Florida facility as a Customer Support Engineer for eight years. I then went to San Antonio, TX to work at Pratt & Whitney’s San Antonio Engine Center overhauling engines for the Air Force and other foreign countries for the last eight years for a total of 29 years of service. During this time frame I also finished my Air Force Reserve career retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.   


My wife Cynthia and I were married in 1971 and have three children. Our oldest, Diana, lives in Hickory, NC with her husband and our grandson.  Diana works part time and is nearing completion of her second Bachelors Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her first degree is in Business Administration and her second will be in Nursing. Our oldest son, Matthew, is single and lives in Orlando, FL and works and attends college. Our youngest son, Brad, is a West Point graduate and probably a career Army officer. He is married and is currently stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany.  After three tours in Iraq, he is currently preparing for his 4th deployment, this time to Afghanistan.  


Cynthia and I both retired in 2008 and are building a house in Morganton on High Peak Mountain. On a clear day we can see the skyline of the tall buildings in downtown Charlotte 60 miles away.


I’m looking forward to attending this year’s reunion and visiting with my classmates.  


Jon Vickers

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired from RJR Ind/Tob - Engineering
Comment: Attended VPI & Guilford. US Air Force took me to Denver for 19 mo. then to Germany for almost 5 years doing "secret electronic stuff". (Anyone suprised?) Married while there yielding 2 fantastic daughters. Returned to W-S & career with RJR Tob/Ind. Divorced after 7yrs. and single dad for 18! Lost Ex. to cancer. Laid off at RJR in '93. Met the love of my life at church in '94, married in '96 after both girls & I begged! Managed software dev. team for local company... then went on my own doing computer consulting & support.





Barbershop Quartet of 1960, "Teantones" has been followed by number of other quartets over the years. Regional champs, International ranked, now in 2 quartets, one of which is a "seniors" quartet ranked 7th Internationally.





Active with Federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team, an organ of Dept. of HHS and NC State Medical Assistance Team.... doing communications in each.





Both daughters are married (#2 only since last Oct.) and 3 grandkids from #1.





Life is as good as we allow it to be.... and I'm pretty darned blessed.... so life is very good!

Wesley Weaver

Children: 2
Occupation: retired
Comment: After RJR, I graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Mathematics and a MA in Counseling.  I taught at Avery High School from 1969-1972 and then became the Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid at ASU (1972-1991) and then Director of the Career Development Center from 1991-2002.  I'm now retired and helping to care for my father and father-in-law.  I married my wife, Pat, in 1969 and we have 2 daughters, Rachel and Rebecca - and now 2 grandchildren, Josie (11) and Peter (9).  I'm active in my church in Boone, NC, singing and playing the trumpet.  I am a board member of the Hospitality House of Boone.  In my spare time, I enjoy my grandchildren and am restoring a 1939 Plymouth.  I have GREAT memories of our time at RJR:  Miss Hazel's English Class, band trips, the SSC, gatherings on the landing.  I'm looking forward to our reunion - 47 years - can you believe it!!!!