Rusty Holmes update

So far just a photo. Update info to follow.

Bonnie Mann: Update on Life

Thirty one years after graduating from High School I am finally a tenured Philosophy Professor at the University of Oregon. It took me a long, long time to settle into one thing and find some job security. In these times, I'm glad to have it. After high school I went to University of Portland, then Portland State University. I was infamous at UP for leading a student hunger strike over the firing of a professor, and also founding a student group that engaged in various left-leaning political activities. I worked as a program manager in a battered women's shelter in Massachusetts for five years after graduating. Alot happened in those five years. I came out (what a relief!). I traveled to Sri Lanka with a woman whose children had been kidnapped and taken there. I spent enough time in Central America to learn to speak Spanish fairly well. And I got admitted to a PhD programs in Philosophy at the State University of New York in Stony Brook. It took me 14 years to finish my PhD, I guess because it took me a long time to decide that I really wanted to - in fact I dropped out for 6 of those years, then went back and finished in 2002. In the meantime, I did a lot of political activism, I lived in Germany for two years and learned to speak German, I worked at a battered women's shelter in San Francisco and a homeless shelter in Oakland, I met and fell in love with my current partner (in San Francisco), and we adopted four girls from the state foster care system in California.

My partner, Erin, is a long time elementary school teacher and a painter. She and I celebrated our 16th anniversary this year.

I was hired to teach philosophy at University of Oregon in 2003. My first book was published by Oxford University Press in 2006. The second is in the works now. I was awarded tenure just last year. I teach everything from introductory courses, the biggest of which has 350 students, to small graduate courses for PhD students. I mostly love teaching and feel that this is what I was born to do - except for the days that I hate it of course!

Our daughters are now 11, 14, 15, and 17 years old - and yes, we are stressed out! Our oldest daughter, Angel, who was 5 when we adopted her, is heading off to college in the fall. We live in Eugene in an old craftsman-built home that we turned into a five bedroom when we couldn't stand the kids fighting over sharing rooms anymore. We have rabbits and dogs and cats and a big garden and a small bunch of fruit trees. We live right next to a beautiful bike path that runs right along the beautiful Willamette River through green space to the University of Oregon, so that is my route to work. After 25 years in school, and a bunch of years teaching school, being a parent has taught me more than anything else, that I don't know anything at all.

I was on sabbatical this year and had some time to start a facebook page and reconnect with some old friends. Now I'm back to teaching and won't have any time for the next seven years but it was great to hear how folks are doing and I look forward to reading the blog when Sandra finishes it.

My latest insight is that retired people are really a lot of fun. I took a French class this year with a bunch of retired folks and they just laughed all the time - something to look forward to. Greetings to everyone from rainy, wet Eugene.

Randy Kramer Alumni Update

(Sorry, no photo available)

After Randy graduated from High School he moved to San Jose, CA where he worked as a welder on skyscraper foundations for about 9 years. He also met and married his wife during this time. Soon after his divorce in the early 1980's Randy moved back to the family farm in North Powder where he farmed for seven years. His parents sold the farm and Randy moved into Baker City and opened a repair shop across from Napa Auto Parts. It's a vintage building with the original Driveline Service sign on the building. He has been there for about 7 years.

Randy has three children, Kayla, 22, Matt, 20, and Keith, 13. He says he is old, fat and gray, but then, so are most of the rest of us!

Matt Rockett Update

Been out of school and the area a very long time. I signed up with the Navy in High School on the delayed entry program. I attended EOU for one semester, then went active duty in the Navy in Feb. of 1980. I was stationed aboard an FBM submarine out of Groton, CT when I met my wife, Sandy, who is a native to that ares. In November of 1981 were married and then soon after were transferred out to Washington in the Seattle area where I served on 2 Triden class submarines. We were there for 2 1/2 years and had our first son, Christopher in 1983. In 1984 we were transferred to Orlando, FL for 6 months then back to CT. In 1985 we had our second son, Kyle.

After serving 9 years in the Navy, I smartened up and got out in January of 1988. I went to work as a carpenter for a local contractor and eventually got my own license and started doing jobs on the side. Eventually I became employed at General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, in Groton building submarines, have worked as a weapons and airframe structural designer as well as a contractor for Skorsky designing and engineering repairs to helicopters.

I have had several close calls in my life as well as a life changing experience with brain surgery....they did find one! I wish everyone well and I still consider that part of the country as home even though I have lived in CT for most of the time, pretty most of the time but not the same.

Gareld Smith Update

Let's see, what has happened since high school? I attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho for 1 year. August 15, 1980 I married Stephanie. That year Steph finished school at Ricks and I worked. We moved back to Eastern Oregon in the spring and I went to work for Pepsi where I have worked for 29 years except for year and a half when I worked as a fulltime Fire Fighter for the City of La Grande before being laid off. I then returned to Pepsi where I am a Service Tech. I have been a volunteer fireman for over 25 years.

Steph and I have 3 children, all are grown. Jeremy (28) lives here in La Grande and works as a wild land firefighter in fire season and ski resorts in the winter. Brandon (27) lives in New York State and is married. His wife Monica is expecting their first child in September. He served 5 years in the military with two tours in Iraq. He will be going to school in the fall. Morgan (25) is the youngest. She got her associate degree from BYU Idaho (formerly Ricks College) then graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from EOU last June.

What have I been doing for fun? Mainly hunting and fishing. I have hunted in Utah, Texas, Washington and Africa. Yes, Africa! In 2004 I went on my dream hunt, a 10 day hunt for plains game: Kudu, Gemsbok, Impala, Steinbok, and Blesbok. I am also restoring a 1963f Nova.

I have lost both of my parents. They were six years apart in age. My dad died April 6, 2003 and my mother died April 6, 2009. Exactly 6 years apart...weird.

We are currently working on building a home on Kerns Loop at Lower Cove. The property has been in my family since 1912.