Glenn James Schoenmakers

Robert Pevonik, loved that guy had 2 days of class by him. The first day of class, he said he didn't believe in grades, so at the end we could write our grade in. The second class I had was the last day, to write my grade in. Outside of that I never attended any class taught by RP. I got a B.

I know a lot is written about a number of inequities within our society. I just was hoping we could have changed some instead of letting their presence become even larger and their influence more far reaching. I guess the drugs at that time kept me optomisic not realistic. Although I still believe in speaking out when something is not right. That obviously limited my career at Boeing. I continued to grow as a human being, just not as comfortable.

G

Debbie Kashino

We are so lucky to have this forum.  It's better than a class reunion!  I am learning so much about our classmates.

Keep the comments coming!

Jim Eastwood

Hi all,

Your are right John.  It was Kieth's 58 chev.  The parties were usually only 2 people and I never got to be invited.

Jim

Erik Kimple

Mr Pevonik opened my eyes to life, he was very open about his life and emotions. His son was dying of cancer, he said it just started as a limp when he was running, but spread rapidly. He said one Dr. was so cold he told him, ' you can alwasy have another son'. Mr Pevonik said he wanted to bring Bruce Lee to the hospital to 'take out' that Dr. When his son died he shared the last moment, he said his son was in a coma, but woke up and said, "I love you daddy", then died. For a young man like me who never experienced death, it was an eye opener. 

Glenn James Schoenmakers

I like your remembrance of RP, Erik. It's a remembrance that spans the years because of its impact, also very sad.

Cars, well there was always Dave E, 67/68 chevelle SS, remember Wayne Dawson in his 57 ford. Was speeding in the twisty roads outside Franklin and crunched a fender. The Bingham brothers - Larry with a fastback mustang and Gary with the mustang coupe. Funny, now I just want a reliable, comfortable car to get from A to B.

G

Connie Messmer (Hennessy)

Who was the male biology teacher who was kind of short (in comparision to Marty Hill) who was very popular along with Mr. Pevonak, Mr Meastas and Miss Love (the spanish teacher)?

My recollection of Mr. Ralph (and his sidekick vice principal) were totally out of touch and more interested in the foreign exchange program.  What a pair those two made!

Janice Lynn Ferrera

that was Mr. Iverson, right?  he ended up marrying one of his students!!

Erik Kimple

Anyone have any Gary Locke stories? I went to grade school, Beacon Hill, jr high, Asa Mercer and of course High School with him. I knew him best in grade school and used to pal around with him. One day I was at his house and his mother confronted him about a bad grade. She railed him in front of me and at the end she said " this is what happen when you hang around with stupid boys" meaning me of course.  But she was really a nice lady, with a great laugh, just mad about his poor grade.  

Glenn James Schoenmakers

The memories of racial turmoil during our younger days is sad. The hate was on all sides, depending what part of town you were in. Although what's even sadder? Most of those feelings still smolder. I finally realized that during the course of one's life, we can expect to run into prejudice against us for one thing or another. I have experienced it and I believe everyone else has in some form. I think it's just human nature. While we are hashing over great times, our social structure was separated into many peer groups, Soc's(elite), studious (shy/quiet), druggies/pre-hippies(troublemakers or slackers), jocks(sports venue), cool ones(the one's everyone wanted to hang with). Or there was money(nice clothes), no money(poor/well worn clothes), one's with cars, others who walked, the weak(who could not defend themselves), the tough(who could and some looked for it). Much of our society is still segregated into the groups previously mentioned. But we are all part of the 99%, and we always will be. So if we are to learn one thing today, let's learn that we are all human beings. As such none of us are perfect (pretty dull world if we were), but let's at least try and put ourselves in the others shoes when we have issues to resolve. Just like the planes Ric & John built, in 10, 20,30, 40 years from now we will be somewhere else. Let's just try and leave this place a little kinder, more beautiful place than we found it.

After all, what if they gave a war and no one showed up? Not a saying I lay claim to, just don't remember who said it. Imagine.......

Story of Gary Locke? He married into a family friend who we remain friends with to this day. Remember what Ralph Hayes stated. Now Gary is a likeable man and a good family man. He is also a politician. Remember when Gary was govenor the populace voted NO for a baseball stadium. Gary declared it a state emergency to build one. The stadium was built. The populace again voted to build it in the valley between Seattle and Tacoma giving greater access to a larger segment of the population. The stadium was built where it stands today. Lots of freeways to nowhere, now had a place to go. Not Gary's fault, just part of his job.

Cars, hell today I cannot afford the ones I have owned. Had a 1948 Allard (12 in that body style) sold at the Carmel/Monterey Concourse for $158000.00, the exact one I owned. So when we think of the cars, a little tear sheds for the cheap gas, big motors and the late night empty highways. Great times with great people - who knew we would get this far?

Glenn

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Mr. McGrath was a wonderful biology teacher and a very nice man.  He had a gorgeous tenor voice and often sang with the Seattle Opera -- my dad was in the chorus there and always had fun with "Mr. McGrath."   Here's a nice obit  from 2007 with a great picture:  http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2003560252_mcgrathobit07m.html

Glenn James Schoenmakers

John, I bought microsoft at $28.00 a share. While it didn't make me a millionaire, it showed me how it could. I just didn't like the trade offs.

I was trying to remember the biology teachers name. McGrath was a great teacher. We followed a hamburger through our system and it was interesting while learning how our body functions.

Glenn

Martin N Hill

I knew Gary Lock from our Boy Scout days when he was part of troop 254 and I was in 205.  Then later at Franklin when I played basketball and Gary was an aspiring photographer.  He took a lot of my pictures and did my "Cantebury Tales" photos as well. The last time I saw Gary was at our 30 year reunion.  He was governor and so the press showed up.  Gary invited us all to the Govenor's Mansion the following summer.  I was in the Army at the time and was so disappointed because I couldn't make it. 

-Marty Hill

Erik Kimple

I read about the 'send off' the Chinese press gave to Gary, calling him a banana ( yellow on the outside but white on the inside) I really felt bad for our brother Quaker though Im sure Gary is tough enough to handle it.  In a way it was a questionable appointment by Obama, it seemed to make sense, his parents were from China and he speaks Chinese but he was in a no win situation, he acted on behalf of his country so to the Chinese he was a traitor to his race, if he had acted to cozy with the Chinese he would have been condemned by the republicans. I'm proud of his accomplishments on behalf of our country. 

John Hein

Forgive me Glen, but the Allard brings back some fond memories. Correct me if I'm wrong, but "Big Al" had a flathead V8, and much of the running gear was FoMoCo. The Allard had me thinking I should find a mid-fifties Jag roadster and put a mild-mannered Chevy straight 6 in it so it would be easy to find parts for and ya wouldn't have all the problems that Jag running gear was known for. I did get a Chevy straight 6, but it had a '62 Impala wrapped around the running gear. A year or so later, Larry Bingham bought that '62 Impala from me and drove it for a coupla years. I bought a Porsche 356c, and that was a big mistake, to say the least. I shoulda just kept the Impaler.........nuff said.

Glenn James Schoenmakers

John, the memories are not as painful depending upon how you look at it. The Microsoft shares kept splitting and splitting. I sold and made a large profit. I look at it like this, it was my first time into the stockmarket and I made money, could've have been more, but also could have been less. I learned that you have to establish a level in which you are happy(not too greedy) and a sell price when going down(to cut your losses). My first time and I did well. After that I only used my 401K and was satisfied of its growth. Unless you just buy and can afford to let them sit in the closet so to speak.

The car, well back then I couldn't afford 56 & 57 fords or chevs, although I really wanted those types of cars. I found I could afford Triumphs, MGs and Jaguars (although I had to learn how to fix them). I was able to buy the Allard, it was a ford flathead (which I really souped up 300hp) only 12 in a similar body style were built. Underneath the Allard was mostly Ford. They raced them at Indy with Cad engines.The Allard car company made very few cars. All of the southend police knew me as the guy with weird cars on Ferdinand St. I can't afford any of those cars today, but in my youth I owned them, drove them and enjoyed each and every one of them. I also sold each one for more than I paid for them. The Allard I owned 10 years, drove it for 3 or 4 yrs. then I rebuilt it from the ground up. I sold it to bring my first wife to the US from Singapore. We were married 18 yrs. Eventually we went our separate ways. I have regretted some of my decisions in life but all of the above were the right things to do at the time and I don't regret any of those decisions. Later in life I learned that the things that really matter cannot be bought, I guess that sounds kinda corny, but I believe it. I had art classes with Frank F. throughout my years at Franklin. A really good teacher. You know in reading all of the posts, we were fortunate to have such good teachers in subjects acroos the board. I also took classes from Mark Tobey (another opportunity passed as his painting now sell for tens of thousand or more). Any way I have painted all of my life, after my divorce I began painting again, and paint to this day. Each day I am putting one on my Facebook page with an explanation of its meaning. I've rambled enough John but like many others, I enjoy the forum.

Glenn

Connie Messmer (Hennessy)

John, per your request, I researched the life status of Dan Rosumny and found the following:

Daniel Lee Rosumny was born on August 25, 1948 and died October 31, 2013.  He was interred at Tahoma National Cemetery Kent, WA.

Aforementioned vital stats confirmed by Washington State Digital Archives and Social Security Death Index.

Connie

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Erik, I'm sure you're correct in saying that Gary was tough enough to endure any slur from anyone. Because of our experiences in growing up under such diverse surroundings I think most if not all of us are able to shrug off hurtful statements. We know who we are, what were made of and repect each other for those attributes. I believe we have all been called names at one time or another, eventually we learn to accept ourselves and others around us. Probably the nicest slur I experienced was "shoemaker", others were not so nice but as you can surmise from my Posts, I don't need anyone tellng me what I am, I already know.

Glenn 

Glenn James Schoenmakers

A very astute classmate reminded me that a lot of our feelings back then were idealistic. I have to agree, but ideals that we forge within ourselves can be thought of as nonconformist. We think for ourselves and if it is in line with others, all the better. Most of that thinking has gone into hibernation. I like to slap it awake sometimes and speak my mind. Banks, stores, walmarts, I haven't been jailed yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I like that movie (Network?) where a man sticks his head out the window and shouts "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore".

I remember as a kid, before large grocers, our family would go to the Pike Place Market and do our major grocery shopping. We would have lunch at one of several restaraunts. Parked in Diamonds Parking lot.  Milk & butter was delivered to your house. Downtown my mom would by her shoes at Nordstroms when it was just a shoe store. There were theaters, Colonial (balcony), Embassy (3 monster movies on Sat), Garden (X rated - XXX hadn't been invented yet), Green Parrot (ran 3 shows 24/7, thats where the hobos would go to sleep and drink wine), Paramount and the Colosium. And they were beatiful & opulent inside, remember loge seats ? The Eagles auditorium - great rock shows - went every week. Came about in our senior year. Prior to that it was a black venue. Also went to those but it could be difficult being one of a few white people. First Ave. had all the pawn shops, with the skull rings and switchblades. Used to go to town with friends on Sat., bring a coat hanger and open up the back doors to theaters in the alleys. I knew every store's back door. The "Red Light" district was in Chinatown (now the International District) till I was in high school. Had to traverse through there when I was a legal messenger. Then police pushed it out only to have it resurface on Pike St. We were transitioning from B & W TVs to color. More shows on as well. Large grocers came about and shopping could be done closer to home. Later the Malls would come where farmland used to be and downtown now had competition. Our cars were becoming bigger (til the late 70"s), faster & more comfortable. Vietnam war was now on TV, Integration was becoming more pronounced and accepted, if not, then our new laws would enforce constitutional rights and politics became a little (not a lot) more transparent. We had segregation, but not as ingrained as the South, the coasts tended to be more diverse.Segregation was not just a black and white issue. Segregation exists across all nationality barriers. We grew up in turbulent times and it made us better citizens. News traveled faster and the world became smaller. But maybe technology has taken away the human touch, the human spirit. Anybody still idealistic ? Tell us a story of how you overcame the new obstacles.

Glenn

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Sorry, I couldn't stand the quiet. So I'll tell one of my stories. When I grew up my father used to tell us how to develop a good character, that would be useful later in life. One of my father's saying was "If you know it to be true in your heart, follow it. Even if the world disagrees, your friends or your mother and father. Follow your heart." Well I put that to the test when I was drafted by the US Army. I refused to go. It was my choice, and I felt everyone had to make their own decision. There is no right or wrong across the board. Just what you feel is right for you. Well, my father served in WW II along with his brothers. Some did not return. My father said to me, "I disagree with you 100%. I will support your decision 100%." That day my father grew 10 feet tall in my eyes and I became a man. A man who followed his beliefs, despite what the consequences could be. From that moment on, I listened to others but made my own decisions and accepted their consequences.

That's one story. I've got more but I would really like to hear from my classmates. One mentioned when racial tension was flaring, how people looked at her with hatred as she was going to the Beanery for lunch. How she felt and what she thought of herself and the ones who looked upon her with hatred.

Glenn

John Hein

You're right Glenn, it did get quiet in here again. And I agree with the other classmates who have blurry memories of our school daze; it was simply so many years ago that sometimes you just can't be sure how something happened, or didn't.

I was lucky enuff to have Uncle Sam act of his own volition when it came time. I thot I was all grown up by the time we got outta Franklin, but in retrospect, I hadn't a clue. I pondered the consequences of going into the armed forces, and also pondered some other options. Long-story-short, I did all the preliminary procedures to enter the armed forces, and in the process I had an allergy test done. I'd submitted the results of the allergy test and medical records documenting the asthma that plagued me for years. On Valentine's Day, 1969, I received a draft card with the classification 4F. That pretty much meant if Uncle Sam needed me, it was already too late. I don't think I could've gotten enlisted if I'd tried. Problem was, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I wasn't doing that well in college, had no idea what to major in, and otherwise felt like John Lennon's Nowhere Man. Like I said, thot I was all grown up but didn't have a clue. So I guess I got off easy as far as going off to war was concerned, so no complaints about that, eh what? I developed alotta interests over the years, but nothing that really jumped out at me and became a passion. That's my story, and I'm stuck with it. 

I truly wish we could figure out a way to stop killing each other. But over many millennia it seems what we've done is continuously refine ways to do exactly that. That's always bothered me. We call ourselves Homo Sapiens (sapient: having or showing great wisdom or sound judgment), but if we're so wise, we should be able to find a way to disagree without picking up arms and committing atrocities. As Rodney King asked: "Can't we all get along?" I wonder.......I wonder.......

Happy Halloween to all, JRH 

Martin N Hill

I found Glen and John's stories about their experiences with the military draft very interesting.  Back in those days you could get out of the service by going to college on a '2S' deferment, which I did.  Two years later, like a lot of things, that deferment was found to be "unconstitutional".  I was attending the University of Oregon but fortunately, I never got around to changing my address with the draft board.  In my senior year I got my letter from the Seattle draft board for a test and physical.  I told my track coach, Bill Bowerman, about my concerns.  He told me not to worry, that if drafted, I would probably play basketball, run track or play in the band.  I was not amused.  When I got to the draft board it was comical.  

To make a long story short, I failed the physical (flat feet).  There I was, in my letterman's jacket, a 7-foot high jumper, failing a physical.  As it turns out, of the country's 72 induction centers, Seattle was number one in disallowing inductees for the flimsiest of excuses.  Eugene, Oregon's board rarely disqualified anybody.

That was 1972.  Ironically, in '84, out of work with three kids and a wife to feed, I tried out for the national. Guard.  Passed the physical with flying colors.  It led to full time Army and that's where I stayed for the next 21 years.  

On another note, I nearly bought the farm last Christmas and a few of you made thoughtful comments on the event. If anyone is interested, you can read about it at:  http://umm.edu/programs/heart/health/success-stories/Martin-hill.

Marty

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Great stories guys ! That's what I'm talking about - not just the memories of how it was back then but how those memories shaped our lives. How they helped forge our character. We may not have been the astronaut who landed on the moon, but we probably are the person who said "thank-you" and meant it, or the one who gave his seat on the bus to a senior citizen, or maybe the one who heard a cruel derogatory remark and said "enough of that talk". I think those memories are great, and I think that the events during that time, have made some great people. Thanks for sharing!!!

Glenn 

Barry Meyers

Marty,

What a pleasure to read your note. In doing so I can envision your face - well at least the one from high school. So UO late 60's and early 70's? You must have been teammates with Steve Prefontaine and Phil Knight. Did you also have a pair of Bowerman's shoes where the soles were molded on his wife's waffle iron? That specific kitchen appliance was rescued about 2 years ago by a family member from a junk pile on his old farm. It's now in a museum.

So where does all this minutiea come from? My wife, LInda, and I relocated to Eugene from Hawaii in 1998 (And as such, we have become Duck fans, even though I'm a Rainbow Warrior.) Wow, what a run that was living in the Pacific for 18 years! And you know what - the run now is even better. It is because of the culmination of life experiences, and what we make of them.) This leads me to 2 subjects, regarding posts to this blog,  that have been ruminating in the back of my mind. So here goes:

1) Subject 1: We had a tremendous opportunity at Franklin, and the surrounding area, to grow up in a rich rewarding racially diverse environment. As well, I learned form my folks that white, black, yellow, green, Jewish, Muslim, Christian ...., we are all the same. So you can probably tell I was very shocked when enrolling at the University of Hawaii in 1984 (finally going back to school after dropping out of Franklin on the 2nd day of Senior year), the Assistant Registrar (of Japanese descent) flat out said to me in the vain of, "You're just another Hoale white man who wants to come here and pollute our state. I will do everything I can to prevent you from attending the University of Hawaii." Wow! Slap in the face. This was the first time in my life I had discrimination directed at me. Nevertheless I made it in, and the education was very rewarding.

On a related point, while attending this year's UO TEDx conference, I became aware of Oregon's KKK and racial discrimination history (See Whitelandia: http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/local-filmmakers-explore-oregons-racially-exclusive-history-in-whitelandia/). What a shock it was to learn of the KKK politically sponsored governorship! This was as much of a surprise as the UH experience. Marty, you must have felt this during your time in Oregon. Although I can never say I walked in your shoes, my guess is the environment was very different than back home in Seattle.

2) Subject 2: This pertains to the railings against the political/economic machine, from a couple of weeks ago in this blog. Please, make peace with it. Use the lessons that have been afforded to each of us in our lives, and make the differences where we can. Tremendous opportunity was provided to us as a result of the life changing times in which we became adults. We as individuals need not change the world, but rather contribute to the larger sense over time to make that difference. After all, only a very few are Ghandi, King or Kennedy. Through the course of history there has always been the politically and economically hungry, and there always will be. So, let's ask ourselves, "What can we do within this structure to foster the wisdom and love we have been so fortunate to compile during our short lives." Let's not waste it commiserating and becoming grouchy old people.

Namaste, Barry

Glenn James Schoenmakers

Barry, on item #2. Some of those rants against the political/economic structure, were probably some of mine. People across the globe are politically or economically deprived. Yes, they may always exist. But we should not make peace with a unequietable structure. We should recognize it for what it is and try and change it where possible. We all cannot be a beacon for peace or equality. But Ghandi, Malcom X, King, JFK, RFK or many others came from our population of human beings who recognized the political and economic discrimination and did bring about some change. They made peace with what they couldn't change. They fought for what they could change. We should strive to do the same. When everyone remains silent, then we all will suffer. I agree with accepting what we cannot change, but we should not remain silent for what we can change. Remember those individuals were only the match to the fire that brought about change. They did not do it by themselves. They did it with a large population wanting that change. And this works both ways, as Hitler did not do it by himself either. What would have happened by remaining silent? What about Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Sudan and many others in similar situations? We were silent and seem to remain so even though a genocide takes place during our life time. I do not think we should be so complacent. As I have said before, that is my position, everyone is entitled to theirs. I guess if that makes us grouchy old people, if there is an injustice, grouchy people don't take it remaining silent.

Peace

Glenn

Martin N Hill

Barry,

Yes, Steve Prefontaine was a teammate.  He was a year behind me while Phil Knight graduated in either '67 or '68, before my time.  Prefontaine was a big reason we took the national championship in 1970. (That team was inducted into the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame three years ago.) Bill Bowerman had sent me a couple pairs of shoes from that old waffle iron while I was still at Franklin.  The first pair was designed for a distance runner and I said as much in a letter.  Surprisingly, I got another pair more suitable for what I did.  It worked, I won a few meets with those shoes.

It's interesting you mentioned the KKK.  I based my decision to attend Oregon on a series of articles in Sports Illustrated entitled "The Five Parts of the Black Athlete", that ran in early 1968.  Basically, the articles exposed those universities notorious for bringing in blacks, keeping them eligible for four years and then dropped them, no degree, no prospects.

Some of the schools I can remember were, University of Washington, San Jose State, the University of Texas at  El Paso and others.  Of my scholarship offers, Oregon was not mentioned in any of those damaging articles.  On top of that, it had a strong journalism school. That's how I became a life long Duck.

When I got there I was amazed to learn Oregon's history.  Apparently Oregon had no use for blacks.  We weren't allowed in the state until 1912.  Before that, blacks were given 12 lashes a day until they left the state.  (That from a lawyer speaking to our track team before the season started.)

Oregon was the KKK Capitol of the Northwest in 1923 and Klamath Falls was the KKK capital of Oregon. I was invited to K Falls for Thanksgiving in my freshman year.  My frat brothers took me to a dance and we had a good time.  We had picked up some girls at the dance and went to Denny's for breakfast. While eating, I noticed people looking our way.  Being a 6'8" black guy in a 5'10" white world, I got stares every day. Near the end of the meal a man who had been looking my way came over and said he didn't know my name but this bullet has your name on it.  He set a 22 caliber bullet on the table and walked away.  This upset the young lady with me and my frat brothers as well. We took the girls home without incident.  I still have that bullet somewhere.

I have always been a bit of an odd duck (pun intended).  The only racial problems I had at Oregon came from other blacks. During my freshman year, President Nixon came up with a program to bring ghetto kids to college.

In Portland, Oregon the effort was called project seventy-five.  $75-thousand dollars to black youths to attend Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State and other state schools.  The big problem was, these kids simply we're not ready for college.  Basic skills were nonexistent.  My run-ins with other blacks stemmed from my non-participation in black activities.  I attended a couple of Black Student Union meetings.  In my estimation they were a waste of time.  There was lots of rhetoric but no action or substance.  The fact I joined a white fraternity (Phi Kappa Psi) didn't help my cause.  (There are no black fraternities west of the Mississippi).  I was labeled an Uncle Tom and some other names too numerous for this blog.  

My days of being at odds with my black brothers lasted one semester.  When we got back from Christmas break, the vast majority of the project seventy-five kids had flunked out, never to return.

Marty