Ken Pedersen

Thinking back on our time at Montgomery, it seems to me that those years were a sweet spot in many ways. The school was new but not brand new. We were able to see new building added like the girls gym, new classrooms and the quad. With just two public high schools in Santa Rosa, our rivalry with Santa Rosa High was very intense. Our junior year, our football team beat Santa Rosa for the very first time. How sweet was that? Then there was the success of our basketball teams going to the Tournament of Champions, Gridley, and Yreka. The sweet sound of the swish from a basket made by our scoring machine, Bob Butler.

At some point, we had to share our campus, Double Session, with Santa Rosa, while their school was remodeled. Not so sweet.

On a more historical level, our high school years marked the end of an era, beginning with Kennedy's assassination during our senior year. Who would have guessed what was ahead: more assassinations, Berkley demonstrations, the SLA & Nancy Ling, race riots, Vietnam. Yikes, I am getting depressed just making this list. On the plus side, we got the Beatles!

Ken Pedersen

Dale Decrevel (Ruffcorn)

I have often wondered what happened to some of our teachers. When I was preparing to leave Santa Rosa for the Navy in September 1964 - the big forest fires were still raging - and before I left, I read an article in the paper about how Miss Parish had lost her home. She lived out in the Wallace-Riebli Road area. Her mother was living with her and both escaped the fire. The link below has more details. What it doesn't say is that Miss Parish had spent her summers for many years traveling around the world, collecting treasures, and going on archeological digs. All of those treasures were lost in the fire. The memory of what she went through has stayed with me all these years. Here is her obituary. She was quite a woman!!

Miss Parish Obituary

Elizabeth Campbell (Chapman)

Thank you Dale for sharing the information about Miss Parish. I remember her standing in front of the class on one leg as she did so often. I learned to love literature because of her. It was interesting to learn more about who she was as a person.

Dale Decrevel (Ruffcorn)

To the Reunion Committee - thanks for all the efforts and for the welcome greetings. The website is doing a great job of bridging 50 years. Thanks!

Mary Richutti (Varela)

Does anyone know what happened to Mr. Chapin?  (the crafts teacher)  Alway was one of my favorite teachers.

Judy Chance (Hope)

I learned so much from Mr. Chapin. Such a cool dude, too. Also loved Mr. Smith's art classes. Gave me direction and confidence. 

Patricia Matis (Wolfe/Perez)

So looking forward to Grad Night.  Looking to connect with old friends.  So many of the peope I ran around with are either in the Memory section or the Missing Classmates.  Will enjoy talking with the grads that will be attending.

Gloria Speicher

perusing the web for who know what reason (now what did I come into this room to get????) and found this website on growing up in Santa Rosa in the 60s and 70s.  I didn't recognize many of the names but there are some great elementary class photos later in the site.  So if you are interested... https://www.facebook.com/groups/57152816568/

gloria speicher (be nice to see all of you who are attending. and would have been wonderful to see all of you who are not attending)

Diane Shelton (O'Neal)

Wow...that was like almost a complete walk thru memory lane of high school Ken!!!  I do remember when we won the football game some rowdy people (I wouldn't have any idea who they might have been) actually took down the goal posts which of course we had to figure out a way to pay for the damage!

I remember a very sad occasion and that was Curly Gray's funeral that was held at the school.  I had never been to any funerals before and when we walked out, the football players in their block sweaters lined the exit to the door, to me (I'm short) these guys were nine feet tall and all in tears...if I forget everything else, I will probably always retain that snapshot in my head.

Ken Pedersen

OK Diane, I will own being part of the rowdy gang. I remember a bunch of us carrying part of the goal post down the sidewalk on Mendocino Avenue. I was holding on to one end of the post and trying to keep it from going through the windshield of the cars parked along the street. What  I don't remember, is what we eventually did with the goal post.

Thank you for adding the memory about Curly Gray. I seemed like one minute he was hobbling down the halls with his leg in a cast making everyone in his wake smile and the next moment he was gone.

Gary Searby

Thanks for a trip down high school memory lane!

Dale Decrevel (Ruffcorn)

Is there a statute of limitations (to be charged with) TP-ing your cross-town rival’s campus? I don’t remember who my fellow cohorts were … but for me it was pretty radical, but definitely exhilarating!

Monica Wolf (Marvin)

Dale,

They got even with us.  The morning of senior bike ride before the big game, our viking ship was surreptitiously planted in front of my house, painted orange and black.  I do not remember how it was removed from this location.  As I recall, it was re-painted before the game. I also remember that some folks from our class attempted to place a graveyard on SRHS  lawn with varsity members' names on the headstones. The rivalry was intense.

Dan Swannon

I tell people that when I grew up in SR that we only had two high schools and now they probably have 20. I remember that trip to the TOC well.

Vickie Flieger (Settle)

What fun! To add to the memories you have described, I remember that a bunch of us girls rented a motel room on Mendocino Avenue, (it's still there just north of the JC, with a Taco Bell next to it now) , anyway, we rented 2 rooms I think & stayed there & then, I think, the next morning we rode our bikes to court house square for a rally & then to school on our bikes. It must have been our senior year before the big game with SRHS. I don't remember all the details now so somebody needs to confirm this. I just remember that I was the one, with 1 other person I don't remember who, went to the motel office to rent the rooms!! Was nervous & amazed that it worked! Guess I looked like an old lady even then! What's amazing is how outrageous that seemed then & how tame it really was.

Jill Atkins (Francis)

How fun to read all the comments, and what a host of memories are coming back to me!!

I would like to add to Dale's thank you to the reunion committee.  What an amazing job you have done.  Bravo!

Can't wait for tomorrow night!

Diane Shelton (O'Neal)

Well, late to the thank you party but I want to add my thanks to everyone else's for the hard work the committee has put in on this website and the reunion itself...I have sort of bobbed in and out and have been amazed at the memories some of you have....I find some days I need to check my driver license to make sure of my name...Hope to see you all tomorrow.. (and praying that the name tags have very large print....)

Tim McKusick

I ran into Terry Cronquist today at a crossroads in West County....He has no computer currently but his number is 707-591-5175...He is thinking about Grad Night...I think he needs some encouragement.

Gary Pozzi ((Sid Page))

Well, kiddos, looks like we're down to the real deal now.  What a journey it's already been absorbing the memories, reflections, and insights shared by the never to be repeated class of 1964. I've already gone through a box of Kleenex and I haven't even seen anyone yet! I want to add my deepest appreciation to my oldest and most endearing friend, Gary Searby and the entire reunion team for their exhaustive effort in organizing this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've got a flight in six hours...wish I could get some sleep!

Mike Prather

Can't thank the Reunion Committee and their supporters, of course, for the tireless work. A labor of love brothers and sisters and I can't wait to see everyone. May the forest be with you.

Tim McKusick

Gary and the entire reunion crew are a god-send in marking this historical milestone....(Sounds like a Highway Marker on HWY 12) a reality...And thanks to the classmates who worked so hard to gather old and older photos...They are priceless....

Thought: With the days, weeks and years sprinting by, perhaps we could try to do this again soon, maybe take it on the road to Montana? Hear that John Keegan? You are not safe!

Richard Freitas

As we draw closer to whatever is in the future for each of us, perhaps we should consider doing this reunion thing in five years from now instead of ten.  Just a thought.  Again, I am sorry I am unable to attend the event but I will be there in spirit, anyway; I have truly enjoyed reading all of the comments you have posted.  I hope all of you have a great time.

Monica Wolf (Marvin)

Amen to all.

Barbara Graham (Henderson)

I, too, want to say thank you to all who have been working so hard on this reunion. I am looking forward to seeing everyone. Diane, I also hope the print is large on the name tags!

Vickie Flieger (Settle)

Double amen to all. I second the motion that we do this sooner than 10 years from now. Name tags

will have to be written on 9x12 poster board! See you all reeaalll soon!!