SWCS Classmate Dan Sundquist has passed away

    NORTH SUTTON, New Hampshire - Classmate Dan Sundquist passed away this morning at his lakeside home here.
     He told me in October he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
     His wife Sara told me today he died very peacefully and without any pain.
     Dan and I were friends and track competitors in our years at SWCS. But it was in the last six or seven years that we reconnected, discovering we had led somewhat parallel lives.
     I visited Dan and Sara's New Hampshire home several times. He loved the place but was planning a major move to Wyoming when he discovered the cancer.
    Losing any of our classmates is hard. This one is tragic for me.
     And if I may be permitted to let my professional journalism guard down, I have to admit I am so goddamn tired of writing obituaries for all these good people we went to high school with. I weep for all of them. 
     I know we all have to - in Dan Sunquist's words to me - "cross the Rainbow Bridge" someday. But it doesn't make it a scintilla easier.
   For tonight, rest in peace Dan. And "duerme con los angelitos..." - Sleep with the angels.

Tom Priester honored as USA Track & Field official

   JAMESTOWN - Tom Priester was recently selected the USA Track & Field Niagara Association Official of the Year.
     A big thanks to Class of '66 classmate Dan Beckstrom for calling this to my attention so I could post it.
     Below is the story/caption that appeared in the Jamestown Post-Journal.

FROM THE P-J

     Tom Priester of West Ellicott holds the trophy he was presented upon being selected the USA Track & Field Niagara Association Official of the Year. 
     The honor is in recognition of his dedication, outstanding contributions and positive accomplishment to the Niagara Association. Priester’s responsibilities include officiating

P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

meets from area high schools to international competitions.       
     His officiating prowess has taken him to the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships; the Olympic Trials three times; the USATF Indoor and Outdoor Senior Championships; the USATF Outdoor Junior Championships; the NCAA National Championships for all divisions; the New Balance Nationals for 25 years; and New York state high school meets. In addition, Priester was awarded the Outstanding Service Award for the Niagara Association in 2011 and 2013; and received the National Officials Committee Chair Award in 2016, and the Dick Ferziger Memorial Award for distinguished service to high school track and field in New York. 
     Priester was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Classmate Linda Carlson Larson has passed away

     Over the weekend I received word that our classmate Linda Carlson (who married classmate Steve Larson in 1965) passed away Friday.
     Linda was a neighbor of mine when we were at SWCS. She lived just up the street on Gifford Avenue in Lakewood.
Steve's address is:

Steve Larson

8696 Bergman Drive

Nineveh, IN 46164

     Below is the obituary from the Jamestown Post-Journal:

FROM THE POST-JOURNAL

     Linda M. (Carlson) Larson, 71 of Nineveh, Ind., passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, Ind. 

     She was born Aug. 27, 1948, in New Rochelle, Westchester County, N.Y.

     She married Steven D. Larson on Nov. 13, 1965, in Lakewood, N.Y., he survives. 

     She had worked for the Bartholomew County Clerk Treasurers office in Columbus, Ind., for 14 years.    

     She previously had held various positions in the floral industry. She loved working with flowers and plants, gardening, cooking, traveling, and the music of the Beach Boys. 

     She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She also was past treasurer of the Lakewood Fire Department Auxiliary in Lakewood, N.Y. 

     Survivors include her husband, Steve D. Larson of Nineveh, Ind.; three sons: Scott S. Larson (Courtney) of Indianapolis, Ind., Christopher J. Larson (Dayna) of Hinsdale, Ill., and Jeremy P. Larson (Sara) of Nashville, Ind., eight grandchildren: Erin Lapota (Michael) of Indianapolis, Ind., Courtney Lynn Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Cody Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Katelyn Larson of Indianapolis, Ind., Gabriel Larson of Hinsdale, Ill., Elizabeth “Libby” Larson of Hinsdale, Ill., Tristan Larson of Nashville, Ind., and Foster Larson of Nashville, Ind.; a great-grandson, Clark Lapota of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sisters: Susan Lantz (Dave) of Busti, N.Y., and Janice Wheeler (Howard) of Goose Creek, N.Y. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Harold L. Carlson Jr.

     Father Joseph Moriarty will conduct a service on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, at 11 a.m., at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Ind.

     Friends may call on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, from 6-8 p.m., at the mortuary. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, Ind. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Systems Atrophy Coalition 9935-D Rea Road 2112, Charlotte, NC 28277 or at www.multi plesystematrophy.org/ msa-donation. 

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com. Information 317-738- 0202.

Classmate Jack Nobbs has passed away

   SPOKANE, Washington - SWCS Class of '66 member Jack Nobbs passed away July 9. His obituary from the Jamestown Post Journal is printed below.
     Most of my memories of Jack were from his participation on the SWCS wrestling team where he was a great competitor, often pointed to by Coach Flash Olsen as someone the rest of us should emulate.
     He was one helluva wrestler. And in my memory, a good guy.
     Rest in peace, Jack...

FROM THE POST JOURNAL:

Jack Allen Nobbs was born in Jamestown, N.Y., on March 15, 1948, to Jack and Catherine Nobbs. 

Growing up in Jamestown, Jack attended and graduated from South-western Central High School in 1966. In 1966, Jack enrolled at Edinboro University where he participated in football and wrestling. This is also where he met the love of his life, Linda Mitchell of Finleyville, Pa. Jack and Linda married on Aug. 9, 1969 in Finleyville, Pa. A year later, in 1970, Jack was drafted during the Vietnam War and enlisted into the U.S. Navy. While in the U.S. Navy, Jack attended the Naval Nuclear Power School and was certified to work on nuclear submarines. In 1976, Jack left the U.S. Navy and turned what he had learned into a life long career in nuclear power. 

Jack and Linda had three children: Mark, Laura and Matthew. During much of Jack’s adult life he traveled all over for work, allowing his family to see much of the United States. Jack retired in 2011 from the Hanford Nuclear Site. After retiring Jack was able to spend his free time perfecting his passion, fly fishing, as well as spend as much time as possible with his family and two grandchildren. 

Jack passed peacefully on July 9 surrounded by his wife and children in Spokane, Wash. 

Jack is survived by his wife Linda; children, Mark Nobbs (Caryn), Laura Habersetzer (Josh), Matthew Nobbs; and his two grandchildren, Brynnlee Moore and Ethan Nobbs. Jack is also survived by his five siblings; Frank, Sherry, Bob, Patty and Cathy. 

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made to Now I Lay Me Down Ministry, c/o the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 108 Washington St.. Monroe, Mich. 48161. 

A memorial will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., at Life Tributes in Kennewick, Wash. 

Please leave online condolences at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by Mueller’s Funeral Home, 509-783-9532.

Classmate Melanie Robertson has passed away

   
   The obituary below appeared earlier this week in the Jamestown Post-Journal for SWCS Class of '66 classmate Melanie Robertson.

FROM THE POST-JOURNAL

   Melanie Ruth Reynolds, 71, of Jamestown, entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 20, 2019, at the Garden Gate Health Care Facility in Cheektowaga, N.Y.
   Melanie was married to Norman E. Reynolds on December 18, 1982. In addition to Norm, she is survived by her son, Sean (Courtney) Reynolds, and her grandsons: Ian and Timothy of Tonawanda, N.Y., to whom she was deeply devoted.
   Melanie was lifelong Jamestown resident, born here on Feb. 16, 1948, to the late John W. and Elizabeth Olson Robertson.
   An attendant of Fluvanna Community Church, Melanie enjoyed knitting, reading, crocheting and spending time with her family.    She had a varied employment career, working at Walmart, JoAnn Fabrics and the Adult Day Care Center in Jamestown.
   The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, in the Lind Funeral Home. Friends will be received on Thursday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
   To leave a condolence for Melanie’s family, please visit www.lindfuneral home.com. 

Class of '74 reunion set - all SWCS grads welcome

JAMESTOWN, NY - The SWCS Class of 1974 has made plans for an August reunion at which all SWCS grads are welcome.

The announcement below gives the details...

Classmate Van Swearingen has passed away

   
SHERRILL, NY - Classmate Van Swearingen died Sunday, it was reported in the Jamestown Post-Journal.
   The obituary with full details about his life is at the bottom of this posting.
   I don't remember too much about Van, except that some of us would talk about what it was probably like to have your father as principal of the high school.
   We were sympathetic. At least I hope so.
   Until I looked in the SWCS yearbook today and saw his picture, I didn't remember that his first name was the same as his dad's: Cloise. 
   To most of us, he was always just Van. And he did smile a lot, just like in the photo.

   He was also one busy guy during high school, evidenced by the yearbook entry of his activities. The cropped photo that is tucked under his yearbook list I believe has images of classmates Marianne Jim and Diane Delancy.
   Classmate Jim Nelson had this to say about Van:
"He was a really good guy who I knew quite well during our SWCS days, but, sadly, he really disappeared after high school.  Every now and then, I would try to locate him, but was unsuccessful.  He never came to any of our reunions, so maybe he just didn't want to re-engage with his old classmates.  Being the son of Mr. "Cheese" Swearingen was probably a heavy cross to bear, but he was always cheerful and, as you pointed out, was involved in many activities.  The two things I will alway remember about Van:  We were managers of the varsity b-ball team and spent a lot of hours shooting hoops together during practices.  Secondly, we spent a lot of time playing silly games while swimming at Lakewood Beach.  Van could hold his breath longer than anyone I knew.  The funny things you remember about people..."
   Rest in Peace, Cloise Van Swearingen.

OBITUARY FROM THE POST-JOURNAL

A new novel is out and a road trip being planned

   
   POINT RICHMOND, Calif. - Last month my third novel finally was published, I say finally because it was more than two years in the writing, editing and eventually making it to print. Some of that was my fault, some blame can be attributed to a publisher in New York City.
      But The Devil's Pipeline is out there and I hope some of you pick it up and give it a look-see.
     The pre-publication reviews were all good. I'm waiting for people to start posting their comments on Amazon.com. Perhaps I should say nervously waiting?
     The book has a strong Kent State connection - specifically a connection to the shooting in May of 1970. That horrible incident is probably burned in your brains as firmly as it is into mine. 
     It wasn't until I was done with the book and was writing an author's note prior to publication that I realized I had fled Lakewood/Jamestown August 1970 in part because the toxic political climate where I was working that May became unbearable after the Kent State shootings.
     It was no accident I landed in California in 1970, or that the politics nearly 50 years later still seem a good fit. At least for me.
     But for the last three years I've criss-crossed the country three times, stopping often in small towns, out-of-the way spots and with a lot of touristy places on my itinerary. 
      Actually, to say I ever have a real itinerary is probably a stretch. I have a general idea when I travel but try not to let progress toward destination destroy the journey.
     

Possibly the only photo in existence of me holding a water bottle

The journey this summer, dragging The Red Writer travel trailer again, is planned (ouch, another word I rarely use!) to be a long looping trip across the Southwest, Deep South, then up the Eastern Seaboard into New England. 
     Possibly that will also include a sojourn into Nova Scotia and the Maritime provinces of Canada. Then in late August, after going to (and writing about!) Woodstock 50 in Watkins Glen, the balance of the trip is likely to be up across the Northern U.S. with stops Michigan, the Dakotas, Montana and, well, who knows.
     Somewhere in all these miles I hope to catch up with some of you. 
     Really.  I don't know about you, but I wonder how many of these cross-country jogs I have left in me. Best not to think that way.
     Last summer I had a great visit with Dan Sundquist at his lakeside home in New Hampshire. Then as I was skedaddling back across country I stopped and swapped lies, er tales, with Bud Hooper in Lakewood.
     Unbelievably, I forgot to take photos of us together.
     I'll try to do better this summer.

Stay safe and healthy, classmates.