June 18, 2021

Chuck Hansen is a '57 graduate of Hoover, and knew the late Calina Estrada '59 at Wilson Junior High.  He went on to become a photographer in the Navy, and took a bunch of photos of Calina's Celebration of Life last Saturday on Vacation Isle.  Click HERE to see his work.

It's been a slow week, so we're taking another look at a photo of the Horace Mann band taken around 1961.  Click HERE for an enlargement with comments.

And another look at some color shots of motels and llamas on El Cajon Blvd.  Click HERE for a look back.

Click HERE to check out the Senior Issue of the Pacer from June 11, 1971 -- that's 50 years ago.

John William "Bill" McCreery '67 passed away February 10, 2021 after a long illness.  After high school, Bill attended Mesa College, eventually graduating from San Diego State.  He was a long-time regional manager with FedMart Corporation, then went on to General Dynamics from which he retired as the manager of the Tomahawk missile finalization program.  For the last fifteen years, he lived in Havre de Grace, Maryland with his wife Robin Spencer McCreery.  In addition to Robin, he is survived by four children, four grand children, three great-grand children and his “just out of high school” first wife, Jeri Maracin McCreery O’Keefe ’68

 

June 11, 2021

 

Here's a Bizarro cartoon from earlier this week

The various apps on my iPad need to be updated on a regular basis, and that's a good thing.  I always cackle when -- and it happened again this week -- the calculator needs refreshing.  What?  2 + 2 doesn't equal 4 anymore? 

Every thing old is new again.  The Padres are playing way too late for me to sit in front of the TV, so I listen to Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn, Jr. announce the later innings in bed with my iPhone 8 under the pillow.  Kind of like 65 years ago when I listened to Al Schuss report on the Pacific Coast League Padres.  My mother was always afraid I was going to strangle on the ear phone cords.  

Click HERE to read the KDEO Top 40 list from the first week of June 1961 -- 60 years ago.

Click HERE to take a look at all 8 pages of the 1966 Senior Edition of the Pacer.  Gosh, that would be 55 years ago!

My brother Gary Hill ’61 passed away in Marble Falls Texas on June 6, 2021.  After graduating from Crawford my brother went to work as a carpet and hard surface installer.  He worked in that trade for ten years, then began doing home remodeling jobs.  Following five years of home remodeling in San Diego, he moved his family to his wive’s birthplace in Marble Falls Texas and set up business there.  He retired in 2018 and is survived by his three -- children, Susan, Tommy, and Lori.   I will miss him -- Terry Hill ’60

A message from the Crawford Foundation said that Donna Bratton Henricks '63 died on May 22, 2021.  That's all I got.

June 4, 2021

A group has formed with the express interest, as I understand it, of helping support athletics at Crawford.   All is explained on their web site.  Click HERE to check it out and lend support.

There's talk of the Class of '62 joining '60 and '61 for their October Reunion -- and Denny Aiken wants in.  As good a time as any to revisit a very early posting of Denny inspecting Joel Zane's new paint job.  Click HERE to take a look.

Oh, boy -- it's the 6-page Graduation Issue for the Class of '61.  Click HERE to check it out.

I attended the funeral on May 26, 2021 for Doug Griggs '75 at Miramar National cemetery.  "Little Dougie Griggs" played little league baseball in the Andrew Jackson Little League and was a member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.  He was a Cree hoop dancer.  I remember walking to school at Andrew Jackson with him and his two older brothers Danny and David.  He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in West Germany, going eyeball to eyeball with the Warsaw Pact countries.  While on leave in Italy he met his soulmate and the love of his life Gunilla who was from Sweden.  After the Army, Doug worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for the City of San Diego, performing maintenance and repairs on fire trucks and other heavy equipment.  He was a car enthusiast and had a beautiful yellow 1938 Chevy coupe that he had torn down and rebuilt from the ground up.  Doug is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nilla, his daughter Janice, his son Eric, and two beautiful grand daughters.  He was laid to rest with full military honors. I will miss him -- George V. Glover ’73  (Doug did not have a photo in the '75 Centaur)

May 28, 2021

 

Here's an aerial of Crawford taken September 30, 1957 -- the first week it was open.  Click HERE to see it enlarged, plus two bonus aerial photos.  

The May 25, 1961 Pacer -- sixty years old -- is filled with news about folks from the Class of '62.  Click HERE to check it out.

Pat Edwards gets front page ink in the May 26, 1966 Pacer -- and he's the one who loaned us issues to post on the web site.  Click HERE to read the paper.

Don Edic ‘59 passed away May 17, 2021 after a battle with cancer.  He was my next door neighbor and close friend beginning when we were eleven years old.  He was a member of Crawford’s first cheerleading team.  He became an ordained minister and traveled the world with ESL Ministries teaching English literacy.  He was an accomplished oil painting artist in his later years and many of his works can be seen on his Facebook page.  I will greatly miss him -- Claudia Messerli Baker ’59

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 2:00 pm.  An in-person service will be hosted by Christ Presbyterian Church Rancho La Costa, 7807 Centella St., Carlsbad, CA. Guests may join virtually as well at https://christ-pres.church/

May 21, 2021

 

Class of '66 Vietnam Veterans Dan Burton, Mark Mellinger and Gary Crossland got together recently for lunch at Cass Street Bar & Grill in Pacific Beach.  I'm not sure what's in the bags.

Here's a 1967 color shot of Morena Boulevard, where it branches off to Linda Vista Rd.  It's a lovely billboard to be sure, but if you look carefully you'll spot a Kinney's Shoes, gasoline for 28 cents a gallon, Presidio Nursery -- and an Oscar's Drive-In.  Click HERE to see the enlarged view.

I'm sharing this photo of the Stardust Motor Hotel parking lot mostly because of the cars.  I can't decide if the car on the left is silver or Ice Blue, but -- as I comment inside -- you could smuggle a whole bunch of kids into the Ace Drive-In by the looks of that trunk.  Click HERE for the bigger view.

I think Claudia Messerli Baker '59 has some 'splaining to do.  This was her entry in the 1959 San Diego City School Quest magazine loaned by Sharon Culver Considine '60.  Click HERE to peruse all 49 pages.

Crawford's fourth consecutive CIF Swimming Title captured the headline on the Sports Page of the May 21, 1971 Pacer.  Click HERE to read the rest of the school paper published 50 years ago.

Carolina “Calina” Estrada Eckert ’59 passed away May 5th, at the age of 79, following a massive stroke while vacationing in Palm Springs.  Calina was born in Calexico, California, the only daughter of Gustavo and Leonila Estrada.  She was a member of Crawford’s first graduating class.  She helped coordinate numerous Class of ’59 reunions, staying close with many wonderful classmates.  In 1976 Navy Lt. Bill Eckert asked Carolina for a dance at the Admiral KIdd Club and a romance began, culminating in a military wedding in August 1977 and 43 wonderful married years thereafter, with enjoyable trips to many parts of the world.  Carolina was very proud of her Mexican heritage and maintained close relationships with family members in Mexicali, Tijuana, Los Angeles and New York City.  She shared many fun times with her San Diego girls’ sorority, the Iota Pi’s.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 12, 2021 in the southernmost section of Paradise Point called Vacation Isle Park, on Hibiscus Lane, from noon to 3 PM.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Carolinas life.  Lin lieu of flowers, please send donations to https://www.stjude.org/ Carolina’s favorite charity.

Ron Newport ’62 passed away May 10, 2021.  He was born in Nevada, Missouri and moved to San Diego in 1948 with his brother Larry and sister Linda.  Ron quickly adopted the Southern California lifestyle.  He received his education at San Diego State University.  As a youth, Ron became interested in the environment. Two of his interests were forestry and firefighting.  In 1963 Ron was hired by the California Division of Forestry. His initial assignment was with a dozer crew where he assisted in building fire roads, inspecting dams and learning the wildland firefighting trade.  In 1965, Ron was called to serve his country in the United States Army. Ron completed basic training and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana as an orthopedic medic. His job included setting, casting, splinting, pinning, and treating soldier’s fractures and other orthopedic related injuries. Three months later, Ron’s brother was called to serve his country. His brother was deployed to Vietnam and was unfortunately killed in action while performing Special Forces duty.  After being discharged from the Army, Ron went back to work for the California Division of Forestry (CDF). His initial assignment as a seasonal firefighter was in San Diego County. In 1967 Ron was hired permanently as a firefighter in CDF/Orange County Fire Dept. Ron became a member of the crash fire rescue crew at the Orange County Airport (now called John Wayne Airport).  Ron married Merrilee Fortin in 1978, and had one daughter, Dani Newport Barker.  Ron enjoyed his time off with his family and friends water skiing and snow skiing and house boating. He played rugby many years, golf, and Senior Softball with the La Mesa League, along with many other sports.

May 14, 2021

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week at Crawford.  The foundation paid for a Panera breakfast to be catered for the teachers on Monday and, on Cinco de Mayo, there was a catered lunch from Taquiza Jose.  Thanks to a large check from a '65 grad, and your donations, allowed gift cards to be passed out to an appreciative faculty.  Hey, isn't that the cafeteria on the right?  I got kicked out of there for shooting a straw wrapper.

Who knew?  I was scrolling through the guide on my television and noticed a kids' show on KPBS starring a donkey named Hodie.   I burst out laughing when I sounded out Donkey Hodie.

Recognize these ladies?  The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, in an article asking if masks might no longer be necessary outdoors, took a photo of a fellow either putting one on -- or taking it off -- under the watchful gaze of some old friends at Knott's Berry Farm.

Boy am I confused.  Marcia Sleet '59 shares her 5th Grade photo from Rolando Elementary, not to be confused with Rolando Park Elementary.  Rolando Elementary, on Tower Street west of 70th, is still there -- but part of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District.  Click HERE to see an enlarged version of Marcia's photo, with some names.

Click HERE to peruse all 6 pages of the May 12, 1966 Pacer.  By the looks of the ad below, Sports Editor Bob Zucker had a side hustle.  Remember LPs?  Remember 45s?  Remember dial phones?

Jeff Garrison '73 shares a photo of his sister Christie '68 on the cover of the June 1976 issue of PSA Magazine 

If you were heading east on Upas Street in the '50s, say from Morley Field or the Zoo, you would have spotted this gas station at 30th Street.  There's a Jack in the Box there now.  Click HERE to see an enlargement of this photo, which appeared on Facebook this week.

Remember Balboa Stables across from Navy Hospital?  This photo appeared on Facebook this week.  I'm not gonna enlarge it for my web site, but thought it might bring back memories for some Colts.  A 1959 newspaper article said it was going to have to move because of the proposed Crosstown and Switzer Canyon Freeways.  The Switzer Canyon Freeway was never built, but I think the Crosstown Freeway would be I-5. 

May 7, 2021

A guy posted a photo on Facebook last week of his Starbucks cup.  He told the barista his name was Marc -- with a C.  My friend Andrea goes by Andé.  She told the girl at Starbucks her name was spelled with an E.  She got her coffee and there it was -- ENDI!   Then there was the time my friend Tom LaShell told the server at Karl Strauss the spelling of his name was T3om -- but the 3 was silent.  He went on to add that if she looked in the dictionary under gullible there would be a photo of his friend John Fry.

Don't know if you saw Richard Lederer's column in last Saturday's U-T.  He shared the little-known back story to a popular Mexican holiday: 

In the early 1900s, the Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Company was all set to deliver 12,000 jars of the condiment to Veracruz. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever brought to Mexico, but the ship sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise and were eagerly awaiting its arrival, were saddened by the tragic loss. Their anguish was so great that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observe to this day — Sinko de Mayo.

There are three Weitzens in this College Park Bobs Coffee Shop Little League photo.  Click HERE to find out who is whom -- and see an ad for Bob's Coffee Shops.

AND he played drums later with the Cascades.  Click HERE to read some other articles from the May 11, 1961 Pacer.

 

April 30, 2021

 

Courtesy of Sandie Robbins Knox '61

If you did the crossword on Page 162 of last Sunday's Union-Tribune, you might have spotted a familiar name in Shelby Lyman's Chess column on the same page.  Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield '64 is the author of Learn to Read & Write Chess.  Click HERE to read the article.

Jeff Garrison '73 shares his 2nd and 3rd Grade class photos from Hardy Elementary.  Click HERE to check them out.  (Miss Torchia is hot!!)

Stan Duffield '73 submits his College Park Little League photo, which by the looks of the scoreboard at the rear, was taken in the middle of the 6th inning.   It's the Harbs Upholstery team, circa 1967.  Click HERE for an enlargement and some of the names.

Click HERE to read the 6-page edition of the Pacer from April 28, 1966 -- just about 55 years ago.

April 19, 2021

Courtesy of Henry Noble '60

Things are opening up!!  Gathered at True Foods in Fashion Valley for lunch on Wednesday were 1964 grads Janis Irvine Ricards, Jane Newberry Smith, Kris Gjerde Flynn, Laurie Koosed Ratner, and Bev Bachman Fritschner 

Paula Kimmerling Daniels '62 checked in.  She's looking for classmate Sarah Shea Arnold -- or Sallie as you may have known her.  Sarah was active on our reunion committees, but two different emails for her have gone bad.  

Doug Smith '69 has dropped off the radar.  He was always a part of the Campus Lab School min-reunions and now they can't find him.  Maybe you know of a friend or sibling who might be able to help.

Apparently there was more than one 6th Grade class at Andrew Jackson in 1956.  Larry Slayen has asked me more than once to find the one he was in.  His sister says he was in the photo shared by Tom Cassie las4t week.  He apparently thought it was his twin Ron all this time.

Jeff Garrison '73 submits his 1966 College Park 7/Eleven Little League team photo.  He's standing at left.  Click HERE to see the photo enlarged and to read a fond recollection of growing up next to San Diego State. 

Click HERE to read the April 27, 1961 Pacer from 60 years ago.

Shirley Roemmich Beyer ’59 passed away March 13, 2021.  She was born in Mott, North Dakota, moving to San Diego as a teenager.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Diego State University in 1963.  She married Crawford classmate Marv Beyer the same year, and they created a home and family in San Diego. Shirley worked as a school secretary for San Diego Unified School District until she retired in 1998. In the year 2000 she and Marv moved to Julian. They found a house on a beautiful piece of land in Pine Hills and both she and Marv took a lot of pride in creating a beautiful home. Shirley enjoyed being active in her community and volunteered for her church and the Julian Woman’s Club, writing both their newsletters for more than 10 years.  She is survived by her husband of 57 years Marv Beyer, daughters Tracy and Tammy, their husbands Mike and Steve, as well as sister Carole Roemmich Wilson ’62.

Ilja Weinrieb ’63 died June 13, 2020.  He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, nine months after the end of World War II.  His parents survived the Holocaust by hiding in the Dutch countryside. They came to Buffalo, New York in 1949 to be near relatives in Toronto.  He attended Bennett High School, where he met Pamela Stecker, who was one class year behind him. When his family moved to San Diego, he graduated from Crawford.  When he returned to Buffalo, he enrolled in the University at Buffalo and married Pam in 1967.  He was accepted as a fellow at Harvard University, where he served his residency and clinical fellowship.  He took his post-doctoral fellowship in gastroenterology at Yale University’s Yale New Haven Hospital.  He served in the Army with the rank of major at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he was head of the Immunology Section in the Department of Gastroenterology and an attending physician.  He was one of the physicians aboard Walter Reed’s medical bus at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977.  Dr. Weinrieb returned to Buffalo in 1978 and began a solo practice. More than 5,000 patients visited his office before he retired in March.  A voracious reader, he spoke and read Dutch, German and Yiddish.Ilja Weinrieb ’63 died June 13, 2020.  He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, nine months after the end of World War II.  His parents survived the Holocaust by hiding in the Dutch countryside. They came to Buffalo, New York in 1949 to be near relatives in Toronto.  He attended Bennett High School, where he met Pamela Stecker, who was one class year behind him. When his family moved to San Diego, he graduated from Crawford.  When he returned to Buffalo, he enrolled in the University at Buffalo and married Pam in 1967.  He was accepted as a fellow at Harvard University, where he served his residency and clinical fellowship.  He took his post-doctoral fellowship in gastroenterology at Yale University’s Yale New Haven Hospital.  He served in the Army with the rank of major at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he was head of the Immunology Section in the Department of Gastroenterology and an attending physician.  He was one of the physicians aboard Walter Reed’s medical bus at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in 1977.  Dr. Weinrieb returned to Buffalo in 1978 and began a solo practice. More than 5,000 patients visited his office before he retired in March.  A voracious reader, he spoke and read Dutch, German and Yiddish.