1986

I have learned that the easiest way to receive updates from classmates is to skip a column. When our class had no information last issue, many of you were nice enough to send updates. Some I can print. Nikki Pope sent me a 15-year update. The highlights were she has lived in eight different cities (including Paris), worked for nine different companies (discovering Matt LeBlanc along the way, professionally I believe) and is now attending Santa Clara University Law School, specializing tech law. She is interested in getting a tech law internship for this summer. You can reach her at nixflix@earthlink.net.

Glenn Deutsch has been at Dannon for three years, heading up the trade marketing department. It was the only way Glenn would get any culture. Glenn has been married to Lori for eight years, they have a 3-year-old daughter named Emily and they live happily in New City. Charlie and Lauren Baker are rearing three beautiful, intelligent children. So much for the foster kids, just kidding. Two years ago, Lauren took a position as a chef, chauffeur and social coordinator. She has the tough job. Charlie chickened out and became CEO of a health care company that was hemorrhaging money faster than Enron. He has since turned it around into a profitable company.

Josh Field has accepted the chief marketing officer position with House of Lloyd in Kansas City, Mo. They do business as Open Invitation and are a direct selling organization of kitchen and cookware items. Bill Barker worked hard last year to inflate the value of Quaker before the Pepsi buyout. The books are now so messed up that Bill has a lifetime contract to clean them up. Leslie decided that Bill had too much free time and attended a horseback riding camp in England for 10 days. If this will become an annual trip is being debated.

Mark Schwartz is finishing his job at Wilson’s leather and is beginning a new job at MGI (a supplier to Wilson’s) to work on the wholesale leather clothing business. Mary is still at Northwest Airlines doing cruise and ski contract pricing. Lauren Schreiner and family are doing well. Lauren started working at S.C. Johnson three days a week in January. Martin Suter is doing well at Dell in Switzerland. His wife Katty is returning to corporate life, so Martin has gotten more household responsibilities. He feeds and dresses the children and often they get to school by noon.

Kevin Damon was so excited that the Olympics came to his home in Park City, that he and the family left town to visit all of the relatives. When the Olympic Organizing Committee informed locals to do their grocery shopping between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. he and Kathy decided that with three children under the age of 5, any other place had to be better, including visiting the inlays. Kevin is still the organizer of the world’s largest (only) contrabassoon festival, which has become an every other year event. Mark your calendars for July 2002.

It was nice to hear from John and Karen Coons, Kevin and Ada Koch and Mary and Ron Leaf. Their careers, family’s and hobbies are going well and keeping them busy. As I was spinning the dial last year, I saw Marvin Behm on the nightly business report on PBS. He was telling viewers to buy or sell something to do with cars. I did the opposite and made a few bucks.

Our class was the most amazing ever, at least our kids are. Every report I receive tells me that their kids are speaking three languages, captains of some sports team, straight A students and a pleasure to have in the house. Most of them have founded charity groups that have raised millions to fight hunger, disease and other worthwhile causes. I will check with your neighbors shortly to get the truth.

Lori, this is harder than you said it would be and where is my check? Ruth Rossman, thanks for sending the holiday fruitcake. The rodent problem in my home is over. I left Perlick in February to return to consulting and teaching at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. I attended the Olympics and will give a report next time.