1988

Sorry for missing the last Kellogg World, you guys are now very out of touch/sync with the class. I keep saying I’ll create a Kellogg ’88 Facebook group or some way for us to easily stay in touch beyond me broadcasting out an e-mail. We’re all busy in our lives. These days, I’m training for triathlons so I can still be young, and I’m (still) working for Motorola. You might have seen the Droid, it is very cool ... end of commercial.

Proudfoot sighting…Hanne and Mark Proudfoot enjoyed the snow at Christmas in Copenhagen, while the climate conference was commencing. I guess that’s like the heat in Arizona is a dry heat. Kids are growing up fast — Danielle (ninth grade), Thomas (sixth grade), Steven (fourth grade) and Kristin (first grade). Kids are all into piano. In August, they will be returning to Wyomissing, Pa., for the school year.

I had dinner with Brent Koehler when I was picking Jamie up from school (she’s attending the University of Minnesota). I let you know he survived squamous cell carcinoma cancer in his left lymph nodes and tonsil, and I can tell you, he’s back to being Brent. Sons Michael and Matthew learned a great deal regarding life’s lessons and helping dad get through the illness. Brent is doing business consulting with multiple varied clients and, like his health, is thriving. Brent was off to California to ride alongside the bikers in the Tour of California road race. Brent and I e-mailed Bob Baird just prior to the trip to see if Cannondale was showing off its latest and most awesome bikes at the event, which they were. Brent was planning to connect with them to see their latest hot products. Bob is president of Dorel Recreation and Leisure, and brand Cannondale is under this umbrella.

Annually I get a read on what happens when you have three kids in a row, all girls. That’s Dennis Sheehan’s life lessons. Dennis is vice president of marketing at Immersion, doing touch feedback technology for mobile phones and other products. Daughter Claire (20) is a junior at the University of Portland, Katherine (18) is at DePaul in Chicago, and Erin (17) is a senior in high school. This fall, the nest will be emptied. There would be a party, but that money is going into tuition. We’ll wait for the invite in a few years.

Amy Wahlert Principi is also emptying her nest, slowly. Daughter Molly is at Illinois Wesleyan, and is on her way to becoming a teacher. Nick is a high-schooler, attending Boy Scout camp and trying to improve his driving skills. Amy volunteers at the kids’ high school, St. Viator, and works part time at their church.

Diane and Tom Macdonald are growing kids. Sarah dances six days a week at Oregon Ballet Theater, Todd runs varsity track as a freshman, Carissa competes in horse shows, and Kevin is playing soccer, basketball and baseball. Sarah is driving, so there is another chauffer, just in time. Tom continues to manage Intel’s server Chipset business. He coached Kevin’s soccer team, and is curling with the local curling club. Diane, other than managing the Macdonalds’ household, is active in fundraising and charity events.

Pat Ciriacks’ daughter Jenny led her high school volleyball team to an undefeated conference season … and was named to the third team all-state in Wisconsin. Pat managed to control costs at his company and not have it impact headcount, which is amazing in these times.

OK, good to be back. Jamie enjoyed her first year at the University of Minnesota, and is lucky to have a great school to explore some areas of interest. Seems she’ll definitely minor in Japanese and I think we all know how useful it can be to know a second language. She’s in the “liberal arts,” and she came home and said, “I think I’ll need to get a master’s to do the things I want.” I’m jealous, I’d like to go back to school for six years! Write me, e-mail me and find me on Facebook. Hope ’88 is well.