Class Bios
*Note: Bios have been organized alphabetically by last name in high school
Johnston, Wesley
This is me with my grandson Anthony who graduated June 14, 2013: the classes of 1963 and 2013 together. My oldest grandson George is the third in the picture. Two days after this picture, Anthony and I took off on a 5-week Celtic Roots trip to Cornwall, Scotland, and Ireland -- my graduation present to him ... which is why you won't see me at our SSHS 50th Reunion. Email: [email protected]
Mogerman, Susan
After a two year courtship, I married Jay Mogerman in 1967. We moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky (every newly wed’s dream), awaiting Jay's deployment to Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne Division. Gratefully, the 101st Airborne figured out that they could get along without him in Nam and Jay settled into his work at the Mental Hygiene Clinic at the base. I took a job at the Harriett Cohn Mental Health Center in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was close to the base, but more importantly, I learned what Jay’s profession was all about as I tried to understand the people in the area and the place in which we would live for the next three years. In July, Jay and I will celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary. We have lived in Springfield ever since leaving Fort Campbell and I’m not sure that I fully understand Springfieldians either. We have two sons-- one married and living with his wife and son in Chicago.; the other is single in St. Louis and looking for love. (Applications welcomed.)
My work life has provided many surprises.. Frankly, I never gave any thought to what I wanted to do when I grew up. Quite unexpectedly, I have had great jobs that fell in my lap because I was in the right place at the right time Good thing, as I doubt that I would have applied for them on my own. After we arrived in Springfield, I wrote for a new weekly newspaper, The Illinois Times, for seven and a half years…a wonderful job when the kids were small, because I wrote what I wanted to write when I wanted to write it. I reviewed all of the major exhibits at both the Art Institute in Chicago and the Art Museum in St. Louis, sobbed after interviewing minors who had been raped by relatives, met many politicians, planned mini-adventures I had always wanted to take, like an afternoon hot air balloon trip. (I got air sick.) Can’t win’em all.
I worked for three Governors over the better part of two decades and I remain proud of the fact that only one of them served time in prison. This is, after all, Illinois. I was Media Coordinator for Jim Thompson’s 1981 run for reelection. The election was so close (just over 5,000 votes) that the recount and eventual outcome was handled by the Illinois Supreme Court. After Thompson was finally sworn in, I joined his press staff as an assistant press secretary. He named me Deputy Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA ) several years later. Jim Edgar elevated me to the Director of IHPA six months after his election and I remained in the job the remainder of his years as governor. During that time, I proposed that we expand the Illinois Historic Library to accommodate the incredible collection that had outgrown its environment. That was the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. What began as a project estimated at $20 million, opened its doors nearly 10 years later, at a cost of nearly $165 million. I gave testimony to Congress twice to get assistance with needed funding.
The project has been a complete success, worth its cost and worthy of the continuing interest and visitation from around the globe. The project was my greatest adventure. Hope you have been there. If not, bring the grandkids and come on down. Much of the massive project was completed during the Ryan Administration. I didn’t get along with George as well as I did with his two predecessors, but I will give him credit for his dedication to funding the completion of the Library and Museum.
Jay and I are happily retired. (I doubt that there has ever been a better time to be retired from the State of Illinois than now.) Like so many other codgers of our age, we love traveling and taking care of our grandchild. Life is very, very good. Email: [email protected]
My work life has provided many surprises.. Frankly, I never gave any thought to what I wanted to do when I grew up. Quite unexpectedly, I have had great jobs that fell in my lap because I was in the right place at the right time Good thing, as I doubt that I would have applied for them on my own. After we arrived in Springfield, I wrote for a new weekly newspaper, The Illinois Times, for seven and a half years…a wonderful job when the kids were small, because I wrote what I wanted to write when I wanted to write it. I reviewed all of the major exhibits at both the Art Institute in Chicago and the Art Museum in St. Louis, sobbed after interviewing minors who had been raped by relatives, met many politicians, planned mini-adventures I had always wanted to take, like an afternoon hot air balloon trip. (I got air sick.) Can’t win’em all.
I worked for three Governors over the better part of two decades and I remain proud of the fact that only one of them served time in prison. This is, after all, Illinois. I was Media Coordinator for Jim Thompson’s 1981 run for reelection. The election was so close (just over 5,000 votes) that the recount and eventual outcome was handled by the Illinois Supreme Court. After Thompson was finally sworn in, I joined his press staff as an assistant press secretary. He named me Deputy Director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA ) several years later. Jim Edgar elevated me to the Director of IHPA six months after his election and I remained in the job the remainder of his years as governor. During that time, I proposed that we expand the Illinois Historic Library to accommodate the incredible collection that had outgrown its environment. That was the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. What began as a project estimated at $20 million, opened its doors nearly 10 years later, at a cost of nearly $165 million. I gave testimony to Congress twice to get assistance with needed funding.
The project has been a complete success, worth its cost and worthy of the continuing interest and visitation from around the globe. The project was my greatest adventure. Hope you have been there. If not, bring the grandkids and come on down. Much of the massive project was completed during the Ryan Administration. I didn’t get along with George as well as I did with his two predecessors, but I will give him credit for his dedication to funding the completion of the Library and Museum.
Jay and I are happily retired. (I doubt that there has ever been a better time to be retired from the State of Illinois than now.) Like so many other codgers of our age, we love traveling and taking care of our grandchild. Life is very, very good. Email: [email protected]
Newman, Alan
Married Bobbie Lipkin (Bowen, Class of 64)in 1968 (still married!). We have two married daughters and four grandchildren (two boys, two girls) ages seven to twelve. Bobbie and I are lucky that everyone lives within ten miles of each other
Graduated from U of Wisconsin in 1967 and Northwestern Law School (1969). Most of my career was spent working in the Trust Department of JP Morgan Chase (and its many predecessors beginning with American National Bank in the 1970's). Retired in 2004. We raised our family in Deerfield, IL (1970-1988); in 1988 we moved to Lincolnshire, IL. We've had a home in Scottsdale since 2001 and are there for a few weeks each month during the winter
Ran a couple of Chicago marathons in the late 70's; 67 year old knees keep me from running these days. Now I try to stay active by cycling, swimming, and golf; also do a lot of hiking in Arizona. Love to travel. Some of my favorite trips have been visiting Antarctica, Patagonia, India, and the Galapagos, rafting in the Grand Canyon and golfing in Ireland and Scotland. Most memorable was a 3 1/2 week trip around the world a few years ago. Email: [email protected]
Married Bobbie Lipkin (Bowen, Class of 64)in 1968 (still married!). We have two married daughters and four grandchildren (two boys, two girls) ages seven to twelve. Bobbie and I are lucky that everyone lives within ten miles of each other
Graduated from U of Wisconsin in 1967 and Northwestern Law School (1969). Most of my career was spent working in the Trust Department of JP Morgan Chase (and its many predecessors beginning with American National Bank in the 1970's). Retired in 2004. We raised our family in Deerfield, IL (1970-1988); in 1988 we moved to Lincolnshire, IL. We've had a home in Scottsdale since 2001 and are there for a few weeks each month during the winter
Ran a couple of Chicago marathons in the late 70's; 67 year old knees keep me from running these days. Now I try to stay active by cycling, swimming, and golf; also do a lot of hiking in Arizona. Love to travel. Some of my favorite trips have been visiting Antarctica, Patagonia, India, and the Galapagos, rafting in the Grand Canyon and golfing in Ireland and Scotland. Most memorable was a 3 1/2 week trip around the world a few years ago. Email: [email protected]
Polisky, Barry
I'm not sure anyone from our class will be interested, but I'll try to cover the high points of 50 years - if nothing else a challenge to be brief. Following SS, I went to U of Chicago, majored in Biology, and graduated in 1967. I found UC to be spectacularly challenging. It was designed for people seemingly much more mature and intelligent than me. I encountered a lot of them there. If I left SS with any confidence in my abilities, it was removed from me at UC. Nonetheless, I managed to get through, and decided to pursue graduate work in a far different environment, Boulder, Colorado, which had just developed an exciting curriculum in molecular biology/biochemistry. I had never been west of Iowa, so Colorado in the late 60's was a terrific shock, both from the societal impact of the war, drugs, etc., and the more generic problems of just trying to grow up and learn to be a scientist in a beautiful mountain setting. In general, graduate school was much easier and less stressful than undergraduate life at UC. I was in no hurry to finish and make my way to a more independent existence. I was lucky enough to take a 5 week trek into the Himalayas in 1972, climbing 20,000 ft mtns and visiting remote Sherpa villages with my girlfriend, at a time before many outsiders visited Nepal (unlike today). It was a great trip, as they say. Unfortunately, there was also the war, which I was not very adept at avoiding. It's a long story, but basically, I was drafted in 1969 out of graduate school. I managed to depart the army after being trained as a medic due to mutual antipathy between the military establishment and me. I lost a year in my training, but was fortunate as so many lost so much more.
After receiving my degree in 1973, I moved to UC San Francisco for post-doctoral training. I was fortunate to be the right place at the right time, from a science perspective. It was the beginning of the recombinant DNA revolution and I learned all I could from terrific mentors. I had a successful postdoc and was offered faculty positions at several places, and accepted one at Indiana University in Bloomington. Bloomington was a bit of a culture shock after San Francisco, and, although an excellent place, was not well suited for me as a single, still young man. I was mainly focused on research and was treated very well by my department. Over the years there, I managed to get promoted and became a tenured full professor. Also, I met and married Judith Jaehning, a young faculty member at U. of Illinois. Another curious story, the high point of which is that we were married 5 weeks after we met. Proud to say I chose well, far above my station, and we're still together 30 years later.
After 15 years in Bloomington I was restless for new adventures. I had been offered several jobs in biotechnology (the dreaded "private sector") but had always turned then down for the security of academia. Also, with two of us having tenured jobs, it was hard to imagine leaving. Then, in 1984, I was offered a position in a biotech startup in Boulder by an old faculty mentor from my graduate school days. It was a chance to return to Boulder, which had great appeal to me. I had been whining to Judith for many years about wanting to leave Bloomington, and my ideal destination had always been Boulder. After much carrying on, I took a leave of absence from Indiana and moved to Boulder. Judith remained in Bloomington and I returned every few weeks to see her and visit my lab. Again, a long story, but I decided to stay in Boulder, and Judith applied for and got a faculty position at U. Colorado Medical School where she set up her lab and taught biochemistry to medical students.
We've been in Boulder ever since (21 years). I've been involved with several companies over that time, some of which were modestly successful. Both of us are more or less retired now - me since last year. We continue to enjoy the terrific environment of Boulder and are extraordinarily lucky to be healthy enough to ski bumps and hike every day. I have to say that South Shore provided an excellent foundation for me. I look forward to seeing you all. Email: [email protected]
After receiving my degree in 1973, I moved to UC San Francisco for post-doctoral training. I was fortunate to be the right place at the right time, from a science perspective. It was the beginning of the recombinant DNA revolution and I learned all I could from terrific mentors. I had a successful postdoc and was offered faculty positions at several places, and accepted one at Indiana University in Bloomington. Bloomington was a bit of a culture shock after San Francisco, and, although an excellent place, was not well suited for me as a single, still young man. I was mainly focused on research and was treated very well by my department. Over the years there, I managed to get promoted and became a tenured full professor. Also, I met and married Judith Jaehning, a young faculty member at U. of Illinois. Another curious story, the high point of which is that we were married 5 weeks after we met. Proud to say I chose well, far above my station, and we're still together 30 years later.
After 15 years in Bloomington I was restless for new adventures. I had been offered several jobs in biotechnology (the dreaded "private sector") but had always turned then down for the security of academia. Also, with two of us having tenured jobs, it was hard to imagine leaving. Then, in 1984, I was offered a position in a biotech startup in Boulder by an old faculty mentor from my graduate school days. It was a chance to return to Boulder, which had great appeal to me. I had been whining to Judith for many years about wanting to leave Bloomington, and my ideal destination had always been Boulder. After much carrying on, I took a leave of absence from Indiana and moved to Boulder. Judith remained in Bloomington and I returned every few weeks to see her and visit my lab. Again, a long story, but I decided to stay in Boulder, and Judith applied for and got a faculty position at U. Colorado Medical School where she set up her lab and taught biochemistry to medical students.
We've been in Boulder ever since (21 years). I've been involved with several companies over that time, some of which were modestly successful. Both of us are more or less retired now - me since last year. We continue to enjoy the terrific environment of Boulder and are extraordinarily lucky to be healthy enough to ski bumps and hike every day. I have to say that South Shore provided an excellent foundation for me. I look forward to seeing you all. Email: [email protected]
Pollack, Roberta Saxon
50 years in a few lines - that's a challenge.
After college at Cornell in Ithaca, NY and grad school in chemistry back at the University of Chicago, and a few miscellaneous postdocs, I landed in Northern California in 1974 for a 1 year post doc and have never left. The one year stint turned into 22 years at SRI International, a non-profit research organization, doing research in atomic and molecular physics and theoretical chemistry. For my second career, I became a registered patent agent, first with a law firm in silicon valley and for the last 12 years with Theravance, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company.
I have been married for 21 years to Mike Sasnett, a laser engineer, now retired and devoting himself to engineering projects at home (he converted a 73 Porsche 914 to an electric car). Mike and I take full advantage of the good weather and the great outdoors here in California. We are out on our road bikes almost every weekend and just returned from a ten-day bike trip in the south of France. Life is good. Email: [email protected]
After college at Cornell in Ithaca, NY and grad school in chemistry back at the University of Chicago, and a few miscellaneous postdocs, I landed in Northern California in 1974 for a 1 year post doc and have never left. The one year stint turned into 22 years at SRI International, a non-profit research organization, doing research in atomic and molecular physics and theoretical chemistry. For my second career, I became a registered patent agent, first with a law firm in silicon valley and for the last 12 years with Theravance, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company.
I have been married for 21 years to Mike Sasnett, a laser engineer, now retired and devoting himself to engineering projects at home (he converted a 73 Porsche 914 to an electric car). Mike and I take full advantage of the good weather and the great outdoors here in California. We are out on our road bikes almost every weekend and just returned from a ten-day bike trip in the south of France. Life is good. Email: [email protected]
Rabens, Richard
I live in Berkeley, California with my wife Susan Rosenblum (Evanston High School) and have three sons. I am a pediatrician and have worked for Kaiser Permanente for many years. Email: [email protected]
Reingold, Edward M.
I've changed enormously since high school: then I was short, fat, and lazy, but as an adult I've been tall, thin, and active! I got a BS in mathematics from IIT in 1967, married Ruth Nothmann (from Wilmette; Ruth is now extremely ill with brain cancer) in 1968, got a PhD in computer science from Cornell, and was on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana 1970--2000, becoming a full professor in 1982; I retired from U of I in 2000 to become chairman of IIT's computer science department, a position I held for 6 years; I am now just a professor in the department. Ruth and I are Orthodox Jews and live in Skokie. We have four daughters: Leah, named after my mother, is 40; Deborah is 38; Rachel is 33; Eve is 28; all are married. From them we have 11 grandchildren, ages -4 months to 15 years old. For 40 years I was an avid squash player, and a pretty good one, but my wife's illness has kept me off the courts. Email: [email protected]
Rooth, Lynne Golomb
As it must be for each of you, thinking that high school graduation was 50 years ago is pretty odd. I still feel great and it is only when I catch a glimpse of myself riding up the elevator at Bloomingdales that I realize time has flown by. Life has been full and rewarding since those days in South Shore. I still retain close ties with my closest friends from this days. Joanie Winter, Laurie Marshall, Barbara Kesner and Bobbe Malkin (who has passed away) We see each other and share our joys and life's together. These friendships have allowed me to still be in the mix with others from those days, because as both Michael Levitt's and Joanie's blurbs have shared they are now married and Jo has returned to Chicago allowing us to continue our life long friendship.
Personally, when I was a senior at South Shore , I met a boy, a freshman at U of Chicago and even though I left to go to college this love turned into the real thing and we have been married for 47 years. I went to Michigan, but when Harvey began med school I transferred to be near him in Pittsburgh and obtained a masters in child development. Upon graduation we moved for training and education to Boston and Washington DC returning to Chicago in 1973. Harvey joined the faculty at U of C Medical School where he still remains. I completed my doctorate in psychology and worked as an early intervention psychologist and at Loyola University where I currently run a large graduate program in school psychology. My professional life has been rich and rewarding allowing me to train new professionals and work with families in need.
My own family is wonderful. Harvey and I had 2 beautiful children, Adam and Sara who went to Law School and then Adam began his work in Los Angeles in film and sports and Sara continued to study, obtain a Ph.D. and now is an academic, having a tenure track position in the psychology department at U Detroit Mercy. Adam once explained our relationship to a friend, who was surprised at something he had said to me: "she is more than my mom she is my friend!". They have chosen not to have kids, so being resourceful we have added to our lives with 3 beautiful grandsons who fill up our hearts and lives with joy and lots of sporting events!
As a result of Harvey's work we have traveled the world, meeting amazing people, including seeing the sights, eating the food, riding elephants and hiking in the amazon, attending an inauguration and sharing so many happy milestones with those we love. We have been so fortunate being able to live near family and friends who have enriched our lives and provided us with their guidance and wisdom.
As I look back at all I have experienced in my life and look forward to adventures as yet unknown I am overcome with gratitude for all that I have. Email: [email protected]
Personally, when I was a senior at South Shore , I met a boy, a freshman at U of Chicago and even though I left to go to college this love turned into the real thing and we have been married for 47 years. I went to Michigan, but when Harvey began med school I transferred to be near him in Pittsburgh and obtained a masters in child development. Upon graduation we moved for training and education to Boston and Washington DC returning to Chicago in 1973. Harvey joined the faculty at U of C Medical School where he still remains. I completed my doctorate in psychology and worked as an early intervention psychologist and at Loyola University where I currently run a large graduate program in school psychology. My professional life has been rich and rewarding allowing me to train new professionals and work with families in need.
My own family is wonderful. Harvey and I had 2 beautiful children, Adam and Sara who went to Law School and then Adam began his work in Los Angeles in film and sports and Sara continued to study, obtain a Ph.D. and now is an academic, having a tenure track position in the psychology department at U Detroit Mercy. Adam once explained our relationship to a friend, who was surprised at something he had said to me: "she is more than my mom she is my friend!". They have chosen not to have kids, so being resourceful we have added to our lives with 3 beautiful grandsons who fill up our hearts and lives with joy and lots of sporting events!
As a result of Harvey's work we have traveled the world, meeting amazing people, including seeing the sights, eating the food, riding elephants and hiking in the amazon, attending an inauguration and sharing so many happy milestones with those we love. We have been so fortunate being able to live near family and friends who have enriched our lives and provided us with their guidance and wisdom.
As I look back at all I have experienced in my life and look forward to adventures as yet unknown I am overcome with gratitude for all that I have. Email: [email protected]
Rutzky, Ronald
I’m very grateful that we did not have to submit this on Twitter. After we graduated that June from Calumet HS (Remember the ceremony?), I went to the University of Illinois at Navy Pier (The only university that could be sunk by a torpedo!) and graduated from the Chicago Circle campus in June 1967 with a BA in anthropology. I spent 6 weeks at an archaeological dig that summer in Israel before studying for one year at the University of Iowa Graduate School of Religion. I was unable to complete my MA there because of the Viet Nam War, but I was not drafted (The doctor doing the physical said that after I bent over, turned my head and coughed - the wrong way, no less! - that I had a rare form of congenital geriatric kopfschmerzosisitis or maybe it was Flugelgeheimner’s Syndrome. I forget right now, but I understand that happens at my age.) and began teaching in July 1968, married Alene Schneider (Bowen ’66) in Dec. 1968, and taught 3rd-5th grade math with a 4th grade homeroom for 10 years. While teaching, I finished my MA in Educational Administration from Roosevelt Univ. in Jan. 1973. After teaching for 10 years, I then became the principal of a K-4 building for 7 years, then a Jr. High principal for 3 years, then a preK-4 principal for 3 years and then a preschool administrator for 1 year. I was in that district in a southern suburban of Chicago for 25 years. While being principal, I received my Ed.D. from Northern Illinois University in 1993. In 1994 I became the superintendent/assistant superintendent/principal/assistant principal and factotum of a small one-school district in Grundy County, IL and I stayed there for 3 years. After then retiring from education full time, I went into selling computer training classes in downtown Chicago for about 11 years.
In 2009 I took first place in the Regional Spelling Bee and competed in Springfield with other seniors during the Illinois State Fair that summer.
I am now semi-retired and teach World Religions/Comparative Religions as an adjunct professor at two community colleges. I am the immediate past president (IPP) of my Conservative synagogue, the IPP of Chai Unit B'nai B'rith, the immediate past treasurer of the Friends of the Homewood Library, a former executive board and Speakers’ Bureau member of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and I also volunteer distributing food on the first Wednesday of the month. I was the principal of the south suburban branch of the high school of Jewish studies, our synagogue principal and teacher, and I regularly lead Sabbath morning services (but not the torah reading). I chant the haftorah (a parallel portion from the Prophets or Writings after the torah reading) from time to time. I am very proud of the fact that I taught my daughter and son their haftorah for their bat and bar mitzvah. One of my hobbies for the past 45+ years has been attending services at synagogues, churches, mosques, Buddhist temples and other houses of worship.
We love to cruise, and we’ve been to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, England, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska and Hawaii. In 2000 we spent 10 days in Israel with more than 800 others from the Chicago area. We have a divorced daughter Miriam, 42, living in Redlands, CA and our son Solomon, 39, daughter-in-law Sara and three absolutely beautiful (every grandparent only has beautiful or gorgeous) grandchildren (Naphtali, 4, Raphael, 2 and Moira, 9 months) live in Raleigh, NC. Thank goodness for Skype! My mother, who turned 93 in May, lives in Northbrook and she was just honored by Hadassah for over 60 years of service. I had the honor of introducing her at that luncheon. Alene, who works for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (Her office is fortunately in Flossmoor.) and I have been living in Homewood, IL for the past 25 years now. I apologize if I put anyone to sleep while you were reading this, and I look forward to seeing those whom I haven’t seen in at least 10 years so we can compare meds, supplements and surgeries, but most importantly, to try to find answers to the paramount questions of how and why there was such a phenomenal aggregation of wonderful, amazing people in our graduation class? Maybe a submission via Twitter wasn’t such a bad idea after all! Email: [email protected]
In 2009 I took first place in the Regional Spelling Bee and competed in Springfield with other seniors during the Illinois State Fair that summer.
I am now semi-retired and teach World Religions/Comparative Religions as an adjunct professor at two community colleges. I am the immediate past president (IPP) of my Conservative synagogue, the IPP of Chai Unit B'nai B'rith, the immediate past treasurer of the Friends of the Homewood Library, a former executive board and Speakers’ Bureau member of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and I also volunteer distributing food on the first Wednesday of the month. I was the principal of the south suburban branch of the high school of Jewish studies, our synagogue principal and teacher, and I regularly lead Sabbath morning services (but not the torah reading). I chant the haftorah (a parallel portion from the Prophets or Writings after the torah reading) from time to time. I am very proud of the fact that I taught my daughter and son their haftorah for their bat and bar mitzvah. One of my hobbies for the past 45+ years has been attending services at synagogues, churches, mosques, Buddhist temples and other houses of worship.
We love to cruise, and we’ve been to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, England, Wales, Scotland, France, Spain, Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska and Hawaii. In 2000 we spent 10 days in Israel with more than 800 others from the Chicago area. We have a divorced daughter Miriam, 42, living in Redlands, CA and our son Solomon, 39, daughter-in-law Sara and three absolutely beautiful (every grandparent only has beautiful or gorgeous) grandchildren (Naphtali, 4, Raphael, 2 and Moira, 9 months) live in Raleigh, NC. Thank goodness for Skype! My mother, who turned 93 in May, lives in Northbrook and she was just honored by Hadassah for over 60 years of service. I had the honor of introducing her at that luncheon. Alene, who works for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (Her office is fortunately in Flossmoor.) and I have been living in Homewood, IL for the past 25 years now. I apologize if I put anyone to sleep while you were reading this, and I look forward to seeing those whom I haven’t seen in at least 10 years so we can compare meds, supplements and surgeries, but most importantly, to try to find answers to the paramount questions of how and why there was such a phenomenal aggregation of wonderful, amazing people in our graduation class? Maybe a submission via Twitter wasn’t such a bad idea after all! Email: [email protected]
Satovsky, Joanie
I left Chicago after graduation for the University of Michigan where I met my husband Neil. We just celebrated 46 years of marriage and have two wonderful children and two fantastic and very good looking grandchildren! Our son Brian lives near us outside of Detroit and has been in the mortgage business for many years. Our daughter Nikki, a PA in dermatology, and her husband Stone live in San Francisco with Oscar (almost 5) and Bea (almost 3)! Needless to say we are on a first name basis with Delta Airlines visiting them as often as we can! I got my Master's in reading and taught for 16 years. After that I worked for a University supervising student teachers! We love to travel and have taken some amazing adventures! I have very fond memories of SSHS and hope the reunion is a grand success! Email: [email protected]
Silverman, Barbara Shapiro
Although I went through high school with the class of January 1964, I actually DID graduate with the June 1963 class.
I married my high school sweetheart, Ben (Buddy) Shapiro in l966. I worked at the Cardiovascular Institute at Michael Reese Hospital as a medical manuscript editor until l969 when our daughter was born. A son followed in l972 and when both children were in school I returned to college to receive a BA in art history and studio painting. I taught some drawing classes and did some work with the elderly when our children were growing up, but I was primarily a stay-at-home mom. In addition to painting, I still sing in my temple choir (since l975) and enjoy classes in Jewish studies and conversational Hebrew. I spend a lot of time with our 5 grandchildren who live close by. Some of our grandchildren are friends with the grandchildren of our South Shore classmates! Email: [email protected]
I married my high school sweetheart, Ben (Buddy) Shapiro in l966. I worked at the Cardiovascular Institute at Michael Reese Hospital as a medical manuscript editor until l969 when our daughter was born. A son followed in l972 and when both children were in school I returned to college to receive a BA in art history and studio painting. I taught some drawing classes and did some work with the elderly when our children were growing up, but I was primarily a stay-at-home mom. In addition to painting, I still sing in my temple choir (since l975) and enjoy classes in Jewish studies and conversational Hebrew. I spend a lot of time with our 5 grandchildren who live close by. Some of our grandchildren are friends with the grandchildren of our South Shore classmates! Email: [email protected]
Simmons, Andrea (Freed-Krehbiel), Ed.D
After living in Ariona for 18 years, South Shore seems like a dream. When I graduated from the U of I, I spent years working for the Rockford School District, then the State of Illinois. Before leaving Illinois I completed my degree in Curriculum and Supervision of Instruction at Northern Illinois University. I now have four children, Jeff, Jodi, Amy and Peter and five grandchildren. Both my husband, James, and I think we have finally retired from our last lives as a Parent Advocate for special needs kids and their families(me) and Psychotherapist (him) and are moving on to our next adventures as "super-antiquers." He loves pre-war Lionel trains and I love pre-war mah jong sets so we travel every weekend to the best markets we can find. Volunteerism and community service have always been important in our lives and we continue to fill a big part of our time with that. Chicago remains "home". We spend time in the city as often as we can. Email: [email protected]
After living in Ariona for 18 years, South Shore seems like a dream. When I graduated from the U of I, I spent years working for the Rockford School District, then the State of Illinois. Before leaving Illinois I completed my degree in Curriculum and Supervision of Instruction at Northern Illinois University. I now have four children, Jeff, Jodi, Amy and Peter and five grandchildren. Both my husband, James, and I think we have finally retired from our last lives as a Parent Advocate for special needs kids and their families(me) and Psychotherapist (him) and are moving on to our next adventures as "super-antiquers." He loves pre-war Lionel trains and I love pre-war mah jong sets so we travel every weekend to the best markets we can find. Volunteerism and community service have always been important in our lives and we continue to fill a big part of our time with that. Chicago remains "home". We spend time in the city as often as we can. Email: [email protected]
Skurow, Wayne
My wife and I just celebrated our 40 th aniv. 4/27/13 . We hae 2 great kids and 2 beautiful grandkids: Joshua, 7 and Sam, 3 with one more coming in Sept. I've been in several businesses for the past 50 years; steam cleaning, restaurant exhaust systems, auto parts store for 20 years, party supply store, and for the past 17 years I have been a casino dealer for Hollywood Casino in Joliet, formerly Empress Casino. Email: [email protected]
My wife and I just celebrated our 40 th aniv. 4/27/13 . We hae 2 great kids and 2 beautiful grandkids: Joshua, 7 and Sam, 3 with one more coming in Sept. I've been in several businesses for the past 50 years; steam cleaning, restaurant exhaust systems, auto parts store for 20 years, party supply store, and for the past 17 years I have been a casino dealer for Hollywood Casino in Joliet, formerly Empress Casino. Email: [email protected]
Smith, Donald Frederick
Life has been good to me! Today, I have 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and five healthy grandchildren who keep my wife, Helle, and me very busy when I’m not doing research or working around our house located nearby the Eastern coast of the Danish mainland. After graduation from South Shore, I went to the U of Illinois in Urbana. After a few years there, I transferred to Duke U and obtained a BSc in Psychology. From Duke, I went to McMaster U in Hamilton, Ontario and obtained a MA in Physiological Psychology. Next, I was lucky enough to be admitted to the U of Chicago, which I truly loved, and where I completed work for a PhD in Biopsychology from the Pritzker Medical School and Psychology Department. My research project concerned the use of lithium for treating mania and depression, which enabled me to do a postdoc at the Psychiatric Hospital of Aarhus University, funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. I met my wife at work, and we got married within the year. Living in Denmark was actually quite a relief back then, compared with the kinds of hassles and conflicts that are common to big cities like Chicago. I liked things here so much that I became a Danish citizen as soon as possible after arriving. Aside from raising our two sons, I managed to get two academic degrees in Denmark: MSc in Pharmacology from Aarhus U and DMSc in Biological Psychiatry from the U of Copenhagen. While our sons were growing up, I joined in with the local Boy and Girl Scout organization for more than 10 years. After that, I took up drumming again, but only as an occasional hobby. My wife loves to travel, and we have already had one trip around the world. Most of our vacations are, however, spent along the Mediterranean Sea in which I absolutely love to snorkel. I haven’t yet set a date for retirement, because I love my work as research psychologist at the Brain Imaging Center of Aarhus University Hospital. Time will tell what happens next! Needless to say, I’m excited about our up-coming 50-year class reunion in Chicago, where I hope to have time to hear all about everybody else. Email: [email protected]
Life has been good to me! Today, I have 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and five healthy grandchildren who keep my wife, Helle, and me very busy when I’m not doing research or working around our house located nearby the Eastern coast of the Danish mainland. After graduation from South Shore, I went to the U of Illinois in Urbana. After a few years there, I transferred to Duke U and obtained a BSc in Psychology. From Duke, I went to McMaster U in Hamilton, Ontario and obtained a MA in Physiological Psychology. Next, I was lucky enough to be admitted to the U of Chicago, which I truly loved, and where I completed work for a PhD in Biopsychology from the Pritzker Medical School and Psychology Department. My research project concerned the use of lithium for treating mania and depression, which enabled me to do a postdoc at the Psychiatric Hospital of Aarhus University, funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. I met my wife at work, and we got married within the year. Living in Denmark was actually quite a relief back then, compared with the kinds of hassles and conflicts that are common to big cities like Chicago. I liked things here so much that I became a Danish citizen as soon as possible after arriving. Aside from raising our two sons, I managed to get two academic degrees in Denmark: MSc in Pharmacology from Aarhus U and DMSc in Biological Psychiatry from the U of Copenhagen. While our sons were growing up, I joined in with the local Boy and Girl Scout organization for more than 10 years. After that, I took up drumming again, but only as an occasional hobby. My wife loves to travel, and we have already had one trip around the world. Most of our vacations are, however, spent along the Mediterranean Sea in which I absolutely love to snorkel. I haven’t yet set a date for retirement, because I love my work as research psychologist at the Brain Imaging Center of Aarhus University Hospital. Time will tell what happens next! Needless to say, I’m excited about our up-coming 50-year class reunion in Chicago, where I hope to have time to hear all about everybody else. Email: [email protected]
Snider, Marshall (Maishe)
Right, 50 years and keep it short. After SSHS, I attended Washington University in St. Louis and law school at George Washington University. I came to Denver to clerk for a judge in the Federal district court, planned to stay one year, have been here for 44 years: I had never experienced s winter without harsh weather, and after playing tennis on New Year's Eve and skiing on New Year's Day decided to stay. Learned to love all the outdoor stuff (skiing, hiking, camping) that we never did in Chicago.
I had a couple of legal jobs after the clerkship --legal aid, small law firm -- then spent 28 years in state government, 6 with the Attorney General and 22 as an administrative law judge.
During much of that time I remained single and did a lot of traveling, including a year trip around the world in the early 80s and some lengthy trips to Asia and South America. Married in my early 40s to Suzanne, with her two teenagers, and we now have 4 grandchildren, ages 5 to 9. We are mostly retired, though I still do some arbitration work and some teaching and keep working on what passes for a golf game, and Suzanne still teaches on occasion at the University of Denver and Regis University. Suzanne loves to travel as much as I do; since the mid-60s I have been to over 60 countries, and since we were married we have been to every continent other than Antarctica (though that is still on the bucket list).
I lost track of almost all my SSHS friends, and reunions did not find me until Michael Levitt and Joanie Winter brought me back into the fold 5 years ago. I had a great time at the reunion in 2008, reconnected with several classmates since then and hope to do the same next month (including some people who are in Colorado who I hope will attend). Email: [email protected]
I had a couple of legal jobs after the clerkship --legal aid, small law firm -- then spent 28 years in state government, 6 with the Attorney General and 22 as an administrative law judge.
During much of that time I remained single and did a lot of traveling, including a year trip around the world in the early 80s and some lengthy trips to Asia and South America. Married in my early 40s to Suzanne, with her two teenagers, and we now have 4 grandchildren, ages 5 to 9. We are mostly retired, though I still do some arbitration work and some teaching and keep working on what passes for a golf game, and Suzanne still teaches on occasion at the University of Denver and Regis University. Suzanne loves to travel as much as I do; since the mid-60s I have been to over 60 countries, and since we were married we have been to every continent other than Antarctica (though that is still on the bucket list).
I lost track of almost all my SSHS friends, and reunions did not find me until Michael Levitt and Joanie Winter brought me back into the fold 5 years ago. I had a great time at the reunion in 2008, reconnected with several classmates since then and hope to do the same next month (including some people who are in Colorado who I hope will attend). Email: [email protected]
Sogin, Mitchell
I have two great daughters, a wonderful wife and a lifestyle that I never dreamed could be possible when I left South Shore. I spent ten years at the University of Illinois in Urbana – first as an undergraduate and then as a graduate student in chemistry and microbiology. I moved to Denver, learned to ski and enjoyed 18 fun-filled years exploring the west. In 1989 I moved to Woods Hole MA where I reside today. My wife Laurel is an Infectious Disease Doc and I have the privilege of leading a group of 60 investigators at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. My only complaint relates to spending too much time on airplanes and not having enough time to sail. Email: [email protected]
Strick, Miriam Barnard
All About Miriam Strick Barnard
After graduating from South Shore High, I attended several local junior colleges, and met a young, handsome lieutenant, James W. Barnard, in the U.S.A.F. We married in Chicago, in 1967, and I moved to Great Falls, Montana, where Jim was stationed in the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron. We had our first child, Deborah, in Great Falls. After the Air Force, we moved to Denver, Colorado, where Jim attended Denver University. After graduating from D.U., his job took us to San Jose, California. We had our second daughter, Michelle, there. We, later, returned to Denver, again, with Jim’s new job and I started D.U. and got my B.A. degree in Speech Communications, with a double minor in Sociology and Psychology. As our daughters grew older, I returned to D.U. and received my Master’s degree in Social Work in 1986, with a special cognate in Gerontology. After graduation, I worked in the senior services department at Washington Park Community Center, and later went to work for the adult day center at Swedish Medical Hospital. Our two daughters are married and we have 3 grandchildren. My husband and I have lived in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, for the past 23 years. I currently serve on several charity boards and enjoy my grandchildren. Email: [email protected]
All About Miriam Strick Barnard
After graduating from South Shore High, I attended several local junior colleges, and met a young, handsome lieutenant, James W. Barnard, in the U.S.A.F. We married in Chicago, in 1967, and I moved to Great Falls, Montana, where Jim was stationed in the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron. We had our first child, Deborah, in Great Falls. After the Air Force, we moved to Denver, Colorado, where Jim attended Denver University. After graduating from D.U., his job took us to San Jose, California. We had our second daughter, Michelle, there. We, later, returned to Denver, again, with Jim’s new job and I started D.U. and got my B.A. degree in Speech Communications, with a double minor in Sociology and Psychology. As our daughters grew older, I returned to D.U. and received my Master’s degree in Social Work in 1986, with a special cognate in Gerontology. After graduation, I worked in the senior services department at Washington Park Community Center, and later went to work for the adult day center at Swedish Medical Hospital. Our two daughters are married and we have 3 grandchildren. My husband and I have lived in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, for the past 23 years. I currently serve on several charity boards and enjoy my grandchildren. Email: [email protected]
Tanenbaum, Bill
At SSHS, life was decidedly mixed. I was not the most social person in the world, but I finally got into an AZA, which provided me with a social life that I cold not have had on my own. After SSHS, I went to the University of Chicago, majoring in Physics. All I got out of college was some good times, a career (eventually), my wife (Abby Dorfman, U-High 1962) of almost 46 years now, and three good friends who we still see every year or so. Not a bad four years.
Then I went to grad school at Yale, where it took me over 7 years to get my degree. During those seven years, we also had two daughters, so the time wasn't totally wasted. I joined the Yale Outing Club, and did things like rock climbing and caving, which while in Chicago I never knew existed. Also, we met our closest life-long friends from the outing club.
After Yale, I did a post-doc at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, where our experiment (~35 physicists) discovered several new elementary particles, which ended up providing two of my professors with Nobel prizes, one of which was awarded while I was still working there. This good fortune landed me an assistant professorship at Harvard, which sounds a lot better than it was. Unfortunately, the experiment I was working on was 300 miles away, at Cornell, in Ithaca NY.
I got sick of the airport in Syracuse and being away from my family.
Since Abby and I are both from Chicago, we decided to come home. I turned down a job offer from Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab), and took a job at Bell Labs (later Lucent Technologies) in Naperville, which paid a lot better. I spent 20 years writing software for the telecommunications industry. I accepted a generous retirement offer, and within months accepted a job at Fermilab, this time as a computing specialist. So, I now find myself doing the same thing as I did in grad school,
but this time on a very large experiment (~4000 physicists) at CERN in Geneva Switzerland. Our experiment, and one of our competitors, just confirmed the existence of the “Higgs boson”. I will spare you an explanation.
The biggest event of our recent life was the birth of our first grandchild in 2012. Eli is now 17 months old, and is a joy. Since he lives in Brooklyn, we have to brave New York City to visit him, but they just visited us last week.
Our greatest enjoyment, other than family, is travel. We love nature travel, especially if the nature is accompanied by a sandy beach and coral reefs. The highlight was snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Since I graduated SSHS in 1962, rather than 1963, I've been going to those reunions. Unfortunately, this means that I missed all but one of the people I went to Horace Mann with. So, to me this is as much of a Horace Mann reunion as it is a SSHS reunion. See you all there. Email: [email protected]
Bill
Then I went to grad school at Yale, where it took me over 7 years to get my degree. During those seven years, we also had two daughters, so the time wasn't totally wasted. I joined the Yale Outing Club, and did things like rock climbing and caving, which while in Chicago I never knew existed. Also, we met our closest life-long friends from the outing club.
After Yale, I did a post-doc at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, where our experiment (~35 physicists) discovered several new elementary particles, which ended up providing two of my professors with Nobel prizes, one of which was awarded while I was still working there. This good fortune landed me an assistant professorship at Harvard, which sounds a lot better than it was. Unfortunately, the experiment I was working on was 300 miles away, at Cornell, in Ithaca NY.
I got sick of the airport in Syracuse and being away from my family.
Since Abby and I are both from Chicago, we decided to come home. I turned down a job offer from Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab), and took a job at Bell Labs (later Lucent Technologies) in Naperville, which paid a lot better. I spent 20 years writing software for the telecommunications industry. I accepted a generous retirement offer, and within months accepted a job at Fermilab, this time as a computing specialist. So, I now find myself doing the same thing as I did in grad school,
but this time on a very large experiment (~4000 physicists) at CERN in Geneva Switzerland. Our experiment, and one of our competitors, just confirmed the existence of the “Higgs boson”. I will spare you an explanation.
The biggest event of our recent life was the birth of our first grandchild in 2012. Eli is now 17 months old, and is a joy. Since he lives in Brooklyn, we have to brave New York City to visit him, but they just visited us last week.
Our greatest enjoyment, other than family, is travel. We love nature travel, especially if the nature is accompanied by a sandy beach and coral reefs. The highlight was snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Since I graduated SSHS in 1962, rather than 1963, I've been going to those reunions. Unfortunately, this means that I missed all but one of the people I went to Horace Mann with. So, to me this is as much of a Horace Mann reunion as it is a SSHS reunion. See you all there. Email: [email protected]
Bill
Tupler, Susan Primer
I have always felt very blessed. Growing up in the most wonderful neighborhood, with two great sisters and a third sister and best friend, Judy Brown Opper, was a memorable beginning. After graduating from Roosevelt University with a degree in speech and theatre arts, I started working in an advertising agency while attending graduate school. I ended up marrying the widowed owner, Leonard Primer, and adopting his five children. He and I then went on to have two of our own. These seven are the jewels of my life, along with the 11 grandchildren they have given me. I had 41 wonderful years with Leonard, who passed away 3 years ago. After Leonard passed away, I dated for two years, a South Shore alum, Stuart Dubin, who passed away last year. I feel blessed to have shared all those years with such wonderful men. In 1984, I started an event planning business called “Sue Primer-I Do!” I now spend my time with my kids and grandkids, working on weddings, bar mitzvahs, and corporate events, dating (a New Trier graduate), and leading a wonderful blessed life. I absolutely love what I do and hope to keep doing it forever. As always, I love working on the reunion and being with the committee members who inspire me with their dedication to our neighborhood, high school and our class. Happy 50th!!! Email: [email protected]
Weis, Michael D.
I am still working as an attorney. I live in Northbrook with my wife of 40 years, Susan. Our older daughter Heather, and her husband Eric are also attorneys. They have a daughter, our granddaughter 2 1/2 year old Scarlet. She is expecting another in August. My younger daughter is in her second year residency in ophthalmology. I enjoy reading, walking and otherwise keeping physically and mentally active. The greatest joys for me has come by knowing myself through introspection and the love of family and friends. Email: [email protected]
I am still working as an attorney. I live in Northbrook with my wife of 40 years, Susan. Our older daughter Heather, and her husband Eric are also attorneys. They have a daughter, our granddaughter 2 1/2 year old Scarlet. She is expecting another in August. My younger daughter is in her second year residency in ophthalmology. I enjoy reading, walking and otherwise keeping physically and mentally active. The greatest joys for me has come by knowing myself through introspection and the love of family and friends. Email: [email protected]
White, Francine (Frannie) Preston
After SSHS I did what was expected of me…I went to the U of I, got a teaching degree and got married, in that order. But, after that in the late 60’s, things got complicated. My new husband, Lee Preston (UHigh, ’61) joined the Army to avoid the draft notice and after basic training was sent to Germany, not Viet Nam…so off we went. I was 6 months pregnant with our son Michael, who was born in an Army hospital in Bad Canstatt, outside of Stuttgart. Only advice I remember my mother giving me when I got married was “Never have a baby in an Army hospital.” Eventually I understood why. When we returned to the states, Lee finished law school and I realized that I wasn’t very good at the park bench, sandbox thing. I went back to school, took a bunch of classes that interested me and got a Masters’ in Mass Media/Communications. For a number years I was a freelance writer in the Chicago area and I had a weekly column in the Tribune about one of my favorite pastimes – shopping .
Soon after finishing grad school on a lark, I pitched a full time job at ABC in Chicago. When they hired me, I panicked. Two kids, many carpools and no daycare in the late 70”s! Thirty years later after many jobs in local TV, 24 years at ABC7 in Chicago overseeing the advertising and promotion, public relations and programming and the last 6 years as the vp/station manager at CBS2, I often look back at my career as the most fun you can have ‘working.’ This was the heyday of local TV – when most of us got our news from just one of the 5 local stations. I met many celebrities, worked on creative commercial campaigns, met Presidential candidates, attended an awards ceremony in the Rose Garden, produced debates, entertainment shows and went behind the scenes of DisneyWorld for an exclusive ‘cast member’ tour. I was at ABC when Oprah was discovered, managed her publicity and worked on the transition when she bought her own show and became the most successful personality in broadcasting history. The immediacy and the power of the mass media has always fascinated me, then and even now as social and new media have become so powerful, even eclipsing the 500 channel universe we know today.
We have 2 very terrific children, not the least of which because they both live in the Chicago area, as do my 5 perfect grandchildren. Michael Preston, now 43, is Director of Client Development for the Freeman Corp, a very large corporate event company and is married to Kim, a Graphic Artist, who has her own Design and Invitation Business, Inviting Designs. They have 3 children, Koby, Joe and Emma. Sarah Preston Gorenstein (39) is Manager of Creative Content for Orbitz Worldwide. She is also a very prolific writer/blogger and has authored a blog for Parenting.com for years, in addition to writing for other Chicago area publications. Jay, her husband, is a sales rep for TSG Solutions, a logistics/trucking company in Chicago. They have 2 children, Preston and Ivy Rose Gorenstein, 1 month old!
My BFF is still Bonnie Zoloto, now Graff, whom I adore, still gives me the giggles and with whom I can start a sentence in the middle and she can finish it – and vice versa. I am still very close with Patti Bell Golden (my husband and I introduced Patti to her husband, Gerry Golden, his then law school classmate.)
Lee retired after 20 years on the Circuit Court this past January. We have a beautiful house in Scottsdale and just returned from our first ‘snowbird’ winter there. Every morning at sunrise, I look out at our spectacular mountain view and realize how lucky we are. Then I turn on the TV and see the snow, hail, wind and rain that we are missing and feel doubly blessed.
It has been a lot of fun to be part of the ‘committee’ reuniting and reconnecting with so many people. I loved calling classmates that I haven’t seen or heard from in many years. Our meetings are hilarious and we actually get some things done after rehashing the same old stories about the glory days of South Shore.
Years ago when I did “Principal for a Day” at Bryn Mawr Elementary (now renamed), the real principal said to me…”We had a real celebrity that went to school here…Michelle Obama.” After reading some of these bios posted so far, I think we had many celebrities at South Shore. What a great place to get a solid foundation for life. I am so impressed with the Class of ’63! Email: [email protected]
Soon after finishing grad school on a lark, I pitched a full time job at ABC in Chicago. When they hired me, I panicked. Two kids, many carpools and no daycare in the late 70”s! Thirty years later after many jobs in local TV, 24 years at ABC7 in Chicago overseeing the advertising and promotion, public relations and programming and the last 6 years as the vp/station manager at CBS2, I often look back at my career as the most fun you can have ‘working.’ This was the heyday of local TV – when most of us got our news from just one of the 5 local stations. I met many celebrities, worked on creative commercial campaigns, met Presidential candidates, attended an awards ceremony in the Rose Garden, produced debates, entertainment shows and went behind the scenes of DisneyWorld for an exclusive ‘cast member’ tour. I was at ABC when Oprah was discovered, managed her publicity and worked on the transition when she bought her own show and became the most successful personality in broadcasting history. The immediacy and the power of the mass media has always fascinated me, then and even now as social and new media have become so powerful, even eclipsing the 500 channel universe we know today.
We have 2 very terrific children, not the least of which because they both live in the Chicago area, as do my 5 perfect grandchildren. Michael Preston, now 43, is Director of Client Development for the Freeman Corp, a very large corporate event company and is married to Kim, a Graphic Artist, who has her own Design and Invitation Business, Inviting Designs. They have 3 children, Koby, Joe and Emma. Sarah Preston Gorenstein (39) is Manager of Creative Content for Orbitz Worldwide. She is also a very prolific writer/blogger and has authored a blog for Parenting.com for years, in addition to writing for other Chicago area publications. Jay, her husband, is a sales rep for TSG Solutions, a logistics/trucking company in Chicago. They have 2 children, Preston and Ivy Rose Gorenstein, 1 month old!
My BFF is still Bonnie Zoloto, now Graff, whom I adore, still gives me the giggles and with whom I can start a sentence in the middle and she can finish it – and vice versa. I am still very close with Patti Bell Golden (my husband and I introduced Patti to her husband, Gerry Golden, his then law school classmate.)
Lee retired after 20 years on the Circuit Court this past January. We have a beautiful house in Scottsdale and just returned from our first ‘snowbird’ winter there. Every morning at sunrise, I look out at our spectacular mountain view and realize how lucky we are. Then I turn on the TV and see the snow, hail, wind and rain that we are missing and feel doubly blessed.
It has been a lot of fun to be part of the ‘committee’ reuniting and reconnecting with so many people. I loved calling classmates that I haven’t seen or heard from in many years. Our meetings are hilarious and we actually get some things done after rehashing the same old stories about the glory days of South Shore.
Years ago when I did “Principal for a Day” at Bryn Mawr Elementary (now renamed), the real principal said to me…”We had a real celebrity that went to school here…Michelle Obama.” After reading some of these bios posted so far, I think we had many celebrities at South Shore. What a great place to get a solid foundation for life. I am so impressed with the Class of ’63! Email: [email protected]
Windchy, Karen Gardstrom
Graduated from Bradley University in 1967 and married Ken Gardstrom that summer. Taught junior high school for four years before starting a family. Was proud to be a "stay at home mom" to Kathy, David and Erik and am now a proud grandmother to Katelyn, Jakob, Ella and Kendall. Over the years have volunteered for schools, community and church related activities. At this stage of the game, we enjoy living in LaGrange, IL spending winters in Florida, summers in Michigan. Not too exciting but it works for us. Have always appreciated growing up in South Shore. It has a special place in my heart. Email: [email protected]
Winter, Joanie
Ah, the journey of life! Mine has taken me from South Shore to Bucktown within the borders of beautiful Chicago. In between, I’ve lived in Cleveland, Baltimore, Miami, Nashville, Skokie, Los Angeles, and Manhattan. I have amazing friends from coast to coast. And as of 2003 (the date of our 40th Reunion) this journey brought me back FULL CIRCLE to my hometown. More specifically, it was MICHAEL LEVITT (my prom date) who brought me back. All you have to do is ask Michael about it and he will gladly launch into our wonderful story… he tells it much better that I ever can. We married a year and a half later at the Knickerbocker Hotel, the site of our SSHS Senior Prom…(corny but awesome).
Lucky me: I inherited a fabulous family, including his two fabulous daughters (who have shared with me that they had heard my name their whole lives) and their just as fabulous husbands, AND as the years went on, five of the most loving, intelligent, gorgeous grandchildren ever. (AN UNBIASED OPINION IF EVER THERE WAS ONE!!!!!!) They fill my heart with new wonders every day. My daughter graduated from Berkeley undergrad and Boalt Law School and is now a practicing attorney in Portland, OR. My fabulous son lives in Hollywood. After graduating from NYU and following in my footsteps as a performer (actor, singer, dancer) both in NY and LA, he decided to turn his talents towards casting. He recently opened his own casting agency and is now making a name for himself as a Casting Director in film and TV. (In my humble opinion, the west coast is too far from Chicago!)
My young life in South Shore and at our small High School was generally filled with innocence and joy. I have always said that among our student body were some of the most intelligent and gifted people I have ever known. I have wonderful, dear life-long friends from both grammar school and high school. My activities were varied and many (check out that old TIDE), and I always felt surrounded by love and communal safety. After graduating from Northwestern University, I married and had a family. During those 30-some years of marriage (divorced in 2002), I was able to follow my dream as a professional singer/actress throughout the country. In the 1980s I toured with the national company of EVITA for two years as understudy to the title role. I’ve been very lucky with my career, to be able to work in a field that I love, and to have had some success in so many mediums: from children’s theatre to main stage, from commercials to film, from radio to TV, etc. I must say that although it has slowed down quite a bit, (due in part to the amazing travel that Michael and I have been able to experience), I am still active here in Chicago - in Cabaret, in SAG/AFTRA radio performances and some new shows awaiting productions.
As we approach our 50th reunion, there is a great deal of reminiscing going on. I have had my share of trials and tribulations along the way, as I believe everyone has had. But all in all, as this “cockeyed optimist” looks back, this journey of life has brought me to a wonderful place. Email: [email protected]
Ah, the journey of life! Mine has taken me from South Shore to Bucktown within the borders of beautiful Chicago. In between, I’ve lived in Cleveland, Baltimore, Miami, Nashville, Skokie, Los Angeles, and Manhattan. I have amazing friends from coast to coast. And as of 2003 (the date of our 40th Reunion) this journey brought me back FULL CIRCLE to my hometown. More specifically, it was MICHAEL LEVITT (my prom date) who brought me back. All you have to do is ask Michael about it and he will gladly launch into our wonderful story… he tells it much better that I ever can. We married a year and a half later at the Knickerbocker Hotel, the site of our SSHS Senior Prom…(corny but awesome).
Lucky me: I inherited a fabulous family, including his two fabulous daughters (who have shared with me that they had heard my name their whole lives) and their just as fabulous husbands, AND as the years went on, five of the most loving, intelligent, gorgeous grandchildren ever. (AN UNBIASED OPINION IF EVER THERE WAS ONE!!!!!!) They fill my heart with new wonders every day. My daughter graduated from Berkeley undergrad and Boalt Law School and is now a practicing attorney in Portland, OR. My fabulous son lives in Hollywood. After graduating from NYU and following in my footsteps as a performer (actor, singer, dancer) both in NY and LA, he decided to turn his talents towards casting. He recently opened his own casting agency and is now making a name for himself as a Casting Director in film and TV. (In my humble opinion, the west coast is too far from Chicago!)
My young life in South Shore and at our small High School was generally filled with innocence and joy. I have always said that among our student body were some of the most intelligent and gifted people I have ever known. I have wonderful, dear life-long friends from both grammar school and high school. My activities were varied and many (check out that old TIDE), and I always felt surrounded by love and communal safety. After graduating from Northwestern University, I married and had a family. During those 30-some years of marriage (divorced in 2002), I was able to follow my dream as a professional singer/actress throughout the country. In the 1980s I toured with the national company of EVITA for two years as understudy to the title role. I’ve been very lucky with my career, to be able to work in a field that I love, and to have had some success in so many mediums: from children’s theatre to main stage, from commercials to film, from radio to TV, etc. I must say that although it has slowed down quite a bit, (due in part to the amazing travel that Michael and I have been able to experience), I am still active here in Chicago - in Cabaret, in SAG/AFTRA radio performances and some new shows awaiting productions.
As we approach our 50th reunion, there is a great deal of reminiscing going on. I have had my share of trials and tribulations along the way, as I believe everyone has had. But all in all, as this “cockeyed optimist” looks back, this journey of life has brought me to a wonderful place. Email: [email protected]
Wittie, Robert
It turns out that a lot can be boiled down to a little. From South Shore I went to Ann Arbor, where I majored in economics and graduated from Michigan in 1967; then on to Cambridge and Harvard Law, receiving my JD in 1970. A few twists and turns later I was here in Washington, D.C., working as the thirteenth person on the letterhead of a newly formed, thirteen lawyer law firm. The firm has grown into a global firm with almost 4 times as many offices as we had lawyers then, and I suppose I've changed a bit, too, but I'm still here, practicing what I tend to call securities finance law, with a focus on mutual funds and other investment companies.
I was lucky enough to marry Pat Heckmann in 1977, and we have two terrific children, Michael and Rebecca. Pat is also a lawyer, with her own small firm, practicing government contracts law. Mike has a masters in public health and works in the Office of the National Co-ordinator for Health IT at HHS here in Washington. Becca is a social worker, working mainly with families with children in distressed situations. She lives in St. Louis, where she met her now husband while getting her masters at Wash U. No grandchildren yet, but I suspect that too will change.
Over the years we've traveled a fair amount, often to a favorite spot in the British Virgin Islands, to the Southwest and occasionally to Napa/Sonoma. We are looking forward to a family trip to Paris this fall and travel to more far-flung spots in the future. Mostly, though, we enjoy the company of family and friends, being home with our two cocker spaniels, rooting-on our Nationals, going to plays and similar events, and the overall pleasantness that life can provide. Email: [email protected]
I'll miss seeing you in Chicago.
Bob Wittie
I was lucky enough to marry Pat Heckmann in 1977, and we have two terrific children, Michael and Rebecca. Pat is also a lawyer, with her own small firm, practicing government contracts law. Mike has a masters in public health and works in the Office of the National Co-ordinator for Health IT at HHS here in Washington. Becca is a social worker, working mainly with families with children in distressed situations. She lives in St. Louis, where she met her now husband while getting her masters at Wash U. No grandchildren yet, but I suspect that too will change.
Over the years we've traveled a fair amount, often to a favorite spot in the British Virgin Islands, to the Southwest and occasionally to Napa/Sonoma. We are looking forward to a family trip to Paris this fall and travel to more far-flung spots in the future. Mostly, though, we enjoy the company of family and friends, being home with our two cocker spaniels, rooting-on our Nationals, going to plays and similar events, and the overall pleasantness that life can provide. Email: [email protected]
I'll miss seeing you in Chicago.
Bob Wittie
Zoloto, Bonnie Graff
My high school years were just what they should have been for a fun loving teen circa 1960. Life was proscribed in all the best ways and I lived it to the fullest, always feeling secure in our tightly knit community. Great family, great friends; our home at 76th and Chapel a gathering place for both kids and adults. With three teens at home, chaos reigned and informality was the word for the Zoloto house. Frannie White Preston and I, BFFs for 63 years, giggled our way through Bryn Mawr, SSHS and U. of I and are still going strong as friends and sistah soul mates. Whether hiding from Mr.Alo, dancing at the J on Tuesday nights or leaving anonymous notes in Roger Lange's locker, we somehow included academic achievement in our busy days. Something must have worked for me in the Chicago public school system. An avid reader then and now, I devour two books a week, belong to two book groups, and am plugged into my podcasts whenever I drive walk or try to fall asleep. Our schools made me into a highly curious information seeking adult; kudos to the Mrs. Owsleys (Bryn Mawr) of the world. Huge credit also goes to Mr. Kelly and Mr. Becker for bringing history alive for me and prompting me to choose it as my major at U. of I. I then earned my M.A. degree at Michigan State in history, where it was my good fortune to also meet the love of my life Barry Graff. We have been been married for 45 years, taking us from East Lansing to Tampa, Florida to San Diego. Barry was majoring in psychology and earned his Ph.D., eventually moving from the world of family therapy to that of family business consultant. I do wish he could have come to the reunion with me because, in addition to being the smartest person I know, he happens to still be really handsome, fit, and a great dancer! I guess I'll be dancing with Frannie Saturday! Just like old times.
Barry and I have two AMAZING daughters, the best sons-in-law on earth and five exquisitely perfect grandchildren with whom we spend loads of time. Erin and her husband Josh are both tenured professors; she is the chair of the Spanish Department at USC and he is the head of International Relations/Pacific Studies at UCSD. With their home just 15 minutes away from us, we have weekly after school pick ups and p.j. parties with their three boys, Simon, Miles and Eli. It’s a blast. Our younger daughter Allison is Senior Vice President Advancement and Corporate Strategy for City Year, an education based national non-profit that partners with disadvantaged public schools and the private sector. Her husband Michael is vice president of programs at Chrysalis, a non-profit organization working with the homeless and low-income population of LA. We see them and our granddaughter Maya and grandson Gil at least once a month. Grand parenting is a top priority for us! Our daughters are best friends and we all are in touch on a daily basis. Could anyone ask for more?
Barry and I make our home in paradise: LaJolla, CA 92037, and we thank the gods above everyday that we wake up, gaze at the ocean and enjoy the constant 72 degree temp! No comment Chicago weather bureau! We feel like the luckiest people on earth. While it was tough to break the family/friend midwest connection, we have had a life we could only have dreamt of and I am a California girl through and through. We have traveled the globe (Europe, South America, the Mid East) and will be back in Italy this fall to celebrate our big anniversary. We hope to travel even more when we retire, whenever that day comes.
After grad school I taught history and geography for four years before my girls were born. Once I was ready to go back to work, a chance encounter in a class I was taking led me to become the Program Director of Congregation Beth Israel, a 3000 member synagogue. My job has been at the center of my life and my core identity for almost 31years. I work in areas including interfaith relations, social justice, adult learning, fundraising and event planning and have learned marketing, social media and technology by the seat of my pants. I am surrounded by people 24/7; the job was made for me and I for it.
Our synagogue has been at the cutting edge of programming, creating the first professional staff position of Program Director in the country. I have served for years on the national board of my professional organization and have been honored to receive numerous national awards and recognition for our adult ed, interfaith outreach, and social justice programming. However, I hope my greatest professional legacy will be connecting hundreds of members with the community through our thirty chavurah (friendship/study) groups and providing countless other opportunities to bond with each other and the congregation.
I have thrived in this environment because it has brought together the professional and the personal in ways that most careers simply could never do. It is my home away from home. I am addicted to my work and am known by one and all for my emails at 1 a.m., resuming at 7 the following morning. I have the same energy level I had in high school, which can be a mixed blessing. As I always tell people, I sleep fast! When I was honored by the temple for my quarter of a century as Program Director, I assured them that I had gotten from them even more than I had given.
Life has been incredibly good for me and my family. I don't think I would ever have imagined that I could have "had it all" and yet somehow, miraculously, I have. I am blessed. Email: [email protected]
Barry and I have two AMAZING daughters, the best sons-in-law on earth and five exquisitely perfect grandchildren with whom we spend loads of time. Erin and her husband Josh are both tenured professors; she is the chair of the Spanish Department at USC and he is the head of International Relations/Pacific Studies at UCSD. With their home just 15 minutes away from us, we have weekly after school pick ups and p.j. parties with their three boys, Simon, Miles and Eli. It’s a blast. Our younger daughter Allison is Senior Vice President Advancement and Corporate Strategy for City Year, an education based national non-profit that partners with disadvantaged public schools and the private sector. Her husband Michael is vice president of programs at Chrysalis, a non-profit organization working with the homeless and low-income population of LA. We see them and our granddaughter Maya and grandson Gil at least once a month. Grand parenting is a top priority for us! Our daughters are best friends and we all are in touch on a daily basis. Could anyone ask for more?
Barry and I make our home in paradise: LaJolla, CA 92037, and we thank the gods above everyday that we wake up, gaze at the ocean and enjoy the constant 72 degree temp! No comment Chicago weather bureau! We feel like the luckiest people on earth. While it was tough to break the family/friend midwest connection, we have had a life we could only have dreamt of and I am a California girl through and through. We have traveled the globe (Europe, South America, the Mid East) and will be back in Italy this fall to celebrate our big anniversary. We hope to travel even more when we retire, whenever that day comes.
After grad school I taught history and geography for four years before my girls were born. Once I was ready to go back to work, a chance encounter in a class I was taking led me to become the Program Director of Congregation Beth Israel, a 3000 member synagogue. My job has been at the center of my life and my core identity for almost 31years. I work in areas including interfaith relations, social justice, adult learning, fundraising and event planning and have learned marketing, social media and technology by the seat of my pants. I am surrounded by people 24/7; the job was made for me and I for it.
Our synagogue has been at the cutting edge of programming, creating the first professional staff position of Program Director in the country. I have served for years on the national board of my professional organization and have been honored to receive numerous national awards and recognition for our adult ed, interfaith outreach, and social justice programming. However, I hope my greatest professional legacy will be connecting hundreds of members with the community through our thirty chavurah (friendship/study) groups and providing countless other opportunities to bond with each other and the congregation.
I have thrived in this environment because it has brought together the professional and the personal in ways that most careers simply could never do. It is my home away from home. I am addicted to my work and am known by one and all for my emails at 1 a.m., resuming at 7 the following morning. I have the same energy level I had in high school, which can be a mixed blessing. As I always tell people, I sleep fast! When I was honored by the temple for my quarter of a century as Program Director, I assured them that I had gotten from them even more than I had given.
Life has been incredibly good for me and my family. I don't think I would ever have imagined that I could have "had it all" and yet somehow, miraculously, I have. I am blessed. Email: [email protected]