FACULTY TRIBUTE
During the month of April packets were sent to a dozen faculty members inviting them to some of the Class of 1969 40th Reunion gatherings. The following list indicates those who received an invitation with “sent” following their names. If they responded, that response has been added.
Any information you may have regarding addresses or otherwise will be greatly appreciated. This list will be updated as that information is received. Please send it info by clicking here.
Some faculty sent messages to the class which follows this list.
Franklyn Alexander (deceased)
Serena A. Bass (deceased)
Hugh E. Boettner (deceased)
Alan P. Bohme (sent)
Terrence J. Braje (sent maybe)
Laurence J. Brennan
Marie Cantwell (passed away on 9/8/2010)
Pearl S. Cassman
Irving H. Chasen (deceased)
Maureen C. Coan (sent regrets)
Henry E. Cohen
Judith Compton
Bryna Comsky (sent)
Angela P. Connolly
Charles E. Cooper
John J. Corrigan
Sargon D. David
Morris Davidson
Florence J. Denny (deceased)
Florence J. Dolejs (deceased)
George E. Easton
Willie L. Ekern
Guy K. Ekholm (deceased)
Romana R. Fierro
Vicki K. Gerson (sent)
Betty Gilbert (sent regrets)
Sharlene G. Gordon (sent)
Mable J. Grounds
Penny Harris
Jane Himel (sent ACCEPTANCE!)
Charlotte B. Kaiser (sent regrets)
Anita Kapsis (sent regrets)
Judith Klowden (sent)
Katherine E. Knaphurst
Maida E. Koenigsberg (sent)
Mary Susan Kovach
Renee Landan
Rochelle Langer Greenfield (sent)
Shirley Levy (sent regrets)
Anna R. Lewis
Helen G. Lindahl (deceased)
Kathleen T. McGinty
George Maniatis (sent regrets)
Ruth D. Meierdierks
Josephine D. Metelko (deceased)
Dorothy Miszkowicz
Jean E. Murray
Joyce Nagata (sent)
Patricia A. Neason
Mary M. Nesbitt (deceased)
Frederick E. Palliaer (deceased)
Mignon Pollock (sent)
Rudolph B. Rinka (sent regrets)
Domitilia Roby (sent)
Walter D. Rogers (deceased)
James Ryan
Elmer P. Sahlin (deceased)
Carole A. Pyant (Saucier) (sent ACCEPTANCE!)
Rita E. Shaw (deceased)
Marion R. Shortino (sent regrets)
Vivian Slavin
Veda Stern (deceased)
Kirk Stevenson (deceased)
Ben Stoller (deceased)
Frederick D. Suhr (sent)
Joan Sullivan
Pembroke W. Taylor
David Vanderberg
Julie Vanderhiden
Jewel S. Vasis (Sent ACCEPTANCE!)
Laura J. Walz
William R. Wolfe (deceased)
Rosemary Tirio, Former faculty coordinator (acceptance)
Faculty Comments – Page 2
Former Faculty News – page one
Former Faculty News – page 2
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Mr. William Wolfe
Amundsen HS Class 1969 Reunion Website 
Can anyone tell me about Alan Bohme? He’s the reason I’m a chemistry teacher today. I haven’t heard from him in several years.
Action taken: responded in person with Mr. B’s address. BL
Bohme was pretty cool with some pretty fierce breath.
I remember Miss Shaw very well. She encouraged me which is one of the reasons I am a Social Studies teacher today. Mrs. Denny was very warm, knowledgeable, and funny. While at grad school at Northwestern, in the mid 1970’s, I had the occasion to run into Dr. Gale who was doing some advance study there. We had lunch a few times and I came to know her and grew to appreciate her dedication to education.
Also interested in contacting Mr. Bohme. I was a lab assistant of his and he is the reason I won outstanding science student at graduation from my college. Thanks.
Miss Metelko was my favorite teacher of all time. She brought “Tale of Two Cities” to life and explained all the underlying plots so good. I was one of her favs. I took attendance for her in soph year. Actually the only academic class I was interested in. Ahhhh, wish I could go back and do-it-over.
Ms Shaw was my favorite. She was the only teacher who did not compare me to my brother who had the brains of the family. Because of her I am still interested in History. She was also interested in my Ice skating and what I was doing with it. When I had made the decision to move to Madison I went and visited her to let her know what was going on. She will be missed by me.
Jean Rentsch-Gates
HELLO CLASS OF ’69
Being able to attend the 40-yr. reunion, was truly a most amazing time. I loved visiting with everyone and hearing of the many memories of my art classes. From the sculptures still on the closet shelves, to the banners at the Museum of Science and Industry. Or of how many of you have followed into some career in art or just in the pleasures enjoyed over the years. My heart was in my throat and tears were in my eyes with the joy of sharing. KUDOS to Bonnie and her committee for all the hard work that enabled this weekend to happen.
My sincerest thanks….Shellee
Dear Bon,
The reunion experience has given us memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It is especially gratifying hearing the heartfelt responses from faculty and staff. From the committee members, and all those “quiet contributors,” who helped before and during the festivities, we could not have done this without you.
Would very much appreciate e-mail or address of Mr. Alan Bohme.
Pat Spejcher, so very glad you became a Chemistry Teacher!
You were brilliant and I was always so amazed how well you handled that slide rule*.
Julie Jovita Clayton
*Anyone born after 1960 do not bother to ask.
Does anyone know the whereabouts of my basketball coach Don English?
Response: My sources came up empty so I emailed Mike Brown and asked him to write/call Coach Rinka for information.
Although I did not have the pleasure of teaching your class (I arrived at AHS in Sept. of 1970), you were so kind to invite me to your reunion because I supplied some information about retired teachers. I had a very nice time. Thank you so much.
Today I came upon your tribute to your former teachers who have passed on. What a very nice thing to do. I knew most of these people.
I’m sorry to inform you that Librarian Mrs. Marie Cantwell also passed away Sept. 8.
You did a great job on your reunion!
Rosemary Tirio
Today I stumbled on your wonderful faculty tribute via linked in. I’m afraid I’m not keeping up with social communicating very well. However, I thank you again for including me in your reunion and in the faculty tribute. You must have been a wonderful class. I’m truly sorry I was not among your teachers.
Thanks again!
Rosemary Tirio
Rosemary – consider yourself an honorary member of the Class of ’69! 🙂 Bonita
It was nice to see what has become of all of my teachers. Although I was class of ’70, my teachers were the same ones as for those of you in class of ’69. *smile* My favorites were Mrs. Dolejs and Mr. Davidson, and of course Alan Bohme. I became a PhD chemist, instead of a veterinarian, because of Alan Bohme’s influence on my life. I lost touch with him shortly before getting my first job in industry. I would appreciate being able to write to him again after all this time. Thanks.
Response: Sure Sandra, you can reach him at: katybo@tds.net
BL
I am a 1970 graduate…Avis Waters…now Avis Meade…I remember a LOT OF THE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTATORS mentioned…as I dry my eyes I see that I can reach Mr. Boehm… although I was not a chemistry wiz, he made me feel really interested in doing well…he used a lot of humor in class and that is what made me feel comfortable…also, Mr. Rogers!! He was the greatest Asst. Principal any teenager could have had!! I am a PE teacher for over 45 years now, and all my past teachers have had a great influence in my career!! ..good luck to all new teachers in Ill….hang in there~
Alan Bohme attended the 1971 40th reunion on November 12. He is in most excellent health, and looked pretty much the way he did 40 years ago, but with white hair. He is married with 9 grandchildren, and lives about 3 hours NW of Minneapolis. He still teaches physics and chemistry on a part time basis. And, he still has that sense of humor…
Dear Dale,
It is wonderful to hear that another class invited Mr. B to their reunion and had the same experience as we enjoyed! If you visited some of the event pages on this blog that he attended (luncheon, cocktails, and our service of remembrance) you will see numerous pictures of him and about five other teachers. What a great gift the class of 1971 gave him! Kudos to you “young” guys! Bonita Lovison
…today, I was browsing the Amundsen 100th Anniversary facebook group and discovered in a post there that Mr. Wolfe passed away last spring R.I.P. Details at the link: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=William-Wolfe&lc=4636&pid=164796859&mid=5531563
Fred Palliaer, the only teacher I learned ANYTHING from in AHS