Contact Information: Change existing to the information provide here
Norman I. (Skip) Lee
Tel: Cell: (520)241-3498
E-Mail: 54wrs@msn.com
Address: 63119 E. Cat Claw Lane
Tucson, AZ 85739-2056
Class News: 1963, Summer 2004
News from the AOG: The AOG announced the death of Lt. Col (Ret) Harold E. Murk, Class of 1963. Lt. Col (Ret) Murk died June 2, 2004 of cancer in San Antonio. Burial at the Academy Cemetery was Wednesday, June 9th. Condolences may be sent to: Harold E Murk Jr. 16164 Walnut Creek San Antonio, TX 78247. Our thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to the Murk family.
Please note our contact information has changed. As predicted in the latest issue of Checkpoints, my days at Boeing are now complete and Linda and I have moved on to another phase of our life together. We leave Redmond and the Puget Sound area on July 1st and begin the process of moving to a new community called SaddleBrooke located just north of Tucson, AZ. Our new home is under construction and we should move into the house just about the time you read this article. We are very excited about the change but leaving the Puget Sound area is not easy. This has been a 3 year effort on our part and I must say that it has not always been without a lot of emotion and regret. I think the emotion is more involved in the adventure of moving and experiencing new places, new people and frankly, a significant change in environment: from the lake to the desert. And, there is much to be gained for living in a place where the weather is constantly good. Sure helps the arthritis and other pains and the golf course is just across the street. The regret is leaving a place so unbelievably beautiful and has so many good restaurants. Our townhome on Lake Sammamish is unlike anywhere else we have ever lived. We have now gotten used to being in one place; it has been more than 15 years since our last move. You just cannot believe how much we have thrown out or given away in the process of going to a new home and lightening the load or maybe you can. Many thanks go to classmates who have counseled me on how to retire. If their predictions are correct I should have quit a year ago!
Speaking of retirement, Bill Mitchell, retired American Airlines Captain, sent us the following photograph of him standing next to his King Air 200. I am jealous. Note the 4 stripes and the Glock 45 Auto. Bill says his Real Estate Company (The Mitchell Group) in Carmel and Pebble Beach has grown and they now have 125 agents, 5 offices and are the largest independently owned real estate firm in Monterey County. I wonder if Bill remembers “Premier avec une étoile”. All Golden Boys visiting Carmel or the Pebble Beach area are asked to give him a call. His number is (831)624-3355. I have to say the Monterey Peninsula is my favorite place on earth, bar none, and Linda and I try to pay a visit there whenever we can and our bank account permits. We’ll be giving Bill a call.
(Ed. Note: I have a “hard copy” photograph of Bill and his King Air entitled “Bill’s solution for the hassles of commercial airline travel,” but cannot publish the picture without an electronic version.)
Subject Change: As promised, Jim Gaston did send me the video he made of the Way of Life Committee ceremony during our reunion in November when Roger Sims, Chuck Bush, and Ike Payne were honored with Pathfinder tiles by the cadet Way of Life Committee. The video is extremely well done and if you want a copy Jim says he will be glad to burn a CD and send it to you. Jim also sent along the 50th Anniversary DVD, Expect Great Things and I found that to be an excellent piece of work with lots of historical footage. You are encouraged to get yourself a copy!
(Ed. Note: removed a short section from Warren Nogaki who sent me some photographs of Lynn and Barney Bartlett. They were not able to attend the reunion in November so as they are busy raising their 3 teen-age sons, among other things.)
The FAC Association held its third reunion from 5-9 May in San Antonio. Approximately 325 attended, including three of our classmates Bill Ebert, Bob Murphy, and Dick Slowik. Along with the usual, two O-1 aircraft and one O-2 took some of the fellows--plus a few wives--aloft. Dick sent us a photograph taken at the reunion. Looks like Randolph. I swear one of these times soon I am going to attend that event. It sounds like a great time.
L to R: Murph, Ronnie, Bill and Dick
63 Web Site Guest Book Excerpts: this is a new addition to the news—go to the Class Web Page and browse the “Guest Book” you will really be happy you did! A great example is an input from the wife of our deceased classmate Bob HANNEKEN:
“I just discovered this URL this afternoon while surfing around on the net. President Reagan's funeral put me in a very reflective mood. I have often thought of those of you I met through Bob and wondered how you are doing. Many familiar names are in your Guest Book, bringing back wonderful memories. Bob and I had two children, Christie (now 40) who is a Pediatrician, married with two sons, one 11 and one 9. I call them my blonde buddies. Michael is 36; he and his wife are Architects living in the San Francisco Bay area, also with two children a boy 3 years old today and a girl 1 and 1/2. All are well and the lights of my life. Many fond wishes to each of you.”
Late News: John Bellotte and Ingeborg (Susi) Molitoris are getting married June 28th. More next time (I hope) from Dick and Lynne Ferency who will/may attend the wedding. Also, from Carolee and Butch Verdier—their new e-mail address is pcverdier@yahoo.com.
That’s it for now. We look forward to hearing from you. During our transition; the best way to make contact will be through our e-mail address 54wrs@msn.com or (520)241-3498. Take care and be careful out there.