This website is the creation of Don Packwood, your class nerd in High School, and still a nerd. I also created the 50th reunion website for the class, and it still available from this updated website. This website is worth viewing again because it contains the latest email address list we know for our classmates, a list of those who have died, and a PDF copy of the 40th reunion booklet with lots of great biographical info. If you click on the link above, the 50th reunion website will pop up in a new tab. If you click on this 2008 classmate picture link, a full sized picture of your classmates and their identities will pop up in a new tab.
This StJoeCHS58 site will include many other pictures of our classmates over the years. I have given up trying to make it so you can upload some of your own pictures to this blog. It is just too complicated, and if not done right could damage the site. Please send me your pix of the 60th reunion, and I will post them.
I have also given up on the necessity of classmate registration and login to try to keep cranks and malicious spammers out. This has made the site too difficult for classmates to view. The Home Page includes several of the latest pages of our 60th class reunion. These all can be seen by scrolling down. To see the rest of the pages, you must click on their links in the Menu at the top.
Anyone who read this greeting while this website was still under construction, found me complaining bitterly about WordPress, the miserable software I used. Now that I have somewhat mastered it, it was very quick to construct a new web page compared to the software (now defunct) that I used on the 50th Reunion web site. It was worth the painful learning process. This website is now complete unless someone else sends me some pix. Bookmark the URL (stjoechs58.dlpackwood.com/dir/) , and come back from time to time to view any updates.
As a preface to the pictures of the 60th Reunion, below, this report by your Senior Class President, Jack Stuber, gives a good description of the activities. It will give you a better idea of what you are looking at if you weren’t there.
Dear Classmates: Last weekend the class of 1958 celebrated it's 60th reunion. The series of events was organized by Dwight and Pat Pope. They did a tremendous job of ensuring that this was a truly memorable reunion. Friday night there was an initial gathering for dinner at Bandanna's Restaurant. The menu rivaled some of Kansas City's famous barbecue spots. At the conclusion of the meal we were entertained by a local hostess/comedian. The prize for traveling the greatest distance was awarded to Judy(Bermond) and Arne Goth who came from Sweden.
On Saturday graduates of Noyes School met at the Hi Ho bar and grill on Frederick Avenue. This event was ably organized by Garland(Butch) Wilson. This gathering afforded the opportunity to visit with friends from elementary school and junior high.
At 2 o'clock on Saturday we visited The Cronkite Museum on the Missouri Western campus. This interesting memorial is a tribute to the well known St Joseph native. You probably recall Cronkite's cousin Kay who was three years ahead of us at Central and later became mayor of Kansas City. Robert Vartabedian, President of Missouri Western, was part of the inspiration behind the establishment of the memorial.
Between 4 and 6 o'clock the class assembled in a banquet hall in the same building housing the Cronkite memorial. Following two social hours we sat down for dinner. University President Robert Vartabedian provided interesting commentary about the university and the Cronkite Memorial. He also was introduced to our scholarship winner, Rachel McKeighan, who will attend Missouri Western. We enjoyed good food and conversation and were entertained by Dwight's reminiscences and skits.
Following dessert I introduced Rachel to the assembled group. She gave a moving speech which included a poignant poem that she had written. She is the third individual to be awarded a scholarship by our class. The last two years we were able to offer a $2,000 scholarship. Rachel is truly a remarkable person. In spite of unbelievable obstacles, she graduated with a 3.75 GPA while living on her own, helping her younger sister, and working two jobs. She also qualified as an EMT while in high school. She will be attending Missouri Western in the honors nursing program but has a desire to go to medical school and become an ER surgeon. Although our scholarship is relatively small, it will lessen somewhat her work requirements during the first year of college. The scholarship has also given Rachel confidence that there is a whole class of friends supporting her efforts. More than ever I feel that this scholarship is helping individuals achieve their goals. At this moment our scholarship account is valued at $44,500. This amount will permit a $2,000 award per year in perpetuity. Those of us who have been involved in the scholarship process would like to see the amount in the fund increase allowing a larger award each year. If you would like to donate further or make an initial donation please contact me or Bob Fitzsimmons or The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri.
On Sunday morning Errol and Sherry Taylor graciously opened their home for a delightful brunch. It was a beautiful morning and the food and atmosphere were a fitting conclusion to a wonderful and satisfying experience. No doubt this will be our final reunion. Thanks to all who were able to attend and best wishes to those who were unable to be in St. Joe. One of the benefits of social media is that we can keep up with each other from a distance. Best regards to a truly remarkable class. Jack Stuber
