June 2008

Hello Central '56 Classmates!
 
I reluctantly send you this newsletter earlier than intended, but wanted all of you to know as soon as possible about the deaths of three classmates.
             Bill Pace
             Chester Caster
             Jack Kirsch
  
 Here are the reports that were sent to me:
  
 Bill Pace  

Sadly, I wanted to let you and others know that we lost another classmate – Bill Pace – a few weeks ago. It was probably not noticed by many since "William" was not his first name. I read  his obituary in The Commercial Appeal here in Memphis – think it was the end of March.

Bill owned a pump business over on Winchester, and he attended past reunions. But I don't know if he made the 50th. He was a nice, good-natured gentleman and had many friends. I thought you and others would want to know.

Tom Miles

Chester Caster (from: Judy Henderson Stevens (Class of 1957)

“In looking for "Lost Warriors" for the class of 1957, I was in contact with the daughter of Chester Caster. Chester died in Louisiana in December '04”.

Published in The Commercial Appeal on 6/11/2008:

IRVING JACK KIRSCH, of Memphis and Delray Beach, FL, died at his home in Florida on June 9, 2008. Jack was born November 23, 1937 in Memphis, the son of Rose and Philip Louis Kirsch. He graduated from Central High School and the University of Tennessee School of Pharmacy.

He practiced pharmacy in Memphis for 34 years and was the owner of the Prescription House on Madison Ave., and later Union Ave.

Jack was a member of Beth Sholom Synagogue. He was the widower of Susan Zechman Kirsch and was predeceded in death by his son, Jon Michael Kirsch. He leaves his son, David Kirsch; brother, Joe Kirsch; and his beloved companion, Patty Wolbe.
  
 (I was told suffered a heart attack following a lengthy bout with Parkinson's disease) – Billy
  
 Now some good news about your classmates!
  
 More from Tom Miles:

“Thanks for the recent email update on our 1956 class. My wife,
Norma, and I attended the 30th and 40th year reunions, but we
were unable to make the big 50th one in 2006. Special thanks are extended to you two and everyone else for all past efforts in organizing reunions and enabling our class to stay in touch. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. I didn't graduate,  but I'm still a classmate from 1956. So......Thank you!!
  
Hmmm, let me clarify. I quit high school in December, 1955, and enlisted in the Air Force. Served a year stateside, a year in Korea and 2 years in France. After 3 years at Memphis State, I re-enlisted in the Army. Worked up to Platoon Sergeant, earned a commission and retired as a Major, USA Counterintelligence. Volunteered for 2 tours in Vietnam, got a BA in Political Science from St. Martin's in Washington state, then returned to Memphis after retirement. But.......CHS 1956 is still held in my heart as my high school class.

I've been self-employed since1980 as a private investigator, and I formerly traveled extensively as an international agent for Lloyd's of London. My practice is now primarily devoted to contract duties as a Special Investigator for federal government agencies. My point? Well, my colleagues and I have exceptional skills and a host of unique resources. If we can ever be of assistance, especially in locating someone, please contact me. Some classmates have done so already. thehawkco@msn.com
 
OK. I've rambled enough. My sincere thanks again for all that you have accomplished, and I hope you'll continue. God bless, and take good care.”

Best regards,
Tom Miles

Our Graduation – from: Moose Bruce
  
John Crews, M.D., is the only one of us graduates that did not have a Sr. moment. The Sr. Prom was held at the Holiday Inn on South Third.
  
Billy, Tell Moose that our graduation ceremony was held at Ellis Auditorium, we had a junior-senior class party at the old JCC and no Senior Prom. By the way, Laura and I are moving to Oakland, TN as soon as our house here in Arkansas sells, which could take a year.

Richard Vollmer

From: Beverly (Dizzy Dunn) Corbett:

“On Saturday, April 11th, our two sons and their wives pulled off the surprise of a lifetime - a 50th Anniversary dinner for John and me. You know, you really shouldn't shock old people like that. We survived and managed to have a wonderful time with friends and relatives from across the country. We're wondering how they're going to top this next year. Four generations of Corbetts are pictured  - and one on the way! Hi! to all.“
  
From: Ruth Ella Burrow Peters

Dear Billy, thanks for the Central updates. Two bits of info from the Burrow/Peters side.  My mother, Mrs. Weldon Burrow, died last month at the age of 92 from complications surrounding hip surgery. Many of you remember spending time at mother and daddy's cabin in Raleigh with her and my father.

The other news – Coach Jerry Peters was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association last month. It was a great occasion and they honored his 48 years of service to athletics and young men. I am proud of him! He's going to coach at least another year, so pull for us to have a winning season at MUS. Love and kisses.

Ruth

From Jerry Davis:

“Billy, glad I haven't died, which seems a surefire way to get in the news. Have sent several "bios" and updates in, none of which have appeared. Guess they just disappeared into the ether or virtual world somewhere. Retired 15 Nov from the formal practice of orthopaedic surgery. Have subsequently had 6 weeks of Idaho skiing, lots of flyfishing and golf improvement. Leaving for Libera 1 May for three weeks of operating on a hospital ship sponsored by Mercy Ships (mercyships.org).
Close to Sacramento and pick a little 5 string, so maybe I'll look Johnny Hettinger up. Enjoyed the Big Reunion.”

Capsule Bio and Update
After graduating Central, 4 years at Univ. of Illinois, followed by Univ. of Tenn Medical School. Married Frances Freeland, a Vanderbilt girl from Nashville. Then off to internship with the US Navy in Philadelphia. Frank Adams was interning in Phillie at the same gime. We had our mutually owned Thistle #1204, a sailboat built for racing, up there with us. Frank and I discovered that working 36 on, 12 off for a year didn't leave much time for sailing. Then, the Navy sent Frances and me and newly arrived Julie to Pearl Harbor for three years. Since I expected to go to Da Nang with Fleet Marines, Pearl was pretty good duty. Body surfed, sailed and did general medicine for three years and then to an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Univ. of Cal, San Francisco, by which time Geoff Davis (born at Tripler Army Hospital) had joined us. Finished at UC in 1972, and did a Fellowship at the London Hospital, United Kingdom. So, in 1973, finally got a job and went to work in Danville, CA, about 30 miles out of San Francisco in the east bay. We were lucky, worked, played and everybody stayed well. Ended up being a founding member of what is now a 26-member Orthopaedic group. Along with being on our Level 2 Trauma Service, being a team doc for the Monte Vista Mustangs since 1981 has been one of the joys of practice. Frances and I have been on the sidelines every Friday night, home and away since 1981. We have some very good teams with a complex pro style offense and the talent to run it. Great coaching staff – very bright, committed and real gentlemen. They pass it on to the young men. Hate to say it, but I'd pick em over the '56 Warriors. Anyway, retired in Nov '07. But, we'll still be on the football field, and I have one of my younger partners who loves it, too, coming to games with me. So...that's the bio in a nutshell.

For the update, fished and skiied pretty solid thru the1st of April. Then had a great experience – flew to Monrovia, Liberia, where I did ortho on a hospital ship (The Africa Mercy) for three weeks. Fabulous mercy ships (mercyships.org). The Liberians have only been at peace for about a year, but seem to be a beautiful and religious people who love America. Even the Muslims there will have a beer or a tot of rum with you. A great DVD called Liberia, an Uncivil War, gives you the brutal history of the war. OK, I'm through with capsule bio and update...except to mention 4 grandkids: 8-yr old princess, 4 and a half-yr brother in Seattle and 4-year old twin boys down here in the Bay area.

Regards to all
Jerry Davis 

Well, OK Jerry! Thanks for the complete update. You have been (and are) a busy man. Good going and enjoy your well-earned retirement!

 That's about it for now. Thanks for the cards and letters and emails. I'll do my best to keep you all "in the know". Sophie Theodore has volunteered to gather the "locals" this summer for some R&R. How 'bout it, Sophie? What, when, and where?

Smile every chance you get. We're all approaching our 7th decade with lots of good memories to go along with the physical limitations of SOOOOO many years! Are you smiling??????
 
Billy Schaefer
wwsgoat@aol.com
        or
40879 N. 107th Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Oh yes, our class website is still up and running!
It's a great place for occasional bragging.