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Volume 6, Number 2,
September 2001
MIDNIGHT SUN ONLINE
-The Online Newsletter
for Robert E. Peary High School Alumni-
MSO WEB SITE - http://www.pearyhs.org/
Page 2
From:
Brenda Zerbe St Thomas <brendastthomas@hotmail.com>
(1980)
Date:
Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Subject:
Update
I
want to announce that my son Matthew Kelley has graduated from boot camp
in Great Lakes, IL and is now officially a sailor!
It was a long summer for Matt, but he made it, and now has 42 weeks
of ET school in Great Lakes. His
twin brother James is attending St. Mary’s College of Maryland and is
double majoring in political science and economics.
Older brother Mike is a LCpl in the Marine Corps., works as an air
traffic controller and is stationed in Beaufort, S.C.
The nest is getting emptier, but I still have the younger 4 at home
to keep me busy (Joe 11, Abigail 8, Bethany 3 ˝ and Jennifer 2).
That’s
about it, I am still at home with the kids and my husband Jeff is still in
construction. Hopefully our dream of moving to Montana will become a
reality not too far in the future. His
parents and other family are there and we are anxious to get back to
fishing the Yellow Stone.
From:
ROBERT BARRETT <RB12@UMAIL.UMD.EDU>
(1978)
Date:
Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Subject:
Update
Occupation:
OMPUTER/AUTOCAD TECHNICIAN, Spouse: UN-MARRIED....YES!!!
Since
High School: I SPENT 6 YEARS IN THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. I LEFT AS A
SEARGENT IN A INFINTRY BATTALION. I ALSO JUST CELEBRATED MY 20TH
YEAR @ THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. I WORK IN A ENGINEERING/ARCHETECTURAL
DEPARTMENT.
Future
Plans: RETIRE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WITH 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
& THEN GO DO WHAT I LIKE.
Memorable
Teacher: MR. CINO.....HE WAS A REAL FUNNY GUY.
From:
Tina Welt Chitwood <tina@summit.net>
(1972)
Date:
Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from fellow alumni.
Occupation:
fourth grade school teacher, Spouse: Rick (1972), Rick’s
Since
High School: raising children and teaching
Future
Plans: attend graduate school to become an administrator
Memorable
Teacher: Mr. Clark his class was great and he was a very supportive
teacher
From:
Dena Besoner Saunders <DSaunders@hrsa.gov>
(1972)
Date:
Wed, 29 Aug 2001
Subject:
Oldies 100
I
have a part time job working with Oldies 100 radio station. If you go the
web site Oldies100.com and click on Riverfest and then click on pictures,
there is a picture of me on the third page with Paul Revere and the
Raiders (I’m in the white hat). I do PR work for them. It’s a group
picture that says, Paul Revere and the Raiders and the BIG Staff.
Take
care
Dena
Besoner Saunders
Class
of ‘72
From:
Debbie Dalton Roberts <bderoberts@home.com>
(1983)
Date:
Sat, 1 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
How I
found out about the website? Browsing Real Estate Web Sites for Florida.
Occupation: Personal Fitness Trainer, Spouse: Bobby, Children:
Memorable
Incidents: Too many to recall, but probably gymnastics above all else.
Since
High School: Worked at Marriott until 1988, the joined the Navy and built
underwater mines! Was in Guam 2 ˝ years, then to Hawaii from 1991 - 1994.
Married in Hawaii to Bobby. Then I got out of the Navy and became Personal
Fitness Trainer. Went to Puerto Rico for 3 years, and have been in San
Diego since 1997. Adopted Emma at birth in January 2000.
Future
Plans: Bobby has 4 years left to retire in the Navy. We are moving to
Panama City Beach, Fl on November 1st.
Will forward you all new info then. Planning on opening a personal
training studio or small private gym. Also, adopting another baby!
Memorable
Teachers: I need time to think about that one - I believe I must have
skipped too many classes my senior year!
I
missed the 5-year reunion because I was in boot camp, and the 10-year I
was in Hawaii. I won’t miss the 20-year!
From:
David Wagner <cohiba@canada.com>
(1976)
Date:
Mon, 3 Sep 2001
Subject:
What I’ve been up to...
WOW!
What I did after school: Fooled around (like I spent my school years)
until Rick Smith hooked me up in the electronics business. I’ve been in
it ever since. (Thanks, Ricky!) I had a little starter marriage that ended
before it started, and got married again in 1989 to a very pretty redhead
from Baltimore, Karen Leicht. We had one beautiful daughter, Katie, who
died five days after her first birthday (Neuroblastoma), and we have a
very handsome son, Michael, who is almost 7. We live in Pasadena,
Maryland, and Michael goes to school at St. Janes in Rivera Beach. I’m
the general manager of Future Electronics in Linthicum, a BIG company
based in Montreal, and so far so good. My wife, son, & I play a lot of
golf, at Sparrow Point CC, and watch whatever sport that Michael is
playing at the time. We also collect wine, and enjoy Baltimore &
Annapolis
Memorable
Teachers: I’d have to say Ms. Dawson stands out, as does Mr.
Proett, who had a ton of patience for a kid with no math aptitude.
(now it’s all I do all day...)
Peace
out!
From:
Katherine Balon Kelley <kkelley@epb.com>
(1985/Rockville)
Date:
Mon, 3 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from the Class of ‘85 mailing.
Occupation:
Payroll Manager, Spouse: Butch, Children: While I don’t have any of my
own at this time, I am a very proud Godmother to Eric & Monica (Godoy)
Hanson’s beautiful daughter, Erica!
Since
High School: After graduating from Rockville, I completed an AA Degree in
Business at Montgomery College, then onto the University of Maryland for a
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the College of Business &
Management. While in college,
I started a career at a marketing ommunications/advertising
agency in Bethesda, MD. This
November will mark my 15th year at Panoramic Communications LLC,
having transitioned from Human Resources to Payroll.
Future
Plans: My husband and I are planning to build an addition onto our house,
as well as continuing to travel. We’ve
enjoyed recent trips to Italy and Ireland, and are looking forward to
California and Alaska soon.
From:
Michael D. Smith <mdsmith@fugen.com>
(1984)
Date:
Tue, 4 Sep 2001
Subject:
Notice of the Passing of Rick Groner’s father Richard F. Groner
Richard
F. Groner, father of Rick Groner class of 1984, passed on August 31st.
The
viewing will take place on Tuesday 09/04/01 from 7-9 pm at Collins Funeral
Home (301) 593-9500. The address is as follows: 500 University Blvd. W.;
Silver Spring, Maryland 20901.
Mass
is Wednesday 09/05/01 at 10 am at the Ukrainian Church-Holy Family located
across from National Shrine located on the premises of Catholic
University. Burial will be at the Gate of Heaven in Aspen Hill, Maryland.
OBITUARY
From the Washington Post:
Economist
Richard F. Groner Dies Tuesday, September 4, 2001; Page B04
Richard
Francis Groner, 67, whose monthly reports tracking regional economic
trends for the D.C. government were regarded as the most comprehensive for
the region, died Aug. 31 at Montgomery County General Hospital after
collapsing at his home in Rockville. He had emphysema.
Mr.
Groner retired in 1994 as chief of the D.C. labor market information and
research staff, which analyzed employment, the labor market and job growth
in the metropolitan area. Among the trends he and his staff were credited
with identifying were the effects of recession and job loss on the
suburbs. The monthly reports also called attention to labor shortages and
analyzed manpower trends by industry, and they were a prime source for
journalists and other analysts.
Washington
Post reporter Anne Swardson wrote in a 1990 article that Mr.
Groner had become “not just a respected member of the local
economist network, but perhaps the leading expert on the unique economy of
the District itself.” Mr. Groner began his Washington career with the
Bureau of Labor Statistics at the Labor Department. He worked there for 10
years and for the D.C. Department of Employment Services for 26. He was
also an adviser to the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the
Montgomery County public school system.
Mr.
Groner was a native of Oil City, Pa., and a graduate of Gannon University.
He did graduate work in economics at Catholic University, and he served in
the Army in Japan. Mr. Groner
was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Washington, St. Patrick’s
Catholic Church in Rockville and the Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Groner of Rockville, and two
children, Richard Groner of Rockville and Kristina Groner of Bethesda.
From:
Combined Sources
Date:
Wed, 5 Sep 2001
Subject:
John Lejnar’s passing
Information
from Jean Lejnar jmlej@yahoo.com and
Walt Burroughs (1978)
John
Lejnar (1979) passed away at 3:00 am on September 5th (last
night) after his battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
He fought valiantly until the end.
He is survived by his wife Linda Lejnar, their two children Jordan
(3 years) and Zachary (1-1/2 years), his twin sister Jean Lejnar (1979),
brother Stephen Lejnar, sister Susan Lejnar (1974) and parents Helen
Lejnar and Emil Lejnar. He
was truly loved by his family and the hundreds that knew him through his
music and various activities. His
viewing is September 7th at Collins Funeral Home in Four
Corners from 3-5 and 7-9 and the funeral is Saturday September 8th
at St. John the Baptist Church (New Hampshire Ave - Hillandale area) at
9:15 am. He will be buried at
Gate of Heaven Cemetery after the service.
If
you would like to show your support for Linda and John’s two children,
you can send a check made payable to Linda Lejnar and mail to:
Friends
for John, 2810 Spartan Rd., Olney, MD 20832.
From:
Todd Penry <wendy_todd@earthlink.net>
(1985/Rockville)
Date:
Wed, 5 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from the Class of ‘85 Reunion mailing.
Occupation:
Engineer, Spouse: Wendy, Children: Alexander Troy - 2 years
Since
High School: Graduated from Virginia Tech 1989. Worked for Vitro Corp.
(now BAE Systems) since graduation. Married
1994 to Wendy (met in college). Alex
born in 1999.
From:
Walt Burroughs <WBBJr1@aol.com>
(1978)
Date:
Wed, 5 Sep 2001
Subject:
John Lejnar, we will miss him.
Dear
Friends,
Our
wonderful friend John Lejnar has passed away, he died around 3 AM
Wednesday morning the 5th of September 2001. He had his loving
wife Linda and his big brother Steve by his side when his time for peace
came.
Please
say a prayer for John and his family and thank God for the
wonderful gift of John and the time he had with us to brighten our
lives.
Love,
Walt
From:
Dennis Diehl <ddiehl@home.com>
(1966)
Date:
Fri, 7 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
How I
found out about the website? a whim and a guess.
Occupation:
building maintenance tech, Significant Other: sarah harper, Children: no
kids... a very sweet chocolate lab named jazz, 15 months, Grandchildren:
impossible
Memorable
Incidents: 3 suspensions, in which i was entirely innocent; skipping 30
days in senior year (totally coerced); basketball practice with no water
allowed; hangin with the “futures”
Since
High School: living my life... lots of travel in the 60’s and 70’s,
including 25 countries and 45 states. now: photography, tennis, biking,
renovating my country home with my darlin’
Future
Plans: not dying anytime soon... too much to do, too much fun to be had,
still have a great deal to learn.
Memorable
Teachers: Mr. Hill—such a
class act, all-around great dude; Bill Williams—great coach;
James Judd—life lessons; Mintie Glass—great name... put up with
my clowning
Other
alums I know about: Mike Flynn—abducted by aliens, June 3,
1971,
returned as defective, June 4, 1971
nice
to be back in touch. where
was I?
From:
Mark Breedlove <BBigmark@aol.com>
(1979)
Date:
Sat, 8 Sep 2001
Subject:
The passing of John Lejnar
Hello.
I am
writing a short article here about my friend John Lejnar, who passed away
Sept 5 from Pancreatic Cancer.
I
first met John in the 5th grade at St Judes Catholic School on
Veirs Mill Rd. I was transferred there to improve my education. I came
there an overweight, shy kid, with no friends looking for acceptance as
kids do growing up. I was teased a great deal, but John became my friend
when most of the others stayed away. We would play handball and through
the 2 years I was there, John was a really good friend to me.
I
left after 6th grade and we went our separate ways until we saw
each other again at Peary. John and I were not real close at Peary (only
because we had a different circle of friends), but I never forgot the
kindness he showed me at St Judes.
Later
in life I married, and my wife kept saying to me “I know this guy who
knows you from school” it was John. He would run an open mike night for
people who wanted to share their music with others (he was a fine Guitar
player also). As time went on, my wife and John became good friends.
When
John took ill, my wife helped organize a benefit for John and his family
and raised a great deal of money.
What
I saw most in the last few months of his life was his courage to carry on.
I don’t know if I will be as brave as he was, and he remained the same
kindhearted person I had met so many years before.
On
Sept 8th at the funeral service for him I was amazed, but not
surprised, at all the love for this man there in the church. He left many
friends and a loving family.
To
John it was probably not a big deal, all those years ago when he
befriended me at St Judes, but it helped me along in my life. Some day we
may meet again, until then, goodbye my friend. Thanks for being there for
me, thanks for being John Lejnar.
Mark
Breedlove (Class of 79)
From:
Robin Weisman Cannon <Raeuscan@aol.com>
(1975)
Date:
Sun, 9 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from a classmate on Classmates.com.
Occupation:
Entrepreneur, Spouse: Pat, Children: 3 children: 22, 17 y/o twins,
Grandchildren: none yet
Memorable
Incident: the death of mr. campitell during a dance.
Since
High School: Moved to TN. Had 3 children. Divorced spouse after 10 years.
Started my own business. Remarried.
Memorable
Teachers: Ms. Brewer & Ms. Jeffers: always gave us a lot of freedom.
Mr. Clark for making the girls wearing mini skirts point out where Moscow
is. Ms. Luck sending me to the principal’s office for “inappropriate
clothing.” Ms. Thomson: never was able to stop Janice Whitaker & I
from talking. Zorb & Lewis: combing the halls and busting Kathy and me
for smoking.
This
is really a great service!
From:
Richard West <westri@mail.northgrum.com>
(1973)
Date:
Mon, 10 Sep 2001
Subject:
Update
I
found out about the website from friends.
Occupation:
IT Technologist - Large Defense Company, Spouse: Lois Elizabeth Miller
West, Children: Jennifer Age 20 Richard Montgomery HS Class 1999 Now MC
Student, Rebecca Age 19 Richard Montgomery HS Class 2001 Now Salisbury U.,
Kimberly Age
14
Freshman Rockville HS Class 2006, Laurel Age 10 Meadow Hall EM Grade 5
As I
mentioned in my original post a couple years ago, I have pretty cleaned up
my act, and am currently the Systems Management Server Architect for a
large Defense company with over 80,000 employees. My loving wife Lois
(Miller) West (Rockville HS Class ‘78) and I have 4 daughters- 2 in
college, one an aspiring actress (look for her in Rockville HS. Arsenic
and Old Lace production this fall), and the youngest in 5th
grade. Still see some old Peary folks around (Bryant Brooks ‘74 and I
compete in a Fantasy Football League), but not enough.
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