As you read this remember it is just Steve Coester's remembrances of a fantastic weekend. Every classmate and guest will have their own memories of the events and the people they most wanted to see.

    Lots of photos on the Ofoto server are linked to at the end.

    A host of classmates spent a heap of time getting this reunion off the ground after Del Campbell had spent over a year gathering the present whereabouts of almost everyone in the class. Several fine people helped him in his efforts. Kendall and Frostie led the reunion effort with Del, Kent Blackwell, Hank Dunbar, Janet Ackerman, Anne Parham taking on specific tasks. Del enlisted me for photo support and I prepared the individual photos of all 387 of us as well as the nametags which made it sooo much easier to identify all of those so very old people who showed up at the reunion.

    Yvonne and I flew into St.Louis on American Airlines, rented from Avis and arrived at the Kirkwood Inn (Best Western) about two pm. Several classmates decided to stay there so one was always running into some ancients and asking if they were there for the reunion. I got a lot of strange looks but found a few that way. We met in the adjacent Chilis and the local pub for drinks and chat, chat, chat and more chat.

    That was Thursday and that night several of us met at the Sunset 44 restaurant on Adams for a delicious meal and lots of gab. They finally had to shoo us out the door when they wanted to close up. Del and Pat, Pete and Liz, Hank and Betsy, Don and Gloria, Pat Girvin, Kendall and Kirk, Ann and Larry, and Steve and Yvonne dined there.

    Friday dawned a dreary rainy day. Del had planned a class tennis meet at Kirkwood Park but the courts were wet. I suggested finding an indoor court and Del managed to come up with a reservation. Don Steele, Pete Wincup, Del and Pat and I had a good time whacking the ball around for a couple of hours.

    I think for all of us Friday night was a party we'll never forget. The weather had cleared and the temperature was perfect at Joyce and Chuck Bauer's marvelous home. I for one felt we were acting out scenes from "The Great Gatspy" Barry Holt had provide a band and Barry and Chuck supplied food and booze. It all couldn't have been more perfect and the class owes Joyce, Chuck and Barry a mighty big Thank You.

    Saturday at 9 am several of us met for more tennis at Kirkwood Park. We switched around every four games so everyone played with everyone else. That was until we realized that the girls were too good for us and it got sort of segregated by sexes. Del who is ranked very near the top of the national rankings was in his good behavior mode and hit the ball back to the rest of us easily so we would stand a chance. Jeffre Butcher was watching us play and obviously thought I was better than I was. She said,"Steve, play up to your potential so I can see how you and Del match up." Yeah right! I was playing up to my (diminished) potential. I think we had ten players; the previously mentioned ones plus Hank Dunbar, Elaine Dubail, Nancys Taylor and Clem, and Marilyn Mueller. We did a lot of giggling and really enjoyed the competition. Pretty good tennis at our advanced ages.

    Greenbriar Country Club was the locale for the "formal" class dinner. I wasn't sure I would be allowed in because way back in about 1952 I used to caddy there and they told me," Never go into the main building and never associate with the members!" I guess I showed them! Happy Hour started at six and dinner was served at seven. The buffet was delicious with outstanding prime rib and finishing with chocolate sundaes. Del started the evening introducing the several faculty members who joined us. I spoke at length with Mrs. and Mr. Beltz. Mrs Beltz was my fifth grade teacher at Robinson and it was her first teaching job so she remembered us well and told me some stories from that class. Amazing! Kent and Hank made an emotional presentation for those "Gone but not Forgotten". Karen Grosse who now uses the alias Charli Hyden presented various awards such as "most grandchildren" and such. Janet Ackerman had us laughing with her presentation of the survey results. Poor Janet. She really worked on that job. Mike Miner also had us roaring with his dry wit as he presented Del with a painting of a Civil War battle scene in recognition of Del's outstanding service to the class.

    Well folks that was my reunion. We all would love to hear about your version of the events. At 0-dark-thirty, Yvonne, Del and I headed for the airport. Del was heading to Atlanta for the 60's Clay Court Championships and Yvonne and I back to Florida. We enjoyed seeing you all. It was all just grand!

Click Here for my photos of the 45th Reunion

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Steve