Recently, my wife and I received an invitation to a 50th high school class reunion. No, the reunion is not my high school nor my wife's school; nope, it is the 50th class reunion of the Assumption 'Comets,' my very first teaching/coaching assignment (school) from 1962-63-64.
Upon graduation from Illinois State University (1961), I did not enter the teaching profession but instead, I joined my father's St. Louis based company, American Industrial Linings. It was a decision driven by a heartfelt-alliance but wrong-headed thinking. I was not prepared for a sales position in corrosion protection fabrication. After one year going through the motions, I made the right decision and entered the enterprise for which I had attended college; teaching/coaching.. I was eager to find something as soon as possible and jumped at the Assumption high school/junior high school job. That vacancy consisted of a junior high teaching assignment in geography, history and physical education while serving as high school head baseball coach and assistant football and basketball coach.
The two years Gerry and I spent with toddler son, Steve in Assumption, Illinois remains one of the greatest experiences of our nearly 54-years of marriage. Since moving to Decatur (23 miles North of Assumption) eighteen years ago, we reconnected with old Assumption friends from a half-century past. Unfortunately, we have said final goodbyes to several of those dear friends.
Our interaction in Assumption went beyond the teaching/friendship experiences. During the two summers (1963 and 1964), I conducted a youth morning baseball instructional camp and evening baseball league while Gerry conducted an afternoon youth-craft program. Our work and school involvement put us in contact with many of the 1300 Assumption residence. That said, Gerry and I look forward to May 24th this year when the Assumption high school class of 1964, will recall 'The Way They Were.'
Holy crap, those kids are now old farts, too!
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