Our Class
(and a lot of class we had and still have): Has anyone recognized that 2019 is the 65^th year since our graduation in 1954? Wow! That is both impressive and scary at the same time. Rather than an all-out reunion weekend that we have observed in past years, we will acknowledge the occasion at our two lunches this year, on April 11^th and in October. The reunions of the past were hugely successful and memorable, but the work and time to organize and prepare are also huge, and the old-time committee members were just not into it this time around.

These past few weeks, I have been updating the class database. This is not an intense activity, but just a little internet research in moments of downtime.

Our official graduation class size was 432. We have more names than that in the data base because there are names of some classmates whom we knew but who moved away before graduation. Hence, the numbers below will exceed 432. By my count, we have an active list of 242, a deceased list of 160, 61 on the lost list, and 13 who have requested not to receive notifications.

Most of the lost list is female because we only have maiden names on file. My suspicion is that many have passed on to the next life. Today I mailed letters to 18 for whom we have no phone number or email address asking for an update. Probably a bunch of those will be returned as undeliverable. As people give up land lines for cell phones, as they move from a street address to a retirement or care facility, it becomes more difficult to trace them despite the ubiquitous info on the Internet. I have not resorted to paying for information to find people.

From the Email Bag:
Mike Esparza sent an update from Colorado after the notice was sent about the April lunch. Mike was one of our class artists, with cartoons appearing in the Declaration (which was the school newspaper if you have forgotten.)

I will NOT be joining you but I will be moving to an assisted living facility this year. My doctor recommended the move. It’s almost six years since my wife died and aging forces you to cut back on your activities.

  I’m in good health. I do need to take five eye drops a day for my glaucoma. Three drops of one medicine, two drops of another and one at bed time.

  My two daughters and I are beginning the search. My oldest daughter works with Western Union  and should be busy through the end of March. Youngest daughter lives in Broomfield, a 45-minute drive on a toll road.

  I walk with a cane because I twisted my left knee a few years ago. I forget how many sessions of physical therapy I’ve taken which didn’t help much.

  I did have to make a drastic adjustment to my eating routine. I had to learn how to cook for myself. My Mom fed me through high school, the Air Force provided meals until I met my wife. We were married 55 years.

  Keep up what you are doing,

  Mike

Gone but Not Forgotten
As part of the searches for lost classmates, I have found six obituaries, with probably more as I find time. Here is the first of them.

Claudia Carol Neuerburg Fine

Posted: Friday, October 13, 2017 2:10 pm

Claudia Carol Neuerburg Fine, 81, went to be with our Lord on September 16, 2017. She was born in Alma, Nebraska on July 31, 1936, attended school in Taylor, Nebraska then moved to San Antonio with her parents and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954.

She attended The University of Texas in Austin then transferred and graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in San Antonio in 1957. She raised her three children in Kerrville and Austin. Her professional career in Kerrville included Nursing Supervisor and Head Nurse at Sid Peterson Hospital, Charge Nurse over the Surgical Unit at Kerrville Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Director of Nursing Services of Meadowview Care Center.

In Austin, her work included being the Charge Nurse in the Post Coronary Unit at St. David’s Community Hospital, Charge Nurse at Seton Medical Center over the Coronary Unit and later over the Chemotherapy Unit. Early in her career she also worked several summers as the Camp Nurse at Rio Vista Camp, Heart of the Hills Camp and Camp La Junta. She was an active member of the Eastern Star and past Worthy Matron, volunteered with the Salvation Army and performed volunteer work in schools during inoculation programs. Her heart and love for Nursing was well known and appreciated with multiple honors and she was the recipient of multiple expressions of love for her caring leadership. She also worked with many young boys as an active Cub Scout Den Mother.

She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her greatest love was for her Lord and for her Children.

Her survivors include her daughter, Kim Fine Harwell and husband Dennis Harwell, children Kristine Shafer and husband Drew Shafer, grandchildren Dillon and Kate Shafer; Brian Jones; Adell Harwell Grim and husband Evan Grim, grandchild Brooks; Sarah Harwell Kackstetter and husband Adam Kackstetter; son David Fine and wife Shelly Fine, grandchildren Valerie Fine Walls and husband Riley Walls , Michael Fine and Stephanie Fine; son Stephen Fine and wife Melissa Fine, grandchildren Tyler Fine, Austin Fine, McKenzie Fine, Graham Douglass, Grady Douglass and wife Sarah Douglass. She also has her sister, Colleen Pharr of Denver, Colorado and multiple nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff for the wonderful care she received at Kindred Hospice Center in San Antonio. She will be buried at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Kerrville at a private graveside ceremony with family.

If desired, donations in her honor may be made to Bulverde United Methodist Church at 28300 US Hwy 281 N, San Antonio, Texas, 78260 where she was a member or to Mufindi Orphans, at MufindiOrphans.org which she was supporting with prayers and love or to a charity that is close to your heart.