Wilson Birthday Bash is Tomorrow!!

Here's a great party song that was a hit in 1965 to get you in the mood for tomorrow's shindig:

In Memoriam - Cindy Ricker Brown

We recently learned of the passing of Wilson '65 grad Cindy Ricker Brown, back in December 2016. She was born and raised in Tacoma with her sister Debby and a large extended family. Cindy loved the water and swimming, she not only earned her Lifeguard Certificate, but also accolades on the Wilson Water Ballet Team. After graduating, she attended UPS and earned her degree in Early Childhood Development. Cindy married US Airman Robert Brown in 1968 and after many years of traveling the world for his military career they settled in Robert's hometown of Pelham, North Carolina. She and Robert raised two children and were grandparents to five grandchildren.

You can read her full obituary here.

Birthday Bash Reminder

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY (FOR MOST OF US)!

Chronologically gifted
and we think it's great
so we're getting together to celebrate!

What: A Mini-Reunion

When: Saturday, August 12th from 3 pm to 7pm

You can stay later if you'd like - live music starts at 9 pm

Where: The Swiss Bar and Grill

1904 South Jefferson, Tacoma WA 98402

253-572-2821 - theswisspub.com

Dress code: Come As You Are, Informal… Casual

Cost: None, but food and beverage available for purchase.

Check out the awesome menu.

Questions: wilson65reunion@gmail.com

Be There or Be

In Memoriam - Will Cunningham

I remember Will Cunningham from high school and he was so funny and always appropriate. Besides passing Will in the halls of Wilson my only other significant interaction was to go on a double date with him (Will was not my date). I remember the double date and who I went with, but for the past few years, Will could not remember his date's name and always asked if I could remember (someone I had only met that night and she was several years younger than us). Will asking me if I remembered her name was a standing joke when we saw one another.

Will was proud that he went to Wilson. It showed, too. He was on the reunion committee and though he lived in Oklahoma and elsewhere, he managed to make nearly every reunion meeting. He was a hard worker, showing up hours before the reunions to set up and stayed to take decorations down, rearrange tables and chairs and anything that he could help with.

Will was a great Goodwill Ambassador, always happy, joking, making people feel good about themselves and seemed genuinely interested in what and how everyone was doing, talking to everyone he could in the group. I never heard him cuss, ever. He didn't gossip or say anything negative about anyone either. He was friends with everyone. Will was a true gentleman... always!

In high school, Will was very active in in our class, a good student on the honor roll. He was in drama, and appeared in the play Tom Jones. Will ran for Vice President and lost by only a few votes.

Will attended UW and then worked for the Northern Pacific Railway, which turned into his lifetime career with the BNSF Railway. He married his wife Marne in 1987 and soon they had two children,  daughter Delaney, who was recently married, and son Evan.

This has been very hard for me to write. I just couldn't site down in front of my computer and write.

He is missed by many people.

Here is the link to Will's online obituary:
http://www.whatcomcremationandfuneral.com/obituary/william-archer-cunningham

Birthday Bash Messages

We received several messages from Wilson Classmates who won't be able to make the Birthday Bash:

Janyce Engelland Bohrmann -
"What a great idea! I'd come to the party if a friend's grandson's Bar Mitzvah wasn't already scheduled that day. I'll be sorry to miss the gala event! Happy Birthday to us!"

Talby Gelb -
"NUTS! Gonna miss it. Will be in LA for the birth of our 4th grandchild! And...I am one of the many turning 70! Ugh! When did that happen? At least those of us turning 70 are still here!!
Wishing everyone a very happy birthday and a very healthy year ahead!!"

Nancy West Riches -
"This sounds like a great idea, and a wonderful party! Time to talk, good menu, time to stay with music if we want. Congratulations on a job well done. I doubt if I will be able to come, as Maryland is a long way away.  I do enjoy getting the Facebook messages.  I hope there will be lots of comments on facebook after the party, and I can catch up with everyone.  Thanks for taking your time to arrange the event. ( Nancy (West) Riches in Maryland, 11 miles from the Washington DC border, White House, Capitol, Arlington Cemetery with Kennedy's Grave and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and too many Smithsonian Buildings to count. I have no housing to offer, but tour advice from me is free!)"

Hannah Fuhrmeister Davis -
"Will raise a toast to Class of 65 at our Alaska Cabin. Have fun.  I hope there will be photos."

Rosie Engel -
"drat! wish I could be there...waaahhhh! Rosie Engel will be a no-show but tell everybody I said HELLO!!!"

Wilson '65 Alumni
70^th Happy Birthday Bash

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY (FOR MOST OF US)!

In honor of our long awaited 70's, we are having a party!
Do we really need an excuse to be with our friends?

What: A Mini-Reunion

When: Saturday, August 12th from 3 pm to 7pm
You can stay later if you'd like - live music starts at 9 pm

Where: The Swiss Bar and Grill
1904 South Jefferson, Tacoma WA 98402
253-572-2821 - theswisspub.com

Dress code: Come As You Are, Informal… Casual

Cost: None, but food and beverage available for purchase.
Check out the awesome menu.

Questions: wilson65reunion@gmail.com

Be There or Be

In Memoriam - Allan Erickson

Allan Lee Erickson passed away on Feb. 4, 2017. He was a kind, sweet, funny guy. After graduating from Wilson, Allan joined the Navy and then worked until retirement at the Puget Sound Naval shipyard.

- Read his online obituary -

In Memoriam - Bruce Messmer

Our Wilson classmate Bruce Messmer passed away recently. Bruce had a great sense of humor and loved fishing on the Columbia River. He stayed close to his Wilson roots, raising his sons in the North End of Tacoma. He is very missed by friends and family.

Read Bruce's online obituary.