Register, log in, or view classmates

John Carlson

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: College Professor
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: The biggest surprise of the last 50 years for me was how much I've enjoyed having kids. I had no idea how much fun it would be to have little kids, and I still really enjoy being a Dad. One of my sons is in college here on the East Coast but likes to come home for dinner once a week or so. My other son is at school on the West Coast but we still talk all the time.

I'm very grateful to Ames High for providing an excellent education and a solid foundation for all that's followed since.
Comment: Thanks to the organizers!

Dick Carter

Then Then
Now Now
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired

Bob Catus

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired

Carol Nicklaus (Chantland)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 3
Occupation: Retired - Internal Auditor
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: For over 40 years, I have lived with my husband, David, in Webster Groves, MO, a suburb of St. Louis where we raised our 3 wonderful children. Two of our three kids are married and we now enjoy our 7 grandsons. I retired from the Federal Reserve Bank as an internal auditor and my husband was a business columnist at the St. Louis Post Dispatch newspaper. Since we are both retired, we enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, biking and visiting our families in Iowa, Illinois and Columbia, MO. We still travel to Ames to visit my parents, who are 95 and 91, and I am grateful for their Norwegian longevity. Enjoy every day as life is too short!

Karen Baldwin (Christensen)

Marital status: Single again
Children: 2
Comment: Still kicking it in the Seattle area. Enjoying my sons and 6 grandchildren.

Cynthia Clark (Clark)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Committed Relationship
Children: 0
Occupation: Retired!!!
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: In 2015, I retired after working 38 years at a State Hospital for Judicially Committed Offenders in Southern California. Since then, I've been working hard on living the good life. I love California and all it has to offer, but enjoy regular visits to Ames and the occasional opportunity to spend time at the family property in Minnesota. Looking forward to seeing everyone and getting all caught up at our 50th reunion in August. See you soon!

Sheri (Sharron) Clemons (Clemons)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Single
Children: 0
Occupation: Retired Social Work Administrator
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: After graduating from Iowa State, I worked as a real estate broker for a savings and loan bank in Kansas City, Missouri. I also worked as a community activist with the Blue Hills Homes Corporation, an inner city not-for-profit, and as a House Manager for a residential program serving chemically addicted career criminals, which was operated by the Greater Kansas City Mental Health Foundation.

I worked with mentally ill, chemically addicted homeless adults in New York City from 1983-1987. From 1987 to 1993, I worked as a community resource planner and housing development planner for the City of New York's Division of AIDS Services. I then worked for a City Council Member representing Lower Manhattan as a community liaison. I then worked as a consultant for various individuals running for office and for people operating International NGOs and domestic not-for-profits. I feel very fortunate to have worked for Geraldine Ferraro in her attempts at winning a US Senate Seat, for Bella Abzug, former congresswoman and founder of WEDO, for Mike Bloomberg's successful first campaign for NYC Mayor, and for numerous other New York City candidates and elected officials. From 1999 through September 11th, 2001, I also worked as assistant director for social services for a not-for-profit housing people who were mentally ill, chemically addicted, and living with AIDS.

I was severely injured and permanently disabled in the 9-11-2001 attack on New York City, leaving me unable to work. At first, I was furious about not being able to work again. I really loved all my work and spent most all of my waking hours working. I came to realize that retiring at 45 wasn't the end of the world, and though I couldn't work, I could do other things at home that were very worthwhile. It took me a long time before I could walk again and go out and about. But when I finally could, I felt grateful that I could travel to visit my Dad and Stepmother often in Iowa. That was particularly beneficial when they were both diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and I became their Power of Attorney. I spent many months in Iowa coordinating their care and financial affairs.

Life is very short, and I have learned to focus on what really matters - being good to others and to myself. Even though I do still miss my working days, I know that my life has been just as meaningful in my retirement as when I was working.

It will be so good to see everyone at our reunion!
Comment: I can't wait for our wonderful reunion!

Candy Bowman (Clinefelter)

Craig Cole

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Committed Relationship
Children: 0
Occupation: Public Transit - Business Development
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: Upon graduating from DMACC, I ended up working for the City of Ames with a new start-up bus system called “Cy-Ride”. Little did I realize at the time, public transit would be my life’s calling.

Shortly after the first director left, I was appointed “Acting Director” of the Ames Transportation Dept – managing Cy-Ride & Ames Municipal Airport. After a yearlong national search, I was appointed Director of Transportation – at the age of 22. For my work at Cy-Ride, I was named Transit Manager of the Year by Iowa DOT.

In March, 1980, took a position to be part of start-up project for the Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company in Riyadh, SA. Needless to say – it was quite a “culture shock” – however, I learned a great deal and since we were provided a stipend every 3 months, had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe. When my tenure was ending in SA, I decided to take the opportunity to travel the Far East, including Bahrain, Bangkok, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

The next 12 years I served as CEO/GM of the Fargo Metro Transit System and Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority.

In 1996, I made a complete career change, moving into positions of Business Development and Sales for transit technology companies; first, technology systems using GPS for transit, and then video surveillance systems on buses.

I retired briefly in 2019, but in 2022, was recruited to take a position with a transit analytics company I am with today.

On a personal note, in 2006 my wife of 18 years, Aviah, passed away due to complications from a kidney/pancreas transplant. However, in 2019, I met Patricia (Pat) Dickinson. On our first date, I knew this lady was really something special, for a number of reasons, but most notably, because she was from Birmingham, Iowa (near Fairfield) and graduated from Keosauqua HS – class of 1973!

We reside in Lenexa, Kansas and enjoy our families; mine still in Ames and Pat’s family here with two grandsons, and a daughter in Chicago. God is indeed good.

Kathryn Littlefield (Coleman)

Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Retired RN
So, what have you been doing for the last 50 years?: First of all, it is hard to believe that 50 years has gone by since our high school graduation. I hope they have been good ones for all of you!
After receiving my nursing diploma from Iowa Lutheran Hospital in 1977, I worked as an RN in various roles until my retirement in 2019. I had moved to Illinois in 1978 where I met my future husband, Larry, and this November, we will have been married 40 years. We have two children…our daughter, Becky and son, David.
Since Larry and I are both retired, we do enjoy traveling when time allows. Most recently, we spent several weeks exploring the Mighty Five National Parks out West. And with our daughter living in Colorado, that has become a favorite destination.
Looking forward to seeing many of you at the reunion!