KIRKWOOD SAFE - AIRPORT DEVASTATED

For those of you who live afar, you've probably seen or will soon see on TV the devastation in Bridgeton, Ferguson, Maryland Heights, Berkeley and the airport and surrounding areas. We are in Chesterfield, straight west out Clayton Road, and were in a thin slice of thunderstorms with hail, lightening, etc. between this devastating tornado to our north and another bad storm system south of us. Kirkwood, Glendale, Ballwin, that corridor was also safe. The damage to our beloved airport terminal is extensive. I heard that half of the large windows are broken - later, I just learned that all windows on concourse 3 are blown out; the main part of the main terminal has windows blown out, but that 50 percentage overall. They are having trouble getting everything covered. It has already rained for about an hour this morning, more storms predicted for later today, but I've heard varying predictions of severity of those storms. This is the worst St. Louis tornado since the one in 1967. The airport is closed, interstates 70 and 270 were closed last night. People in the airport were stranded there, some went to hotels, some families were able to get in to collect their passengers, but many couldn't get in or out. The amazing thing is that SO FAR there have been no reports of serious injuries or deaths. Police are still going door to door in north county checking to be sure no one is trapped in a house or building. The TV coverage is just amazing. The fear last night was that the storm would go to the stadium as 40,000 people were there for the Reds Cards game, which we won 4 - 2 by the way, after a rain delay. I heard no one last night say that they were thinking the tornado could hit the airport... oh cripe, it's raining again!

One young man on his way to South Dakota to spend Easter with his dad is a KHS student and was interviewed last night. He had been on one of the 3 planes which was stuck on the tarmack, unable to get to a jetway, too much debris on the runways...those people finally got off the planes and into the terminal. One of those planes was blown into another. One plane this morning has a huge piece of sheet metal stuck in its tail, like someone had slit a balsawood model and inserted an extra piece perpendicular to the tail; that plane also has nose damage, the only one of the 5 planes on the ground that was actually damaged, some had some scrapes but nothing serious...

Having spent much of my life flying in and out of Lambert, going there to fly with my dad, a hobbyist pilot, and being at the airport the day it opened, it's difficult to see the coverage of the airport so damaged. On TV now is showing the workers pushing out the remnants of broken glass from the frames, it's heart breaking. They say now MAYBE airport can open on Monday. Just heard that flights were diverted to KC, and now those passengers are being bused here from KC.

We are SO fortunate to be where we are, but oh so many have had their lives uprooted like the huge trees in their yards. Several churches are without rooves, many homes are totally ruined, large and small homes, businesses...it's awful... Stay tuned to your national news programs, we're getting a lot of international coverage. One person had a 4AM text message from relatives in Turkey hearing about our disaster on their TV!
I have a hard time even saying Happy Easter! But hope you are enjoying a lovely spring and Easter weekend wherever you are!

Later, 750 homes at least in one community, 1150 some in another; some will be condemned, others repaired. The airport will accept a few flights inbound tonight, they are thinking they'll have some in and out tomorrow but there is still no electricity and fuel pumps have not yet been tested. They may truck in fuel for the planes; there has been a report of a possible fuel tank problem... they have released realtime surveillance footage in the terminal from last night which is amazing! The damage from this storm has been rated as F4, which is the second worst rating. Only .7% of tornados rate this high in damage...

MONDAY, statistics after the investigators reported: What is being called the Good Friday tornado was one long-track tornado 22 miles long, .4mile wide. The most severe, in Bridgeton and airport area, was damage level EF4, on a scale from EF1, lowest, to EF5. Only 7/10 of one percent of all tornadoes are EF4 and EF5. EF4 is partially defined as bearing 166 to 200 mph winds. St. Louis now has the honor of being the city with the most damaging tornadoes of any city in the US. Places like TX, OK and Kansas have tornadoes too, but frequently theirs happen in areas with large open spaces, farms, ranches, etc. where the damage may be widespread, but population is low density, not many structures, etc.

We had a rainy dreary Easter Day, sun is shining today, but storms have been predicted for today and/or tonight, more tomorrow. ugh...... Hope everyone had a nice Easter day!

Monday night, more statistics: There were 4 separate tornadoes from west of the airport to Highland, IL which had an EF2 damage rating. Waterloo, Il was an EF1 hit. Lambert is 90% functional at this time, with Concourse C closed indefinitely. At the worst, 46,000 customers were without power in St. Louis County, the number now being down to 3566. There were 1041 homes in Maryland Heights damaged with an additional 69 condemned which I believe will be leveled as opposed to being rebuilt, not positive about that. And I still have heard of no deaths. Amazing!

DAVE HOLLEY RETIRES - A KHS LOSS!

Dave Holley Retirement Celebration PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE THE RETIREMENT OF OUR FAVORITE KIRKWOOD PIONEER DR. DAVE HOLLEY AND HIS “31” YEAR CAREER AS A TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, COACH, MENTOR AND CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011 KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY GYM 801 WEST ESSEX KIRKWOOD, MO 63122 Reception at 2:00 PM (Refreshments will be served.) Program at 3:30 PM $15 PER PIONEER FAN Kirkwood Students are Free TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT: WWW.DAVE-HOLLEY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: Bob Dickson, KHS '66 at 314.965.0747
Please visit our website at www.KHSALUMNI.ORG.

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MORE DEATHS IN OUR COMMUNITY

I decided to look through the Kirkwood Webster Times Obituaries since I haven't done so in awhile and find that recently I've missed several. Our condolences to the families of these people who I know will be very much missed.

Yvonne Ringis Lincoln's mother Naomi passed away March 31st
Judy Matthew Gibson's mother Dorothy passed away March 11th

Recently I was working on elementary photos on the picture gallery, www.khs65.com, and noticed Mrs. Duchek was a teacher at one of the schools. I see she passed away 3/2/2011 at age 90. You can go here to read her obituary.

Carol Stalzer's father must have known mine, Ron Masters', maybe Peggy Belt's and some others of us whose fathers were at McDonnell Aircraft, especially those in the space program. I do not remember my dad ever mentioning him, but that doesn't mean much. Here is Theodore Stalzer's obituary:
Died: Monday, February 28, 2011

Theodore R. Stalzer, a longtime resident of Kirkwood, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

Mr. Stalzer served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was an electrical engineer for McDonnell Aircraft Co. and a guidance and control engineer for the NASA Mercury and Gemini Manned Spacecraft Program. He was also a semi-professional operatic tenor who performed at numerous area churches, including First Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood and St. Louis Grand Opera Guild.

Mr. Stalzer was the husband of the late Geraldine Stalzer (nee Crump) for 65 years; father of Carol (Ron) Koch and Larry (Sandra) Stalzer; grandfather of Katherine (Matthew) Williams; brother-in-law and uncle.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m., at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. Interment Valhalla Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, March 4, 4 to 8 p.m., at Bopp Chapel. Memorials are preferred to the St. Louis Symphony. Online guest book at www.boppchapel.com.

Cathy Whitmire lost her mother some time ago, but I do not believe I reported it. I recall someone asking me how to contact Cathy at the time, but don't think I realized Mrs. Whitmire had so recently passed away. Go here to read about this lovely lady.

Larry and Sheila Barnett lost their aunt last year, here is the obituary:
Died: Friday, December 10, 2010

Mary C. "Chris" Hamlin (nee Dougherty), a longtime resident of Kirkwood, died Friday, Dec. 10, 2010.

Mrs. Hamlin was the wife of the late Harry Hamlin; aunt of Larry Barnett, Sheila Haverman, Jack Barnett and Kelly Barnett; aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and friend.

Funeral services were held Dec. 14 at Bopp Chapel in Kirkwood. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Kirkwood. Memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children.

Here is an interesting lady of whom I was not aware, the last surviving grand-child of Francis Nipher, for whom Nipher Jr. High was named. Go here to read about Jean Pollard Gould.

Gosh, I'm going to have to keep up with the obituaries on a more timely basis. Here is another interesting one from late last year, the wife of Mr. Beltz of Nipher administration fame. Go here to read about Mrs. Beltz.

And we must not omit Irene Spencer, wife of the founder of one of our favorite eateries all our lives. Yes, it's still there and yes, the food's still great! Go here to see the information on Irene.

If you look thru the older posts you will find information on Mrs. Brooks, and her obituary, but I'm thinking not this particular obituary. Go here to see a nice photo of her and a shorter obit.

That's it for now, may all of these people who have touched our lives in some way rest in peace and love.

LYNN CRADY MATHIS 1947-2011

Thank you to Pat Hoag and Larry Allin for notifying me of Lynn Crady's death while I was out of town and out of contact. Here is the obituary from Kirkwood-Webster Times:

Died: Saturday, April 09, 2011

Carol Lynn Mathis (nee Crady) of Clayton, formerly of Kirkwood, died Saturday, April 9, 2011.

Ms. Mathis was a 1965 Kirkwood High School graduate and a 1969 Bradley University graduate. She retired from the Missouri Division of Family Services.

Ms. Mathis was the daughter of Lera Crady and the late Curtis Crady; companion of Charles Darden for 32 years; sister of Perry Crady; aunt, great-aunt, sister-in-law and friend.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 16, 2 p.m., at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road in Kirkwood. Interment private. Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice or the American Lung Association.

Lynn lived very close to my shop in Clayton and I called her a couple of times when we were working on reunions, but unfortunately I was never able to engage her in our activities. She has been on our mail and email lists for many years. I have known for awhile that she was not well, but not the nature of her illness. If any of you attended her Memorial Service, I'd love to post any comments you might care to make. Another of our classmates gone way too soon.

FOREST PARK HIGHLANDS

Many classmates with whom I've come in contact have mentioned the Highlands over the years. I didn't go there much in my long-lost youth, but I know many of you did. Thanks to Roxanne Guels Rassi for sending me this GREAT WEBSITE to explore. It's all about the history of the Highlands and has many photos, likely one of the best historic websites relating to our young years in Kirkwood that I've seen. Sit back, relax and reminisce! And THANKS to Roxie from way out there in Arizona!!!

KHS65 YEARBOOK PIX - YOU ASKED FOR IT & HERE IT IS

In the past the KHS65 1965 Pioneer yearbook photos were on the old www.khs65.com website. Before that website was taken down we were able to capture the senior photos, but I didn't realize they are still available. In fact, she says sheepishly, I had forgotten we ever had them to begin with! When we began reconnecting with some previously not connected KHS65 members thru Facebook, I was asked what happened to the Yearbook pix, and I drew a blank, nicer phrase than "had a senior moment". Today I discovered the pictures by accident when looking for something else I really really need and can't find. SO please GO HERE to find the links to each page of Senior pictures. The name listed is the first name on the page, so you can figure out where people are as the pix are listed alphabetically. This link is now posted on the right-hand side column, so no matter how far down in the blog this post is pushed, the link to the senior pictures in THE PIONEER will be easy to click and view.

Kathy Krieger Daily

If you knew Kathy you will be interested in going HERE to read about her widower's experiences. Thanks to Jane McClaren for posting this on Facebook! Kathy and her two children were killed in a freak car accident in which a boulder crashed down on their car, killing them instantly and leaving her husband a widower. The book described on the link above is the touching story of her husband's life after that devastating freak accident and how he has carried on. Jane McClaren and Kathy were best friends and Jane has never let the memories go. It was a popular Facebook entry today, many classmates thanking Jane for letting us know.

WAYNE JOPLIN DIES MARCH 30, 2011 RIP

Thank you to Pat Harger Bax for forwarding the obituary of our classmate Wayne Joplin who passed away last week after a long bout with lung cancer. Please go here to read the article.