Oak Park River Forest High School

Gus Mehilos

Then

Now

City:Addison State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Contract Project Manager Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

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Chris Meyer

Then

Birthday:March 04, 1952 City:Oak Park State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Pet Adoption Coordinator Marital Status:Married No. of Children:1

From Chris:I'm still in Oak Park, living in my boyhood home that I inherited from my parents. I'm married to Terri with one 18 year old son, Eric. Eric graduated from OPRF earlier this summer & is currently attending Triton College. I'm an Adoption Coordinator at Animal Care League, so if you are interested in adopting a pet feel free to chat with me at the reunion. Looking forward seeing everybody!

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John Meyer

Then

Now

Birthday:June 26, 1952 City:Carmel State/Prov.:CA Occupation:Consultant Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From John:

Sorry to have missed everyone at the reunion, but at least I had a chance to see all the photos and the video.

If any of you have movie film, slides, negatives, prints, or audio that you'd like to share with everyone for the next reunion, contact me and I can professionally transfer this for you. After running three media-related software companies, I have learned how to transfer AND restore all manner of media. You got to see the results of this transfer and restoration in that marvelous 8mm B&W film that Chip Kramer’s dad took of our graduation back in June 1970.

Thanks to Bruce Lehman, Ron Sherman, John Sfondilias, and the entire reunion committee for their help in creating the DVD that we sent to everyone.

John Meyer
November 27, 2010

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David Mullin

Then

Now

City:Lemont State/Prov.:IL Occupation:Retired Labor Representative Website:www.nostalgiadragleague.com Marital Status:Married No. of Children:4

From David:Still married to the love of my life Donna Jo, since 1973. I'm living a great life as the head of the family, with 4 grown children who are, independent, successful, and happily married with children of their own.

I devoted 17 years to volunteer coaching of youth sports, served as a park district liaison, and the boards of multiple youth sports programs. I served my Union Brothers and Sisters at Automobile Mechanics Local 701 IAM&AW, for 10 years as a Shop Steward, and Local Lodge President.

I'm grandfather to 10 unbelievably good looking, smart, funny, and talented grandchildren, (well of course I'm going to say that) consisting of 8 boys, and two princesses. I can't believe that our two oldest grandsons are freshmen and playing for their respective highschool football teams.

I worked in the auto industry since 1968, (yes, I got out of school early to work at Oak Park Ford. For many years I regretted giving up Freshman Football for this other extracarricular activity, but it got me where I am with no regrets).

In 2008 I retired from a fulfilling 40 year career as a custom auto restoration shop owner, tradesman in the dealer network, with the final 13 years as the head of the Organizing Department and Labor Representative for the largest union of mechanics and related trades in the USA (IAM Local 701).

I'm living out my dreams, owning a nice place in the South Chicago burbs, with a corn field adjacent to my acre, my Labrador named Coupe, two garages with an air conditioned shop, filled with collectable vehicles, including a classic 1937 Chevy Nostalgia Gasser drag race car, that we race in the NDRL-IAM Championship Series,(of which I am a founder), and we travel to race tracks across the Midwest in our 42' motorhome.

Of course I couldn't do it without the help and support of my crewmen consisting of sons, grandsons, and of course the crew chief (my wonderful wife).

Years of work have been hard on the equipment, and I have some titanium replacment parts, but it's good to be this side of the asphalt!

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Ginny O'Connor (Gallagher)

Then

Now

Birthday:May 31, 1952 State/Prov.:CA Occupation:Retired - I think Marital Status:Widowed

From Ginny:

Yikes - 40+ years to reflect. LOTS of jobs (mostly in management) in various industries...law enforcement (including Oak Park PD), polygraph & private investigations, manufacturing & distribution, big box retail, music/entertainment, printing, finance, billing, software development, telecommunications, and last but not least, teaching. I became more serious with my education (somewhat late in life) and earned a B.S. in Business Management and a MBA in International Business.

The best part of my life though was being married to my wonderful husband, Jim, who for 29 years fulfilled all my dreams about marriage and provided the most loving and fun adventures to my life.

We moved to Northern California in 1981 and lived in the San Francisco bay area for ten years. Then we moved to the Sacramento area, which is where I taught International Business at CA State University. We also had the pleasure of traveling to many fantastic global places over the years (Ireland being our favorite), that now sustain me with wonderful memories. After Jim's passing, I moved to Austin, Texas (looking for work, not Lance nor Willie) but ended up coming back to CA within less than a year to live with and care for my disabled brother. The CA weather is even better in Southern CA, and since my "therapy" in my life is to ride my motorcycle, I have plenty of opportunity and beautiful landscape to explore by being in short range to ocean, desert and mountains. It keeps me balanced - well, that is, as long as I stay upright!

Interesting note: when I worked for OPPD (70’s & 80’s), I was interviewed by the FBI regarding my knowledge of Carlos Torres. Carlos who? He was arrested in Evanston shortly afterwards…was sentenced to 78 years in prison, but only served 30 - he was released in 2010...did anyone see him at the reunion?

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Holger Paetau

Then

Now

Birthday:January 14, 1952 City:CLAREMONT State/Prov.:CA Occupation:RETIRED Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Holger:lOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE FOR THE 40TH.

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Mike Panter

Birthday:August 10, 1952 City:Glenview State/Prov.:IL Occupation:law Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Mike:Hello, All! I actually found a girl who'd marry me, had 2 great kids, and a great career in law. Things are good. I'm sorry I was so clueless and out of it back then and I'm sorry I couldn't enjoy school and appreciate being with you. Just a very, very slow learner! I love seeing classmates and hearing about everyone. Best wishes to all.

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Edward Pearlman

Now

Birthday:March 07, 1953 City:South Portland State/Prov.:ME Occupation:Musician & Writer Website:www.edpearlman.net Marital Status:Married No. of Children:3

From Edward:Since 1970? Hmmm. Starting with now: We have a boy, 21, a senior at Columbia in NYC majoring in English but playing lots of music which you can hear at his site (click here). He and I made a CD called On the Edge which has Scottish fiddle mixed with jazz. You can find it online (click here), or download it or tracks from it (click here).

Our daughter is almost 18, good dancer and fiddler and a freshman at Barnard, across the street from her brother! Our little guy is 11, loves sports, fishing, dancing & music.

OK so far. My wife is a dancer and dance teacher and a lawyer who is working in the foreclosure mediation program.

We have a family band called Highland Soles (click here for website). You might have heard some of our music at the reunion pub get-together Friday night, or seen our show that Sunday at the 19th Century Club.

I published a novel at the end of October, called Franck's Wild Ride. You can read much of the first chapter on Amazon.com (click here to go to that page) if you like. You can also buy it online from the publisher (click here) or get it on my website (click here) where you can ask to have it signed with a glowing note to yourself.

Before all that happened, we started our family band in 2003, after I sold my business, which I had for 10 years, distributing all the recordings from Scotland and Atlantic Canada and selected titles from Ireland and Brittany and Wales, to stores across the USA.

Before that, I ran the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club for 18 years, including running some major Celtic events in Boston and making some recordings.

During that time I got married.

Before that I lived mostly in Boston but a year and a half in San Francisco and most of a year in Paris, France. Before that I went to Yale and got a BA in Literature but also played lots of music.

If you want more details, let's talk!

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Marjorie Pitz

Then

Birthday:February 05, 1952 City:St. Paul State/Prov.:MN Occupation:Landscape architect Marital Status:Married No. of Children:2

From Marjorie:I went to the U of MN, and have stayed in Minnesota since. I've practiced landscape architecture since '74, but have slowly morphed into a public artist as well. Now I spend 50% time sculpting, and 50% time as a landscape architect, which is a fun balance.

We live on the Mississippi River bluff, in a neighborhood full of artistic people, strong women, and good friends. Our kids are in college, and all is well. I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends!

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Alex Plechash

Then

Now

Birthday:June 05, 1953 City:Wayzata State/Prov.:MN Occupation:Wall Street No. of Children:2

From Alex:My "then" photo is actually my senior year picture at the Naval Academy since I do not have a digital image of my high school photo (probably a good thing. Ha!) Boy, what a ride it's been ... literally. After graduating from Annapolis, I had the great privilege of being a Marine Corps fighter pilot and a TOPGUN graduate flying a number of jets starting with the F-4 Phantom and culminating in the F/A-18 Hornet. I was on my way to fulfilling my dream of being an astronaut when a family crisis forced me to leave active duty and go into the Reserves. I finished out my Marine Corps career in 1993 after Operation Desert Storm. Over the course of my military career, I did some pretty interesting things; some of which I am happy to talk about and some of which I can't because it is still classified. Let's just say it all started with a visit to a Virgina-based "farm." After having lived in 12 different states since college, being officially deployed overseas a number of times as well as some unofficial visits to some pretty interesting places, I decided to step off the agency train and settle into an investment banking job in Minneapolis in order to be near my daughters who were both living there. I've been living in Wayzata, on the shores of Lake Minnetonka for over 21 years and I love it. I am very connected to my community and my church in lots of ways including being Chapter President of the Naval Academy Alumni Association; Chairman of the Board of a national 501(c)3 non-profit; various executive levels in politics (all the way to the national level) and last but not least, by being a firefighter on our local volunteer fire department. Gotta keep the adrenaline rush going somehow, I guess.

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