50th Reunion Memories

Memorial Video

Photo Memories from Reunion

Please enjoy these photo memories taken while the class of 1969 was back on campus for Reunion 2019.

Class of 1969 50th Reunion Updates

This forum is a place where those who are not able to make the trek back to Iowa can share updates with classmates. This site will be officially launched with the beginning of Reunion. Please see an example from Libby Pannwitt as an example of the project. To learn more and submit your own update, please check out the submission form and guidelines.

Libby Pannwitt

Greetings Classmates!

I regret I am unable to join you at our gala 50th Reunion, but I want to take this opportunity to say hello virtually and briefly tell you what I have been doing.

After graduation I married then disappeared to Tampa, FL where, clueless as to what I really wanted to do, I pursued an HR job at a bank. A lot of things were not working for me there, so I returned alone to my roots in the Chicago area. There I worked in a PR agency for awhile, then did some writing and co-developed what became an award-winning corporate training program and film series on supervisory skills. Next was a stint to do training at Container Corporation of America, where I developed the first non-technical training organization for the company. It was there that I met Jim Fahnestock, my now husband of 35 years. We moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where I worked at Sprint to develop the first non-technical training department.

Eventually I got my MA in Counseling and became a co-founder of a Silicon Valley OutPlacement firm. Helping displaced employees find their way back to employment was very satisfying...except for a conflict for me in purpose and values. And so, I went solo and launched my career coaching practice. I enjoyed that immensely and did that til Jim and I retired to Maui in June of 2012.

I have reinvented myself here and now pursue three different things that give me “juice” as a volunteer, and all three involve activities to be a better steward of our imperiled planet.

Until last year, I gave public lectures on our winter visitors to the islands, the humpback whales. These amazing creatures have come back from near extinction after world-wide whaling practices were finally banned in the mid 1960’s. Now, as their habitat becomes more vulnerable to pollution and changes in their food sources, they face new threats to their longevity.

I am also a trained responder to go to the beaches when our highly endangered endemic Hawaiian Monk Seals decide randomly to come ashore to sleep. This program is sponsored through a division of NOAA with a purpose of monitoring and protecting these animals and educating the public about do’s and don’ts in being near them. I am proud to serve with an amazing supervisor and a highly dedicated team of volunteers in this work.

The third project is working with Jim’s Rotary Club in Lahaina setting up regular recycling for residents. When we started this program with a non-profit partner four years go, essentially no organized recycling program was in place. Discarded appliances, scrap metal, electronics as well as plastic, glass, newspaper, cardboard and other paper, were just abandoned by a roadside, a park or the underbrush. Now we can proudly claim that tons of refuse has been removed from the landscape.

But more challenges are on the horizon. As of last year, China, the main buyer of US recyclables, has ceased to buy them from us. Even in such a small place, we face the same kinds of trash problems as on the Mainland, and so we remain dedicated to doing what we can to be part of the solution instead of the problem.

Let me know if your travels bring you to The Islands. Have a fabulous Reunion!

—Libby Pannwitt
libbypannwitt24@gmail.com

Cindy Bowers Fulton

Greetings fellow Grinnellians, I am sorry not to be with you to celebrate the 50th year reunion but pleased that I can be a virtual participant. Many thanks to Libby Pannwitt for that.

My wonderful husband Tom and my art have been the two constants in my life. Tom's work as a geophysicist took us to England and the Netherlands for 16 years. During that time I taught at the American School Of The Hague and continued painting and exhibiting. In 1999 Tom retired and we moved to the eastern shore of Maryland. There I used my second major, Spanish, and began working with the Immigrant Latino community.

A painting by Cindy Bowers Fulton — Weather Clearing for a Sunset by Cindy Bowers Fulton

During my art career, I have done many things but mostly painting, printmaking, and copper sculpture. My most favorite exhibition was when I was invited to hang alongside the work of Dick Cervene who was a Grinnell art professor in the 60s and 70s. The exhibition took place at the Scene Gallery in the National Harbor of Washington DC. Although his work was different than mine, you could see the influence he had on me. His work was known for suggestive use of the horizontal line. The horizontal line has always been a prominent part of my art as you can see in the photo. Visit me at www.cbowersfulton.com.

We have dabbled in many things since moving back to the USA. However, now in our 70s, we have chosen a nomadic life for 6 months out of the year. We live on our small catamaran in the winter and in the summer we pull our RV trailer to the wilderness out west and visit our daughter who is a psych professor at Idaho State University. During the six months at home we visit our son and his family. He and his wife are scientists at Johns Hopkins. Following the activities of our two grandchildren keep us busy also.

Enough about me, I hope I get to learn about you. I always enjoy the class letter. Kudos to all those people who try so hard to keep our class connected. Come visit us sometime!!

Many thanks,
—Cindy

Ruth Schori Carrell

Dear Class ’69 Classmates! Ruth Schori Carrell here!

I had thought I would try to make the reunion this year, but as time approaches, I realize my energy levels likely would fail me and be difficult. As some are aware, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer in August of 2017. I live in the Houston metro area, so have easy access to MD Anderson Cancer Center. I went through 8 rounds of Chemo, and 30 Radiation treatments, all of which I finished in February of 2018. I have had no treatments since, just frequent monitoring. I’ve already beaten most of the odds, and in general feel good. I just don’t have energy I’d like! But then, could that be part of turning 72? Great science, strong faith, and loving family and friends have sustained me. I fully intend to be at the far end of that bell curve for survivors of Pancreatic Cancer!

Now for Memories of Grinnell: First and foremost the greatest gift I received from my 4 years at Grinnell was Sam Carrell (also class of 1969)! We met the first day back on campus sophomore year. I was there early as Baffle Board, and Sam was trainer for the football team. What most don’t know, Sam was pinned to another girl he had dated in High School. I was aware of that, so after our 6th date, when he tried to kiss me goodnight in the loggia, I slapped him! I wasn’t going to get involved when another girl was on the string! I guess that is what solidified our long marriage. We were married 41 years when Sam died suddenly of a Ventricular Fibrillation 10 years ago this spring.

Ruth Schori Carrell and Sam Carrell — Ruth Schori Carrell &
Sam Carrell

Many of you have made great marks on society with outstanding careers in law, sciences, or education. Although, neither, Sam or I can claim those credentials, we had a great life together, a truly happy, loving marriage, and count our three kids as our lasting mark on society. Our daughter, Debi Carrell Heck, well known nationally in the Corporate Wellness Community, has a Masters, and currently is an executive VP of a growing start-up company working to help smokers stop in a very innovative way.

Our identical twin sons, although, both started as Economics majors at the USAFA, have taken diverse pathways. Scott E. Carrell, PhD, is Professor of Economics at Univ. of CA at Davis. He served 10 years as an active duty officer in the US Air Force, and retired from the AF Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel. He holds 2 masters degrees in addition to his PhD. His primary area of research is in the economics of education.

Col. Richard A.Carrell, has spent his career in the Air Force in Special Operations as a navigator on the C130 combat planes. He is currently the Group Commander of all the Special Operations training squadrons for the Air Force, headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. Rich holds at least 3 masters degrees, including countless military honors and awards.

Each of our three children have two boys, yes, I have 6 very tall grandsons. More Blessings I count!

I am active in my Episcopal church, and the P.E.O. Sisterhood working to promote education for women. I travel as I can, play bridge regularly, enjoy theatre, dabble in painting, and have tackled some major house renovations this year. I also mentor other Pancreatic Cancer patients across the country. As many of you who have faced life threatening issues, I cherish each and every day. I know that the research skills and curiosity nourished at Grinnell have helped with my personal research and character strength that is getting me through this current challenge, as well as the challenge of losing my dear husband and classmate, Sam.

Have a great time, and I hope to hear all about the fun you have this weekend!

—Ruth Schori Carrell

Kathy Karlson

Hello everyone. I am sorry not to see you at the reunion. You can see on my website (at http://www.kathykarlson.com/) about my life. Mostly I am happy with our grandchildren, my painting, and work with So Others Might Eat. Five of my paintings just went over to SOME’s drug rehabilitation program in West Virginia.

Family has become more and more important. And friends. So I will miss you. Have fun!!!

—Kathy Karlson

Kathy submitted three paintings to share with the class. When you click on each image a higher resolution photo will open.

Rich Schmiechen

Richard Schmiechen won an Academy Award for the best feature documentary of 1984, The Times of Harvey Milk. The documentary about the life and 1978 assassination of the openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Milk by a former supervisor also won two Emmys, a Peabody and the New York Film Critics Circle awards. Schmiechen and San Francisco director Robert Epstein solicited members of gay and lesbian organizations to raise money for the $300,000 film. The film, which will be available at Reunion, can also be purchased on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes, and on DVD through a variety of online distributors (Amazon.com, Walmart.com).