John Oler

I remember Craig used to come over to my restaurant Beggars Banquet in the early 1980s. We had some good conversations. We laugh at the stuff we did in high school, talk about our current jobs and generally enjoy each others company. I learned at that time he was intricately involved in his family business. I am always glad when I can interact with former classmates. It was a joy to see Craig back then. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.  

I recall Phil from Little League days. He was either on my team at one time or played on one of my dad's teams. Either way I recall Phil was a good baseball player. He might have pitched but I am not sure. So reading of his lack of enthusiasm for PE except for ping pong was news. Larry that was a great tribute to Phil. Thanks. 

Yikes Margee it is that time of year again. Happy Birthday. It looks like I never answered your reply last year. I am doing well. I joined the 71 club back in November. Funny thing about this age and beyond....I never imagined being this old. Not that I thought I'd not be around rather I just never thought about what it might be like. Now I know. Years ago I saw you at Sundown watching your son ski. Hope he is still out there shreding the slopes. I just got done skiing 5 days in Coloraodo. Working this old body. Again happy birthday in a couple days. I like to say congratulations on another orbit and suit up for the next. PS: Are you still teaching at UI?

Happy Birthday. Enjoy the 7 OH.

Paint the town beige Paula. Gear up for that next orbit of the sun. Have a great day.

Bob you are joining that seven OH club. Enjoy the day. (Actually my son's b-day too)

I see you are having a birthday in a couple days so Happy Birthday in advance. I like to say...gear up for another trip around the sun. BTW: Good to see you at the store the other day.

Posted on: Apr 15, 2023 at 8:52 AM

Happy Birthday. Beginning another trip around the sun.

Posted on: Dec 21, 2021 at 10:23 AM

Happy Birthday Art. When the message popped up about your birthday I wondered if you had retired. I did my due diligence. I see you are still serving. I also see you are a Judge in Residence at Drake. Congratulations on that appointment. I hope to see you and say hello at the reunion. Have a great holiday.

Posted on: Feb 02, 2021 at 10:02 PM

I was reminded the other day it was the anniversary of Tom's birthday. I was checking out a FB post by one of his ISU buddies. Satch they called him. Anyway the post had a great pic of Tom in the cockpit of an airplane. They said he had flown into Ames for the weekend, probably a football game or VEISHEA or an ATO party.

After Tom announced his affliction with ALS in 2011 he came out to the 40th Reunion. I was not able to attend that because my daughter got married that same weekend. We spent a little time together anyway. I went out to Portland and visited in January 2012. We had an awesome time. Tom was still doing pretty well at that time. He showed me around some even though my time there was short. Then in September 2013 I went again. Tom was more compromised then. He could walk but not far. He could not swallow anymore nor talk. We conversed via his iPad voice. We nevertheless had a great time again. It really took me back to when he and I were morning paperboys for the Register. Meeting up to ride our bikes to Smitty's Doughnuts or the Spudnut Shop by Drake and get fresh doughnuts. In Portland those few days we were just a couple old paperboys like old times. The last thing I did with Tom was to drive him to church. What a trip going with him to his church having him give me driving instructions from the iPad voice saying "take a left at next corner". Seeing the people there great him. He was perhaps my most longtime friend. Somewhere in grade school and in the old neighborhood between Cottage Grove and Kingman and 31st and 29th. Unforgetable.