Buzz Book

How to create your Buzz Book entry:
Click on the Add Your Profile button to include your current contact information in our Buzz Book. You'll need to enter a User Name and Password; jot them down so you can return and add or change information later. Be sure to include your e-mail address if you want to receive e-mails from other classmates or the reunion committee. Expect a delay before your profile is displayed on the page, perhaps up to 24 hours.

Waltraud Plagman (Schwab)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Housewife/Domestic Engineer
Comment:  We have two sons and three grandchildren.  I enjoy playing cards, water aerobics, and gardening.  I also enjoy camping and fishing with the family and spending time with friends.
Tell us about yourself: After high school graduation I worked for an insurance company. I was married in March, 1964. In August of 1966 we moved to Anchorage, Alaska where my husband served in the Army. We moved to San Antonio in 1968 while my husband was still in the service. We returned to Sioux Falls in July of 1969. We have lived near Hartford since then.

Dianne Powell (Bott)

Marital status: Married
Children: 5
Occupation: Retired
Tell us about yourself: Lived in S.F. until 1977, when I moved to Southern California after being widowed. Met and married Don Powell in California in 1980. We entered the ministry in 1983, and after pastoring for 7 years in California, served as missionaries in Puerto Vallarta, MX for 17 years. Now retired back in So.Cal, where 4 of our 5 kids live. Have 16 grandkids and 8 greats.

Still have lots of family back in Sioux Falls, and visit often. Looking forward to the reunion and re-connecting with many of you!! Thanks, Susan and Committee for all you're doing to make this happen!

Jim Pratt

Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: Professor
Comment:  
Tell us about yourself: I'm now the longest-serving faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where I teach in the interdisciplinary Marketing Communications program. My wife, Ila June, who is retired from the university runs a fair-trade import store and art gallery in downtown River Falls. Our sons (Andrew, 27) and Charlie, 25) live in River Falls. We all like to travel.

James Pryde

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: UNIX Administrator
Comment: Now have 4 grand children with another on the way in April.   Ages from 16 to 2.


Working on contracts from 3 months to a year at a time.  Was  retired, but my 401 tanked.
Tell us about yourself: After high school fooled around at SDSU for about a year. Then had a 3 year vacation in the US Navy cruising the Caribbean, and the Med. Then got out as an ET1, got married, went back to school at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, FL. Then to Denver, CO. Now living in Worthington (Columbus), OH. Been married 45 years, have 4 children and now 3 grand children. Enjoy fishing, gardening, and cooking.

Doc Quartet (Walker)

Marital status: Married
Comment:

I attended Augustana College and graduated with a BFA from the University Of South Dakota.  I married my wife Pamela in 1967.

I taught orchestra in Sioux Falls for 38 years. (elementary through college levels).  I have been a classical and jazz artist (piano and bass) in the area since 1957.  I’ve played in the South Dakota Symphony, the Sioux City Symphony and many dance/jazz bands over the last 55 years.

I’ve also been active in aviation as a pilot and restoration technician, restoring and flying full-scale antique aircraft, and building “homebuilt” aircraft for clients. I have a fleet of 1/4 to 1/3 scale model airplanes that I build, maintain and fly.
Tell us about yourself: The Doc Walker Trio (Quartet) has had an interesting past. It was formed in 1982 using the most experienced jazz musicians in the area. Its members represent a total of 201 years of professional playing experience.









Greg Olsen, from Sioux Falls, is known as one of the top percussionists in the Midwest, and has played with groups from rock bands to huge big bands and everything in between. He is in such high demand, that he is kept playing year-round in a variety of bands. Greg is versed in all styles of drumming, and demonstrates great skill with the nuances of a jazz trio or the bombast of kicking a big band.





Jerry Houpt, bass player from Sioux City, IA, is known throughout the area as being a solid rhythm player, with a great ear for musical line. Jerry and Greg combine to provide a rhythmical foundation second to none. Jerry and his brother Glenn (piano) had a well-known and wonderful group in the Sioux City area for years. He is in high demand by area groups as well as national groups that travel through the area.





Doc Walker is a local orchestra teacher (38 years). He plays the piano in the DWQ and with other groups. He has many years of classical training on the piano, and started teaching himself jazz when he was in junior high school. He also plays string bass in jazz groups and was principal bass in the South Dakota Symphony for many years. He, like the others in the DWQ, has played with many bands in the area and has been asked to play with artists such as The Carpenters, Doc Severinson, Mel Torme, and Henry Mancini.





The Doc Walker Quartet plays in varied settings, and performs in styles from traditional jazz to big band, even 50’s rock and some (very) selective country tunes. The DWQ has played for events from weddings to anniversaries to bar mitzvahs. They have played for presidents and senators and parties from 6 people to huge corporate gatherings. One of the group’s fortes is background music, which it does as expertly as any group available. This is one of the reasons country clubs in a wide area seek their services. Another reason is that the DWQ understands that people like to listen but also like to converse without being overwhelmed.





In the end, the band loves to make music for people to enjoy, and has great fun during the process.

Bill Raker

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Married
Children: 2
Occupation: mostly retired
Comment:
After high school I went two years to South Dakota State University, and then three years to the University of Kansas.  Post KU I accepted a job as a Flight Test Engineer at the Boeing Company in Seattle.  Next I took a three year “sabbatical” at Lockheed in Southern California to help flight test and certify the L-1011 Tristar.  Then in 1973 it was back to Seattle and Boeing for 33 more years in the Aerodynamics Engineering Department.  I thought I had retired a few years ago, but much to my surprise I’m currently back at Boeing part-time as an engineering consultant.


 


Truly the best thing that has happened in my life is meeting Sally Smethurst from Walla Walla, Washington.  She has been my best friend for the past 44 years, and my wife for the past 43.  The next best things are our two sons, Brian and Philip, and our four grandkids, ages 1 thru 10.  They all reside locally … and we see them A LOT!!.  In fact Violet, Paigie, and little Mr. D live across the street.


 


I’m looking forward to checking out Sioux Falls one more (last??) time.  It’s been 20 years since our last visit, and I suspect much has changed.  I believe the house I grew up in on Cliff Avenue has been paved over to become a McKennan Hospital parking lot … so that will be weird.             


 


 

Julie Ramphal (Tilgner)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Widowed
Occupation: Retired Educator
Comment:
This will be my second WSHS reunion. I regret losing touch with WSHS in past years and I look forward to this reunion. Am really enjoying reading the bios on this terrific website!  Julieps23@aol.com
Tell us about yourself: 1966--Received BA from Macalester College--Moved to CA to teach English in Glendora //

1969--Moved to Newport Beach to teach English in Tustin //

1976--Married Cecil Ramphal--Along with him came two, young-adult, step-children //

1979--Moved to home in Huntington Beach where I still reside //

1984--Received MS in Educational Computing from Pepperdine University //

1990--Cecil retired from a career in aerospace //

1992--Received Outstanding Alumnus Award from Pepperdine\'s Graduate School of Education for Exemplary Achievement in the Field of Educational Technology //

2000--Husband Cecil passed away and I retired from teaching after 33 full-time years // 2009--Step-daughter passed away from brain cancer //





As a widow and a retiree, I lead an active life. I am very involved with the performing arts--especially singing. AAUW and other volunteer work fills a void. I walk, swim and play tennis. I enjoy bridge, excursions with friends and travel. It was really fun to travel and sing with the Wm. Hall Master Chorale when they went to Rome to sing the Verdi Requiem in St. Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica with 800 singers. A Mac alumni trip to India was quite exotic.



I have no family left in Sioux Falls. They are scattered throughout the US and also in Canada, Costa Rica and England. So far the greatest joy of my life was sharing it with my husband Cecil. We had wonderful times and travels with extended family and friends. The longer I live, the more I realize how truly lucky and blessed we both were to find each other.

David Reid

Marital status: Married
Occupation: Retired
Comment:
Tell us about yourself: Started my career with Raven Ind in 1966. Was on the ballon launch crew and spent 9 summers in Northern Cananda and the Artic. That is were I met my wife of 40 years and we got married in 1972. Worked for the Sportswear Div for several years and then moved on to the Applied Technologies Div were I retired in 07 as National Sales Mgr. EJ retired in 06 as Unit Director of the NICU at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. We built a new home in the Hills while we were still working and now live here full time. Spend time in AZ in the winter for a little golf and spending time with my classic car and drag racing buddys.

Julie Reis (Corl)

Now Now
Marital status: Married
Occupation: Retired
Comment:

Debby Reynolds (Darroch)

Then Then
Now Now
Marital status: Widowed
Children: 5
Occupation: mom
Tell us about yourself: In 1964 I married my high school sweetheart (Jim Reynolds\'61) The inner city of Baltimore MD was our home for 9 years during residency before returning to Sioux Falls. We have five children ranging in age from 33 to 55.(2 sons and 3 daughters)