Alumni News & Notes Central Connects Us, Even In Quarantine What did I do today, you ask? I had a virtual happy hour with some of my dearest friends, witnessed a hilarious Live Jive from comedian Bill Chott, ’91, and ended my evening listening to a virtual concert from the very talented Steve Watts, ’88. In this time of social distancing and isolation, it seems I’ve become more connected, in some ways, to friends from my days at Central. While these strange times are in many ways confining, they also provide us with opportunities to connect in ways we never imagined. When I was on campus in 1986, none of the things I did today would have been possible. I love how many creative connectivity options we have at our disposal. I often use this letter to talk about the importance of connection, but that word means more now than ever before. I ask you, how you are connecting to your friends from your college days? Who are you following on social media? Who are you checking on? How are you connecting to Central? Did you know that you can take a virtual tour of the campus? There are more opportunities to follow Central on social media and keep up with the latest. Have you thought about connecting with a favorite professor? There are so many ways to connect. Our alma mater is a special place, and now is a great time to reconnect. The point is, our time at Central created amazing relationships for each of us. Don’t let another moment go by before reaching out to those people who impacted your life. I was recently reminded of the importance of this when I learned of the untimely passing of Jeff Huckaba, ’85, who was a friend to all who knew him. The time we have is unknown, and that fact is amplified in our current world situation. How are YOU connecting, safely? Peace, safety, and love,
Laura Blair, Class of 1986 President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
1960s
Kent B. Van Landuyt ’68 and Alice J. (Weil) Van Landuyt ’69 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 25, 2019 by taking their children and “grands” to Oahu, Hawaii. They have three grown children, Erik, Andria (husband Cheng) and Karra, and three grandchildren Amilia, Karson, and Liam. Kent retired from the Missouri Department of Transportation as assistant to the director and Alice from Eldon R-1 as a literacy coach. Both worked over 40 years. In 2016, Kent and a Versailles High School classmate co-authored a book entitled A People’s History of the Lake of the Ozarks.
20 The Talon | Summer 2020
1970s
Howell Rice ’73 has retired after selling his insurance agency at the beginning of 2020. He looks forward to spending time with his wife, Kathy, and grandchildren in Jackson and Osage Beach. Last August, he and Kathy went camping at Logger’s Lake with alumni Dave Moller, ’73, and Dan, ’74, and Kathy Poggemoeller, ’93. Dave Neier ’75 was inducted to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo., on Jan. 26, 2019. Tami (Bertrand) Trabue ’78 received the DAISY Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Tami has been a nurse at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Mexico, Mo., for over 40 years.
1980s
Timothy Jackman ’81 was named the interim president and CEO of Previsor Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Missouri Employers Mutual in Columbia, Mo. Donald Parker’s ’84 group, the Blue Heron Sextet, was part of the Sarasota Concert Association’s free music matinees program. Mike Dimond ’85 retired from a very successful 35-year career with the Boy Scouts of America (four different councils throughout Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) on Dec. 31, 2019. Upon retirement, Mike, Janell, ’84, and Mikela (youngest of six children) moved back to