50th Reunion - The Class of 1969 Brings us up to Date

ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR GRADUATION

THE CLASS OF 1969 BRING US UP TO DATE...

In the Fall 2015 issue of the Aluminator, we began the practice of featuring biographies of those who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation from CC. Below are a couple submissions from the Class of 1969 who celebrate their reunion this fall.

Diane and Walter Kreucher ‘69

WALTER KREUCHER ’69

Fifty years, it doesn’t seem possible. Wasn’t it yesterday we were doing sky-view repeats and picking flowers for senior prom?

Catholic Central has transitioned to not one building, but two. We lost a number of classmates and teachers. The memories remain,at least for now until the grip of Alzheimer’s takes hold.

As for me, I completed my career with Ford 15 years ago.I composed pieces of Clean Air and Energy Policy legislation. I crafted the hybrid and electric vehicle tax credit and put in place a per manufacturer cap to ensure no one cornered the market. I was one of three individuals responsible for the first of its kind California clean gasoline standards and crafted the Federal reformulated gasoline standards. I represented the United States at an international conference of Environment Ministers in Sophia, Bulgaria, to craft policy that removed leaded gasoline worldwide.While there, I discussed theology with the Papal Nuncio in the Presidential Palace. I sang bawdy ballads with the Irish Ambassador at his residence in Beijing. I ghost wrote for Congressmen and Senators.

Since retiring, I have continued to dabble in writing. I know what you’rethinking, writing for politicians is fiction. At least now I’m calling it what it is.I published a half dozen novels (three are available in audio book format) andsix non-fiction books. From time to time, I take consulting jobs. I helped fixthe analytical model used to predict manufacturers’ corporate average fueleconomy capabilities. The new standards should be released soon.

On a personal level, I have been married to a Mercy girl for 39 wonderful years. We have three sons, all CC alumni (Anthony ’02, Benjamin ’02, and John ’06).

I’m grateful to the faculty and classmates who contributed to the memories.Mary, Alma Mater and her Son have truly blessed me and my family.

CHRISTOPHER SMITH ’69

Bill ‘36 and son Chris ‘69

With an undergrad degree from Oakland University and a graduate degree from Wayne State University, I began a successful career in pharmaceutical development beginning at the US FDA in Detroit.

During those 12 years, I moved from Investigator in Detroit to Congressional Liaison to Deputy Associate Commissioner in

Washington, D.C. New opportunities took me to Abbott Laboratories, a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in Chicago, and then 19 years as Vice President with a contract pharmaceutical research and development firm in North Carolina.

In 2011, I established Coastal Pharmaceutical Consultants and continue to travel extensively, working with firms all over the world developing new drug therapies.

In 1992, my wife, Sue Crissey, and I established Bottlebranch Farm just outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, to raise horses, cows, goats, and other farm critters on 70 peaceful acres.

We also were blessed with the opportunity to host many high school exchange students from Europe and Asia – several with whom I remain very close. Sadly, Sue passed away in 2002, but the farm remains my respite from work and travel.

On May 27th, I also lost another loved one, my father. Bill Smith ’36 was the eldest living CC alumnus. He graduated in 1936 and remained very active in the CC community well into his later years. He passed away just short of his 100th birthday. Today, I wear his CC class ring with great pride.