CLASS CONNECTIONS
in a Lakeside trophy case. Did it really belong next to those elegant trophies and shiny medals? Amidst the rows and rows of polished plaques and banners cataloging years of championship titles and winning times? My conclusion: of course, it did! Personal fitness is not the most glamorous athletic endeavor; not a lot of notoriety there, or medals to be won. I know Ron was proud of the Most Improved Player award because I remember him telling me so. But the fact remains, he never sought out notoriety, never wanted the spotlight, was modest to a fault, and never really competed again in organized sports. And yet, he was the finest athlete I have ever known.”
Athletic Director Chris Hartley, center, shares the story of Ron Lorentson ’62 with the Lakeside football team as varsity football coach Casey Selfridge, left, and Tim Howland ’62 look on.
1939
Arthur Clark’s book “Eyes of the Tiger: China 1944-1945” (available on Amazon) tells the story of his experience as an Air Force intelligence officer as his unit, the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, traveled from the U.S. across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, across India, and over the Himalayan Mountains into China.
1956
Judy Parsons writes, “’Tis fun to read about alumni. I’m still working as a talent and entertainment agent, but gave up designing and operating safaris to Africa. I’m blessed with top musical talent in Tucson and am active in the jazz community. I do travel to the Phoenix area and to Seattle placing music — my latest project is ‘A Conversation with Edith Head,’ about the Oscar-winning costume designer, aptly portrayed by Susan Claassen in this one woman show.”
1959
In October, the National Business Aviation Association presented the 2015 Meritorious Service to Aviation Award to Joe Clark. Joe is CEO of Aviation Partners Inc. (API) and chairman of the Aviation Partners Boeing joint venture. He pioneered the blended winglet technology that saves fuel and enhances the performance of aircrafts.
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LAKESIDE
Spring/Summer 2016
Ron Lorentson ’62 received this ball, signed by each of his teammates, when he was named the “most improved player” on the 1961 Lakeside football team.
1962
In October, Tim Howland shared the story and legacy of his teammate, classmate, and friend, the late Ron Lorentson, with the current Lakeside football team. Tim also brought the football that Ron received when he was named “most improved player” his senior year – he was the team’s leading rusher and leading scorer – which will reside in the trophy case in The Paul G. Allen Athletics Center this year. Ron passed away in 2014 but is remembered fondly by his former teammates for his lifelong passion for athletics and physical fitness. Tim writes that Marsha, Ron’s wife of 47 years, discovered the long forgotten football in their attic and asked if he could find a home for it at Lakeside. “I tried to picture this grubby, old, beat-up football
1967
Richard Neill writes, “I was invited by Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative to make a series of short films about recent efforts to create new, sustainable housing on Native American lands around the country. After completing the films, I saw there was the potential for reaching a broader audience on PBS and proposed it to the PBS Natural Heroes series, where it was accepted for inclusion in their current series. The resulting film, “Native American Green,” will be broadcast over coming months on PBS stations around the country. Check your local PBS listings for dates and air times or visit the Natural Heroes website: http://naturalheroes.org/videos/nativeamerican-green/.”
1974
About a dozen alums from the Class of ’74 got together in early September for what has now become a small annual event. Alums enjoyed lunch arranged by Lysa Hansen and beautiful views on a sunny afternoon from the home of Richard Hartung. Along with comparing notes on children, there were plenty of chats about how best to take care of parents as they age — the “sandwich class” in action.
1976
Leigh Savidge received an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay for “Straight Outta Compton.” He also served as co-executive producer of the film.