As I believe I've spoken about it before, I was invited to the 50th Class Reunion of the graduating class at North Shore H.S. in 1958. The reunion is to be held in September at the Swan Club in Glen Head, L.I. I would like to attend but I simply do not have the energy to fly again. However, I did write a letter and e-mailed it to the committee chairman, Peggy Roberts. I asked that it be read at the celebration and I include it here as a matter of record.
Dear North Shore HS Class of 1958:
I am so terribly sorry that I am unable to be with you to celebrate this beautiful event. Just think…50 years! That’s definitely an accomplishment, and I suspect that most of you are in your 6os and have worked hard at your chosen professions and have raised beautiful families. And do I ever remember you guys! After all, I spent four years with you, and you have definitely left an indelible mark on my psyche. Naturally, time has run its course on me as well, and though I cannot recall all your names, I do remember Betsy Krumrine, Allyson Rose, John Sege (those two and Mrs. Comfort combined to write the school’s alma mater). Then there was Carole Schutzman, Henry Goldman who was given a free train ride to Glen Head from Washington D.C. one year, Al Weyhretter, Peggy Gremelsbacker, shy Dennis Jamieson, Georgie Coyle, Peggy Roberts…red of hair, and Alex Terentiev, just to name a few…
I have led a good life since your graduation. I stayed at North Shore until 1982 when I retired and moved to Florida. Prior to that, I had taken a sabbatical leave, bought an Around-the-World airline ticket from SAS and traveled around the world for a year. When I returned, I married Rhoda after a divorce from my first wife. Rhoda and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary. I raised four children who also graduated from North Shore. Robin, my eldest daughter retired from the US Marine Corps as a Lt. Colonel. Her husband, Richard Higgins, was a Marine Corps Colonel who was captured by the Hezbollah in Jordan in 1988 and was murdered by them. There is now a guided missile destroyer with his name on it, the USS Higgins. We are proud of that. My other three children also are now leading distinguished careers and you can read all about them and my whole life in my book, “MEMOIRS of a TAIL GUNNER”. ( Just go to Google, type in “Norman Ross, ‘Memoirs.’”)
You never knew I flew 60 combat missions in WWII and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 Air Medals. These days no one knows what they are. However, these medals were only recently awarded. But I’m happy to apprise you of that right now that I am 84 years old. Back then I didn’t see what the war had to do with Shakespeare. I can’t get around very well, anymore. Difficult walking, but I do have a scooter. If I could scoot to the Swan Club from Florida I would. I can think of no greater pleasure that I could have than to reacquaint myself with the wonderful class of 1958.
With fondest love,
Dr. Norman Ross
I am so terribly sorry that I am unable to be with you to celebrate this beautiful event. Just think…50 years! That’s definitely an accomplishment, and I suspect that most of you are in your 6os and have worked hard at your chosen professions and have raised beautiful families. And do I ever remember you guys! After all, I spent four years with you, and you have definitely left an indelible mark on my psyche. Naturally, time has run its course on me as well, and though I cannot recall all your names, I do remember Betsy Krumrine, Allyson Rose, John Sege (those two and Mrs. Comfort combined to write the school’s alma mater). Then there was Carole Schutzman, Henry Goldman who was given a free train ride to Glen Head from Washington D.C. one year, Al Weyhretter, Peggy Gremelsbacker, shy Dennis Jamieson, Georgie Coyle, Peggy Roberts…red of hair, and Alex Terentiev, just to name a few…
I have led a good life since your graduation. I stayed at North Shore until 1982 when I retired and moved to Florida. Prior to that, I had taken a sabbatical leave, bought an Around-the-World airline ticket from SAS and traveled around the world for a year. When I returned, I married Rhoda after a divorce from my first wife. Rhoda and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary. I raised four children who also graduated from North Shore. Robin, my eldest daughter retired from the US Marine Corps as a Lt. Colonel. Her husband, Richard Higgins, was a Marine Corps Colonel who was captured by the Hezbollah in Jordan in 1988 and was murdered by them. There is now a guided missile destroyer with his name on it, the USS Higgins. We are proud of that. My other three children also are now leading distinguished careers and you can read all about them and my whole life in my book, “MEMOIRS of a TAIL GUNNER”. ( Just go to Google, type in “Norman Ross, ‘Memoirs.’”)
You never knew I flew 60 combat missions in WWII and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 11 Air Medals. These days no one knows what they are. However, these medals were only recently awarded. But I’m happy to apprise you of that right now that I am 84 years old. Back then I didn’t see what the war had to do with Shakespeare. I can’t get around very well, anymore. Difficult walking, but I do have a scooter. If I could scoot to the Swan Club from Florida I would. I can think of no greater pleasure that I could have than to reacquaint myself with the wonderful class of 1958.
With fondest love,
Dr. Norman Ross
Now it's time for me to pack for our mini vacation to Key West, so I'll have to skip a few days of blogging. But I will document the trip when I get back. And as a matter of documentation I am going to include comments, letters, and e-mails I have received from former students. They might not mean much to those who read these blogs, but the blogs are someday going to be published in a book, and I'd like my grandchildren to know what people have thought of their grandfather, and if we had been closer, perhaps I might have influenced them in some positive ways as well.
DR ROSS ALWAYS MADE A BORING DAY INTERESTING WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR HIS CLASS. HE MADE US UNDERSTAND THINGS LIKE NO OTHER COULD!
Teachers often influence us in ways we don't appreciate at the time. Do you recognize this question you posed to your students in 1970 or 1971, Dr. Ross: "What is a spoon?" Do you have any idea of the powerful message this conveyed to one impressionable (albeit seemingly uninterested) student?
You inspired, in me, a fascination with language (and a lifetime of angst)...
Who else would launch a class by asking us to answer, "What is a spoon?" He inspired us look at language and communication in a non-threatening, fun way. But I'm forever cursed, always wondering how I could have said something better. Usually it's after-the-fact that I realize I've botched my intended message again. Oh, why didn't I attend more classes???
B. Smith '71
Teachers often influence us in ways we don't appreciate at the time. Do you recognize this question you posed to your students in 1970 or 1971, Dr. Ross: "What is a spoon?" Do you have any idea of the powerful message this conveyed to one impressionable (albeit seemingly uninterested) student?
You inspired, in me, a fascination with language (and a lifetime of angst)...
Who else would launch a class by asking us to answer, "What is a spoon?" He inspired us look at language and communication in a non-threatening, fun way. But I'm forever cursed, always wondering how I could have said something better. Usually it's after-the-fact that I realize I've botched my intended message again. Oh, why didn't I attend more classes???
B. Smith '71
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