In Memoriam

Since our last reunion, we have some pretty exciting things happen. My oldest daughter got married in 2012. Our first great great-grandchild Kenzie was born in 2014 and Leo was born this year and another boy will be making his debut this August. Wayne and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2014.

I am 70. (Sept '42). Married to Gloria since 2000. Gloria was born in Toufen, Taiwan in 1948. She came to America in the early '70's. I am her second husband. She is my third wife. I have two children with my first wife the former Peggy LaRose of Troy, NY. My older daughter Kathleen (1970) is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. She has provided me with one Grandchild. My younger daughter Pauline (1971) is a Sr. Probation Officer for Rensselaer County. She has provided me with three Grandchildren.

After somehow managing to Graduate from BC, I spent some time in college, and working, before enlisting in the Army. I spent the first year there in school and then was assigned to two different Nike Hercules batteries for the duration of my enlistment. The Nike Hercules System was an air defense weapon system employing tactical nuclear warheads. My function was to maintain the various RADARS and the computer that constituted the Fire Control area. Until this experience, I could not begin to fathom the power of computers and the career path and life journey that would follow.

After my military service I became a programmer. I liked doing this. I was good at it. During the early years there were just not enough people with this skill and I would job hop for more money. In my late 30's I realized that I better find the job I could retire from. At age 39 I was hired by Hitachi Data Systems, I was no longer a programmer, but rather a systems engineer and then a sales engineer. The run at this wonderful organization would last until age 51. Things always change, the computers we once sold for $4 million were going for 15% of that. Then someone figured out how to replace the industrial strength disk drives on the large computers with PC disks. Custom made became commodity and thousands of mainframe computer marketing reps and engineers (IBM, Amdahl and Hitachi) had to hit the pavement. I was one of them.

A week or so later I was approached by one of our customers (the NYS Court System) and offered a job. It was for a lot less money and I wanted to be a systems engineer again. I passed on it. That was a bad mistake! If I had taken that job then, I could have been retired for five years by now.

Some of the notable places I have worked or been assigned are: NYS Executive Dept., Eastern Airlines, Clarkson University, R.P.I., Bibliographic Retrieval Services, Bibliothèque Systématique (Paris), National Semiconductor, Hitachi Data Systems, Time Life Magazine Fulfillment, Fleet Bank, State University Research Foundation and the NYS Unified Court System.

I currently live on Berncliff Ave In Albany. The 23rd place I have lived since finishing B.C. My plans for retirement: Finish the book I started writing in he Summer of 2000. Become conversant in the Hungarian Language. Move to a warmer place. Visit Rio and Patagonia. Live longer than Queen Elizabeth, and lastly (adding a couple of things to Will Rogers famous quote) I would like to run out of air, money, good wine and Viagra at the same time! I would also like to die in my sleep but it would seem quite difficult to accomplish both?? A memorable photo from a few years back... Emperor for a day in Taiwan 2006 (Click on photo to enlarge).

This photo was sent to me by two of my dearest friends. Bob & Chuck made a trip, by car, around the USA & stopped in Manhattan, where I was living at the time. They spent about 2 or 3 days with me in my apartment. Here I am, in the Big Apple, at the old age of 23, dressed for my 1st big boy job as a sales rep for Carter's Infants Wear. Thought you would get a laugh out of this. Oh by the way I also had to have a business hat which was common in those days. Of course I never wore it, I only carried it around. If I wore it all you would see is my nose starring at you. (NY 1966)

When I decided to attend this years 55th high school reunion I had no idea what to expect, after all, I had not returned since I left during my junior year in high school. From the moment I stepped out of my car in the parking lot at the Legion Hall and met my first former classmate I felt welcomed. After walking up the stairs and meeting you I knew it would be a memorable weekend.

There were a few old classmates I was hoping to meet up with: Ed Van Alstyne, Lynne Snyder, Marty Heilmann, George Meyers and "Busty" Van Duzer. Well, 3 out of 5 wasn't bad. Since most of the classmates I knew back then either lived in my old neighborhood in Elsmere or played baseball, I didn't remember too many faces. I think I met more former classmates at the reunion than I knew when I was in school. What a great bunch of folks! Getting to know Linda Fuhrman was a real treat. I truly enjoyed talking with her, in spite of the fact that she out bowled me. Just kidding, neither one of us were very good but we had a great time.

I am so very glad I decided to come to the reunion. I had such a good time, met so many new people and had many great conversations. I have been talking about it ever since I got home.

Many heart felt thank yous to you and the entire reunion committee for putting on such a fabulous weekend event.

Sincerely,
Randy McKendry

While I never managed to graduate with my BCHS Class of 1961 due to my family moving out of state midway through my junior year, I certainly would have preferred to. I was contacted prior to the 50th reunion but, due to other commitments, was unable to attend. Since I am no longer working full-time I would like to try to make this years 55th. If there is a schedule of events planned I would appreciate a copy.

It has been so long since I have been back in Delmar I doubt I will recognize the place. I'll be looking forward to touching base with a few old friends, like Ed Van Alstyne and Marty Heilman, if they are still around and some of the gals that were in my class as well. While Nancy Miller was my girl friend for a few years before I moved I remember a few of the other girls.

I could use a few pointers as to where to stay, etc. I will be coming by train and flying back to California.

Thank you,

Randy