SCHOOL NEWS
| MUSCATINE COUNTY, IOWA SCHOOL NEWS | |
Transcribed, by Beverly Gerdts on July 18, 2019Page 51
ROBERT F. JAMES attended old Garfield from 1936 thru 1942 and then went on to MHS graduating in 1948. He attended Muscatine Junior College from 1948-1950 and went to Iowa State Teachers for a BA in 1953 from there to Indiana University for his Masters degree in 1959.
He married the former Rosaine Stark December 18, 1955. They had 4 sons; Michael 41; Daniel 37; Patrick 31 and Kelsey 29.
Bob taught High School for 42 years and was a former coach, Asst Principal, Teach and Guidance counselor. He also officiated H.S basketball, baseball, track and swimming for 15 years. He was selected Asst Principal of the year in 1988 in the state of Michigan, the Melvin Jones award winner from the Lion's Club which he has been a member for 25 years and was president twice during those years. He has to be very sports minded as he taught scuba diving for 25 years.
He was a patrol boy during his years at Old Garfield. He loved the 5th-6th grade Saturday games at Jefferson gym. He recalls Ms Othmer slipping them money to ride the bus to Jefferson school. She even sent Bob $1.00 when he graduated from MHS in 1948. He remembers the great times a Kempers Pond with Shermie & Sam Bloomhuff, the ball games outside his parents house on Wallace St. with Bing Powell, Lloyd Law, Harold Marx, the Terrills, Charlene & Gerry Schumaker, Jean Powell, Lois Law, Carroll Gordy, Harold Hubbard, Vearl Grady, Elsie Ahrens, Townsend boys, Hurlbuts, his sister Florine and many others. As he looks back he feels he was blessed to be born in Southend. When he comes back for visits he drives around Southend remembering old times.
Bob cannot make this years reunion, but as waterfront director at Howe Military School (his 40th year) his commitment for summer camp for 100 boys 8-15 years of age comes first. He remembers the Old Garfield Song. " Garfield, our dear school, We love the Old Garfield." Bob and his wife both retired in 1995.