A Flood of Memories

The Moline High School students did so much sand bagging against the 1965 Mississippi Flood that the city dedicated a plaque to us. The 1966 class willingly left their studies to fill and haul sandbags.

 

Believe it or not, I subscribed to the San Francisco Chronicle, even though we visited there only once. Now I am reading about how the city and the state are dealing with one violent storm after another. That was predicted, but weather predictions in Northwest Arkansas seldom pan out, perhaps due to our geography, the Ozarks pushing storms north or east of us.

Christina and I saw floods in Midland (Michigan), St. Louis and New Ulm, never threatening our Icha-bodes but impressive when so near. We thought Erin Joy would be frightened by flooding around the Midland hospital and inside. She was lit up by all the excitement, which made us laugh. She saw entertainment while everyone else was afraid of even more danger.

In early January, I am getting warnings from the gardening vendors I support. One just wrote that I better order some flowers or it would be too late! We are in the true South but not the Equator, as in Ecuador! I recall getting bare root roses in Springdale just as we entered a two-week sample of zero temperatures. I had to soak them in the kitchen in a large garbage pail (aka rain barrel). 

 

Disasters are marks in time, easy to remember the time and place. Moline built a monument for us high school students who sandbagged the 1965 flood. I helped guard and sandbag Melo Cream, but we did not merit a monument. There is a big difference between flood and food. Or I could say, between Do Not Enter! and Donuts - Enter! Yes, I helped keep the donut shop high and dry.

I was talking to a reader yesterday about current conditions in our country. We agreed that the best we could do is find peace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and help our neighbors who are suffering from economic distress - costs way out of control. 

Roses always make people happy!

Rest in Peace, David T. Coopman, MHS 66

The 15 Moline Memories posts that include Dave are linked here. 

FUNERAL HOME

Rafferty Funeral Home - Moline

2111 First Street A

Moline, IL

DAVID COOPMAN OBITUARY

David T. Coopman, 74, of Moline, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 at ProMedica, Moline.
A Funeral Mass will be 9:30 am Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4-6 pm, Friday at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111-1st St A, Moline. Entombment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center for Belgian Culture or RI County Historical Society or the Moline Second Alarmers.
David was born February 8, 1948 in Moline, the son of William M. and Phyllis (Aswege) Coopman, Sr. He graduated from Moline High School in 1966 and St. Ambrose College in 1970, where he received a degree in Secondary Education.
David was an English Teacher at Moline High School for 7 years and later worked at several local radio and TV stations. He retired from Industrial Sales and Packaging.
David was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Moline, and Moline 2nd Alarmers for 48 years where he served as Secretary for over 20 years, Rock Island County Historical Society, where he served as President and Center for Belgian Culture. He enjoyed writing history, and was author of Quad City History and enjoyed golfing, especially in California.
Survivors include his brother, William (Sandra) Coopman, Jr., Tremont, IL; niece, Merry Sumer; nephew, Chris Coopman; special friend, Judy Carls, Palm Desert, CA and many cousins in the U.S. and Belgium.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David, please visit our floral store.

I don't know the proper words to express what the loss of David means to so many people. Friend, colleague, classmate...all in all, a good buddy. Talented in so many ways, but especially in the written word. We have all read his work with appreciation. I personally am going to miss our lunches every time I came back to the QC...rest well amigo, you are sincerely missed by so many.

John Mason Carver

Friend

October 14, 2022

David you will be greatly missed. Thank you for all your hard work making the MHS 1966 class reunions always a memorable event. See you on the other side big guy. PS County Style rules!

Kym Dennhardt Whatley

Friend

October 14, 2022

Published by Rafferty Funeral Home - Moline on Oct. 13, 2022.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

***

 Legendary Locals of Moline, Illinois, by David Coopman

I cleaned up my bookshelf, sending many to friends, neighbors, and Waste Management, Inc. I kept Legendary Locals of Moline, because that is endlessly fascinating.

This is David Coopman's fourth book about the Quad-City Area, cities surrounded by farmland and flood waters. So many greats have come from this area that my wife responds to news about inventions and achievements this way, "I know, another Moliner."

Not always - but often. The computer was invented at a Rock Island roadhouse.

QC Online

"The research, going over old advertisements and meeting people who made the station what it was, is special," he says. "It never fails -- when I go to check a fact that I'm expecting to take 15 minutes, it always takes me three or four hours. It's been that much fun researching this book."

Lagomarcino's had to be in the book, but what about the Mayor of the Lutheran Holyland - Perryville, Missouri - Debbie Mitchell Gahan?

 

 Eyre is in the book for tennis, but added poetry to his resume. Publish or perish applies to tennis professors too.

Which class should have the most legendary honors, you dare ask? The Class the Stars Fell On - 1966.

***

Photos tell Q-C Airport's story - Quad Cities Online:



"Images of Aviation: Quad City International Airport," by David T. Coopman, published in 2011 by Arcadia Publishing, is a pictorial and historical overview of the local airport at Moline.

A typical page in the 127-page book has two black and white photos with rich text describing their historical implication. A concise introduction to the book describes the high points of the development of the airport to the present day.

The airport started around 1919 in a flat pasture that became known as Franing Field. The operation began with coast-to-coast flights of Army airplanes. But the young airplane enthusiasts known as barnstormers who performed daring aerobatics and gave rides to individuals kept the airport alive.

Many of the wonderful photos were contributed by The Dispatch, the Quad City International Airport and numerous individuals. Photos include people important to airport development, monocoupes, biplanes, tri-motors, passengers planes and military jets, celebrity visitors, construction of the airfield, terminals and other buildings, plus three accidents.

The book divides growth into four sections.

The first, 1922-1934, shows development of Franing Field. Men who developed it learned to fly from J. Wesley Smith, Geneseo. Smith, who flew with the Canadians during WWI, taught Gus DeSchepper, Floyd Ketner and Dr. C.C. Sloan how to fly.

"Rusty" Campbell became manager of the developing airport when Smith left. Many young men and one woman, Phoebe Omlie, became legendary racers. Local barnstormer Vern Roberts became the idol of Charles Lindbergh, who had seen him perform.

The second section, 1935-1952, begins when Moline finally took ownership of the airport. Photos show men working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Depression. The men are getting the field ready for paving runways. Hangars and other buildings are being added. A few air shows are pictured. Vern Roberts, airport manager, created the Moline Air Service in 1942 to train cadet pilots for WWII. A photo shows 600 radial aircraft engines being rebuilt at the airport to be used to power tanks during WWII.

After the war, a rivalry began between Moline and Davenport, which had developed an airport. Both wanted to become the leading regional airport. Coopman quotes a source who said, "population, politics and practical considerations" led to Moline coming out ahead.

A map shows the center of population for the Quad-Cities was in Rock Island at about 5th Avenue and 38th Street There were more industrial users of aviation on the Illinois side. In 1948 the airport became part of the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MAA) and was renamed the Quad City Airport.

Section three, 1953-1984, may be a trip down memory lane for some readers. A new terminal was completed in 1954. There are nostalgic photos of that wonderful 180-degree observation area in that terminal. Visitors could sit and watch planes take off and land with a view of the ramps, taxiways and runways. There is a photo of Tom Balla's Airport Inn restaurant where an hour wait on Sundays was not uncommon. Many kids ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches served with mashed potatoes in that restaurant before heading to that observation deck to dream of flying.

The last section, 1985-present, begins with photos of the building of a new $5.3 million terminal. A photo shows the 1954 terminal still there. In 1986 the Quad-Cities was granted U.S. Custom Port of Entry status. The name wasn't changed to Quad City International Airport to reflect that status until 1997. Photos reflect changes after 9/11. For example, passengers clearing security enter a central atrium area that once was available for the public as an observation opportunity.

Other interesting photos include flight information written on a blackboard in the 1950s; Coal Valley fire department providing services; a 1944 photo-op of Gov. Dwight Green, waiting for a flight, pointing in one direction while airport manager Vern Roberts is pointing in the opposite direction; and aerial photos including one of "Moline" painted on a roof to show pilots what airfield they were flying to or over.

The book is a great overview of the airport but there are some issues. It was disappointing to see Harold Neumann, Geneseo, a prominent racer based in Moline in the late 1920s shown as a 66-year-old in 1972. I discovered his little silver monocoupe at a museum in Oshkosh, Wis., several years ago.

In the Ford Reliability Tour held 1925-1931 to promote flying, Campbell received a perfect score in a Travel Air A in 1925. The book said there was no prize money. Other information indicates he received $350, equivalent to more than $4,500 in 2010 dollars.

The last photo is of Cathie Rochau, marketing representative for the airport, and director of Aviation Bruce Carter, AAE. Carter arrived at the airport to oversee the $18 million terminal improvement in 1999. His celebration over the successful completion was short-lived, according to Coopman. Carter and the rest of the airport had to deal with changes for the airlines and airport brought on by the terrorist attack in September 2001.

(David Coopman will speak about the book on August 8 at the Port Byron Historical meeting at the River Valley library at 7 p.m.)
Marlene Gantt of Port Byron is a former Rock Island school teacher.


'via Blog this'

Rest in Peace, Larry R. Vande Geest, MHS 66

 

 Larry R. Vande Geest

Larry R. Vande Geest

August 9, 1948 ~ September 29, 2022 (age 74)

Obituary & Services

Tribute Wall3

Obituary

Larry R. Vande Geest, 74, of Moline, passed away Thursday, September 29, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, October 3, 2022, at First United Presbyterian Church, 801 16th Street, Moline.  Memorial visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline.  Inurnment will be 9 a.m., Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Moline Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted.  Memorials may be made to King’s Harvest Ministries.

Larry was born on August 9, 1948, in Moline, IL, the son of Ira and Marjorie May (Haaskker) Vande Geest. He was a Vietnam Veteran having served with the Army. Larry married Virginia “Ginny” Poston on June 26, 1970, in Moline. He was previously employed as a plumber and contractor for Vande Geest Plumbing, Moline. Larry was incredibly active and held a private pilot license, was an avid hunter and loved golfing. He enjoyed playing euchre and poker and was recently dealt his first royal flush. He loved being with his family and attending all of his grandkids sporting events and activities. Larry will be lovingly remembered for his great and unique sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Ginny; children, Lori (John) Kruse, Nicolaas (Dawn) Vande Geest, Jonathan (Susan) Vande Geest.; grandchildren, Ian, Lance, Austin, Kiley, Tré, Arie, Willem; sister, Julie (Mike) Weger; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents

Memories may be shared on the tribute wall.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

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Services

MEMORIAL VISITATION

Sunday
October 2, 2022
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd.
6601 38th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265

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MEMORIAL SERVICE

Monday
October 3, 2022
11:00 AM
First United Presbyterian Church (Moline)

Review - The Haiku Books of Lawrence Eyre, MHS 66: Available at Amazon and Walmart.com

 Lawrence Eyre's Heartland Haiku is available at Amazon - as well as Walmart.com.

Eyre's Haiku Country is also available at Walmart.com, as well as at Amazon.com.

Lawrence inscribed this in the copy of Heartland Haiku that he sent to me for review:

"Greg: Whoda thunk Garfield kids would end up writing books after reading MAD?"

At John Deere Junior High, teachers called us The Garfield Gashouse Gang, because we clustered together and had the best time laughing and being mildly disruptive. Mr. McAlister said, "The teachers can spot the Garfielders in each class."

 

 Garfield is now a condo unit, so it really needs a touch of Photoshop nostalgia.

The author and I go back to second grade, which was 67 years ago, when Lawrence's family moved to Moline and he matriculated at Garfield Grade School. Ann Johnson-Zander also went to Garfield and the three of us graduated from Moline High in 1966. The three of us lived in the same area of Moline and attended Yale at various times. 

I joined Salem Lutheran Church, after asking Lawrence where he attended. The next Sunday I got out of the car and went to Salem instead of First Christian Church, across the street. My mother said, "Where are YOU going?" I said, "Across the street," and I never returned to First Christian. As Tolkien observed in The Hobbit, we never know where that path will take us. I went to Augustana College, where I met Christina Ellenberger, whose birthday is this week.

Lawrence won a full scholarship at Yale College and joined the famed Whiffenpoofs singing club at Yale. 

Lawrence and I went to Yale Divinity, but at different times. We have stayed in touch, in part because of MHS reunions and Facebook. I have enjoyed posting his memorabilia in Moline Memories, and his mother's birthdays. Christina and I knew her at Salem and we saw his father at the Billy Graham event in South Bend, Indiana. Lawrence's parents went to Augustana College and were both in the choir, which may explain his singing voice.

It is a small world and haikus are small poems. Epic poetry and large novels can dazzle or puzzle the mind. Poetry demands so much more per word, and the haiku exposes one's lack of poetic gifts.

Lawrence went to a high school and a college where literature was taught with a deep appreciation for the authors and their contribution to Western culture. Although he earned acclaim for coaching tennis, Lawrence's haikus have been a staple in social media.

A haiku is a Japanese stanza of 17 syllables, three lines, 5-7-5.

The first stanza in Heartland Haiku - 

If trees are giving 

Their lives for this I'd better

Say something worthwhile

and also

Find your voice they said

I'm finding mine as many

Voices go silent

Heartland Haiku is one continuous poem, a challenge most of us would not want to address. The stanzas are humorous and ironic, also touching on the pain and tumults of life and death.

Quiet heroism

Lives on wherever people

Work for daily bread

Haiku Country begins

In haiku country

Extra syllables die fast

Seventeen or bust

Later

Beatles and Beach Boys

Wrote haiku songs long before

Anyone noticed

And

No haiku today

Five seven five drives me nuts

Well maybe one more

These books are a delight. They are ideal gifts for people who would like to explore the craft and see how much can come from supposedly simple stanzas.

Lawrence and Laurie have been married 40 years.

She is also a tennis coach. Their teams have been phenomenally successful.

 My father took us to the Yale football stadium, to see them demolish Princeton's team.  

Two Wedding Anniversaries - Kris Streed and Lawrence Eyre

 Paul and Kris Streed Crawford have been married 49 years.

Lawrence Eyre married Laurie 40 years ago.

Gladys Jackson Meyer's Sixth Grade - Featuring Liz Copeland and the Class of 1968. Liz' Mother Was Also a Sixth Grade Teacher at Garfield

Happy 48th Anniversary Ron and Marilyn Rue Lindberg

48th Anniversary - Ron Lindberg and Marilyn Rue

45th anniversary

Augustana College - Lucia Biorn and Al Bofinger holding the rose.
Marilyn Rue and Ron Lindberg.

Forty-fifth Wedding Anniversary - Rick and Beth McReynolds

Rick and Beth McReynolds were married at Prospect Park, Moline, 45 years ago.

Jeff Hall Tribute Page and Obituary

Tribute page - Jeff Hall - Forever Missed.

Obituary

Jeffery Alan Hall was a Christian man who loved the Lord. He died on April 21, 2020, at his home in Homeland, California with his wife Patty holding his hand. He died at the age of 72 as a result of cancer. Jeff was born on Feb 23, 1948, in Beardstown, Illinois. He was the second child of Norris Peyton Hall and Thelma Kathryn (Crozier) Hall.

When Jeff was 4 years old the family moved to Moline, IL. Jeff is a 1966 graduate of Moline High School where he was an All-State football running back in 1965 and also a standout track runner for Moline. He and his wife of 51 years, Patty (Puck), were high school sweethearts who were married on 7/19/68. 

Jeff attended Western Illinois University for 2 years after high school and then was drafted and sent to Vietnam where he was a fixed-wing aircraft mechanic. He served from 1968-1970. Most times that you would see Jeff he would be proudly wearing one of his numerous Vietnam Veteran ball caps. After his service, Jeff came back to Moline where he and Patty lived and raised their two sons Eric and Jon who also attended Moline High School.

Jeff worked for Pitney Bowes as an office equipment service technician for 21 years. At the age of 46, he entered the Journeyman program for sheet metal and was their oldest graduate at age 50. He then started his own handyman and remodeling business which he owned until he and Patty retired in 2011. Jeff was a "jack of all trades" and loved helping his family and friends in both Illinois and California with their projects. 

Everyone knew they could call on Jeff and he would be there to help. Patty and Jeff have owned only 3 homes and Jeff totally remodeled every one of them. They also owned a cabin on the Mississippi river with Patty's mom and brother and wife. Boating, fishing, and water skiing became the family's leisure time. Their family, friends, and kids’ friends and cousins all have many fond memories of ’The Cabin’.

Upon retiring in 2011, Jeff and Patty moved to Southern California near their son Eric and his family. Once in Southern California, Jeff decided it was time to do less work and more golf. He loved being a part of the men’s golf league at Highland Palms Senior Estates where they lived. If they were not traveling and exploring this great United States, he and Patty spent many an hour out on the course and/or exploring with friends. Jeff also became a volunteer for Nuevo Citizens Patrol and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department during his retirement.

Anyone who knew Jeff well knew he had a long-standing affection for turtles. As a child, Jeff’s grandma Crozier gave him a small ceramic turtle as a gift. This started his lifelong obsession/collection of turtles. Everywhere he and Patty went, Jeff had great fun looking for and collecting turtle mementos. He collected more than 400 unique turtle mementos over his lifetime, which will now serve as cherished items to his family.

Jeff and Patty were members of Christ Episcopal Church and Heritage Wesleyan Church in Moline and Sunridge Community Church in Temecula, CA.

Jeff was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many. His favorite activity was spending time with family and friends, and he rarely missed any of his sons’ or grandkids’ activities. 

He is survived by his wife Patty, their 2 sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren; Eric (Stephanie) Hall and grandsons Andrew and Owen, and Jon (Angie) Hall and granddaughter Alina. He is also survived by his brother Mike Hall and his brother-in-law Mike (Ruth) Puck, and 5 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law Sue Hall.

Services: 

The family will have a private memorial service, and a Military Honors Burial Service will be conducted at a later date at the Rock Island National Cemetery.

Jeff Hall - MHS 66 - May the Angels Lead You to Paradise

Patty Puck Hall posted that Jeff passed into eternal life. "May the angels guide him to Paradise." Jeff and Patty went to Garfield Grade School and graduated with the 1966 class.

Happy 38th Anniversary - Lawrence and Laurie Eyre

Laurie and Lawrence Eyre

Congratulations and God's Blessings - John and Diana Robeson's 50th Wedding Anniversary

John and Diana Robeson were married on November 22nd, 1969.

John and Diana flew to the Golden Gate bridge.

They biked the Golden Gate bridge with their family.

John is one of two PhDs in math/science who were part of the experimental chem-physics class at Moline High, The Class the Stars Fell On.

Alan Hoffman was the other PhD in chem-physics class. Here is Alan getting his Eagle Scout award with John Robeson.

Lawrence Eyre's Mother Celebrates Her 92nd Birthday

Lawrence Eyre's mother - Colleen - is 92.

 Colleen with baby Lawrence

 Last year, Colleen Peterson celebrated her 91st birthday.

 Lawrence was always goal oriented.

Mary Parsons Caisley - MHS 66 - Happy 49th Wedding Anniversary - Married on the Fourth of July!

Don and Mary Parsons Caisley, their son Chuck.

On their 45th anniversary, they posted their wedding portrait too.

Lawrence Eyre, MHS 66, Jefferson County History Series, Iowa

Sassy's Charm - Official Mascot for the MHS 66 Reunions

 Sassy is completely in love with the four Esses, each daughter's name beginning with S. Each one has fussed over Sassy, and she loves it. Scared of her? - they own pit bulls.

I promised two readers they would hear from their CyberPet again soon: Sassy the Wonder Dog. Recently, Sassy saw her friends getting out of the van. She ran over and sat down in front of the youngest, grinning. That means, "You will pet me and talk to me." Sophie obliged, as the brother and sister did when walking to school. Sassy simply blocked the sidewalk by sitting in front of them, knowing they would stop and pet her.

Three legs? She was the star of the dog park. The other dogs were jealous of the magic orange ball that made everyone applaud her.

Yesterday, we passed Pat and John's home on our walk. John called from his door, "Sassy...." His wife came to share the love, too. Sassy is expected to kiss their hands each time, and she does.

On the way back we saw the morning coffee couple. She is known for putting her car in park, jumping out to see Sassy. We see them every morning in warm weather. Next the painter stopped his car on the street and talked to us. One day, his children and nephew brought us five paint cans (five gallon, empty and clean) for gardening.

If Ranger Bob is around, there is a big round of yelping, barking, and moaning. She adores him and his brother Mike. Bob calls her ChowHound, and adds, "I love that dawg. I am not a dawg person but I love that dawg. Whenever you get tired of her..." We gave him a large print of her smiling face. He loves it.

When Bob knocks on the door, he asks, "Got any of that good coffee left?" I make a pot of pour-over coffee while we talk about battleships, fixing cars, and dealing with taxes. I work on his taxes and get beautiful used books about the Navy for $1 used. One was in demand so it was more, so that was his chosen Christmas present. Paperwork flummoxes him the way car repairs stymie me, so we specialize. Sassy begins by barking and carrying on with him, demanding treats, and finally lying down to listen to him talk. If we watch car repair videos in our spare room, she lies down to listen.

 Sassy wore the Maroons' M for the river walk, which added up to two people and a dog. Our reunions are less organized than a London soccer riot.

We have taken Sassy to several Moline reunions. We are the luckiest people in the world to have her, but people thank us for rescuing her. She has routines and games that manage us, whether we think about it or not. Yesterday, she put her paw in the air, pretending to claw the table. Of course, she fixed her eyes on me. She looks like a student in the classroom when she does that, except she often adds her devilish smile. She knows I will laugh and respond. Then she grins at my reaction.

 When MHS 66 ladies and Christina had lunch at a Moline reunion, Sassy and I provided a security perimeter. Notice how she is barking her happiness. If she could not bark her joyfulness, she would explode.

Sassy generates happiness wherever she goes - post office, meat market, walks, trips. If I happen to pass through McDonalds without her, they ask about Sassy, who gets a little ice cream each time.

The Frosty Paws routine each night is elaborate:

1. Restless murmuring, sometimes hurt looks.
2. "Is Sassy looking for something?"
3. "Maybe, Frosty Paws?"
4. Her responses vary from slapping the blanket with a grin to sorrowful barks about being forgotten.
5. "Love first, then Frosty Paws."
6. She stays in place.
7. "Come on up here. Do I have to YANK you?"
8. She feigns terror and clutches the mattress.
9. I reach out and tug her a bit. Eyes widen.
10. Then I clap. "Move. Move. Or no treat."
11. She gets up and moves two inches, collapsing down.
12. "Are you kidding me? Move up!"
13. She moves up just enough to be petted, grinning.
14. After hearing how much everyone loves her, she gets one teaspoon of vanilla ice cream.

 The drive through tellers loved her so much, they gave her extra treats for barking loudly into the mike. That woke up everyone inside. The branch moved away - too much overhead?