Alumni Memories

Sally Whte Mathias '53: I moved for my senior year. But my mother was the "first" first grade teacher in Riverdale (Mrs. White) so I was in on the very beginning of our Riverdale school.......8th grade through my Junior year. Even though I missed graduating with my classmate of '53 due to moving to Colorado in my senior year, my memories of RHS will never be missed ... they will be with me always. The Riverdale years are when and where I learned how to survive those terrible teen years. I experienced many small personal successes such as cheerleading; music & drama; but I also experienced the lessons of rejection such as not making the Honor Society due to my spending too much time on those small personal successes as mentioned above. But life goes on. My friends became my teachers, mentors and good examples. Without them I would not be the "me" I am years later.    I have been so lucky to still be in contact with Mary Hartl, Mary Bohrer, Tykie Sinclair, Joann Halverson, Kay Cooper, Kent Cooper, Marlene Bergo, Joe Chandle and Dick Pearson. We are all still kicking our heels as high as we can with our aged-old ligaments, still experience successes and rejections and life goes on.

Clayton Diskerud '55: Gary Sheets and I used to babysit for Hugh Givens during our senior year at Riverdale. That was 1954-1955, and Hugh was still the music teacher. It was really a plumb job for us, as Hugh and his wife would have the two kids already in bed and would go to a movie or out for just a break in routine (perhaps cards with other teachers) and still get home at what we considered an early hour. Frankly, I think Hugh hired us so he could help provide us with some spending money without actually just giving it to us. He was quite a guy. He and Keith Stitzel were the two top teachers and friends. They both secured respect and admiration while still maintaining very high standards and discipline.

Joe Chandler '53: One school day during my sophomore year at RHS, Hugh Givens finally tired of my smart-ass personality kicked me out of mixed chorus. I am sure he was justified in doing so; especially since I didn't sing well enough to be a musical asset anyway. I regret that as well; the fact that my behavior justified expulsion from this personable, talented, and learned man's tutelage. However, he was, and would remain always one of my heroes, alongside Mr. Stitzel and Leo Stumpf.

Clayton Diskerud '55: I had something of a knack for getting kicked out of and off things, and I, too, managed to get booted from band my junior year (2nd semester). We had, in the trumpet section, a habit of making little runs at points in the music where none was written -- we thought it 'cool' (though that wasn't the operative word at that time). I don't know why, this far removed, I was booted -- but I was. What I do rememer is that it gave me the opportunity to take typing with Keith Stitzel, a stroke of luck that served me, oh so, well thru college and beyond. And, I still got back in band the next semester. When I think of the 'smart asses' of our day and compare them with today's edition, I have to conclude WE don't hold a candle.  On June 11, 1953 President Eisenhower came to Riverdale for the dedication of the Garrison Dam. The high school band was one of 12 that were present for the festivities. I was a member of the band. Six members of the Fort Berthold Reservation were on the reviewing stand along with the president, the governor, various other elected officials, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers chief Major General Samuel D. Sturgis Jr. and division engineer Brigadier General W.E. Potter.

Mary Ann (Witzigman) Butts '56: I recall being teased by Ray Dwelle during a study hall, for that matter, most of the time. Coach Stumpf kidded him about that! He got a nickname, Putt Putt - can't remember why!!! Anyway he liked teasing me and my face would turn bright red!!!   I do have good memories of Mr. Givens and all the good music. We even cut a record and I accompanied a song. I did quite a bit of that as did Pat Tobin and Eleanor DeFord. I took Home Ec from Bev Ewald - she was so nice and we went to a FHA Convention in Fargo. Pat and I did most of Bob Stettner's homework so he'd get thru high school. Ransom Weber always sat in front of me in classes and we helped each other in our work. I'm not sure who helped who but we made it through.

Jim Glanville '54: Not only was Coach Leo Stumpf our football coach he also taught math. One day in class, one of his star football players (I think it was Duane Butts) was in the back of the room leaning back in his chair reading a newspaper or something else other than the math book. As Coach lectured on some math principle up front, he picked up a blackboard eraser and hurled it at Duane while continuing his lecture as if nothing happened. The eraser went crashing through the newspaper with uncanny accuracy startling Duane and knocking him over backwards. No injury, but the startled look on Duane's face was very funny at the time. Coach loved us all with some tough love at times. I was lucky to have a few heroes in my early years and Coach was one of them.

Elnora Dwelle Riedy '52: I took typing and shorthand in the 11th and 12th grade from Mr. Stitzel. Not bragging, but I was the ace in the class and he would send me around to the different classrooms to take dictation from other teachers to increase my knowledge. That experience helped me out later in life. When I got married and came to St. Louis, I accepted a job with the telephone company, using my typing and shorthand and was very successful. Then when I was hired at Monsanto Chemical, I was on the board in the union, and took all the notes in shorthand and typed them out. To this day, that experience has helped me, financially. 'Thank You' Mr. Stitzel.

Arden Butts '51: My first vivid memory of Riverdale High School was the fall of 1949. I entered RHS as a junior in high school. All students attended Garrison High School the year before. We traveled by bus daily from Riverdale and Big Bend. When I entered RHS it was mind boggling. Everything was new. New science department, new books in the library, new industrial arts equipment. In fact, it was all new and I was given the opportunity to be a part of this new school. I will never forget this experience in my lifetime. Riverdale was a great place to play athletics. I had the opportunity to participate in football and track. We did not have a regular track to run and train on when I was there. I remember many football games - Garrison, Elbowoods, Wilton, Underwood and many more. Great team mates and memories! One event that comes to mind was the need to score a point to win the Killdeer Track Meet at Killdeer, ND. coach Sears said, 'Arden, get in and run the mile.'  We needed only one more point to win the meet. It was a dirt track and I had not been training to run the mile. I ran like I had never run before. Somehow I was able to finish the race, place, and make the point we needed to win. I remember the guy who took first, running into the gym and climbing the rope to the ceiling. As I was trying to regain my composure, I stood in awe at this guy able to win the mile and have enough stamina to climb the rope. Oh, to be physically fit to run the mile again!

Pat Tobin Kern '56: I remember playing for Donna Hartl, she played french horn, and I was accompanying her and there was a part when I had just piano. I was going on and on and suddenly I looked up and she was walking down the aisle and out the door. Of course, the song was half over. But knowing Donna, she probably had had enough, thought it was not going well, and chose to leave rather than to stick it out. I remember going home for lunch, my poor mother having to fix all three meals for her family, and hurrying back to school and going in through the side door, which was not allowed for some reason. I guess I must have sneaked in since it was closer for me from where I lived on 301-4th Street. I don't remember getting caught, however, and I don't know what the punishment was if I had been caught. I still recall the tuna fish sandwiches on hamburger buns with cheese on top and put them under the broiler. We did this when a bunch of girls got together on a Friday night. I still llike to make those sandwiches. I remember Bobbie Schlanser getting a new record player and some records and her mother told her never to buy the record 'Begin the Beguine' because she (Bea) didn't like that song. I remember buying movie magazines and cutting out big 8" x 10" colored pictures and taping them to my bedroom wall. I even put up signs saying which movie star would be up on the wall the next month. That sounds really corny now. I remember Polly Bergen was one of my favorites and Richrd Todd, who was of Scottish decent, and who died fairly young. I still see one of his moves now and then and still ovr him and his accent. I remember the Elbowood Basketball team. Lots of the boys were in their 20's I believe and hering that they bought lots of electrical appliances with the money paid for their land even tho they did not have electritity! I remember President Eisenhower coming to dedicate the Garrison Dam in the summer of 1953. I was in the band and the uniforms were sure hot on that summer day. The colors black & pink and grey & pink were all the rage, as well as cashmere cardigan sweaters worn backwards, with a a scarf tied around the neck. Working at the drug store, cokes were a nickel, sodas 25 cents and a malt 30 cents. I also remember always wearing flat shoes because I was the second tallest girl at 5'6"- Joan Tollefson was the tallest. Oh, the good memories!

Kay Cleveland Freyer '55: My 3 years attending RHS were (almost) the best years of my youth! I enjoyed everything and everybody. Life was fresh, new and exciting for me during 1952-1955. I worked in the drug store during the winter and the "Look Out" during the summer when the tourists came to visit the Garrison Dam. I never smoked only because it didn't make sense to me to pay 25 cents a pack when I only earned 50 cents an hour at the drug store. I was a majorette and I remember the hot summer day marching in the band when President Eisenhower came to dedicate the Garrison Dam. I was in only one play during high school - spoke one line - and still have panic dreams about the experience. Even though I had driver's ed I never cruised Riverdale because the town was so small that we could walk everywhere. I moved to New York the morning after graduation, which meant I wouldn't see my classmates for the next twenty-two years when we had our first reunion. Now, it is my honor to keep up with classes 1950-1956 on a yearly basis when new reunions are in the planning.

Ellie DeFord Bonebrake '55: I remember ice skating on the Missouri River and nearly freezing my pinkies off. I think this may have been with David Dickie. Where is he now? Probably someplace warm. I also remember getting an all-over sun burn with some of you gals out on the river bluffs. Seems like somehow our clothes got moved and we had to hunt for them. Ah! the freedom of youth. I'm afraid that I may not make the reunion (June 2008) this time unless someone wants to ride share?

Ione Bohrer Schoenwald '54: I have many great memories from RHS days; a few boyfriends; going to the Prom every year; helping decorate the gym for the Prom; working at the drug store making all kinds of sundaes-malts-shakes; chocolate and vanilla ice cream with hot fudge & carmel topping & chopped nuts. On a rare occasion, some of us would go to the restaurant next to the drugstore for lunch rather than going home. We did have some fun good time slumbr parties or just parties in our homes when the parents went visiting relatives.

Jan Cooper Boardman '56: In the play "I Remember Mama" Gary Bakeman played Papa and I was Mama. I got the part because I had Swedish relatives that I could mimic their accent! My brother was so embarrassed! I think evryone in the school either was in the play or did work behind the scenes. Mr. Stitzel was the director. I also remember the Girl Scout outing where we all ended up in the leader's (Dorothy Lane) house because it got so cold. There were bodies all over the place! I had to leave Riverdale after my sophomore year when Dad was transferred to Buffalo, New York. What a culture shock! I went to a high school where there were 587 in my class! Now my daughter lives in a small town south of Buffalo where we will be for my granddaughter's high school graduation on June 28th. It's a small world, isn't it? I loved my time in Riverdale and Bismarck.

Rodney Bakke '55: When we first moved to Riverdale we had to stay in the hotel with a cafeteria because there was no house available. It was segregated. Women on one wing and men on the other. Dad and I stayed in one room in the men's section.

Jim DuBois '52: "I started school at RHS in the fall of 1949. I have many memories of the play productions in which I participated. Two that stand out were 'Submerged' and 'The Man in the Bowler Hat'. One scene in 'Submerged', a line was given that the 'oscillator is broken', at which time Dick Pearson and I were to look at each other with fear in our eyes. Every time we practiced it we would come up with different facial expressions and laugh. We did get it right for the production, though! 'The Man in the Bowler Hat' was a one act we did for state competition and won. After our presentation, and with time to spare, (again I think it was Dicek) donned the stovepipe hat and I had on the bowler hat. We went around the streets of Bismarck with him chasing me like I had done something wrong and he was going to arrest me. We did cause a few people to stare and wonder who were those two nuts.

Decie Brundage Meyer '56: I remember the cloakroom just as we came in the front door of the school. It was always so crowded and warm to come in there first thing in the morning on those wintry days, everyone peeling off the pants we had to wear under our skirts since we couldn't wear pants to school. I remember the chat and laughing as we all met there every day. Then up the big stairs to the banks of lockers, close enough that we could change books between classes; no sixy-pound backpacks in thos days! I remember Terry Finn's definitive report on the religions of the world, covering all the blackboards in the P.O.D. room (Problems of Democracy, our version of social studies/political science, taught by Coach Stumpf, who may have known a little more about it than the kids did!) I wonder what they call it now? I remember the horrible ugly gym suits we wore, although anything actually done in Phy Ed is a blank. Highlights of the years were the chorus trips, where we alwyas took high marks, thanks to the way-above-average coaching we had from Hugh Givens - remember the little zippered leatherette boxes on a long strap that we carried on these bus trips? I remember the Madrigal Singers - to this day I haven't heard another high school group with that much talent. We were all so fortunte to have the adults who worked with us through those high school years; the committe that provided the teen canteen, the Lanphears who kept us occupied and exercised with square dancing; Dorothy Lane who shared with us girls the fun and not-so-fun sides of Girl Scouting. Not to mention our own mothers, who fixed us the fine chicken dinner on the stage on the night of one of our proms, as we overlooked the decorated gym floor. And who was it who held the ballroom dancing classes for us? And whose basement did we meet in for those lessons? I remember having to leave that get-gogether one night when my brother, Ben, was born. It was certainly a good time and a good place to be young!

Kay Cleveland Freyer '55: I love telling stories -- and since I insist and can't save it any longer here goes. I had only arrived in Riverdale and it was my second or third day in school as a sophomore. When the committee was putting up nominations for King and Queen during the upcoming School Carnival, my name was nominated as a candidate for Queen. Gus Meyer '55 hollars out, 'Who the dickens is that?' After Mr. Stitzel oblingingly had me stand up, Gus only said, 'mmmm-MMM!' Mr. Stitzel couldn't resist asking Gus, 'you don't get around much any more, do you Gus?' Poor Gus --- no answer to that.

Gary Sheets '55: My remembrances are legion:

The fun times we had in sports, activities, and hanging out at the Teen Canteen…
Our dance band playing for Hazelton’s Prom…
Numerous hunting trips and other adventures with Clayton Diskerud, Keith Ryan, and Dale Kauzlick, some even making the front page news...
My surprise 17^th birthday party, arranged by my sister Val Jean at the rec center, and where my friends gave me my first watch…
Supportive faculty such as H. Givens, K. Stitzel, A. Thorson, L. Stumpf…
The many attractive and talented girls who were fun to be with and always willing to help, such as Kay Cleveland, Pat Tobin, Barbara Park, Marilyn Dory…
The “impishness” of Donna Hartl…
The absence of many problems facing today’s teens…
The tenacity of Jimmy Sullivan as a football running back and Bryan Cooper as our play caller…
How the football and track teams missed Jack Watson, Dean and Duane Butts, Gene Launt, and others in that graduating class…
Terry Finn and his unique ability to debate...
The genius of Rick Blome...
And God’s grace in saving 11 RHS grads who foolishly challenged a severe North Dakota blizzard to get home for Thanksgiving from UND in 1955.

Bob Wallace '56: Since I left about two months into my Junior year (Fall of 1954) I didn't get a chance to have all the good times there in Riverdale that come with the last two years of school but four summers and three winters I did enjoy. The hiking on the bluffs overlooking the river and playing golf on the local course were great fun. Nothing like breaking in on sand "greens"!! I enjoyed my paper route I had on 7th and 8th Street delivering the Minneapolis Tribune the first year I arrived. I had my first "real" job the summer of 1954 working at a warehouse at the Spillway. Then there was all the great sports teams the school had that I enjoyed watching and cheering on. I remember losing my tennis match with Jim Ruble for which he won a trophy and I understand he still has it in his possession. Even in losing I still had fun! I had good times playing table tennis with Rick Blomme and others. Rick introduced me to several good games, one of which was Chess. I have played chess ever since and have to thank him for getting me interested in the game. We also had fun pole vaulting (with his home-made wooden pole) in his back yard, lucky we didn't break our neck(s). Last, I just remember that Riverdale was a good place to live and had a great bunch of school teachers.

Larry "Buzz" Townsend '54: I remember Jim the Crow, that used to dive bomb us on the football field when at practice. It would scrap our helmets while cawing etc. Also, had very fine memories of our coach, who we called "Peanuts". He taught us what our bodies were capable of in physical preparation, and mental discipline. This was useful all of my life. I still miss my green old 41 Ford, that we called the Crudmobile.