The
following speech was given at the 2008 RHS Reunion by Richard Pearson, Class of 1953
"THE
KEEPER OF THE FLAME"
Tonight we are going to talk about the early history of Riverdale high school with emphasis on the first four years.
Before I get into my visit with you this evening I would like to preface my remarks with a couple of comments. I know of no
one who cared more about RHS or was prouder to be a part of it, or made more contributions as a student than George Wright.
We lost him on May 20. In my last conversation with him, he asked me to convey his greetings and best wishes to you all. If
you read his obituary published on Kay’s website, you could see that he was a special and remarkable man.
Because of his enthusiastic promotion for the early reunions George called himself one of “The keepers of the
flame”. That torch has definitely and most appropriately been passed to Kay, Mary Ann, Patti, and their crew and they
are now officially the true “Keepers of the flame”. We owe them our deepest thanks and gratitude, not only for
their hard work and the outstanding job they do, but for caring about us enough to get us together for these occasions. So,
let us raise our glasses then in a toast to “The keepers of the flame”, past and present.
AN EARLY HISTORY OF RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL-WITH EMPHASIS ON THE FIRST FOUR YEARS
My name is Richard Pearson. I graduated from Riverdale High School in 1953, fifty -five years ago.
Fifty- five long years ago! A lot of water has flowed over the dam since then. The class of 1953 was the first one
to attend all four years at RHS. At the last reunion a few of we pioneers felt that the early history of RHS was not well
known to the younger crowd. We thought the story ought to be told while there was still someone around who could tell it.
Kay has granted me this time on the program to examine with you what happened back then and what were the consequences that
had an influence on us all. Those early years were meaningful because they were instrumental in establishing the legacy that
binds us together to this day. Why do we keep coming back to these reunions, why do our years at RHS continue to live in our
hearts, what did we take away from our experience there, what did it give us, what was unique about those years that made
a difference and helped to shape our later lives, what role did the amazing record of achievements compiled from 1949 to 1953
play in defining our impending future? Why did the impressions we formed in those years have such an impact on our development
as an adult? Why do we continue to honor and revere a high school that doesn’t even exist anymore? I
am going to try to answer some of these questions by going back and recalling those days of yesteryear. I certainly realize
that my opinions and my perspective on the story I am going to tell may not be agreeable with or apply to everyone who attended
RHS, there are those who may see it differently.
Our generation was born during the great depression when families struggled to stay afloat. We were old enough to remember
the triumphs and tragedies of the Second World War. We witnessed the dawn of the atomic age and all of its ramifications.
Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower were our presidents, the Korean War had not yet begun, and there was some semblance of
peace around the world. There was hope and anticipation. We listened to Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra, on
33 1/3 and 45 rpm records, Jack Benny and Bob Hope were on the radio; Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis were still making movies.
Elvis, the Beatles, rock and roll and the twist style of dancing had yet to make their appearance. In 1953, Joseph Stalin
died; Clint Eastwood and John McCain were teen agers just like us. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were in the second grade.
Barak Obama had yet to come into this world. A Hersey bar and a pack of gum cost a nickel. Personal computers, cell phones,
rocket ships to the moon and breast implants were unimaginable. We could still have prayer in our schools.
Polio was conquered and it was no longer a threat. There was very little TV to corrupt our minds like it does today, there
were no drugs being peddled in rural North Dakota. The word gay meant cheerful, merry, and happy. The only
racial strife we knew was trying to beat the Elbowoods Indians on the playing fields of McLean County.
If you lived in Riverdale it meant one or both of your parents had a job. They were earning a decent living, putting
food on the table and a roof over your head. We had the movie theatre which showed all the latest movies, the rec hall with
bowling, pool and greasy hamburgers, house parties thrown by the Eladrivers, school sponsored “sox hops”, church
services of several denominations all held in the same building, and Chicken-In-A-Basket at the drive inn at Gateway. Gasoline
was 19 cents a gallon at Bert’s Standard station. In the town center there was a drug store with a popular soda fountain,
a café, a grocery store, a clothing store, the post office, a hardware store and a barber shop. We had a hospital,
where Dr. Dewey Shannon took out my appendix and Dr. Lester Shook, who later became one of my teachers in medical school.
Out on the banks of the Missouri, there was an awful nine-hole golf course with sand greens. Later a swimming pool was constructed.
Many of us were able to get jobs during the summer months and earn a little money. The down side was the frozen tundra and
deep snow of the bitter North Dakota winters, but we didn’t seem to mind. We all wore hooded parkas and long underwear.
Essentially, our lives
and main activities revolved around Riverdale High School. Those were idyllic times. They were exciting times. They were interesting
times.
Our parents
were in the construction business which required them to go where there was work, a job that offered a means to make a living.
When a particular project was finished, we moved on to the next one. We became nomads, vagabonds. When we arrived at a new
school, we were strangers, interlopers, outsiders, unaware of the customs, traditions, and history of our new environment.
We had not bonded with our classmates through kindergarten and the elementary years. We were not always accepted. I personally
attended three different schools in the sixth grade. In segments of some communities, my parents were referred to as construction
trash. When I was in Junior High, I asked a girl to go to the movies with me, and since I lived in a trailer house, her mother
wouldn’t allow her to associate with “trailer trash”.
We learned how to put our best foot forward, to make the extra effort and try harder. We learned to make friends rapidly
only to experience the pain of saying good bye to them when we moved on to the next town, where we had to start all over again.
These circumstances gave us strength, toughened us, hastened our maturity, and taught us persistence and tenacity giving
us the will to move upward and onward. We learned the meaning of discipline. Our determination and ability to overcome adversities
were sharpened. We were prompted to set goals for ourselves and to strive to meet them. We were given the opportunity to broaden
our horizons and see how other people lived. It diversified us giving us some advantage over those kids who grew up and stayed
on the same street corner all of their lives, an edge over those who knew only the provincial life in a small farming community
in North Dakota. It accentuated how important it was for us to find a place where we could feel we belonged. But
most of all, most of all, it instilled in us a need, a drive, and a desire, to prove ourselves, ------- and to excel. And
that is exactly what we did! We came together with similar backgrounds, all strangers, all nomads, all
without permanent roots, all seeking some kind of status, all in the developmental stages in life. For once, we were now all
in the same boat together---------- and we flourished.
So, go back with me as we recall how we did it, what motivated us to rise above, what happened to us to make us special
and unique, what bonded us together. How were the traditions and legacy established, how did our RHS history influence us
and become permanently engraved in our hearts. Try to remember.
Sing:
Try to remember the kind of September, when grass was green and grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September when you were a young and callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember, then follow, follow.
I am up here because I do remember, I remember as though it were yesterday, I remember because they were for me and
I hope for you, grand, glorious days, I remember because my years at RHS gave me something that stayed with me and fortified
me and prepared me for the battles that were to come later. I remember because much of the foundation for what I am today
was formed in those four important years. I remember because many of you became and remained dear friends with memories that
endure to this day. I remember because I want to remember. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would without hesitation.
The doors of Riverdale High school opened in September 1949. Prior to that the teen agers living
in Riverdale were bused to Garrison where, again, they were not well accepted. Everything in the school was brand-spanking
new; it was a state of the art facility out classing all of the other school buildings in McLean County. We had the only regulation
size basketball court in the area with the largest seating capacity. The school colors were red and white, the cheer leaders
were cute and terrific, and the fight song proclaimed that, “When the RHS team falls in line, We are going to win
this game another time, And for the dear old school we love so well”……………Old
School?
The Superintendent of Schools was Mr. Andy Pritchett, a soft spoken, gentle man with kind eyes and smile lines on his
face. He was an expert in getting new schools up and running. Mr. Pritchett returned to one of our reunions a few years ago
where he was fondly remembered.
The principal was Mr. Ralph Perry an elderly man with white hair whose eyes were crossed, who thought he taught mathematics.
He didn’t! To his credit he tried to start a school band but without much success.
English and Problems of Democracy were taught by a tall, white haired, austere, rather stern, Norwegian maiden lady,
Olga Petersen. She wore thick glasses that magnified her eyes so when she blinked, she looked like an owl. Her forte was diagramming
sentences and she drilled it into our heads. She made everybody memorize William Cullen Bryant’s poem “Thanatopsis”.
She taught us that a preposition was a word you didn’t end a sentence with.
Inez Olson taught music, and was the choir director. She was a tall, attractive lady; her husband was a casualty in
the war. Her brother was the Rev. Martin Idbo, the charismatic pastor of the Riverdale Lutheran Church.
John S. Kaufman taught the sciences but he would rather make social commentaries as to how rotten the youth of the
day were. He didn’t like us. Once he harangued us before a football game telling us how badly we were going to lose.
We won 61 to 0 . His next lecture was on sportsmanship. One of his students asked him, “If you are so damn smart, why
aren’t you rich”.
Mr. Ray Sears was 6’4”tall, balding with gray hair, had a pale, ashen complexion that made him look unhealthy
and he appeared to be 45 years old when in fact he was only 28. He taught American and World History and his college type
lectures were beautifully prepared, interesting, and well presented. If we look upon a true teacher as one who stimulates
a student to learn, he filled that definition. He also taught physical education, coached football, basketball, and track.
He was a good guy. Mr. Sears returned for a reunion a few years ago and we were appalled to learn that back then he was paid
only $1,800 a semester. To make ends meet, he worked as an assistant cook in the mess hall, going to work at 4:30 in the morning.
Mr. Sears and Dr. Shook were roommates at Jamestown College and remained close friends.
During that first year we had a school news paper, The Inkspot, published, edited and printed in a timely manner
due to the efforts of one exceptional student. The next year he produced the first annual. He saw to it that we had some of
those entities that were found in a typical, traditional high school. He was truly an icon in the early history of RHS. His
name was George Wright.
Speaking of traditions, we looked forward to the Prom each spring when we all pitched in and decorated the gym. The
first prom theme was the song “Deep Purple”. Where did we get all of that purple crepe paper? It was early in
May; there was a foot of snow on the ground.
The next year Mr. Perry was gone and Mr. ah Gilbert ah Stevens ah made ah his ah
presence known. Say what you will about old Gil but despite his eccentricities he was an educator. He assumed the role as
Principal and taught math. I took geometry from him and he did an excellent job, one learned from him. You know, he honestly
cared about us.
We
were joined by a short feisty little lady, Jane Grey who taught English and was the drama and speech coach. She stayed only
one year, we will mention her again later in our story.
Pat Farley was just out of college, young, attractive, and flirtatious. She taught English. Pat lasted only one year
with us, where she went is unknown.
In the third year of our being as a high school, Mr. Pritchett left us to set up another school and Mr. Stevens was
elevated to Superintendent, Olga became Principal. Mr. Sears was replaced, he moved to California, where he worked as a carpenter,
taught sporadically but never coached again. He recently passed away.
Mr. Don Chelgrin came on board to teach math. He was kind of a rebel, had some unorthodox ideas about teaching but
was effective, and his students liked him. I enjoyed his trigonometry class. The next year he didn’t return.
It was then that three men came into our lives that were to have a profound, lasting, effect on all those they touched.
They were teachers in the truest sense of the word. They showed us that they cared about us and gave us the best of what they
had to offer. They earned and deserved our admiration and respect.
Keith Stitzel had red hair with a receding hair line, wore thick glasses, and had a twinkle in his eye, a great sense
of humor, a dear man who became a friend to us all. He taught typing, short hand and book keeping and was the drama and speech
coach.
Hugh Givens
was a musician, a serious musician, who loved music and effectively conveyed that love to his students. Mr. Givens didn’t
always feel chipper and at times he could be a little grouchy, but never unkind.
Mr. Leo Stumpf was a great big small man; he said he was not little, just wrapped up tight. His nick name in college
was “Peanuts” but we never called him that. He was our extraordinary coach, he was a disciplinarian, and he knew
how to get the most out of his athletes. He turned the lives around of a few boys who were headed in the
wrong direction.
Mr. LeRoy Flatness joined the teaching staff in 1952. He taught science and was a welcome replacement for Mr. Kaufman.
He was a nice, pleasant guy, and a good teacher. Many years later he visited me in Arkansas
Mr. Wills came in the fourth year, he taught languages. I don’t know how long he lasted. He didn’t rank
very high on the favorite teachers list.
Who could forget Vi Weber? She did a good job teaching English and is remembered for her wit and sense of humor, she
could make us laugh.
I
didn’t take home economics, girls phy ed or shop and therefore am unable to make any comments on those members of the
faculty. I am sure the names Al Teie, Irene Zirbes Fox, Mr. and Mrs. McRae, and Audrey Neff are familiar to some of you.
In the fifth year, Mr. Arne Thorsen became the Principal. I didn’t know him but most of you did. I have heard
stories about him. Apparently he was a hard but likeable task master.
Too often we as students tend to view teachers as adversaries but after we mature and look back to see them in retrospect
we realize what they did for us and we gain a deeper appreciation for them. How very fortunate we were to have these dedicated
people as an influence in our lives.
The first football team won more games than they lost; they tied Garrison zero to zero, a feat they were to repeat,
beating Garrison for the next four years. Revenge is sweet! It is remarkable that a group of boys who had never previously
played together were able to come together as a team and do as well as they did. They showed they could and would compete
in the future and that The Red Knights of the Missouri were here to stay. There was no Homecoming game that first
year-------- since there weren’t any graduates to come home. But there was one every year afterward with the traditional
Homecoming Queen, Homecoming Dance, and Parade. The next year the team won their first four games and was unscored upon. The
Bismarck Jr. Varsity finally scored on us but we won anyway. We were beaten by Elbowoods on their cow pasture football field
20 to 7. They had their famous trio all of whom were over 20 years old. Underwood beat us 13 to 12 and we tied for second
place in the McLean County Conference.
The third year history was made by going undefeated, an accomplishment that was to be repeated for three years in a
row. That third year the Knights beat Elbowoods soundly on a snow covered field. In a recently published book about the Elbowoods
Indians, their great athlete Arnie Charging claims the game was fixed, that the referees gave the game away. Sour grapes!
For three years consecutively, Leo Stumpf’s football teams swept away all competition and were named by the Bismarck
Tribune as the best Class B team in the state. The fourth year saw the lighting of the football field and games were played
at night. The closest any one came to challenging us was in the fifth year when Riverdale beat Hazen 7 to 6 in what those
in attendances called the best high school football game they had ever witnessed.
In those first four years the basketball teams were not as successful as the football teams, alto we had our moments.
I arrived in Riverdale in November 1949 as a freshman. I was a big kid; over six feet tall, weighed 175 pounds and had played
basketball in junior high. On my first day in school, after phy ed class, Mr. Sears invited me to become a member of the basketball
team. We had a game that very evening with the Warehouse, a team of young men who worked on the dam and had formed an industrial
league. Mr. Sears assigned me to the starting lineup. When I went on to the floor I didn’t know the
names of my team mates. Our first regular game was with a very good Washburn team. We didn’t even have uniforms so played
in swimming trunks and tee shirts and we were badly beaten. We were finally given nice uniforms and we improved, winning the
consolation brackets in both the county and district tournaments. In those days every school in the county had a cracker barrel
gym. One couldn’t put any arch to his shot in the Wilton gym because the ball would hit the ceiling. The next year we
had a good season winning more games than we lost. That year Underwood was favored to win the district tournament, they had
already made their hotel reservations in Minot for the regional. We drew them in the first round and we beat them. They had
to cancel their reservations. Year number three was our best basketball team, beating Elbowoods twice and we played in the
championship brackets in both the county and district tournaments. We lost to a very good Garrison team by two points in overtime
in the second round of the district; we came close to making them cancel their reservations too. The fourth year team was
not a very successful one for us and for the first time we lost more games than we won. I remember one district tournament
played at home when four of our men put on a show that wowed the crowd by mimicking Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters.
The next part of our story about the sports history of RHS is almost unbelievable. That first year we entered a few
track meets, scored well, won some individual medals but had no expectations. We surprised everybody when we won the district
track meet and both relays. We brought home three trophies for our empty trophy case. Several qualified to compete in the
state track meet. The next year we put on a boxing show to raise money to buy track uniforms. We won two or three track meets,
and again won the district meet. Then miracles of all miracles! We won the state track meet, scoring first place in several
individual events. Not bad for a school that didn’t have a track upon which to practice. The next year we again won
the district meet, sent several boys to the state meet, scored enough points to win the third place trophy. In the spring
of 1953 we won the district meet for the fourth year in a row, had some boys qualify for the state meet but finished out of
the money. It is my understanding that the district meet was won again the next year for the fifth time. By now our trophy
case was getting crowded.
We did not compete in high school baseball but many of our athletes played for the American Legion team during the
summer. Unfortunately, girl’s athletics was not as organized as it is today and our girls were not given an opportunity
to play against our rivals.
By now, have you assumed I was going to stand up here and only talk about our exploits in sports? Not
so! For you see the diversified students of RHS excelled in other arenas.
Mrs. Olson assembled a choir of about 30 singers. We sang J.S Bach’s hymn, “Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly
Light”, were awarded a highly superiors in the county and district music contests and garnered a superior in the state
contest. The girls formed a group called the Triple Trio and they brought home a highly superior from the state contest.
The next year we sang “Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee”, were awarded highly superiors in all of the contests
we entered. The Triple Trio repeated their highly superior performances; a couple of soloists did very well. The
third year Mr. Givens took over. He restated the band and made excellent progress to a point where they played “Pomp
and Circumstance” at my graduation. I don’t remember what songs were sung in the contests that year because Mr.
Givens had kicked me out of the choir for inappropriate behavior. The following year we worked hard on a very difficult piece
called, “The Entrance Scene From The Advent Motet”. It was a beautiful, moving, cantata sung in eight voice parts.
The choir was now over 50 strong and to hear us gave the listeners goose bumps. For two years people came from all over the
county to hear our Christmas Concert, it was something special! By invitation, we toured every high school in the county giving
concerts which were warmly received. We dominated the contests with highly superior ratings and the national high school magazine,
The Scholastic, named us as one of the top high school choirs in the nation. Mr. Givens started a group called The
Madrigal Singers and they too won highly superiors. Hugh brought out the best in us and made it fun and enjoyable.
In our year one, we didn’t have a drama and speech teacher so didn’t enter the speech contests. Year two,
Jane Gray coached us in a play called, The Man In The Bowler Hat. I don’t remember winning any prizes
but it was a lot of fun doing it. Somewhere in there we did a play called Submerged with an all male cast, and Our
Miss Brooks. After we had the good fortune to acquire Mr. Stitzel, we did Anton Chekov’s one
act play, The Boor, for the speech contests and won highly superiors in all of them. Several students did dramatic
readings and were awarded highly superiors. The next year, our forth year, the senior class play presented was, Life With
Father. Every soul in Riverdale attended the performance. The cast took up a collection and bought Mr. Stitzel two very
nice Game and Lake wool plaid shirts. Poor guy, he went back to the Toggery and traded them for some sox and underwear.
That year, for the contests we put on Eugene O’Neil’s deep, dark, one act play, Ile. Jane Gray was now
on the Staff at Minot Teachers and she was to be the judge in the district speech contest. She chewed Mr. Stitzel out royally
for allowing high school kids to attempt such a difficult play. In her critique, she apologized and awarded us a highly superior
plus, plus. Those giving dramatic reading also earned highly superiors, and all entries repeated with highly superiors in
the state contest. During that time one of our students set the typing record in the county typing contest that probably still
stands to this day.
Miss
Petersen established a chapter of The National Honor Society, and there are several people in this room who were members of
that illustrious organization. I wasn’t one of them. Four graduates went on to become medical doctors, three earned
PhDs, too many became lawyers, one was a judge in Dallas, Texas. There were several engineers, many teachers and guidance
councilors, nurses, business people, computer experts, salespersons, artists, pastors, all of whom served as contributing
members of society. Many did their duty in the military, two as graduates of the military academies. One of our kids grew
up to fly a jet plane across the Atlantic Ocean in record time. There were a few who achieved the status of millionaire, one
in particular as a multi-millionaire with a world-wide reputation in his profession. Many Riverdale graduates went to the
University of North Dakota and a majority of the boys became members of the national social fraternity, Sigma Nu.
I am extremely proud to tell you that four young men from RHS were elected as the president of that fraternity. How about
that! It speaks loud and clear of the character and leadership qualities of those who came out of our high school.
There were those who did not seek a higher formal education, some staying in the construction business to attain success
as superintendents and leaders in their unions. Others found advancement in other endeavors. Many married their Riverdale
High School sweethearts, raised families, and are now grandparents, even great grandparents. We have lost some of our class
mates, they are gone but they are not forgotten. There is a time and a place for sentimentality. A high school reunion is
certainly one of them.
In those first four years, we were small in numbers, everybody knew everybody, and we were like an all inclusive family.
We had come to a place where we felt we were a part of and we could partake and share. Almost all of the students engaged
in some kind of activity. For those who didn’t or couldn’t participate for some reason, they could identify with
and cheer for those who did, thus making them shareholders in the experience. Everybody could rightfully say, WE ARE
WINNERS!
So, what
does all of this mean, what does our story tell us? Why was the early history of RHS so significant? Why did what happened
to us during those impressionable adolescent years leave such an imprint? One must believe the accomplishments achieved in
those early years established the traditions and legacies that inspired those who followed to continue on a path that was
created and paved for them and gave them a platform upon which they could stand. This is certainly not meant to imply that
the subsequent classes did not accumulate an impressive record of their own, on their own. It suggests that what preceded
them served as a source of motivation to continue to build on the past. It showed we were winners, and we were special. It
proved to the world and to ourselves that despite being nomads and vagabonds found to be unacceptable in some circles, that
we belonged. As the Desiderata says, we were a child of the universe and there was a place in it especially for us.
We bonded because our backgrounds were similar and unique, we understood one another, we ascended to lofty heights together,
we grew up together, we connected, and we established life-long relationships. From our experiences at RHS we took the strength,
the courage, and the tools we needed to go out into the world with confidence to pursue our dreams. Our successes played a
role in enhancing our self image, and self respect.
It is written that there is a time for everything. Four years in high school was a time of transition, when boys became
young men, girls became young ladies. It was a time of awakening. It was a time in our lives when we could begin to hone our
personal assets and learn how to deal with our anxieties. It was a time to discover who we were and what we were. It was a
time to make the choices that were to determine our destiny. It was a time to focus on a pathway that would lead to a rewarding
career. It was a time to incorporate standards and values we were to keep as hallmarks to govern our conduct. It was a time
when our hormones and instincts could, if allowed, rule our behavior. It was a time to recognize that our honor was our most
precious commodity. It was a time when we could see our developing personalities and individuality emerge. It was a time to
declare the independence we would need when we left the home of our parents. It was a time to hope and dream and to plan our
future. During the journey thru these formative years, hopefully, one came to the conviction that it is better to give than
to receive, for to give is to love, it is better to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It was a time to realize
that a person of compassion, humility, and integrity would find the road to the joy and peace we all seek, much smoother and
rewarding.
The point
is, that our years a RHS, because of what it gave us, because of what it meant to us, facilitated those years
of growth and transition and compared to other high schools, we came out a step ahead and a notch above.
Consider this: Undefeated football teams, competitive basketball teams, championship track teams, highly superior performances
in music, drama and speech, the establishment of traditions, customs and conventions characteristically found
in older, long standing high schools, a legendary record for others to follow and build upon, a feeling of belonging,
a togetherness that collectively gave us identity, solidarity, distinction and nurtured our self esteem, lasting memories
and friendships, an encouraging atmosphere conducive to learning, maturation, and growth, personal individual achievements,
outstanding academic, professional and occupational accomplishments of our graduates. All of this occurring during a time
when we were becoming more cognizant of our development into adulthood. Thus was the saga of RHS that began in those initial
years of existence. Think about it. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “….whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about those things”.
The amazing record boldly speaks for itself.
And so we return to these reunions to regenerate what once was, to think back on all the tales that we remember, to
see how our compatriots are doing in their lives, to catch up on whatever happened to so and so, to tell our own story, to
share those good old days once more, to gossip, to laugh and yes, to shed a tear or two. To relive a time
in our lives when the trials, tribulations, responsibilities, and stresses of life to be encountered were not yet upon us.
One cannot live in the past but one should humbly reflect upon it and understand its impact.
Your presence here among your fellow Knights should please you and make you feel proud. I know it does me. When preparing
for this talk, I read the comments by former students made on the website, in the 2005 Reunion book, and Mrs. Seidel’s
50 Year Riverdale book. They all say the same thing. They all speak lovingly of the wonderful years they had, of the fond
memories, of the splendid good times, and of the pride and affection they felt for RHS.
Over the ensuing years construction of the dam was completed, President Eisenhower came to dedicate it, and those who
lived and worked here moved on to the another project. The little trees planted as saplings grew up to be big trees, all the
houses beyond Fifth Street were removed, Big Bend disappeared, the theatre and rec hall were gone, Lake Sacagawea was formed,
and the area became a recreational spot drawing thousands of visitors every year. Gradually, sadly, Riverdale High School
was forced to close its doors and fade into the past, ----- but not into oblivion. Because its spirit and vitality lives on
in each one of us, its magic and majesty prevails. Its soul is renewed every time we meet at these reunions. Let’s pray
we will continue to come together in the future, that we all vow to be here, even if we have to arrive in wheel chairs fraught
with all the infirmities consistent with our age. And as long as there are “keepers of the flame”
who are willing and able.
Our story is like a version of “Camelot”. Together, we won’t let it be forgot that once there was
a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Riverdale High School.
In the play
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare wrote:
“Whether we will meet again I
know not
Therefore, take my everlasting farewell.
If we do meet again, then we shall do so with a smile.
If not, then this
parting is well made”.
I hope that by standing up here and reminiscing with you it has helped you to recall and put into some perspective
those days gone by. I hope that your memories are warm and pleasant, that you cherish them and
hold them dear. I hope your dreams have come true. I hope you will always remember.
Sing:
Deep in December it’s nice to remember, alto you know the snow will follow
Deep in December it’s nice to remember, without a hurt the heart is hollow
Deep in December it’s nice to remember, the fires of September that made you mellow
Deep in December our hearts will remember, and follow, follow.
Thank you for your kind attention. Be content. Be well. Take care of yourselves! Until we meet again at the next reunion,
may God hold you and your families in the palm of His hand. Peace.
RICHARD
N. PEARSON, M.D. F.A.C.S.
1508 ROBINHOOD ROAD
BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS 72712
(479) 273 9395
rnpmd3@AOL.COM
