Gary Bland

Profile Updated: November 21, 2019

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Residing In	Denver, CO USA

Spouse/Partner	Cathy

Occupation	Retired

Children	Kristi

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After Valley I went to Fort Lewis College in Durango on a BB scholarship. Good times, but then I got laid up for four months where I couldn't walk (very depressing for an 18 year old). Doctors had differing diagnoses but eventually told me to get out of bed and walk again and I did. It took a while to build my legs back up but at least I was alive again. Tried to go back to school, but never finished. Met my wife while we were both working in a hospital in Durango. Got married and our daughter was born there, delivered by the same doctor that delivered my wife.

In '69 we moved to the Denver area which is now home. I got on with
Honeywell for several years and then Lockheed Martin, both great companies to work for. I last worked for LM as a subcontracts manager and retired when I was 58. Never looked back.

Very comfortably and happily retired. Have traveled extensively in my life and plan to do more. Right now I am enjoying a lot of golf at many fabulous Colorado courses. Enjoy the arts (concerts, plays, museums). Am into the outdoors and the Colorado mountains and all the serenity they have to offer (that Rocky Mountain High!).

I really enjoyed the reunion!! Great event, great class! I probably met only
a fraction of the people there but there were a lot of people and so little time (plus, I'm still kinda shy). Anyway, I met old friends and made new ones. Wish I could have made the Sunday brunch but also wanted (needed) to spend time with family!

Thanks to all who sent me B'day wishes. On that day I realized I was 68 - Oh No - two more til the big 70. Oh well, I feel as though I'm still back in HS (OK, maybe a few years older than that) but I feel blessed with the life, friends, opportunities, and health I've had. Hope to see you all again in 5 years!

Gary

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School Story

Don't have any stories - I went to school and then home. Except for basketball practice and games that was about it. Did make a few football and baseball games. Always wished I had done the baseball thing - my favorite sport and I thought I was pretty good. Could hit, but wasn't too sure about the fielding - maybe first base - but, unfortunately I never did.
Never even heard about the Pony Express until years later. And only recently, in looking at the yearbook, discovered that there were so many clubs and opportunities for travel available to me (all of us actually). Oh well, guess I'm just a late bloomer, but I've made up some ground since then.

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Gary Bland has a birthday today.

Oct

02

Oct 02, 2020 at 2:33 AM

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Jun

13

Jun 13, 2020 at 6:07 PM

Happy Birthday John! Hope you and yours celebrated in style!
As for me I celebrated your birthday by playing golf three times this week. We were all hoisting brews in celebration to your special day!

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May 11, 2020 at 11:56 AM

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Apr

12

Apr 12, 2020 at 1:52 PM

Happy Birthday Tony . . . sounds like all is well there. Take Care! Gary

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Feb

27

Feb 27, 2020 at 11:45 PM

Happy Birthday Diane! All the Best, Have really enjoyed visiting with you both times I've been down. Maybe we can do it again one of these days. Gary

Gary Bland has left an In Memory comment for his Profile.

Jan

24

Jan 24, 2020 at 10:33 AM

I didn't know Shirley in High School, but did meet her on this site where we became friends. She would always comment on anything I posted and I, in turn, would respond back to her. Then one day I didn't hear from her any more. I tried to contact her several times but didn't hear back.

So sorry to hear of her passing. I enjoyed our conversations and will truly miss her!

Rest in Peace Shirley

Gary Bland added a comment on Ed Vaillancourt's Video. New comment added.

Oct 05, 2019 at 1:56 PM

Posted on: Oct 05, 2019 at 1:56 PM

Trip to Philippines with favorite dive group. Flew into Manila then down to Puerto Galera. Stayed a week at Atlantis Dive Resort diving nearby reefs.

Back to Manila and flew over to Puerto Princesa on Palowan Island and boarded Atlantis Azores dive boat.

We then sailed to the middle of the Sulu Sea to dive a very remote archipelago called Tubbataha for a week.

Gary Bland has a birthday today.

Oct 02, 2019 at 2:34 AM

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Sep 19, 2019 at 8:58 PM

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Sep 07, 2019 at 10:30 AM

Hi Shirley,
Happy Birthday. All the best to you and yours!
Gary

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May 10, 2019 at 12:29 PM

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Apr 06, 2019 at 10:05 AM

Happy Birthday Tony!

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Mar 18, 2019 at 12:13 PM

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Mar 29, 2019 at 3:55 PM

Posted on: Mar 06, 2019 at 11:57 AM

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Patricia, Happy Birthday to you! Hope all is good!

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Jan 01, 2019 at 10:31 AM

Posted on: Jan 01, 2019 at 1:02 AM

I sincerely hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and got everything on your list! Wishing all a wonderful and fruitful 2019!.

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Dec 23, 2018 at 10:56 AM

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Dec 21, 2018 at 11:23 AM

Posted on: Dec 21, 2018 at 10:26 AM

Happy Birthday Sue. Hope you and Ed have BIG plans!
I just read your commentary. I was of to college on a scholarship but with no direction. After two years I was laid up in bed for a year and tried to go back several times after that but Life got in the way . . . Job, family (wife and one daughter and almost an adopted boy). Never got that degree, but life has been good . . . retired early and never looked back.
Kudu's to you for having the drive and perseverance to finish! All the best!

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Dec 17, 2018 at 9:23 AM

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Dec 08, 2018 at 1:02 PM

Posted on: Dec 08, 2018 at 11:38 AM

Happy Birthday Lou! Hope retirement is treating you well!!!!! Gary

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Nov 21, 2018 at 6:11 PM

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Posted: Aug 30, 2018 at 12:40 AM

Cath and I at Abu Simbel March 2016

Posted: Jul 14, 2018 at 8:07 PM

Posted: Sep 06, 2017 at 7:06 AM

Posted: Dec 05, 2016 at 2:39 AM

Italy Day 2 . . . Amalfi Coast sunrise

Posted: Nov 07, 2016 at 11:11 PM

From our hotel, Amalfi Coast Italy . . . Wow!

Posted: Oct 12, 2016 at 5:48 PM

Gar & Cat's Selfie

Posted: Jun 16, 2016 at 3:02 PM

Posted: Jun 16, 2016 at 2:55 PM

Posted: Mar 18, 2016 at 1:00 PM

What can be more Egypt than this? The great pyramids of Giza on the outskirts of Cairo, the first day we were there . . . Wow!

Posted: Mar 19, 2016 at 1:29 PM

The great Temple of Ramses II at ABU SIMBEL . . . last day of our trip . . . very impressive!!!

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Posted: Nov 27, 2015 at 11:27 PM

Gary Bland

Posted: Jan 21, 2015 at 1:20 PM

Kenny the Monkey Boy

Dad's Birthday Party - final night at lodge in Masai Mara National Preserve, Kenya.
Thanks Bob, Nancy, Carol, Susan and everyone else on this trip for making it a very special memory for him. Every time I saw him after that (right up to the end) he would remind me of how great a time it was for him. Asante Sana, marafiki!
"hakuna matata" Dad!

Posted: Jan 13, 2015 at 7:40 PM

Costa Rica 2010

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Posted: Dec 18, 2014 at 1:02 AM

Flat Tops

A trip to the Flat Tops Wilderness in Northwest Colorado, 8/18/11. Pictures begin as I caught my limit at Stillwater Reservoir, more pictures in the woods behind my campsite and then down to Bear Lake and a 5 hour hike on the Mandall Lakes trail only to be stopped by a raging stream (lots of runoff late in the year). Loved the wildflowers - probably a week or three past their prime. Loved revisiting the experience again by putting together this video

Posted: Jan 28, 2015 at 7:43 PM

Botswana 96 Video

Highlights from my limited videos of my first trip to Africa - the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls

Posted: Jan 28, 2015 at 7:42 PM

South America 2007yt

PPT slideshow of 2007 trip to South America: Lima, Amazon basin, Nazca Lines, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Quito, Galapagos.
There is over 6 minutes of music You Tube had me take out and I haven't found a replacement yet. For now I think it is very watchable and I love the music they let me keep. Enjoy!

Posted: Dec 04, 2014 at 9:31 AM

BBBf

Butterflies, Birds, Beasts and fish

Posted: Nov 30, 2014 at 10:51 AM

Alaska Highway Revised

As the title says, a trip up and back on the Alaska Highway. The year was 1992, the trip was from Denver to Fairbanks and back again with a couple side trips to Skagway and Hyder, AK.
This show had been revised to improve the timings on the slides so it will be easier to view. Also corrected a few miscues.

Posted: Nov 28, 2014 at 10:16 PM

Chihuly Revisited

This is a revised edition of the original. Photos have been added from a daytime visit to the exhibition. I've corrected some of the timings and converted it to widescreen as well. Enjoy

Posted: Nov 22, 2014 at 12:15 AM

BEAUFORT SOUTH CAROLINA

Trip to Hilton Head in February, 2013 - too cold to golf so we did a day trip to Beaufort. Too cold for a carriage tour so we did the van thing . . . went back after the tour and I was able to get out and capture these magnificent pictures. Hope you enjoy!