Gary Bland

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

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.