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11/24/14 04:00 PM #47    

 

Suzanne Laborde (Perry)

Hi All,

Patty, I most certainly agree with the others about your delightful prose regarding the reunion. Because of not being able to attend myself, it's enjoyable experiencing it through the others who did. My only wishes are that more of our classmates would post yearbook and present pictures of themselves, in addition to there being more life profiles!

 

It certainly looks and sounds as if the reunion committee did a fantastic job of not only planning a memorable event, but executing it as well for all the participants. It hardly seems possible that 50 years have passed since those Park Forest days, though the clock seems to be spinning faster and faster daily!

 

Even from afar, it has been enjoyable hearing about the events you were able to share.

 

Keep well!!

 


12/17/14 03:51 PM #48    

Patricia Wald (Ray)

Hi,

I am so glad that Rosalie Turkel connected with the Reunion Website!  One of my "take-aways" from our wonderful 50th Reunion was to try and find some of my friends from high school who were not listed.  As I wrote to some of you, I put a student on this, thinking it would take him all of winter break.  And, actually, within 5 minutes! - he found me contact information to pursue, and I am still working on doing that.

In terms of Rosalie, what my student found was an article she had written in 2008 and then updated in 2010 for a website called Park Forest History.  I loved what she had written, and after she posted her information, I wrote Rosalie and asked if I could share that website information on the Message Forum.  I told her the kinds of memories she shared in the article was much of what we all discussed at the Reunion.  She just wrote me back that it was fine to put this information on the Message Forum.

The Park Forest History website is parkforesthistory.org.  I was not at all familiar with this website, and it has some very interesting components.  If you go to the website, click on Memories, and then put Rosalie Turkel in the Search Box - you will come up with her article from 2008 with the update from 2010, and with an interesting reminiscence from her Dad, of blessed memory, as well.

Happy New Year, everyone!

 

 

 

 


01/11/15 12:54 PM #49    

 

Patricia Hearst (Schwarzentraub)

Hello Class of 1964,

Got this sad news today from my sister, Susii Hearst, who heard it from Lisa (Glassner), both in the RHS Class of 1967.  Thought many of you would remember Mr. Mundt.  Blessing to all. . .

Pat 

 
 
13 mins ·  
 
RIP Phil Mundt. Prayers of peace to his family and friends. He touched SO many lives!
 
On January 9th 2015 My friend and mentor, Phil Mundt, passed away at his home in Arkansas. Ramona, his wife of many years was with him. Phil was well known in the artists community. He taught pottery at Rich East HS in Park Forest, IL for   years. Most recently he and Ramona lived in Arkansas where they were both artists. Phil known for his pottery and Ramona for her beautiful weaving's. At the Park Forest Art Fair Phil was an icon. Friends and family would come to the fair to see him, spend time with him, and admire his work.The Art Fair turns 60 this year. I believe it will be the first year Phil's physical presence will be absent. This is truly the end of an era.Phil's memory will live on through the influence he had on the artists community, the art work he created, and
 through all the people he touched in his life.Family, students, artists, and friends, Phil will be missed by a great many people. To my friend – I bid farewell.Please share this post. The family has asked friends and admirers to express their thoughts and memories of Phil to this posting. No plans for a memorial have been made at this time.
On January 9th 2015 My friend and mentor, Phil Mundt, passed away at his home in Arkansas. Ramona, his wife of many years was with him.
Phil was well known in  the artists community. He taught pottery at Rich East HS in Park Forest, IL for years. Most recently he and Ramona lived in Arkansas where they were both artists. Phil known for his pottery and Ramona for her beautiful weaving's.
At the Park Forest Art Fair Phil was an icon. Friends and family would come to the fair to see him, spend time with him, and admire his work.
The Art Fair turns 60 this year. I believe it will be the first year Phil's physical presence will be absent. This is truly the end of an era.
Phil's memory will live on through the influence he had on the artists community, the art work he created, and through all the people he touched in his life.
Family, students, artists, and friends, Phil will be missed by a great many people.
To my friend – I bid farewell.
Please share this post.
The family has asked friends and admirers to express their thoughts and memories of Phil to this posting. No plans for a memorial have been made at this time.
 

01/12/15 09:37 AM #50    

 

Susan Schaller (Scimeca)

It really saddens me to read this today. sad

I know I have lost a real part of my early life with Mr Mundt's passing. I had art for 4 years and a lot of my fondest memories at Rich East included him and his class. I loved his "bohemian" style, and his original handmade flowery neckties, so "outside the box" in those years of such stern rules and regulations. To me it was his small way of  thumbing his nose at the establishment and letting his creativity flow.

God bless him, and his family and friends, in their time of loss for a really creative and imaginative man. He lived his life the way he wanted to. How very lucky he was.

RIP Mr Mundt. You will be missed.


01/12/15 02:10 PM #51    

 

Leslie Ann Aguillard ((spouse Is Ferenc Gyulafia))

Phil Mundt!  Who didn't just love the man?  He was an inspiration to me and so many others. What a long lovely creative life he had. Such a shame it is over.  I applaud his wonderful life, Thank you Phil!


01/13/15 11:33 AM #52    

Patricia Wald (Ray)

I want to echo what has been said about Mr. Mundt.  I was so sad to learn of his passing.  When I was reviewing the Profiles of our classmates last month, I cannot remember who had a picture of Mr. Mundt from a rather recent Park Forest Art Fair, and I was so happy to see that!  I had no idea where he was, and it was like we were "reacquainted."  I went downstairs to our family room, where I still have part of the best project I made for Mr. Mundt.  I also have a necklace - very "1960's" -  that I have not worn for years, but still keep in my jewelry box.

I am not at all artistic.  In fact, I told one of our daughters-in-law, who is a graphic designer, that just by marrying into the family, she enhanced our "gene pool!"  And yet in Mr. Mundt's class, I still remember how I was always made to feel that I had so much to offer.  He made his space such a welcoming place for everyone.  The one "major project" I made of wood hung in my parents home until we moved them from Park Forest, and the remnants of that is what we still have in our home today. 

When I walked into his classroom, I loved the feeling of just "being there."  The other distinct memory I have is that it was in Mr. Mundt's class that I first heard the Beatles.  I am trying to think where that music came from - it must have been a record player.  I was sitting across from Cookie Ritz, and I did not recognize the music, and she began explaining that this was the Beatles - the famous band from England.  I certainly knew who they were, but had not heard their music.  And soon after, when I bought my first Beatles album all those years ago, I really did think of Mr. Mundt.  I do still have that album...

I saw Mr. Mundt once during college, when I came to visit Rich East.  I am sure he would be so glad to know that we are sharing thoughts of him.

May his memory be for a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 


01/15/15 04:59 PM #53    

Jeffrey Litman

More sad news from Rich East.  I was working today at a local school district with a young attorney who I knew is a 1990 graduate of Rich East.  We have talked in the past of some of the great teachers that she had, some of whom were there in our era.  She told me that Richard Polancyak, who many of us had for algebra and geometry, passed away on January 5th. He had been in ill health and was living in southern Illinois.  She did not know about the death of Phi, Mundt and will pass that information to her class. I thought people would like to know about Mr.Polancyak; it makes me think of our own mortality when we hear of the deaths of some of our young teachers who were not that much older than us.


01/16/15 07:40 AM #54    

 

Susan Schaller (Scimeca)

Another great teacher, who I won't forget was Mr Polancyk. smiley  and I'm sorry to hear of his passing also.

I have always struggled with understanding Math and through the years had developed a real fear of the subject because of it. The more I failed, the more I "shut down". By failing to understand that subject over my earlier school years I began to catergorize myself as "stupid" and had quietly carried that stigma inside me for years.

In my freshman year I was assigned to a class of his. Fearful that I would fail again, Mr Polancyk must have sensed it and presented math to me in a way that I could understand,  without the intimidation. Over the weeks, and then months, I began to relax and finally realize that it wasn't as hard as I thought and it actually began to become fun. It was a game, like a complex puzzle that I could solve. And with his help I developed the confidence I needed and he gave me all the right keys to open it.

 He was the only teacher in my school life who had been able to do that for me. And because of that I will always remain thankful to him and his methods of helping me learn that even I too could master the subject and I was far from being "stupid".

Rest in Peace, Mr Polancyk and know that your purpose in your life's profession had helped this one student to overcome the huge barriers that others had set up long before we met. That's truly what a good teacher is, and should be, all about. yes


01/16/15 01:40 PM #55    

 

Nancy Eubanks (Hildebrand)

So well said, Susan!


01/16/15 02:28 PM #56    

Marjorie Mitchell (Barrell)

I had a similar experience to Susan's. Truly a gifted educator.

 


01/19/15 10:11 AM #57    

Barbara Sellers (Plunkett)

heart

I think it is absolutely awesome the way our class remember our teachers.  I was not in art class but I do remember Mr. Mundt and what a beloved teacher he was.  I have such wonderful memories from Rich East. Would like to take a tour of the school next time.  I could not this time as I was dependent upon a friend driving me everywhere,  I have told my friend Pat O'Leary all about the reunion and what a good time she missed.  

Hope to see everyone in the not so distant future..  Barb Sellers Plunkett

 

 


01/20/15 09:26 AM #58    

 

Patricia Hearst (Schwarzentraub)

Dear Class of "64 Members,

Here is some additional information about Mr. Polancyak.  He will be greatly missed by so many.  Thought you might be interested in seeing this.   RIP Mr. Polancyak!

 

Richard J. Polancyak

Posted: Thursday, January 8, 2015 6:00 am

Richard J. Polancyak, 84, of Park Forest, formerly of Westville, was called home by the Lord on Jan. 5, 2015, at St. James Hospital, Olympia Fields.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1930, the son of John and Agnes Polancyak, both deceased.

Richard leaves behind a loving family; his wife, Dolores of 57 years and two sons, Timothy of Park Forest and Peter (Valerie) of Weldon Spring, Mo., and two grandchildren, Nathan and Reagan.

Richard attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Westville High School (Class of 1948) where he was a three-sport athlete. He was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in 1958 (bachelor’s in mathematics) and from the University of Illinois, Champaign in 1964 (master’s, mathematics). He was an Army veteran of the Korean War serving in a Medical Evacuation Hospital Unit.

Richard J. Polancyak

Richard was a math teacher at Rich East High School in Park Forest and retired in 1996 after 38 years of service. He was considered to be a “Master Teacher” by his peers and for the first time in the school district history had his classroom of 38 years officially dedicated as the “Richard Polancyak Room” at his retirement. He was well respected for his dedication to the teaching profession and touched many lives of students and peers along the way. Richard was also a part-time math instructor at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights for 40 years, retiring from that position in 2006.

Richard was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears, but had a deep love for all sports. He was a member of St. Irenaeus Parish of Park Forest since 1958.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Mary’s Church, Westville. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the memorial Mass at the church. Richard will be laid to rest at Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville.

http://www.commercial-news.com/obituaries/richard-j-polancyak/article_902ed4b5-2ae2-50d5-be52-d405109873d5.html?mode=print    Page 1 of 2Richard J. Polancyak - Commercial News: Obituaries    1/14/15, 11:08 PM

In lieu of flowers, Mass offerings would be appreciated. Arrangements were entrusted to Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel, Westville. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.


02/05/15 08:20 AM #59    

Merle Rovel (Erlich)

Thank you, Susan, for your post on Mr. Polancyak. I felt the same way about him.  


04/06/15 12:41 PM #60    

Lynn Warner

I was sad to hear of the two most recent losses to our class.  I have a picture of Roger, Craig, Mike and Neil taken together outside the circle drive entrance on reunion Saturday at our high school.  Hoping each of you are living each day we are blessed with to the fullest.  Leo Buscalia often ended  his lectures with this thought and I paraphrase. " live everyday as if it was your last because one day you will be right."  Prayers of comfort to the families.  Hoping all  our classmates are healthy and enjoying life.   lynn Warner


05/02/15 02:26 PM #61    

 

Suzanne Laborde (Perry)

Polancyak, Richard J. 84, of Park Forest, IL, formerly of Westville, IL, was called home by the Lord on January 5, 2015, at St. James Hospital, Olympia Fields, IL. He was born on August 16, 1930, the son of John and Agnes Polancyak, both deceased. Richard leaves behind a loving family: his wife, Dolores of 57 years; and two sons, Timothy of Park Forest, Peter (Valerie) of Weldon Spring, Missouri; and two grandchildren, Nathan and Reagan. Richard attended St. Mary's Catholic School and Westville High School (Class of 1948) where he was a three sport athlete. He was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in 1958 (BS Mathematics) and from the University of Illinois, Champaign in 1964 (MS Mathematics). He was an Army veteran of the Korean War serving in a Medical Evacuation Hospital Unit. Richard was a math teacher at Rich East High School in Park Forest and retired in 1996 after 38 years of service. He was considered to be a "Master Teacher" by his peers and for the first time in the School District history had his classroom of 38 years officially dedicated as the "Richard Polancyak Room" at his retirement. He was well respected for his dedication to the teaching profession and touched many lives of students and peers along the way. Richard was also a part time math instructor at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL, for 40 years, retiring from that position in 2006. Richard was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears, but had a deep love for all sports. He was a member of St. Irenaeus Parish of Park Forest since 1958. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2015, at St. Mary's Church, Westville, IL. A visitation will be held for one hour prior to the Memorial Mass at the Church. Richard will be laid to rest at Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville. In lieu of flowers, Mass Offerings would be appreciated. Arrangements were entrusted to Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel, Westville. Please join his family in sharing memories through his Tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.
 

Published in the Daily Southtown on Jan. 8, 2015 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/daily-southtown/obituary.aspx?n=richard-j-polancyak&pid=173768760#sthash.WutZpJU5.dpuf

 


05/03/15 07:57 AM #62    

 

Leslie Ann Aguillard ((spouse Is Ferenc Gyulafia))

Please correct my former post about Carole Musengo having passed in California. Carole Musengo passed in August 2009. She was living in Bend, Oregon and working at St. Charles Hospital. Thank you Linda Musengo for correcting this information. Peace to all who have passed and to their families. Leslie


09/28/16 10:19 PM #63    

Patricia Wald (Ray)

Hi from Patti Wald Ray -

I could not figure out where to post this message - so I hope this makes it!

Phil Ward - thank you so much for sending the spectacular picture of so many of our classmates in the Rockies!  What a great mini-reunion!!

With love,

Patti

 

 

 


09/29/16 08:40 AM #64    

 

Leslie Ann Aguillard ((spouse Is Ferenc Gyulafia))

Thanks Phil Ward for having this old newspaper photo. It brought a few memory brain cells back to life.

Peace, Leslie Aguillard

https://www.artsavestheworld.com


09/29/16 12:11 PM #65    

Barbara Sellers (Plunkett)

Wow....how did I mis this.  I live in Colorado Springs and would have loved to attend.  Best wishes to all!

 

Barbara Sellers Plunkett

 


09/29/16 09:29 PM #66    

Nancy Singer (Menner)

what a good looking group!!!!!!!!!!!  wish i could have been there but it looks like you had a great time in a beautiful place..............miss you all and please keep in touch,  love and hugssmileyheartkiss


10/02/16 03:44 PM #67    

 

Patricia Hearst (Schwarzentraub)

Great looking group!  Great place to gather, as well!


10/03/16 11:50 AM #68    

Barbara Sellers (Plunkett)

You look great too, I swear at the reunion both you and Janice had not aged at all.  Best wishes to you and your family. 

 


10/03/16 04:42 PM #69    

 

Patricia Hearst (Schwarzentraub)

Thanks, Barb!  3 of our 4 children reside in the Denver area (Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Northglenn respectively).  Perhaps we will get together sometime.  We try to get out at least 3-4 times/year.  

My best,

Patty


10/05/16 11:37 AM #70    

Barbara Sellers (Plunkett)

That sounds good to me.  I can always drive up-all of those places are not far.  So, with most of the kids here are you ever going to move here?  My son always says he will never leave Colorado.  It is where he was bornand raised and his roots are here.  Anyway, take care and hope to see you soon.

 

Barb


04/18/21 11:11 AM #71    

Patricia Wald (Ray)

I was very sad to learn of Sally Sassano's passing and was so appreciative to read her daughter's beautiful reflections of her mother.

I cannot remember in what Rich East class Sally and I became friends, but we were friends throughout high school.  We lost touch after high school, but the memory Sally left me were my pictures from Junior Prom.  Sally lent me the beautiful yellow dress I wore to Junior Prom.  I am sure those pictures are somewhere in our home!

It was so generous of her, and I do not remember the conversation that led her to make that lovely offer.  It was a sleeveless long gown, and I wore long white gloves, and I remember her coming to our home the days before the prom, so she could see how I Iooked in the dress.  The pictures I remember came from the "photo shoot" in our home.  I am not sure Sally, herself, was at the prom that year.

I had those pictures of me in that dress posted in my dorm room in college for many years, and they always reminded me of Sally's kindness.  It is clear from her daughter's memories that Sally continued to give special gifts to her family and others throughout her life.

May her memory be for a blessing.

Patti Ray

 

 

 


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