11-10-2022 4:04am

BASH Class of ’55: A Committed Group of Grads

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Fall seems to be Class Reunion season. And while many class reunions take place every five years, some once a year, and others not at all, the Boyertown High School Class of '55 has met faithfully on the first Monday of every month for years.

The group credits the late Mary Stetler for initiating the monthly meetings. Although they can’t recall just how many years they’ve been meeting monthly, they do recall the eateries that have accommodated them over the years, many of which are no longer in business.

“Duke” Snyder, President of the Class of ’55, was my ride to the monthly meeting with his classmates as well as my inspiration to attend. Duke's friends find it remarkable that he tries never to miss these monthly meetings; he arranges his schedule and his travels to make sure he’s in town to attend.

His loyalty is all the more remarkable learning that he was a reluctant leader. Back in the day, his main interests were his roles as senior captain and three-sport standout in the school's football, basketball, and baseball teams. Yet today he honors the leadership position his classmates bestowed on him decades ago by sharing the highlights of the monthly meetings with other BASH grads and keeping tabs on those members of his class who miss a meeting.

Today, for example, after breakfast, he was headed home to call and check on Gloria Fleming Romig—former editor-in-chief of “The Cub,” the high school’s newspaper—who usually attends, but has been missing since her recent surgery.

The years have diminished attendance at the monthly gatherings that once attracted 20+ classmates from a graduating class of 136, but the energy and goodwill remain as they update one another on their families, recall good times, current happenings, and their medical challenges.

Memories and Updates
The Class of ’55 reunion group is a collection of hard-workers whose lives have centered around their families and their work. It was fun and insightful learning a little about each of them.

In introducing himself, Burt Spencer showed me the scar on the back of his neck left from surgery due to a fall he endured a year ago during picking blackberries on his farm. The scar is proof that the surgeon at Rothman Institute saved his mobility and a lifetime of pain.

I learned a lot from—and about Burt—not just about the condition that almost paralyzed him—but about his orchards, the farm stand that, after decades, he finally commissioned the Amish to build for him at 82 years old; his love of zucchini and how he cooks it; the importance of having something “red” showing at the farm stand to catch the interest of motorists from both directions; his fondness for lemon cake with lemon icing and a special Boston cream pie; the fruit and cider his farm supplies to local groceries; and the benefits of honey that a beekeeper friend claims prevents the development of arthritis. Warned by classmates that Burt would have plenty to share, I can testify that he didn’t disappoint!

While Gerline Yoder is not a member of the Class of ’55, having left school after 8th grade, she is proud of her lifetime of cooking breakfast and lunches in long shifts in the very diner and bakery where we met—the Pleasantville Diner and Bakery. She recalls the senior citizens years ago who were ready and waiting for lunch at 10:30 a.m., eager to enjoy the generous servings of chicken pot pie that the diner served up every Wednesday. She recalls rolling out the pasta for the dish and cooking stuffed peppers, apple dumplings, and other PA German dishes that her customers enjoyed.

Gloria Miller Conrad remembers her love of sewing and cooking during her high school years and took her business-related skills to manage the cafeteria at what we both remember as Boyertown Junior High East. Gloria remembers the teachers who came through her line at lunch and even those like me who showed up only once a year at the start of the school year.

Sally Kulp Schaeffer recalled her elementary years when she and BFF Suzanne Kohler Biesecker exchanged Christmas gifts on their walks to school. In remembering those youthful days, she expressed her disappointment that the tradition of sending cards and notes by mail seems to have been replaced by less personal electronic messaging. Sally’s been busy raising children and spending time with grandchildren and now great grandchildren, but she and husband John have still found time to participate in several of Boyertown’s Holiday Open House Tours that are held in early December and to showcase their gardens in several tours in summer.

Photo is Suzanne Kohler Biesecker; Sally's photo is unavailable.

Kay Suzie Reitnaur Moyer misses driving…a lot. Driving, roller skating, and taking in stock car races have been interests since high school. But “Sus” is grateful for the rides to breakfast that now offered by Sally and John Schaeffer—in a “payback” arrangement. Apparently, John appreciated the rides for medical treatment that Kay provided when she was still driving. Safely residing at Sanatoga Manor, “Suzie” looks forward to meeting with the group each month as a major outing.

Bob Richards and his twin Ronnie shared a love of sports and hunting and a plan to enter the building fields as carpenter or contractor. Caregiving for family members is a prime concern at this point in life; sharing concerns with good friends helps.

Gerald Saltzer and companion Helen Blinn occupied a nearby table—as usual. “Jerry” was happy to provide a photograph of one of the class’s former reunions held years earlier when many more classmates were able to attend. Gerald assured me that it wasn’t a “class photo”—they were not that old at graduation! He was delighted to retrieve the photo for me that he had available in his car. How fortunate was that! Raising goats, baseball and politics were his interests in high school. We wonder if goats are still part of his life, if he cheered on the Phillies this season, and if he's had enough of politics? Perhaps we'll learn the answers next month!

Absentees
Marlene Moyer Henry, a roller skating and music fan, her husband Laverne; Barb Frey Spohn; Richard Spohn; and Wilson Hoffman, a baseball, swimming and skating enthusiast along with hunting and trapping were among the missing regular attenders. “Spohny” was often found fishing, swimming or cruising around in his hot rod. Wife Barb looked to business school after graduation.

My time with the group provided a view of simpler times, times that prove the adage: “The best things in life…aren’t things.” I am reminded that the best things in life are the people who have shared life and some “good old days” together.