Activities/Hobbies: Tennis, Clay Target Shooting, Reading, Travel, and Mariners Baseball

 

After graduation from Wa-Hi, fellow classmate Karen Poulsen and I discovered each other during our freshman year at Whitman, were later “pinned” (does anyone do that anymore), and were married following graduation in 1963. We then moved to Seattle where I began what was to become a 36 year career with Seattle-First National Bank and, subsequently, Bank of America.

 

Our three children arrived in 1966, 1968, and 1969, each in a different city around the state, which kept Karen pretty busy during their growing up years. In the early 1970’s the bank transferred us to Tacoma where we enjoyed active involvement in community affairs and where we continue to live just to the south in Lakewood. After managing Corporate Banking in Tacoma and Southwest Washington for several years, as well as numerous supervisory positions in Seattle, I retired in 1999 having served the last three as Senior Credit Officer for Bank of America’s Northwest Region. That was well before the sub-prime lending debacle of the last few years I might add!

 

Following retirement, Karen and I had a second home built in Sunriver where the high desert of Central Oregon is a great alternative to the liquid sunshine and ever growing population of Puget Sound. Giving up the daily commute to Seattle for one to Sunriver every 3 or 4 weeks was an easy decision to make. We now spend about a third of our time there throughout the year, and since our children all live in the Greater Seattle area we are fortunate to enjoy numerous family events and holidays together. Nothing beats the sound of grandchildren playing during the day and the quiet of star filled skies at night. Life has been good to us and we are very thankful for its blessings.

        Spouse – John Arbini

        Children – 2 Daughters, 1 Son

        Grandchildren – 3 Boys, 1 Girl


Activities/Hobbies: Reading, Knitting, Travel, and Mariners Baseball

 

Wow, it’s hard to believe that it has been 50 years since graduation. Even though I only attended Wa-Hi my Senior Year, some of my fondest high school memories are from there. After relocating to Walla Walla from California, my parents and I lived in an apartment across the street from Bob Adams while our newly purchased home was being vacated. Thank you, Bob, for introducing me to so many future classmates that summer. It really helped to ease the transition.

 

After graduation I attended Whitman College and was reacquainted with John at a freshman mixer. Seems I needed a diversion from some unwanted attention and sought his help when I saw him sitting at a table with Brian Lucarelli. We were “pinned” by the end of the year and, as the saying goes, the rest is history!

 

John and I married in 1963, and after a move to Seattle our family began arriving in 1966. By 1969 we were five.  Fortunately, I was able to be a stay at home mom, and spending those precious early years with our children was a good fit for me. As they entered school my interests turned to volunteerism. Many hours were spent in classrooms at their schools, in leadership positions with Bluebirds and Campfire, in various positions with the PTA, and serving as a reading tutor in Junior High. Once the children were in high school and college I started the process all over again and returned to assisting with kindergarten classes. After a few years of that, I decided it was time to move on to the adult world with active participation in the Activities Council of the Tacoma Art Museum and several years of volunteer work with St. Joseph Hospital where I had the opportunity to chair their annual charity ball.

 

When John retired from the Bank of America in 1999 I decided it was time to hang up my volunteer hat. We now enjoy time with our adult children, frequent stays at our home in Sunriver, spoiling our grandchildren, and travels with some great friends. I feel blessed that we’ve been able to enjoy life as we have, and look forward to seeing all who are planning to attend the big 50th Reunion.

Where did the time go? Life has been good. I've been blessed more then I deserve. A beautiful wife of 48 years and three wonderful children to be proud of.

I started my contracting business in 1971. We specialize in structural concrete. Business has been good. 

Carolyn and I love travaeling and go as often as we can. Our last trip was in March, a two week trip to Israel. Very interesting. First time there.

Well, I guess that's 50 years of news.

After high school graduation I entered Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Spokane and attended Whitworth College graduating in 1962, receiving my RN degree and specializing in pediatrics. Shortly after graduation I married Ronald Batson who had just been discharged from the U.S. Air Force where he was a member of the Canine Corp. Air Police.

 

We spent our first year in Seattle and from 1963 – 68 we lived in Salinas,m California where I was charge nurse of a large pediatric unit and later office nurse for two pediatricians. Ron graduated from Hartnell College and Moler Barber College in San Jose.

 

We left California in 1968 and traveled the U.S. for several months after Ron appeared as an extra in the movie “Paint Your Wagon.”

 

In early 1969 we returned to make our home in Walla Walla where I helped set up the first cardiac care unit at Walla Walla General Hospital and Ron became a postal clerk.

 

We adopted siblings Robert and Tina in 1971 at ages 2-1/2 and 1 year. At that time I became a full time stay-at-home mom utilizing my pediatric skills to care for our two special needs children.

 

Another goal was realized when we purchased our country home and small acreage in 1975 where we raised our own organic foods and livestock.

 

In the early 8’s we opened Lavender Hill Herb Farm and gift shop. We grew over 100 different culinary and medicinal herbs and sold plants as well as fresh cut and dried herbs and spices. I gave tours of our formal gardens and lectures on the use of herbs as well.

 

In 1989, our children now grown, we closed the business to begin a more relaxed lifestyle. This was short lived when we became legal guardians of our first granddaughter in 1991. She was a busy two year old – so parenting continued until recently.

 

In 1997 we left our home of 21 years and moved back to town after Ron was diagnosed with a genetic fatal disease, amyloidosis. He chose quality of life over having a liver and heart transplant. We enjoyed the many nearby activities and events at nearby Whitman College, down town and our great neighborhood. He passed to a better place in early 2003; my best friend and forever love.

 

Since his passing I have enjoyed my three grandchildren, some traveling, have published six poems and am still passionate about gardening. My yard was on the city hospice garden tour a few years back.

 

The past couple of years have been a bit rocky health wise so I have had to slow down somewhat due to severe benign vertigo and painful arthritis which has required several surgeries on my shoulders and hands.

 

I regret not being able to attend this gathering but had committed much earlier to a beach vacation with my family.