Ricker Classical Institute Class of 1952

Ricker Classical Institute Class of 1952 In 1873 the Legislature acts to authorize public schools forcing the closure of Houlton Academy and in 1874 the Academy was reestablished by the Rev.

Founded:
In 1848

Overview:
In 1848 The Houlton Academy, forerunner of Ricker Classical Institute, was founded as the first secondary school in Aroostook County. Joseph Ricker a professor at Colby University (now Colby College) as the Eastern Prepatory School of that college. In 1887 the school was renamed as Ricker Classical Institute in honor of the Rev. Joseph Ricker.

10/30/2018

This is the list of survivors (19) as of 10/29/2018
Forrest W. Barnes
James Merritt Blenkhorn Jr.
Beatrice Hazel Colter
Alice Starkey Creighton
Montford Francis Curtis
David Thomas Drysdale
George Fraser Duff
Muriel Lucille Farrar(Dwyer)
JoAnne Marilyn Grass(Dingman)
Patricia Ann Ivey(Chase)
Elaine Evelyn London(Peabody)
Geraldine Marie McIver(McAfee)
Janice Joslyn McNally(Fields)
Phillip (Ted) Edward Porter,
Eugene L Putnam
Barbara Jane Sloat(Rowe)
Patricia Mae Small(Garlick)
Eugene Royce Stanley
Vera L Stitham, (Hutchinson)

If there are omissions or deletions in this list please make that information available by a post on this website or email me. This is the third time that I posted this and I hope I got it right this time. Sorry Vera for leaving you out. I know you are alive and well.

10/30/2018

This is the list of survivors (19) as of 10/29/2018
Forrest W. Barnes
James Merritt Blenkhorn Jr.
Beatrice Hazel Colter
Alice Starkey Creighton
Montford Francis Curtis
David Thomas Drysdale
George Fraser Duff
Muriel Lucille Farrar(Dwyer)
JoAnne Marilyn Grass(Dingman)
Patricia Ann Ivey(Chase)
Elaine Evelyn London(Peabody)
Geraldine Marie McIver(McAfee)
Janice Joslyn McNally(Fields)
Phillip (Ted) Edward Porter,
Eugene L Putnam
Barbara Jane Sloat(Rowe)
Patricia Mae Small(Garlick)
Eugene Royce Stanley
Vera L Stitham, (Hutchinson)

08/20/2015

Rest in peace.Wilma Wiley Tompkins and Gloria Lake Guth. Miss you forever!

09/24/2012

Letter from Eugene Stanley
Dated 2-27-12

Hi Pat
Ref.your letter of 2-6-12. There is nothing
I would like more than to attend a class reunions.
I haven't been back home since Feb, 1953 for a few
hours. I haven't been in Maine since College Break
in 9–58 – I'm Due.

The only class member I have seen is Bobby Donahue.
We were both stationed at Riggs AFB, El Paso,
Texas.

Life has been good to me up to a point. By the grace
of God, I have survived some serious health
problems. However 2-17-12, after a thorough blood
work-up, I was informed of another serious health
problem
About all I can say is "so what else is new".

To be honest, at this point, all I can say,
at best, is maybe

If not, I would appreciate a class picture.
I can only hope they are as handsome
as I am.

My best to you and yours.

God bless.

Eugene Stanley

P.S. You mentioned we are getting older.
I was told recently that I was so old
they were going to discontinue my blood type!

Letter from Eugene Stanley
Dated J-25-12

Hello Pat:

It goes without saying how pleased I am to have all of the
info. your letter offered up.

Sadly, I could scarcely believe the number of former
classmates that I passed on. Twenty out of 39. I was
saddened doubly when I saw my cousins Bobby Donahue's
name. We were never informed. Also, and I say this most
respectfully – Charlotte Miller's name. She was the first girl I
ever kissed and that has stayed with me. There is one name
that escapes me totally – (Lewis Hersey)?

How I wish I could attend. It has been since 2/53 my
last visit. The years have moved so quickly.

You mentioned – suppose will recognize each other if we
ever have the opportunity?

I was just looking at a picture of a handsome young
man in his USAF uniform. I remarked to myself "Great
Scott" he even has teeth.

I will brag a bit and say I looked pretty good
until one day I discovered a donut shop too
near my office. Two choc donuts – Sanka – and
a Roi-Tan Falcon cigar became my downfall.
I jumped on the scales one day and I growled.
No wonder, 314 Lbs. I had two chins and was
breaking ground for another. It had been a
long fight, however today, I'm a sleek, hand-
some 244 Lbs. I now have a waste. In
addition to my good looks, I'm also modest.

Seriously, someday when you have time, would
you please advise me when – where – etc. Those who
have passed on were located. I would appreciate it.

It goes without saying I wish I could attend.
My best wishes and prayers I send to you all.

God Bless

Gene Stanley

Letter from Joann Grass Dinman
DatedAugust 15, 2012

Dear Ricker Classmates,

I hope this letter finds you all in good health and near family and friends. I'm sorry that I'm unable to attend the
Ricker Classical Institute 60th Reunion but I did want to make sure that I share some of my life story with each
of you.
As you are aware, in 1953 I married Ormonde Ray Dingman. We have three beautiful children John, Rae-Ann,
and Karen. John has five children and has seven grandchildren, Rae-Ann has two children and eight
grandchildren, and Karen has two children and three grandchildren.

I lived in Pennsylvania from 1959 to 1980 where I worked at Galeton Production Company making electronic
tubes and then I later worked at Wundies where I made ladies underwear. During this time I also raised and
showed registered Appaloosa horses. I had therty-six horses at one time and had often been told that I have a
way with horses. With my job, my children, and my horses I was constantly on the go.

In 1980 I moved to Arizona and at that time all three of my children also lived in Arizona. While in Arizona I was immediately hired at Motorola where I work for fifteen years as a lead trainer teaching employees how to
operate semi-conductor equipment in a class 10 wafer manufacturing facility. This was a job that I truly
enjoyed.

I am now back in Pennsylvania where I continue to enjoy my family. John and Rae-Ann live close by and Karen
is still living in Arizona, however she comes to Pennsylvania each year to visit all of us.

I wish I could be there,

Jo Ann Grass Dingman

09/24/2012

Ricker Classical Institute holds 60th reunion

Ricker Classical Institute class of 1952 held its 60th class reunion on August 25 at Lloyd and Pat Chase's camp at Nickerson Lake.
Morning activities included a time for renewing old acquaintances and enjoy light refreshments, followed by a DVD recorded at the 50th reunion by Montford Curtis. Following the viewing, Vera Stitham Hutchison and David Drysdale read the class prophecy. Finally Vera shared a humorous poem about class reunions.
After the morning activities, several classmates visited the Ricker Room at the Chamber of Commerce building in Houlton. Lee Cummings curator provided some interesting antidotes about Ricker's history.
To wind up the day, class members with spouse and/or family gathered at the Horn of Plenty for a delicious dinner. Following dinner, Gary Bossie, Executive Director of the Ricker Scholarship Foundation presented an overall summary of Ricker scholarship funds and how they are distributed to students pursuing higher education.
Forrest Barnes gave an interesting overview of Ricker's history and the reason for the demise of Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College.
Class president Eugene Putnam thanked the reunion committee and asked for a moment of silence for deceased classmates. George Duff led in a brief prayer and blessing.
A business meeting was conducted by President Putnam. A motion was made to donate any leftover funds to the Ricker Scholarship Foundation fund. Motion was carried and passed. A discussion was held regarding records of the 1952 class reunion and where they should be stored for future reference. The class members agreed that the reunion committee should make a decision later regarding safekeeping of the records.
Those present: Forrest and Ann Barnes, Bea Colter Deide, Montford Curtis, his daughter, granddaughter and grandson, David and Jesse Drysdale, George and Mary Duff, Joan Gardullo Eubank (a.m. only)., Barbara Hoyt Nickerson (a.m. only), Lloyd and Patricia Ivey Chase, Gloria Lake Guth, Bob and Janice McNally Fields, Eugene Putnam, Barbara Sloat Rowe, Vera Stitham Hutchison, Wilma Wiley Tompkins, and guests Gary and A
lison Bossie.
The following classmates unable to attend sent greetings: James Blenkhorn, Alice Creighton, Joanne Grass Dingman, Muriel Farral Dwyer, Vaughn Gove, Pat Small Garlick, Donna Wood Hetherington, George Nadeau, Echo Boone Oldenburg, Elaine London Peabody, Philip (Ted) Porter and Eugene Stanley.

09/24/2012
06/19/2012

The latest information that I have regarding the 60th class reunion is the following:
Initially the group will get together at the Pat and Lloyd Chase camp at Nickerson Lake on August 25, 2012.
The time will be around 10 AM. As Pat has stated this will give us time to socialize and catch up on old times and recent events.
Following the get together at Nickerson Lake the group is scheduled to have dinner at the Horn of Plenty restaurant at 6 PM on the evening of the 25th. The Horn of Plenty restaurant is located on the North Road approximately .8 miles north of the intersection of I 95. Hope to see all of you there!

04/05/2012

Stanley Lieberman is deceased. May 5, 2007 Rockaway New Jersey

04/05/2012

Richard W Stiles is deceased. October 27, 1978 Cleveland Ohio.

04/05/2012

I just found out that Ronald J. London is deceased. Jan 24, 2011 Houlton, Maine

04/05/2012

Ronald London is back in Hodgdon, Maine (I think). Has he been contacted regarding the reunion?

Address

Military Street
Houlton, ME
04730

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