Deceased 2010

I graduated from St. Cloud State and married Ken (a Cooper grad). We recently celebrated our 50th anniversary. We have lived in Rochester NY for 47 years and raised our three sons there. I enjoyed being a stay at home mom, but did teach for a few years.

A temporary work assignment for Ken brought us back to Minnesota in 2005. We settled in Woodbury where we enjoyed becoming reacquainted with the Twin Cities and Minnesota. We moved back to Rochester in 2008.

We love to travel (US, Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Northern Europe, Caribbean) and take yearly "winter escape" cruises.

We are enjoying retirement, especially spending time with our 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

As many have said, it cannot be 40 years since graduation and the infamous train trip. Such fond memories of those high school years. Since high school it was college at St. Cloud State and graduate school at the University of San Francisco. I worked as a Speech Therapist for 28 years in California and retired in 2004. Loved working with kids. Dave Olson-the gymnast-and I have been married for 36 years. Lets see..we dated for 6 years so all together we've been together for 42 years. Wait...we've known each since grade school. Yikes!!! It's been a long, long time. We spend our time between California and Oregon where you may find us on a river or lake fly fishing or kayaking. I am attempting golf lessons but I think I do better fishing. We are looking forward to the reunion and seeing old friends.

Married to David Olson (RHS '67)

Ralph G. Swanson, 70, of Prescott, Arizona, born Aug. 11, 1949, in Juneau, Alaska, died Aug. 17, 2019, at YRMC Prescott. Ralph was a fish and wildlife biologist with the Dept. of Interior for 37 years, receiving an honor award from the agency upon his retirement.

He and his wife, Renata, retired to Prescott in 2013. He was an avid local shelter dog volunteer and horseback rider.

He had a great love of the outdoors, boxer dogs, a Civil War buff and scuba diver.

Ralph will be cremated and no services are planned.

Friends and family may gather later this year for a celebration of life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Yavapai Humane Society if desired. Arrangements entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home.

Information provided by survivors.Ralph's last update: I retired after 37 years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. We lived and traveled all over the U.S., including 3 years in Puerto Rico. Now we are volunteering. Renata has been deeply involved with adult literacy and I assisted at the local library and Habitat for Humanity, building and renovating houses in Orem, Utah.

In 2013, we relocated to Prescott, AZ. Renata is assisting with adult literacy and ESL at the local library and I am at the local humane society animal shelter where I walk dogs and help with adoptions and fund raising. I am also taking horseback riding lessons and feeding my "inner cowboy." Also, we are reconnecting with a lot of RHS-ers who have moved to AZ. It is great to relive old times!!! What do you mean OLD??!!

My favorite high school memories were all things dealing with band--the Friday night football games and practicing those great formations, pep band, City Band, and also the great music we played for concerts remember Tulsa? How many of you still have the band LP records of our concerts? Also, I have great memories of hanging out with friends at the Robins' Nest. Between Vicki, Barb, Nancy & Kris, I think we probably paid their mortgage bills! Another great set of memories involved being the President of Future Teachers of America (and thrilled to be the first FTA group that had a float for homecoming thanks to the amazing design of Ed Johnson). I have lived my dream of teaching for 35 years, mainly in the Anoka district.

One of my fondest memories, besides all the parties with the band-folks, was the trip to Winnipeg, and finding out that we had taken first place. There were about 15-20 of us that went to Mr. T's house after hearing the news, and he was so excited, he took us all to Bridgemans to celebrate! That amazing man is involved in ALL the very special memories I have of high school. I am so grateful for the example he set, and for the caring he showed for each and every one of us. Mr. T, if you're out there reading this, you have been one of the most influential people in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did during our 3 years at Robbinsdale (and for taking over City Band!!!!) You set the bar for those of us entering education VERY high. Hopefully every child has a memory of a special teacher that helped form their lives. Mr. T was mine...

Deceased 1969, Vietnam

I have been married to Pat for 39 years!! We have 2 children and 6 grandchildren. I retired Jan 2014, after 43 years of being an OB RN, and enjoying every minute of it!! I love to quilt, embroider and make greeting cards. We enjoy time at our cabin in Wisconsin and 2 days a week we take care of our youngest 2 grandsons.

Since high school I worked in the grocery business, sold insurance, worked as a courier and opened my own tax and accounting business in 1977. To this day I operate my tax and accounting business in Prior Lake, MN. I can thank Mr, Juba (9th Grade) for giving me a love of math and algebra.
In 1971 married Cheryle and am still married to her 36 years later. Have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. We are enjoying this phase of your life. I am looking forward to seeing everyone, especially some of the old poker buddies. I currently enjoy bowling and have taken up running. I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Married to Cheryle; 3 kids, 4 grandkids.

Deceased 2008

Deceased 2000

Life has been great to me and the whole family! I now have four amazing grandchildren between MN and CA. My son works at 3M and my daughter is the CEO of a tech company in CA.

I'm enjoying relaxing in the summers with my dog, Zoey and a splurge I made to buy an Audi Convertible. It's so relaxing and fun to get out in the open air.

I'm single now and living on Lake Success in Brooklyn Park. Besides spending time with the grandkids, I still get excited whenever the opportunity comes up to travel out to CA, head up to the lake for a fishing weekend, find out about a great car show or get working on one of my project cars.

I'm really looking forward to catching up with old friends and reminiscing on great memories!

Seems like our reunions click by ever so quickly. Helping with this 50th reunion has been a real joy, while working so flawlessly with the combined Hawks~Robins committee. New and renewed friendships with our "rival" school's classmates have warmed my heart and gifted me with several close friendships!
I have spent much time creating the Memorial videos and our Veterans Tribute video, for RHS as well as helping with the Cooper videos. It has been one of the most humbling experiences of my adult life! We've lost so many of our dear old friends and it makes me realize how I cherish my own life! I have been so blessed to have communicated with many of our veterans and have cried so often as I hear your stories. We owe our veterans so much and I have so sincerely learned to revere you! You have touched me and I have grown! I fear that we can never adequately thank you.
My life has been so blessed over the last several years with my partner and now my husband. John Ptak and first knew each other in Mrs Mullen's 5th grade class at Adair. WHO KNEW?? WE live in Ramsey high above the Rum River with a big old deck and a canopy of mature trees....kind of a Tree House. Exactly what an old person should never choose...4 levels and steep bank and a large landscaped terraced yard! We bought the DECK and the house was merely attached!! And in the winter we head to the South West in Mesa Arizona. Every year we find more Robbinsdale graduates living in Arizona and get together with several on a regular basis. Nothing like warm sunshine and margaritas to enhance those long visits! Everyone's welcome so please let me know if you are around. There is always time for a RHS mini-reunion!

Married 1970
Air Force 1970-1976 (Michigan, Germany, California)
Airport Manager, Park Rapids, MN 1982-1998
Aircraft Mechanic, Sun Country Airlines 1999-2001
Transportation Manager, MN Recovery Bureau, 2002-2011. Enjoying retirement in the north country.
Cheri passed away in September 2011.
3 kids, 9 grandkids.

Greetings to the Class of '67 ;). I am very thankful for my high school experiences and especially kind, supportive friends ;). Through challenges or new adventures, I thank the Lord Who works all things together for good. Nothing happens for naught; all is God-ordained and purposeful. Jude 2 blessings of "mercy, love and peace be multiplied unto" all ;)
Update: One year ago Jim and I were visiting our son's family in Quito, Ecuador, and sadly, Jim had cardiac arrest and died. Zac's wife Belen's family are from Quito and were very instrumental in helping with all the paperwork and arrangements to return home. Our children, family and friends have been very supportive. Daughter Rebecca works at NYPL as a preservation manager. Son Zachary teaches at the Americana school in Quito. Zac and Belen have two children. Daughter Anna and Kevin homeschool their three children in Sioux Falls, S.D. Truly it is "one day at a time, Lord Jesus."
Wish I could attend the reunion but I have many family gatherings and company (July through October), including a 98th birthday party for my mother ;). Life certainly is full ;)

HI- I have lived in St Paul most of my 48 years of married life. We lived in Safety Harbor, Florida for 8 years but came back to Woodbury, MN. I attended the U of M right after high school but after two years took a break from school to work. I have been in sales for most of my professional life, primarily working in the Audiology field. My husband and I are both retired now and love working on genealogy. We are fortunate to have travelled to all 50 states, enjoyed cruising, and delightfully entertained friends and family at our lake cabin. Mike and I have two wonderful sons and one gracious daughter in law, all live in the Twin Cities, close by us. We have two beautiful granddaughters, one 17 year old who is a competitive figure skater and a happy baby who is just beginning to crawl.
Life has been and is good.

Married for 44 years. We have 4 sons-2 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

We are retired and enjoying traveling and going to the lake in the summer.We go south in the winter.
Raising the next generation of cats Champ and Dolly.50 years huh? See you all at the reunion and I hope they print large on the name tags!

Published: October 12, 2002
Edition: METRO
Section: NEWS

Robert Ulrich, aircraft innovator
The technology company founder helped to develop precision-cutting techniques to make parts for the F-22, a stealth combat plane.
By Trudi Hahn
Staff Writer
Robert Ulrich, who helped develop precision cutting techniques to make parts for the F-22, a stealth combat airplane that can evade radar - died unexpectedly Oct. 4 at his home in Ham Lake. He was 53.
Ulrich was founder and president of LAI Companies, which makes precision machine components using laser and waterjet technologies in Westminster, Md., Phoenix and Fridley. Among key products made at the Twin Cities plant, LAI Midwest Inc., are titanium panels for the F-22 Raptor, a military plane being built by Lockheed Martin.
``Bob Ulrich was part of the success story of the F-22 program,'' delivering parts on time and helping reduce costs, said Larry Cameron, senior manager of airframe components for Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. LAI Midwest started working on the Raptor in 1996.
The most complicated F-22 panel the Fridley plant makes is a titanium sheet, approximately 3 feet by 2 feet, with 28,000 angled diamond-shaped precision holes. ``They all must be perfect,'' said Matt Kalina, LAI marketing director, and Ulrich helped develop the waterjet cutting machine that does the job.
Ulrich, who grew up in Robbinsdale, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, starting at age 20. By 1979, with a business degree from the University of Minnesota, he was working for the Internal Revenue Service in Colorado. A friend introduced him to a man who had developed a laser ( cutting) tool but had no business expertise. Ulrich joined him and soon was improving the engineering techniques.
``He was fascinated that you could take light and cut through plastic and metal,'' said his daughter, Heather Johnson of Coon Rapids, who works for her father's company in information technology.
But lasers have a limited capacity for cutting through thick materials, and in 1987, Ulrich was one of the first to bring an abrasive waterjet cutting machine into a job shop, Kalina said.
Said Johnson, ``His thinking was always ahead of everyone else's.'' Their current machines can cut up to 15-inch-thick titanium panels.
Johnson said that her father had not been ill, and that he died in his sleep. Results of an autopsy are pending, she said.
In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife, Rebecca; daughters Tamara Ulrich of Reisterstown, Md., and Carrie Ulrich of Fridley; one granddaughter; his mother, Irene Ulrich of Buffalo, Minn.; his father, William Ulrich of Minneapolis, and brothers William, Greg and Donald of Minnesota, David of Brazil, Jerry of Florida and Richard of Texas.
Services were held Tuesday.

Published: October 12, 2002
Edition: METRO
Section: NEWS
Page#: 8B

Robert Ulrich, aircraft innovator
The technology company founder helped to develop precision-cutting techniques to make parts for the F-22, a stealth combat plane.

By Trudi Hahn, Staff Writer

Robert Ulrich, who helped develop precision cutting techniques to make parts for the F-22, a stealth combat airplane that can evade radar - died unexpectedly Oct. 4 at his home in Ham Lake. He was 53.

Ulrich was founder and president of LAI Companies, which makes precision machine components using laser and waterjet technologies in Westminster, Md., Phoenix and Fridley. Among key products made at the Twin Cities plant, LAI Midwest Inc., are titanium panels for the F-22 Raptor, a military plane being built by Lockheed Martin.

"Bob Ulrich was part of the success story of the F-22 program,'' delivering parts on time and helping reduce costs, said Larry Cameron, senior manager of airframe components for Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. LAI Midwest started working on the Raptor in 1996.

The most complicated F-22 panel the Fridley plant makes is a titanium sheet, approximately 3 feet by 2 feet, with 28,000 angled diamond-shaped precision holes. ``They all must be perfect,'' said Matt Kalina, LAI marketing director, and Ulrich helped develop the waterjet cutting machine that does the job.

Ulrich, who grew up in Robbinsdale, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, starting at age 20. By 1979, with a business degree from the University of Minnesota, he was working for the Internal Revenue Service in Colorado. A friend introduced him to a man who had developed a laser— cutting— tool but had no business expertise. Ulrich joined him and soon was improving the engineering techniques.

"He was fascinated that you could take light and cut through plastic and metal,'' said his daughter, Heather Johnson of Coon Rapids, who works for her father's company in information technology.

But lasers have a limited capacity for cutting through thick materials, and in 1987, Ulrich was one of the first to bring an abrasive waterjet cutting machine into a job shop

Selling Chevys since 1987 , now at Chevrolet of Wayzata. I own a Stock car team that races at Elko . Racin Ryan Motorsports . My son Ryan drives a late model At Elko .Ryan was NASCAR rookie of the year in 2018 for the late model division !.I have sold over 5000 cars !

Deceased 1968, Vietnam

Our family has expanded from our six sons to eight grandsons, one little granddaughter (finally) plus 3 step-granddaughters and of course another boy (step-grandson). Sometimes it does get a little overwhelming when they all show up at our lakehome. It's funny how they're always hungry. My husband Ted and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary in Hawaii this year. We married one week after graduation because he was heading to Viet Nam. Since then the years have flown by. We now live in Linwood Township on Linwood Lake so I feel we are country folks. I recently drove down Hwy. 100 and felt totally lost...what happened? We still have our business, which was in video and video gaming, and have expanded to indoor tanning. We represent independent video stores and our goal is to help them diversify. It's been a lot of fun being in the entertainment industry. We've been very fortunate in being able to travel to every state except two (Utah and New Mexico) so hopefully we'll get there too. Our favorite was Alaska and we really want to get back there soon (before we get too old).

Wow...40 years. Hard to imagine but it's been quite a ride.

Single, one daughter--Julie

Holy Crap! I'm still alive.

Retired after 40 years at General Mills. Both kids (Katie and Brian) as,well as our grand-daughters live in the area as do we. Married to Barb (Thorsen RHS '69) since 1975.