Name: Dwayne Ballard (2004)

Personal narrative!

Accounting for the 40 years since high school graduation is relatively straight forward: 4 ½ years at Colorado State University, 33 years working in the computer industry and 2 ½ years retired!

While at CSU, I married Georgia Schadegg (LHS Class of ’65). We will celebrate our 38^th wedding anniversary this coming December. During our life together we have had the pleasure of moving a number of times to a variety of interesting places. Beginning in Ft. Collins (3 years) we moved to Denver (2 years), then to Las Vegas, NV (3 years), then to Tucson, AZ (1 year), back to Littleton, CO (5 years), then to Hong Kong (4 years), then to Troy, MI (6 years), to Lansdale, PA (12 years) and finally to Glen Haven, Colorado (2 years). We have been very blessed and remain in contact with the many friends we have made in each of these cities.

My 33 years in the computer field were with two companies, three years with RCA, followed by 30 years with Burroughs / Unisys Corporation. I worked in a variety of functions including software technical support, project management, program management and marketing. All of these activities were connected with the company’s mainframe computer product line.

After graduating from CSU, Georgia was a stay at home mom until the kids were in school. While living in Las Vegas, she earned a teaching certificate and was a Junior High English teacher in Colorado, Hong Kong and Michigan. While living in Michigan, she earned a Masters of Library Science Degree and became a middle school librarian in Michigan and Pennsylvania. She also took early retirement 2 ½ years ago so we could return to Colorado. She is currently a part time reference librarian at the Greeley Centennial Library.

We have two grown children, four grandsons and another grandchild due in January. Our daughter Kristin graduated from Notre Dame University and currently lives in Michigan. She works for Business News Publishing as an assistant editor. Her husband, Bill Johansson, is an elementary physical education teacher and high school track coach. They have 2 sons, Will (5 ½ years) and Matthew (4 years). Our son Brian graduated from Michigan State University and also resides in Michigan. He works as a marketing representative for Merck Pharmaceuticals. His wife Kristine is a 3^rd grade teacher. They also have 2 sons, Grant (3 ½ years) and Luke (2 ½ years).

A Loveland memory from 1950/60 era!
My memories of Loveland began early in life. I was born in a doctor’s office above Draper Drug in downtown Loveland. We lived across the street from the original Garfield grade school at 7^th and Grant. I remember walking across the street to kindergarten and 1^st grade, then having to walk all the way down the railroad tracks to the new Garfield school at 8^th and Colorado for the rest of my elementary school years. Garfield School ruled the track and field events each spring during the late 50’s. I remember the first day of school during 5^th and 6^th grades taking note of who was in each class to determine which class would have the better track team 8 months later. Becoming a patrol boy and wearing that patrol belt during 6^th grade was one of life’s greatest rewards. I also remember taking part in the Minute dance program. I haven’t been able to dance since. My Junior High memories are a blur. I do remember undefeated football teams, girls starting to grow boobs and some kid driving to school in the 8^th grade because he just turned 16. High School was dominated by sports, studying, and dating, pretty much in that order. Being selected a Rag Day clown, along with Jerry Starck, falls into the greatest rewards category. I can’t remember if we were funny, but we had a great time. I also remember buying 4 gallons of gas for a dollar (4 guys chipping in a quarter a piece) and then spending the rest of a summer evening cruising between the two A&W root beer stands. Life was simple, life was good!!