Gene Gilbert from the class of June 1944 served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  After his discharge, he graduated from UW-Madison in 1949.  He was honored for his distinguished career in finance as a stock broker and investment consultant. His love of gymnastics has bonded him to the Milwaukee Turners and he also volunteers with the Milwaukee Public Museum, Children’s Outing Association and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

Edmund Mackett graduated in June 1947 and served in the U.S. Air Force.  He was commissioned an officer in 1953 and served as a fighter pilot, flight commander, and instructor pilot while earning a bachelor’s degree in military science and engineering.  He flew 113 combat missions in North Vietnam, earning many medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.  After his retirement in 1972, he became corporate jet captain, even sharing his cockpit with Jordan’s late King Hussein (himself a pilot), who came to call Ed a personal friend.  He was honored for his distinguished career in aviation. Ed’s children nominated him and they and their families came from Omaha, Nebraska; Reynoldsburg, Ohio; and Baltimore, Maryland to see him receive this honor.

Harold Vanselow graduated in January, 1940. After graduation, he volunteered for the U.S. Navy’s V-5 program as an aviation cadet.  He served as a pilot on a patrol bomber aircraft, protecting convoys and searching for German submarines in the North Atlantic.  After discharge from the Navy, he worked in sales, purchasing, accounting and office management.  He served as City Treasurer for the City of Wauwatosa for 21 years, retiring in 1985.  In 1987, Harold and his wife Mavis (a King classmate) moved to Lakewood, Wisconsin, where they are active volunteers.  He has been instrumental in the building of the Lakewood Library, Nicolet Clinic, Lakewood Presbyterian Church, and the Munger Lake Dam.  He was honored for his distinguished career in public service.

This year, we inaugurated the Alumni Service Award, awarding our first,  posthumously to Barbara Piel Pozorski, a charter board member.  She worked tirelessly to help reunion planners find classmates and always inspired the reunions for her class of June, 1957.  The Association will be placing books on her favorite subject, genealogy, in the Rufus King Library in her name.  Barb died suddenly on February 2, 2008.  We were honored to have her husband John and her children, Mark, Ann, Beth, and John, Jr. with their families at AlumFest.

The Class of 1988 ended their weekend of celebration at AlumFest.  (They may still be there.)  In addition, classes from the 90s continued their practice of grilling chicken.  Those two classes brought lots of children to the field and added to the excitement of the event.
Nomination forms for next year’s distinguished alumni are available at www.rufuskingalumni.com, or contact Carol Schaefer Broman at 262-335-1647.