Analy High School Centennial Celebration In Memoriam

CLASS OF

CLASSMATE

1950

George Kimura

George worked many years for Barlow's in Sebastopol.

Eugene K. Middaugh

September 3rd, 1950, shortly after the Korean War started, I enlisted in the U.S.Navy with hopes of getting into flight training. It took me two years to get there. When I started Preflight School at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida the first week of September, 1952 I was pleasantly surprised to find that Gene Middaugh was just one week ahead of me. Gene was only one year behind me at Analy, and it was nice to see a familiar face. Gene, a friend of his named Herb Galpin, and I stayed very close together as we moved through the curriculum at basic flight training through carrier landing qualifications in the SNJ-5 trainer. We reported to the Kingsville, Texas Naval Air Station for advanced instrument and fighter training late August 1953. After advanced instrument training in the twin engine SNB trainer, we began fighter training in the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat. Gene, Herb and I were in the same flight along with two other cadets and a flight instructor. We spent most of the next four months studying and flying together. Gene was good company, a good student and a good pilot.
The three of us completed our carrier landing qualifications, six landings one catapult launch, in the Hellcat February 26, 1954. On March 3rd, 1954 We were given our commissions as 2nd Lt. USMCR, and shortly after, the same morning, we were given our wings as Naval Aviators. I lost track of Gene after that until I met up with Herb Galpin at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. Herb was flying the same aircraft that I was, the McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee all-weather fighter, but in a different squadron. At that time Herb told me that Gene was in a fighter squadron at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air station in Hawaii, flying the Grumman F9F-5 Panther. Herb and I were in Puerto Rico on summer maneuvers the end of June or the first week of July 1954 when Herb told me that Gene had been killed when the engine failed shortly after taking-off and he was unable to eject before the airplane hit the water. I do not know the exact date of his death or the squadron he was serving in. Incidentally, Herb Galpin stayed in the Marine Corps and was killed in a landing accident in the mid 1960's in Japan.

Thomas Miller

Former Sebastopol city councilman and mayor Thomas F. Miller of Graton left a legacy of civic and community involvement when he died Saturday at 72 of cancer.

``He was a kind person, a giving person,'' said his wife, Mary Miller of Graton. ``He thought of other people more than himself.''

Miller, who served on the council from 1966 to 1990, was born in Hanson, Okla., and came with his family as a small boy to Sonoma County. After graduating from Analy High School in 1950, Miller enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was wounded in action during the Korean War and received the Purple Heart.

After his discharge in 1953, Miller embarked on his life's work and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1957.

He worked as a mortician in Guerneville and Napa and as an ambulance driver in San Francisco before obtaining his funeral director's license in 1961 and opening the Analy Mortuary, later the Analy-O'Leary Funeral Chapel in Sebastopol.

Miller sold the mortuary in 1984, and worked in sales at C and W Ford in Sebastopol until he retired.

Miller's career in public life began in 1966, when he won election to the Sebastopol City Council. He served six terms -- a total 24 1/2 years -- including six years as mayor.

In 1972, Miller established the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club and served as the chapter president and then as lieutenant governor. He was a member of the American Legion Post 39, where he served as commander and post service officer for 13 years.

He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a past president of the Redwood Empire Funeral Directors Association and a past president of the Sonoma County Mayors and Council Association. He also served as a trustee of the Sonoma-Marin Vector Control and Mosquito Abatement District for 29 years. He was active regionally on the Airport Commission and Flood Control Board.

His years of public service were recognized in 1991 when he was named Sebastopol citizen of the year.

In addition to his wife, Miller is survived by his children: Mary Kildahl of Napa, Sue Pilegaard of Forestville, and Kim Santos, Fred Kurzhals and Michael Kurzhals, all of Santa Rosa.

He also leaves his sisters, Cherokee Helm of Eastland, Texas; Wanda Gardner of Graton and Bobbie Standridge of Santa Rosa; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Hills Chapel, 1700 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Friday, also at Pleasant Hills Chapel. Burial will follow in the veterans section at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park.

Bonnie Nott

NOTT, Bonnie L. - Died April 14, 2008 in Portland, OR. Survivors include her sons, Christopher M. and Michael Nott; daughter Judy McDermott; seven grandchildren and long time friend Kristian List. Bonnie was a long time resident of the Bay Area, and a 1950 graduate of Analy High School. Arrangements by YOUNG'S FUNERAL HOME - TIGARD, OREGON.

Published in the Press Democrat on 4/23/2008.

IN MEMORIAM