WHS Reunion, 2009

Wurzburg American High School Reunion, June, 2009
by Carol O'Donnell Knych

Bob and I just returned from Las Vegas and another WHS Reunion that couldn’t be beat. There’s something special about reunions for the dependents of our military stationed overseas.

Bob Manwaring organized our gathering,reaching out to students between reunions, reuniting people lost to each other over decades. He motivated alumni to join us from as far away as Australia and Turkey. His photos of people attending over the years, mixed with photos from old year books, and the people present hit the big screen, a revelation to me,I can tell you.

In 2006 many of the attendees were in sales or computers. This year more of those attending teach or are in medical careers. Why those careers, we asked each other? Our guess was our excellent foresight and teaching. Besides that, our students know how to work with others while speaking Standard English.

We taught them concrete facts--they deal well with the stress of testing--and they know how to deal with bureaucracies.

DoDDS students gained access to computers early and many families owned P C's long before their Stateside cousins. We teachers insisted they write well and edit themselves, and painful as that was, once they learned that standard they stuck to it--if you don't believe me, see how literate they are on Facebook.

The military ensures their young can relate to strangers of any race or religion. Our students realize young that brains and good manners trump wealth and rank. They present themselves in a warm and charming manner to whomever they meet, though they don't suffer snobs gladly. They can remind a put-down-artist of their place in the universe with cutting good humor.


Employers love them, and so do we. What a thrill it is to hear how they've struggled to reach their goals. The enthusiasm and regard they showed us was heart warming. How fortunate we feel we spent the majority of our working lives among them. Seeing nearly 200 Wurzburg Brats assembled in Las Vegas last week was a bonus beyond compare.

Repeatedly we were told that we softened their struggle as they found themselves far away from home,in need of advocates. Aunt Maggie or Uncle Joe might have stepped in, in their hometown, but in DoDDS we teachers and counselors stepped into that void.

Whenever former students spotted someone who nurtured them, they'd throw wide their arms. Jerry thought I wouldn't remember him, but I knew the kid who had to have his father called his first day at WHS. It seems he threatened 2 teachers, just to get his foot in the door. At our conference Dad said, "You don't understand. I have your Passport and if you don't behave you'll be baby-sitting--there's no law that says you have to attend school here." He not only changed his ways, he met Alicia, who kept him clear of trouble by walking him to classes. She even got him to run for class office. They married and have 3 accomplished children. Jerry works with youths today. Students like him let us know our efforts produced results.

One young man hugged me and said he hoped to return and see me, “At the next reunion, the next and the next.” He would have gone on, but I had to inform him I was 72 now and not likely make all those “next’s.”

I wished him well and reminded myself that I might have earned more in another career, but I doubt I could have reached this age with anything of more value then the good wishes of the students I taught or the outstanding colleagues I enjoyed along the way. When I hear young "educated" people bumbling through facts they should know, I thank God our kids were exposed to teachers like West, Fraize, Renner, Bach, Sullivan, Fukui, Johnson, Flom or the innumerable others who whipped countless teens into the knowledgeable citizens who represent us so well today.

My teaching DoDDS students kept me present, awake, and aware every day of my working life, no matter what else swirled around me. That experience counts as an incomparable treasure to me and to all the teachers, counselors and administrators privileged to influence the lives of our military dependents. For that we are grateful.

New addition

Photos: Birth announcement for Jen Knych with Carol and Bob in German costumes.

Wedding of Jen and Tim: from left to right, Andy, Charlie, Ike, John and John's wife, Heather.


12. Dec. 28, 63, Drive Through Fog Produces Baby Girl

An American sliced through soupy fog with his head hanging out his VW window late last night. Frankfurt American Hospital delivered Genevieve Marie Knych 15 minutes after arrival. Mother and daughter are doing fine. The father survived.



13. Nov. 6, 1972, Freezing Children Saved

A Mercedes driver reported an American licensed car cut him off as he pulled out of a gas station today. The Am. driver jumped out and pointed toward his wife and 3 shivering children, indicating he could not activate the heater on the Mercedes he’d purchased only days earlier. The oldest son understood German better than his father, so the German explained the controls to the son. The entire family thanked the German driver before they pulled out so he could proceed.

14. WAHS, 1986, American Principal Puzzled by Police Report.

German authorities reported two WAHS faculty involved in a fender bender at Wildflecken Tuesday. The report stated that Bob Knych and his friend, Ralph, skidded into a German car at an intersection just below a ski slope.

The principal responded that they must be mistaken because both named faculty were home sick that entire day. An investigation is pending.

15. August, 1988, Reported by Bob Hovish
Bob Knych was seen on the Mexican border near Yuma recently hiding along the Colorado River near County 21st. Bob observed a large group of illegal's preparing to cross the border just across the river from his position. Armed only with his wits and a dozen cuss words of Spanish, he remained silent, eyes fixed on his targets. One by one, the group entered the river, forming a long snaking line of bodies. Bob, using the moonlight, counted the silhouettes. 24,25,26, then he stopped counting as the leader got out of the water directly in front of him.

Bob was patient and utilizing his stealth skills taught to him by his cousin, remained motionless. Bob watched nervously as a man separated from the group to change into dry clothes, started walking toward him. Suddenly the man walked right up to Bob and looked right at him! Before the stranger could react, Bob jumped up and said, “Good evening, I'm Bob Knych from Tucson, I'm with the government and I'm here to help you." Not believing a word of it, or maybe they had heard of Bob Knych, they all ran back to the river and swam as fast as they could to their homeland. Now the people of Mexico have 2 obstacles in their path when they think of crossing the border, La Migra and Roberto Keyneech..


16. AMERICAN BUSINESS
Deep in the bowels of a Wurzburg residence Santa Knych is supervising his loyal elf, John, as he slaves over an assembly line of little owls. "They'll go over big in Poland" exults Santa.
'But how will they compete with your sleigh full of used washing machines bound for Poland?" asked Johnny Elf, mopping his brow. "Bigger, bigger," responded Santa Kynch.

"I'm not sure," interrupted a skeptical Mrs. Santa.
"But our market in Poland is poor--how will the people there afford to buy?” quarried the weary Johnny.
"No problem," responded Santa. I have plans to immigrate a team of Polish men to contract out for house-painting jobs in Wurzburg. Polish painters are BIG. Think BLACK MADONNA." responded Claus.
"I'm not sure," interruped a skeptical Mrs. Santa.
"Silence," shouted the Grand Claus. "I have decided. Johnny Elf, continue the owl assembly line." Reporter--Fred Pasel

17. New Principal Broken in by The Boyz

Bob K arrived in Wurzburg and was invited by Bob Knych to play "nickel, dime, quarter poker" with the boyz. One of them, Al, had just air shipped his sports car from the states and showed up dressed in black, carrying professional type briefcases with (marked?) cards, chips, etc. The "boyz" all proceeded to make side bets that exceeded the daily pay of those present. Bob reported he was lucky to leave with his shorts on.

He did discuss 'maybe' taking a QEII cruise in December from Southampton to NYC. He was amazed three days later when "Bob's friend, Al" showed up in the office and wanted a check to cover three passengers because all was "arranged" by his ex-wife and he just needed to pay a lot of money to a stranger.

Bob Knych held his hand and reassured him that it was a good deal and all was going to be ok "...just give Al the money." It ended up being a great trip thanx to Bob and Al.


18. POLISH WORKERS ENTERTAIN

Bob Knych had his Polish cousin painting houses with his girlfriend the week before their wedding. Such close contact earned the friend who employed them and his wife an invitation to visit Walter in the B&B they were 'babysitting" near Krakow.

The family was well off enough to rent a fine home because they used the money earned painting and cleaning to import used cars they could repair to Poland after the Wall came down. All Americans who made that trip had a fine time. By-line Bob K

19.
Wedding Bells:

Saturday, June 28, 1997
John Francis Knych of Wurzburg, Germany, wed Heather Kristin DiMaio of Ramona, CA at the Lodge at Torrey Pines Golf Course in LaJolla, CA.

October 28, 2006
Genevieve Marie Knych of Wurzburg, Germany, wed Timothy Rohan of Coronado, CA at the Chapel of USD where the bride graduated.


20. SALMON FROM ALASKA

Jen, daughter of Bob and Carol Knych, retuned from a trip to Alaska, with large quantities of frozen Salmon and the Knych’s prepared a Salmon feast. Bob invited Elmer and Louise to their celebration with many other guests. Later Bob rescued Elmer and Louise when a German Taxi failed to pick them up at the Leighton Barracks Guest House as they were PCS ing to the U.S.

Bob had warned them the night before that German Taxis were undependable and they could call him for a ride. So at 0530 hours Elmer called Bob. Bob responded and got them to the Bahnhof a few minutes before the Zug pulled into Wurzburg. They were hurrying up the stairs to the tracks as the train quietly entered the Bahnhof. They made their scheduled flight to the U.S. thanks to Bob.


21. Man Caught Jumping out of School Window

A man was reported jumping from the first floor window at WAHS. Investigators were concerned for student safety and suspicious of a robbery attempt or simply a person exposing himself inappropriately but faculty members indicated that this was a common occurrence by counselor, Bob Knych, who was taking the quickest route possible to check on the progress of his car repair in the school auto shop. Faculty reported said car was repeatedly in dire need of repair.
Reporter-Kermit C



22. Mystery Odor Under Investigation
A mysterious odor emanating from the WAHS counseling office was investigated by the haz-mat team yesterday. It was found that Mr. Bob Knych, counselor, was simply storing Wolfies (sandwiches sold daily at the school by the counseling office). Mr. Knych had hoped to sell the Wolfies, at a later date, to his German neighbors in hopes of adding to his retirement account. It took several hours of careful searching to find said Wolfies because Mr. Knych's desk was so inundated with odds and ends. When questioned, Knych claimed the golf balls, magazines, car parts, toys, etc. were all valued counseling materials Kermit C


23. KNYCH CREATES ONE OF A KIND VEHICLE BEHIND SCHOOL

Guidance counselor, Bob Knych, bought cans of spray paint to decorate his elderly station wagon behind the WAHS last week. Though admittedly a truly professional job, M P’s appeared to check out this absolutely one of a kind vehicle. Bob was nowhere to be found. Finally, someone unknown suggested they check the food court and ask for Kleeman, commenting that both named professionals needed leashes. Bob was urged to complete his task and remove the vehicle but no charges were logged. Once more nerve and humor triumphed at WAHS. Reporter, David Flom

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23. German Friend is Conned by American Children

Heidi S befriended Americans and many came to regard her as a trusted friend. When the Knych parents went away overnight this weekend, Mrs. Knych asked Heidi to stay with their five children. Mrs. Knych got food in the house and left “just in case” money she intended to give Heidi when she returned, but when she looked the money was gone.

Upon investigation it was discovered the children had talked Heidi into buying special cuts of veal, pork and beef at the German butchers so they could have the very best of the treats they knew she made so well.
Mrs Knych sent Ike in to tell his dad what happened to the money. Ike told him and Bob said, “Did you save a bite for your mother and me?” No, they hadn’t, but the next time they sure would, he was told.