REMEMBERING AN OLD FRIEND

     A note from Ken Aldag, BHS-54, this week. Ken wrote, "I'm a bit tardy in commenting on my great friend, Ev Hickman, BHS-54, who passed away in November. Ev and I were friends, starting in eighth grade. We were college dorm roommates at Drake for three years and he was the best man at my wedding to LaVonne...which, miraculously, has lasted for 61 years this coming May. Ev, Tom Sandell, BHS-54, and I were a bit of a triumvirate at BHS and Drake and the friendships continued over the years, though geography made joint get togethers rare events, primarily BHS and Drake reunions. Tom, sadly, left us in 2012. Our last face-to-face was at the 65th BHS reunion last October, just a month before his passing. Ev was not in great physical condition, but he, very much, wanted to be at the reunion and, with the help of his kids, Chris and Marianne, he got there and had a great time, renewing acquaintances, touring the city and seeing family. Though his body was failing, his mind was sharp and we had some good conversations about old times and current events. I admired greatly his intellect, he was Phi Beta Kappa at Drake, his singing voice, a deep and pure bass, which got him superior ratings at music contests, his outstanding career at WHO radio and, most important, his love of family. This is going on too long, but there is much more that could be said. There will be a memorial service in Boone this summer."
     The Kornerman recalled to Ken that I remembered his, Ken's, family living on 12th street across from old Franklin elementary and close to the Dr. Achenbach family. He replied, "I grew up at a few addresses in Boone, but mostly at 1204 Greene street. The Achenbach's were, I recall, at 1121 Greene. Our families were long-time friends and I knew Roma, BHS-53, and Caryl, BHS-56, from as far back as grammar school at Trinity, back when both were in pigtails. Caryl was at the class reunion in October with Ron Schmickley, BHS-54, and we figured we had not seen each other for more than 45 years. Class reunions are a great blessing."
     Kornerman musings: Just a couple of touches about something dear to my old heart.......radio and announcing. First, I can't add much to what Ken Aldag said about Ev Hickman. What an outstanding announcer and that word alone doesn't seem adequate. He was a standout newsman at WHO for more years than I can remember. But, I can sure remember the voice. He had such a great "command" of the news and that, along with the voice, demanded attention and provided great believability to what he was saying. He, very appropriately, won a top Iowa broadcast/news award at least once.....maybe its even called the Jack Shelley honor.....I'm not sure.
     Secondly, the world lost a great news communicator recently with the death of Jim Lehrer, who gave us all the news we wanted to know each late afternoon on the TV News Hour on PBS. But, what made that so extra special to many of her 1953 BHS classmates was the fact that we know Roma Achenbach was an important factor in Lehrer's professional life......serving him as a top aide for most of his successful years. We know he relied on her for everything Lehrer, right up to his final days, which ended unexpectedly.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Annette Peterson, 82, Boxholm. Born in Boone. Ogden HS-55. Earned a teacher's certificate at Iowa State Teacher's College (now UNI) in 1957 and taught school at Gilman, Dayton and Boxholm. Married Kenny Peterson in 1959 and the couple lived and farmed west of Boxholm. Survivors include her husband, Kenny, two daughters, Anne Smith of Boxholm and Jolynn Peterson of Boone. A sister also survives.........Josephine "Jo" LeMaster, 96, Madrid.........John Swanson, 73, Woodward. Born in Boone. Grand Community High School-65. Earned a degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University. Worked for Land O' Lakes for 32 years, 11 years for Van Wall Implement in Madrid and did custom hay baling in retirement. Survivors include his wife, Jolene, of Woodward, a son, Steve, of Ankeny, a daughter, Stefanie Baitinger, of Ogden, a brother, Charles, of Boxholm and a sister-in-law..........Nancy Jo Dahl, 73, Boone. BSH-64. Earned a nursing degree from DMACC and worked as an RN at the Boone County Hospital, Eastern Star and McFarland Clinic for a total of 41 years. Married Kyle Dahl in 1966. Survivors include a son, Allen, a daughter, Julie, a sister, Sue Schuttler, and five Lonergan brothers, David, Tim, Dennis, Mike and Tom.
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