GRANT SMITH, '38

        Classmate and friend, Phil Gressani writes of Grant's time at Jefferson, "Although he was only about 5'6" and weighed about 138 pounds he went out for varsity football and lightweight track. He was a "big man" in many ways. He was also quite a "war hero".
        Brigadier General Grant Ronald Smith retired from the United States Air Force in 1975 after more than 30 years of active service. He had served in W.W. II, Korea and Vietnam.
         Grant received his pilot wings and commission as second lieutenant in July, 1942.  In August 1943, a flight of P-40 fighters from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, engaged 20 Japanese Zeroes in the Northern Solomon Islands.  His aircraft severely damaged, First Lieutenant Grant Smith parachuted, covered with engine oil, into the jungles of Choiseul, one of the world's most desolate islands.   One historian of the air war in the So. Pacific observed that the jungles of islands like Choiseul "were so dense and brutal that to go down there was a virtual death sentence."  For 18 days, Lieutenant Smith trekked with machete through jungle and over mountains, survived on coconuts, and evaded enemy soldiers.   Eventually, he came across friendly islanders.   They took him to the encampment of Allied coastwatcher, Lt. Nick Waddell, Royal Australian Navy (later Sir Alexander Waddell).  Waddell whose exploits in saving the lives of Allied fliers in the Solomon Islands are chronicled in Walter Lord's classic book, "Lonely Vigil", arranged for Lt. Smith's return to his squadron which had given him up for dead.   In January 1944, he completed his combat tour of duty at Guadalcanal, where he flew P-38, P-39 and P-40 aircraft. 
         In April, 1944, he went to Europe where he completed a combat tour of duty flying P-47s and P-51fighters over Italy and Germany.     An avid reader of history, Grant noted years later that he had participated in a number of missions about which Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Minister of Propaganda, had bitterly complained in his diary.  Grant said, "I was glad to have contributed to Dr. Goebbels' insomnia.
        Grant was recalled to active duty during the Korean War.  He would fly a variety of high performance aircraft during his tour of duty and until his retirement in July 1975.    In 1965 he flew 51 combat missions over North Vietnam.  In September 1970, while Commander, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, he flew the first F-111, a nuclear capable fighter-bomber, across the Atlantic into Europe.
        His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart,  and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.
        Grant Ronald Smith was born December 2, 1920 in San Francisco.  After graduation from Jefferson, we received a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a master's degree in economics from the University of Oregon and a master's degree in international relations from George Washington University.   He was also a graduate of the National War College in Washington D. C.
         After retirement, he continued to fly for several years fighting wildfires throughout California.  Grant passed away in May 2001 in Chico, California.
       
                                             As found in the Enterprise-Record/Mercury-Register on Monday, May 14, 2001

TOM CLOUTIER, '57

     There is no doubt that Tom Cloutier was a great athlete at Jefferson and he is a member of the Jefferson Hall of Fame.   He had a great football career at UC and played professional football in the Canadian League.   Well, Tom Cloutier has won four World Series titles, but it wasn't for athletics.

     I found Tom listed at Poker Plus Publications where he has three books listed that he co-authored.  Championship Omaha,  Championship No-Limit and Pot Limit Hold'em  Yes, my friends the subject is Poker and Tom has won four World Series Poker titles.    His personal road stories which are part of each of the above books have become legendary in the world of poker players.

         T. J. as he is known began playing poker when he caddied around Daly City, but became a professional player in the early 80s.     He has become one of the most celebrated tournament players in the world.   You can read more at:

www.pokerbooks.com/tjcbio.htm

MIKE DOTTERWICH, '55

       Although congratulations come late, Mike, they come with great admiration for the fantastic job you do to help others.
From the Festa Italiana di San Mateo comes the announcement that L'Uomo dell" Anno or Man of the Year 2001 award has been presented to Mike Dotterwich.
        Mike was raised in Daly City, graduated from Jefferson in 1955. It was there that he met his wife, Peggy McClure, a '64 grad. They have been married for almost 40 years and have two fantastic children, Michael and Heidi. His family has been extended by two grandchildren, Alexandra and Mark.
        Mike was a builder and developer in San Francisco before retiring. He enjoys golf, too. His award, however, was for the endless hours he spends volunteering to help others.
Mike's friends have a common feeling about him, "Mike is without a doubt one of the kindest and greatest gentlemen of all time." Or "Mike's a friend to all."
When asked about the rewards of volunteering, Mike replied, "I would recommend it to everyone as a very wonderful experience."
An honor, Mike, which is so well deserved. You honor our Indian Spirits. Thank you.

NORMAN BROWN, '50

     Everyone knows that the state flower of California is the Golden Poppy, but how many of you know that the official dance of California is the West Coast Swing?
Going back to our first reunion in 1980 where Norman Brown and his wife performed a fantastic "swing" number for us, I can appreciate this note that he sent.
" I've done very few things in my lifetime that I can brag about, but this one has been so important to me that I want to share it with my old friends. In 1992 I was inducted into the Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Thanks for letting me "blow my whistle a little bit."
     Well, Norm, thanks for sharing. I wish you had done so earlier so I could have included your accomplishment in our Jefferson History Video. Maybe next time.

JOHN ABIGANA, '70

      John, who studied with Richard Larson at Jefferson, has had a very exciting career in music.  During his high school career, he spent many hours learning and playing many different instruments. He also discovered a love for writing as he co-wrote two musicals for the high school drama department.
     After graduating from Jeff  he majored in music and played in various music ensembles at San Jose State University where he received his teaching credential.   He then taught in Dixon and is now living in Woodland where he is successfully motivating the musical talents of over two-hundred and forty students.
     He is now serving as conductor of the Sacramento Youth Symphony Academic Orchestra.  Also, his wife, Carol; a son, Brett and daughter, Hilary, have joined their talents to form the Heritage Quartet featuring music from the Celtic nations and the U.S. colonial period.   You can read more at:

www.sacys.org/about/abigana.html

 FLOYD KVAMME, '55

        On March 28, President Bush named Floyd Kvamme, co-chair of the President' s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology. He will play a key coordinating role on technology policy issues and serve as White House emissary to Silicon Valley.
        "I can think of no better coordinator than Floyd," Bush said. "He is an entrepreneur, a risk taker and he understands risk and reward."
         Floyd has indeed had an exciting and adventurous life in Silicon Valley and now it has a Washington D.C. flavor, too. 
        Much more to share about Floyd will be coming soon.   Just put his name on google.com and see what he's really been up to since Jefferson.
 

MANY MORE GREAT STORIES TO TELL

Webmaster and Jeff Chief

Sidney Warren Rasmussen
Class of 1954
jeffalumni@yahoo.com