Shaker Heights High School
Class Of 1970
Robert McDonald
Robert's Latest Interactions
I had just started having regular phone conversations with Dave since moving back to Cleveland three years ago, and was in the process of planning to visit him when the news of his passing reached me. It had only been a couple of weeks since we talked about the reunion and were figuring out how to have our own. Dave and I have been friends since our years at Woodbury. We had been among the few guys that were in both choir and on the football team. We continued to sing together at Shaker, borh in A Capella choir and the Chanticleers. Some of my best memories of Dave are singing together and I can still hear his beautiful tenor voice in my minds ear. In our Junior year at Shaker he invited me to participate in a church program he was a part of called TORCH (teen outreach for Christian help) and that summer we rode a bus with other teens across the country to California and did volunteer work with the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee led by Caesar Chavez. We traded our music for room and board at churches along the way. We really got close on that trip and I came to know him as a sincere, loving,thoughtful , compassionate young man who always had the welfare of others on his mind and heart. His passing is a profound loss for me and for all who know him, and for all those that didn't know him, but experienced the benefit if his bountiful heart. Farewell my friend.
Very sorry to hear about Barb's passing. I too remember singing with her in
A Capella Choir and Chanticleers. She was fun to be with and to perform with.
Hi Diane - Robert McDonald here. Talked to Vivi Veras not too long ago about her proposal to honor Uncle Rennie which I thought was a great idea. Thinking about choir made me think about the folks I was close to back then which made me think of you. i hope to see you at our now postponed reunion, but wanted to reach out before then. Are you still teaching? Your profile was last updated in 2010 so that may have changed. I Actually ended up teaching as well. In my case, 7 years of preschool, 6 years of kindergarten, 2 years of elementary, 5 years of middle school in language arts and social sciences and one year of college comp. Before, during and after my teaching years I was working as a political organizer and a performing singer/songwriter. I'd love to reestablish contact with you. I hope you and yours are doing well during this extended crisis.
Take Care, Robert (back at Shaker it was Bob)
I remember Carl Krabill as an avant garde artist who was cooler than most of the students at Woodbury. I think it was my second year at Woodbury when he helped some of us create a "happening" (remember that word?) called "The Real Plastic Flower." A lot of people thought it was "weird" but those of us who participated thought it was so cool. Some of us hung out at his house during that project - and after - and talked about music, art, and politics. On a personal note - he was the teacher sponsor for my ill fated run for student council president - he helped me put together the music for the candidates assembly. As a troubled young outsider repeating the ninth grade because I cut too many classes to graduate, he made me feel like a worthwhile person whose political ideas and philosophical perpectives were not bizarre but important. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Sorry to hear about Pat's passing. I remember her from Woodbury as well as High school. She was always a friendly presence in homeroom. She will be missed.
Posted on: Jul 15, 2019 at 11:15 AM
Hi, Rob. Great to see you on this site. I remember your beautiful voice from as far back as elementary school, so I'm glad to see you describe yourself as a musician. Hope you'll make it to next year's reunion. I'd love to catch u p.
Posted on: Jul 15, 2019 at 10:17 AM
Welcome to the group!
Posted on: Jul 14, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Hi Vivi - I was in the A-Cappella choir
as well as the Chanticleers - I would love
to see Uncle Rennie honored.
Posted on: Jul 14, 2019 at 8:05 PM
Welcome Robert, this is a fun site and our 50th will be 7/25/20, hope you can make it!!!