Class of 1968

Roger Thayer - Davenport, Iowa

Roger then...

After graduation I attended Scott Community College where I received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After that I bounced around a lot. Went to Europe to visit a buddy from high school, Bruce Hansen, who was in the armed forces stationed in Germany. Since high school I have had 13 different positions. These included running my own computer company for eight years, selling paint, IT manager, machine operator, seminar coordinator, guard and a laboratory technician. Not necessarily in that order. After a nine-year break I went back to school and received a degree in computer science from Marycrest. Currently I work for Deere & Company and intend to stay with them until I decide to retire.

One of the most unlikely things to happen to me is my marriage. We will be celebrating our 27th anniversary in 04. Basically I knew my wife for 17 days before we got married. Who says there isn't love at first sight? We have two children, Michelle and Neil both are accomplished pianists. Michelle is a database administrator with FEDEX in Colorado Springs and Neil is a database administrator with MCI in Iowa City. Go figure. We are hoping to be grandparents sometime next year.

Over the years I have enjoyed a wide range of activities, drag racing, photography, raising children, running the BIX and now dog agility.

And now!

Most recently I underwent a total hip replacement for both hips. The pain had gotten so bad that it was hard to drive a car for any length of time or even walk a couple of blocks. So in order to keep competing in my sport of choice it was an easy decision. I am like a new man now that the pain is gone. Life is good again.

I still live in Davenport just behind William's school. You can see our house from Division. Just look for the white Subaru Outback with "Got Sheltie" on the back windows. That will be me. I did not have much hair in high school and have even less now. Kids and computers will do that to you.

My favorite quote is from Thomas Edison "I have not failed - I have found 10,000 ways to do not work."

- November 1, 2003