Oh Mikki how you will be missed. The sad news came to me from Michael Blatti this morning. My condolences to the Blatti family. You must be devastated by this tragic loss. Michele (Mikki) Blatti, ISB Class of 1968, was a dear friend of mine. We often met for a meal in Geneva whenever we both were there. These “micro reunions” kept us in touch of each other’s activities and helped maintain the ISB link. Her activities as you can see in Michael’s post on ISB friends, were a constant source of fascination for me. She was amazingly modest about her humanitarian career. She was a giver expecting nothing in return. The photos below were taken at a ceremony marking my mother’s passing last June. Mikki spoke on behalf of all the ISB students that had my mother as a teacher, and more broadly of the ISB family that knew her and my family. Her contribution was a most memorable highlight of the ceremony. I will miss Mikki. Geneva wont be the same without her. Rest in peace my friend.
Mikell was famous at ISB for throwing the discuss and being a great athlete. He loved football and other sports. He could throw the discus twice as far as any Thai competitor (or so it seemed). The class of 70 should remember him as our football coach for the class rival games. I will always remember him because I was sprinting a 100 yard dash during cross country training and without seeing us he had hurled the discus down field and it zinged right over my head, missing my skull by about two inches. This surely would have been my demise if it had made contact.
Mike was an avid surfer and actually made surfboards professionally. He has made surfboards for famous surfers including Ben Aipa. Mike died of a heart attack while surfing near his home in Little River, South Carolina. All the local surfers and others, did a ceremonial wake for him, honoring his life. His father is a career marine and was stationed in Pattaya in the late sixties. Mike also lived near San Diego when he came back from Thailand.
I had been trying to find Mike ever since 1970 because I knew he was probably in California but when I did finally find his family, in 2006, his mom gave me the sad news. I had a nice heart felt phone conversation with her about Mike and his life.
I wish Mike could have made it to a reunion because I know he would have really enjoyed seeing his old buddies.
MW Brougham 70
Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com
This is to inform you Bonnie Beall had a heart attack and died on 11-2003. She attended ISB for two years, 1966 and 1967. If you google her name you will she she was an avid fly fisherman and had a lot to do with conservationist groups in Florida. She was a sweetheart and a lot of us 60’s grads knew her and loved her.
Jerry was born November 14th, 1950 in Fukuoka-Kyushu Japan. He passed away on November 24, 2006 with all of his family by his side. Jerry was diagnosed with Amyloidosis which he fought for a very short time. His life was filled with laughter, and stories. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 14, and later went on to serve in the United States Air Force.
He graduated from the International School of Bangkok, Thailand, and attended college in Oklahoma and received his B.S. degree. During his life he traveled all over the world and finally found his home in Spokane, WA in 1992. Jerry was an active member of the Inland Northwest Region Porsche Club of America, and served as the secretary for over two years. He spent his life in construction, and was able to design and build the home of his dreams.
He was survived by his wife Nancy Olson-Anders, his children Elizabeth Carrigan and her husband Kevin, Alisha Hutcheson and her husband Greg, John Anders and his wife Tiffany, his step-son’s Justin and Derrick Smith, several grandchildren Jaylen, Mason, Helen, Austin, Carter, his sister Pamela and brother Vincent Anders, his in-laws Ruth and Dutch Wagar, his loyal friend Wayne Jackson, and his dog Jake. He was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Kathryn Anders. Throughout Jerry’s life he touched many and left an impression on all. The Service will be held on Thursday the 30th of November at 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3606 S. Schaffer Rd.
Spokane. Arrangements entrusted to HAZEN t JAEGER VALLEY, SPOKANE VALLEY. WA. www.mem.com
Bonnie Geilfuss Naldrett ’68 lovingly wrote:
Jerry found my information while Jim and I lived in Portland, OR and contacted me. He and his wife, Nancy, visited Jim and I in Portland, Oregon. I let him know that Sally Lounsberry Anderson ISB ’68 was also living in Spokane. They connected and had a close friendship. When I visited Sally in Spokane, I was able to see his home that he designed and built. It was gorgeous! It was so sad when he was diagnosed and he didn’t live very long after that. Jerry was a GREAT guy!
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