In 1955 McKinley was known as "The Home of the Bears". A diligent search by Sara Snoopesalot (lovingly called Snoopi by her classmates) found the first mention of the name in October, 1936. Following are some famous Bears, each an outstanding member of the Student/Faculty Hall of Fame.
Grant Wood an artist know for his paintings "American Gothic", "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere", and "Daughters of the American Revolution" was also a skilled woodcarver, lithographer, and artisan in stained glass.
Paul Engle, renowned Iowa poet amd Rhodes scholar, attended McKinley during the years 1922-1924. He was in the first class (eighth grade) at McKinley when it was opened.
Arthur A. Collins, founder of the world famous Collins Radio Company, attended McKinley shortly after it opened. The June 1926 McKinley Mirror reported that Arthur Collins was the only American radio amateur consistently in contact with the McMillan Arctic expedition of 1925 - quite a feat for a 15 year old.
Don DeFore is a McKinley graduate who later became a famous radio, television, and movie personality. While living in Cedar Rapids, he was a member of the Community Players. He is best known for his role in the television situation comedy, Hazel.
Rose Marie Jun competed in district, state, and national music contests while she was a student at McKinley. She also performed in many McKinley musicals.
Richard Pinney is another famous artist who attended McKinley. In the late 1930's he attended seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. Mr. Pinney has been a writer, political cartoonist, jazz musician, author of the music and lyrics for the first musical ever presented at the Cedar Rapids Community Theatre, a painter and sculptor. He has designed works for businesses and individuals using wood, collages and photography. Oh, by the way, Mr. Pinney remembers Tony Anthony "as a sprightly little guy with a temper like a thunderstorm who fostered a love of music in his students".
Terry Farrell attended McKinley in the late 1970's. Terry began her acting career at McKinley as one of the leads in a 1977 play, The Me Nobody Knows. Ms. Farrell became a well known fashion model in New York. She has been a cover girl on dozens of magazines. In 1984 she starred in the television, Paper Dolls. Judy Smith Zachar is a great "snoop". She enlisted the help of her son and son-in-law who informed us that Terry Farrell was the waitress at the coffee shop on Benson and had a part on Star Trek....Next Generation.
Jim Landenberger was a 1956 graduate of McKinley. Jim worked as a commercial artist for the Gazette Companies for most of his adult life. He was renowned for his wildlife paintings and illustrations. Mr. Landenberger's art was selected for the Iowa hunting license game stamps on more than one occasion. His prints and lithographs are highly prized and his original works command high figure prices in the art world. Key characteristics of Jim's art were an almost photographic attention to detail and the capture of the vivid colors often found in nature. You could see and feel the reverence he had for nature and for its subjects that he captured on canvas.
Kerwin, our fearless leader, mentioned Jack Cosgrove retired CEO of Collins Rockwell. Who can contribute more info on Jack?
Does the name Bobby Driscoll and Madge Phillips ring any bells? Who can tell the rest of the McKinley 1955 class who these people are and what they have accomplished in their lives?????
Now Snoopi needs your help. Put on those thinking caps!!!!! Who else, besides the graduating class of 1955, is a famous McKinley attendee??????
Send candidates' names to Cindy Winchell Stammeyer at [email protected]
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