Dan Kinney 
To me, turning 80 means that I weathered many storms and I ain’t as good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was! (That’s B.S.)
It means living, learning, and letting the good times roll.
Dan’s good times stories include Danny’s Dumb DeSoto Disaster and Dan Kinney as Santa.
Tom Hickey 
Mr. Forbes’ encouragement in pursuing science resulted in a satisfying and rewarding career in veterinary medicine. This made it possible for my wife Nelda Strahm Hickey ’61 and me to accomplish our bucket list of expeditions to 
all seven continents. (Left, Tom and Nelda)
But, more importantly, was the support of East High friends, e.g. Ruth Ann Lanman Thompson and Donna Unruh Hoberecht who attended Calvary Methodist Church. This resulted in establishing in me a strong faith that is continuing to lift me forward to my 80th birthday.
Read more from Tom – The Indian Ocean from Penguins to Pirates, Veterinary Lab Animal Research, and The Kiss that Shook the Earth.
Gerald Fry – Plan for My 80’s
First, I will “early” retire from teaching at the University of Minnesota in May, 2025, to facilitate achievement of these goals.
I have four primary goals:
- Spend more time with my lovely grandchildren in Michigan
- Complete 11 books, two are due at the end of this year. Then I can hang up my writing hat and start reading novels, watching movies, and playing golf.
- Travel to places required for finishing two of the books like the Pitcairn Islands, Cyprus, Malta, the Gambia, Tonga, Rapa Nui. Goal is to visit every country of the world. Have an invite to do a book launch in Bhutan next year. Have done ~ 60 countries so far.
- Continue competing in the World Senior Games and continue to play basketball and baseball. For the first time in my career, I am now a switch pitcher. Competition is less when we are in our 80s so hope to bring home some hardware. Last time had two 4th place finishes.
At right, Gerry forest-bathing, a Japanese technique for living a healthy and joyful life.
Gerry’s stories for this website include My Life as a Sports Nut: Student Athlete, Professional Life, International Professor, Lessons Learned; My Teaching Experiences; and A Story of Inspirations.
Skip Granger
Can you remember when you were 7 years old, but you told everyone that you were seven and a half? Well, now I am seventy-nine and a half – at least until June 30th! The past year has been full of surprises, but in pursuing an upbeat story, I will spare you the details. Suffice it to say, I have learned a lot recently about hospitals and rehab facilities, and I am willing to impart some sage advice at no cost to you, Maybe the only thing in medicine that is not profanely expensive!
Buy good insurance! I just spent five weeks in The Center at Val Vista (aka the Ritz Carlton of Old Folks Death Homes), and learned a lot. Val Vista is so known because of its fancy digs, delicious food (most of the time) and good nurses (ditto). All of these places suffer staffing issues.
This story is about a visit from my best friend, Russell Kampt, who had recently turned 50 years old. As I was talking with the release specialist about my impending escape, a tall, handsome young man came into my room and said: ”Mr. Granger, I have good news and bad. First of all, I have gone over your colonoscopy very closely, and you are fine. But the bad news is (removing his mask), I am not a doctor!” My son, Trey, had worked out the details. I had no idea that Russell was here from Menlo Park, Californication. That and other long distance visits made my stay much more pleasant. The moral of this story is to have good friends – – – and buy good insurance!
Below, Skip’s ongoing education in rehab at Val Vista. He is home now and is happy to be walking again. Among more than a dozen stories Skip has written for the website, the latest is My Life in Art.
