David Wegener:
CLASS OF 1982
Northglenn High SchoolClass of 1982
Northglenn, CO
Northeast Middle SchoolClass of 1979
Northglenn, CO
Belleview Christian SchoolClass of 1978
Westminster, CO
Wyco Drive Elementary SchoolClass of 1976
Northglenn, CO
Gethsemane Lutheran SchoolClass of 1970
Northglenn, CO
David's Story
After Graduation....
1982-83: Hit the road for California w/ youth group/church/school friends… Worked at Shakey's (104th & Grant)... Volunteer-worked w/ concerts around Denver (Road Home Prod., Rainbow Music Hall, Red Rocks)... Dated Holly Foster for summer of '82 (“Thank you, Holly.
My only thoughts of you are kind.”)... Moved out of parents' house into shared trailer home w/ USAF Sgt. Gordon Bixby at "giant cowboy" trailer park on Federal Blvd... Worked six months at Alpha & Omega Dist. (c.OCT 82 - APR 83).... Enlisted in USAF (APR 1983)... Went back to Shakey's until basic training (OCT 1983)...
1983-87: Trained at two bases for HVAC/refrigeration/cryogenics... Worked with cryogenic liquids (oxygen, nitrogen, argon) at Bitburg Air Base, Germany for 2 years... Lived off-base/in-town w/ roommates above a church (was a WWII creamery) across the tracks from ice rink and brewery... Explored Europe via trains, busses, camping and hiking... Moved back to USA (McChord AFB in Tacoma) for last year of service... Repaired fridges & AC units around base... Had plans to move back to Colorado and attend CU or CSU (forestry/agriculture/art) upon discharge, but proposed to a friend and stayed in Tacoma w/ roommates… Worked temporary/part-time jobs driving auctioned cars and assisting contractors… Hired by Union Carbide/LINDE (now PRAXAIR) in Fife, WA for cryogenics…
1988-91: Ended engagement... Made friends via Tacoma concert work, churches, and college/career fellowships... Promoted to highest-paid PRAXAIR position (w/ craziest hours)... Later, opted for entry-level position w/ "regular" hours to attend community college via employer's expense (Union Carbide employee benefits)… Met Leah Overman… Earned AA degree... Quit Carbide/PRAXAIR... Married Leah (31 Aug 1991)... Transferred to Western Washington University, and moved to Bellingham…
1992-96: While full-time student, walked to part-time job at nearby Bellis Fair Mall as a one-hour portrait photographer, and later as a picture framer (w/ Leah) at Art & Frames in downtown B-ham… Attended NGHS 10-year reunion… Earned BA in Art… Completed teacher internship at Sehome HS… Lost hearing in right ear due to cholesteatoma removal and replacement w/ prosthetic middle ear bones (grateful to Dr. Harris and for WA state "Basic Health" who covered both surgeries)... Hired by Tumwater School District… Moved in w/ in-laws in University Place (Tacoma)… Taught art, world history and art history w/o a classroom (from a "sto...Expand for more
len-with-permission" SAFEWAY shopping cart) for first year at Tumwater HS…
1997-2021: Became visual arts instructor at school district's brand new high school – Black Hills HS – in south Olympia… Henry David Wegener born (7 weeks early, 18 MAR 1999)… Began graduate school w/ Lesley University… Jacob Phillip Wegener born (16 weeks early, 29 DEC 2000)… Endured neonatal intensive care - four months at hospital plus more intensive care at home (for both Jacob and Leah)… Homeschooled ("unschooled") our boys w/ Leah as Teacher #1 and me as Teacher #2... Earned MA (Lesley University, Boston, MA)… Attended NGHS 20-year reunion (re-connected w/ friends from preschool thru high school (Gethsemane-Wyco-NEJH-NGHS)… Had first group and solo gallery shows (actually sold some artworks)… Commuted between Tacoma and Olympia (at least 45 min. each way) for 9 years… Bought a house in Centralia, Washington (AUG 2005)… Flooded by Chehalis River (DEC 2007)… Rebuilt and remodeled into a better “funner” house w/ help from colleagues/friends… Learned to play bass guitar w/ the church band… Made permanent lifestyle (diet & activity) changes that shed 100+ pounds and restored my health – reversed my high triglycerides, pre-diabetes, hypertension, acid reflux, snoring, acne, edema, and more… Was occasionally asked for autographs/selfies by fans of Jeff Bridges... Helped Jacob through series of eye surgeries (in Portland, OR) to save his one good eye since birth…
2022-PRESENT: Walked and rode trains from current home in Centralia, WA to childhood home in Northglenn, CO (bucket list item) to spend time w/ loved ones and catch COVID at NGHS 40-year reunion… Stayed at Angie (Boone) Meyer's house (formerly Nick Mazuka's) for those 10 days... In 2022, had some good times w/ my nephew, Lucas (my brother’s son) who frequently came Tacoma (via his employer), then lost him to an accident in Texas (DEC 2022)… Helped my wife, Leah, through screenings and surgery for ovarian cancer (JAN 2023)… Saw our son, Henry marry Katie (11 FEB 2023)… Earned two certificates (in nutrition and health) from Cornell University… Learned I can retire in 2026, but may wait until 2028/2029…
I am deeply and ever grateful to still have connections with a small group of cherished friends from childhood. We are all here for a very short time. So, let us do as much good as we can with the time we have. While we are still alive, let us forgive and let the people we love (or loved), know that we love and appreciate them.
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