Barbara Krupa:
CLASS OF 1970
Rich Central High SchoolClass of 1970
Olympia fields, IL
O. W. Huth Middle SchoolClass of 1966
Matteson, IL
Matteson Junior High SchoolClass of 1966
Matteson, IL
Indiana Elementary SchoolClass of 1964
Park forest, IL
Rufus Easton SchoolClass of 1964
Alton, IL
Barbara's Story
Life
I graduated from NIU in 3 1/2 yrs.and married George Krupa class of 68, who graduated from Illinois Inst of Technology with a degrees in Civil/Structural engineering. My Magna Cum Laude degree in Elementary Education came when teaching jobs were sparse, so I became a permanent sub and learned I loved Jr High age kids. I even taught later at Matteson Jr. High/Huth until "No Child Left Behind" rules prevented elementary teachers with K-9 certificates from teaching anything but single classrooms, just as I was ready to try full time teaching, so I took that as a sign that I needed to give teaching a rest.
I have about half of a Masters Degree in Writing Training's/ ("Communication" they are calling the degree, which was also part of my concentration in Education at NIU.) But travels, caregiving, and oddly Tinnitus-ringing ears, and grandchildren limited progression.
My parents often needed my help with their caregiving, and they had to move back from Florida to the Western Burbs. That far too frequently filled my time. By July 2012, both parents had passed.
And in Sept 2012 I learned that my constant friend from Matteson Jr. through HS, Claire Hardman, who married Dave Poll '68, passed away in the St. Petersburg, FL area. .
George and I have 2 wonderfully gifted kids: a daughter Amy, who is a Pediatric ER nurse & hospital educator, & saved a life at the Chicago Marathon & nearly has her doctorate in
clinical nurse specalist, and a son, Douglas, who is an accredited actuary. Our son is married & has given us 3 beautiful Granddaughters. Both kids graduated 10th in their class at Marian (where we had to send them for a good education by '94 even for Presbyterians & it felt just like RC). Those of you who know me from Drama, will appreciate the fact that my daughter was HEAVY into theater too in all aspects from acting, stage manager, props, scenery and son Doug did lighting one yr. before it conflicted with volleyball (he's a Jock). Both kids are Marian Marching Band Kids and have each won THREE Grand National Championship Marching Band titles. I was a Band Mom of course, and have a nice plaque on my wall for service. What a gift of love & comradery that was.
I have been able to travel the world with George and his engineering work: Living in London, (with side trips to visit many other places in England, Scotland, France, Netherla...Expand for more
nds, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy), Living in Mozambique, with side trips to most of South Africa, including a near Kruger safari booked at discount rates, visited Pretoria, Johannesburg, Capetown, Kruger Natl Park, whale & penguin watching, Durbin, desert/Karoo, Beaches, Gardenland, waterfalls, mountains, the country of Swaziland-don't bother, and a quick stop-over flight into Lisbon, Portugal on the way to Mozambique. Then we went to Live in Moscow, with side trips to St. Petersburg-bring money and watch out for pick pockets and con artists, but the art, ballet, music is wonderful in Russia. Their subways are like London's, except you have to match the Russian names to see where you are trying to go because listening isn't easy. Its like matching puzzles, but they are filled with artwork.. My stop is the only one with the 2 letters that look like.......and it is 3 stops down. They don't believe in polite lines, so everyone pushes for themselves quickly! and safety first with possessions remember.
George went to Abu Dhabi while my parents were ill, and Saudi Arabia without me due to the status of women. (He says I could have stayed in a compound. I say my mouth would have gotten me into trouble alone. Not wanting to wear a cover in the first place!)
Of course I shouldn't forget the time first spent in 1973-74 Caroll, Iowa,working on the first RR bridge; 1976-77 Effingham, IL working on RR track; or 1978-80 Corinth, Mississippi building a RR bridge over the newly dug
Ten-Tom Waterway that gave us wonderful friendships we still have to this day ( think Walking Tall Movie in Selmer TN few miles North and 4 years earlier), but SpaceCamp couple hours to East in Florence, AL and Memphis couple hours to West. and Tupelo- birthplace of Elvis, 1 hour south, lots of Civil War battlefields nearby too.. (George did the RR, I did the socializing and exploring.)
Now we are heading into the joys of discovering retirement. More gardening- hooray flowers, daylilies, hostas, Time for Genealogy,!!! George plays Pinochle, and games on the computer, We read, I do needlework, we see more of the kids and grandkids so far, and we finally get back to our projects. I am exploring which Arts my Granddaughters like. Time to teach them to cook since their mom doesn't like to cook.. Go Iowa Football. Disney has become a family favorite place.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to view all events!