Williams and other members of the Class of 1957 gathered for lunch in late October - nearly 70 years since they graduated. “We just all genuinely like each other and we want the best for each other,” said Bob.
This gathering is really nothing new for this tight-knit class. There is a standing invitation for any members of the class to meet weekly at Essential Bean in Caledonia for a cup of coffee and some friendly conversation. Sometimes there are only four or five classmates gathering and other times they have a group of 15 or more.
“It’s fun to get together and just chat. We’re aging, some of us faster than others. More than half our class is gone already,” said Don Williamson of his 51 graduating classmates, of whom 34 have passed.
So, when classmate Arnold “Pat” Parker came from his home in Florida back to Michigan for a visit, the class decided to see how many could attend a lunch at Riverdog. They invited every class member they could find.
Parker said he was thrilled to see so many old friends. “I try to come back every year and try to get together with classmates and friends. This is so great having everyone here together,” said Parker.
Spouses and even some children of the class members attended the luncheon as well. “These people here - we grew up together. This place and this community have a special place in all our lives,” said Bob who couldn’t stop smiling.
Don and Bob said everyone in their class, which included four sets of siblings, got along together. “There weren’t any cliques. We would all just hang out together,” said Don.
Like others, Bob’s career took him far from Middleville and traveling around the country. “But it’s really simple,” he said. “When I could live anywhere I wanted I chose to come home. I live in Grand Rapids now because I wanted to be close to the airport for travel, but as soon as I got back to Michigan I looked up Don and we got together again.”
Today, he and Don find themselves getting together often. “We’re 87 and 88 years old and we sit in the bleachers for all the home football games,” said Don.
It’s a friendship that started long ago and continues today. Both Bob and Don played football and basketball and were part of the chorus. Don also ran track and served as the class treasurer while Bob served as the class vice president, was editor of the school newspaper, and participated in the school play.
“He was my sixth brother growing up. We had an extra bed just for him at our house,” said Bob of his friend. “We were more than best friends. We were brothers. We played sports together, went to school together and even went to the Army together.”
Both served right out of high school in the Army enlisted reserves. They spent six months on active duty and the rest of their eight-year time on enlisted reserve status.
Don returned to Middleville and became a 20-year Board of Education member allowing him to present all four of his children with their high school diplomas at graduation. “That was very special for me to be able to do,” he said.
He also was the first president of the TK Alumni Association and still is an active trustee member. Both Don and Bob have been recognized as Distinguished Alumni by the group. Bob, Don and Pat were instrumental in establishing a scholarship award from the Class of 1957.
“Pat and I came up with the idea and Don was on board right away. It didn’t take long to raise the $10,000 seed money needed to get started,” said Bob. The class gives a scholarship every year to one graduating senior member of the TK Class. Their actions also inspired the Class of 1966 to follow in their footsteps and establish their own scholarship.
“We’re very proud of having that scholarship and seeing other classes start their own scholarships too,” said Bob.
Even though many things have changed at TK, Bob and Don said they see a lot of the things they loved about the district remaining. “We built a good foundation here. We’ve built traditions and those traditions are very positive and help connect us all. I feel very strong about TK and what it gave to me and now I’m giving back. I thank God for that,” said Don.
Bob said he’s grateful for his time in Middleville at TK Schools. “I’m very grateful to our faculty. We remembered each teacher as we walked through the halls of the school at our reunion several years ago.”
Both still think very highly of their alma mater even though class sizes have more than quadrupled since their years. “A lot of people moved into this village because of the school. The reputation is very high,” said Don.
“You can take the boy out of Middleville, but you can’t take Middleville out of the boy,” said Bob.
“If I had it all to do again, I would do it all again right here at TK and in Middleville,” said Don.