HKIS-Reunion-68-69-Memories

Birthday: David W. Miller
Social Media:
Spouse: HKIS Class of 1969
Children:
26115 S Carmel Hills Drive
Carmel, CA 93923

Home: (831) 250-7539
Cell: (916) 607-6489

[email protected]

March 28, 1951

(divorced)

Sergey
Dmitry
Natalia

Favorite HKIS Memory: Field trip to Cheung Chau Island Bun Festival
and Mandarin class.

After Graduation: College, Peace Corps in West Africa, more

college, work as an engineer in California and overseas, marriage in

Kazakhstan, raising kids, still at it.

Significant Life Events: Raising kids and seeing our Russian-born
sons adapt to the U.S., serving as President of the California Irrigation
Institute and having the opportunity to work with wonderful people.

Other Things to Share: Looking forward to seeing HKIS classmates at
the reunion!

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Brenda Jill Oliver
Giberson

HKIS Class of 1969

610 Olive Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Cell: (412) 952-6269

[email protected]

Birthday: February 13, 1951
Social Media: Facebook
Spouse: Dean Giberson
Children: Jennifer & Caroline
# of Grandchildren: 3

Favorite HKIS Memory: Choir, Mr. Schroeder, Sadie Hawkins

After Graduation: College, Navy, Family

Significant Life Events: I left Hong Kong in 1969 upon graduating from
HKIS and returned to Phoenix, Arizona where I was born. Began university
studying Psychology and working at the state hospital. I later joined the
Navy and spent 3 1/2 years as an aerographer’s mate tracking weather.
During my time in the Navy while stationed in Norfolk, VA I found and
accepted the Lord into my life. I chose to leave the Navy to raise my first-
born daughter and be a homemaker. I moved around the country and world
for the next seven years with my husband who was still in the Navy. Due to
circumstances beyond my control, my husband and I were separated and
eventually divorced. I returned to Phoenix, AZ and began attending
Gateway Community College studying data processing where I met my
current husband of 35 years. During those years I worked for a time in the

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data processing center for First Interstate Bank, but then left and again
focused on raising my two daughters as a mother and homemaker in
support of my husband. I moved with my family to the Seattle area of
Washington state, then to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, followed by Bridgeport,
West Virginia and finally returning to Arizona where we now reside in
Prescott Valley. All the moving was in support of my husband’s career in
consulting.

Other Things to Share: I enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, travel
(especially cruises) and am an avid follower of world news and have very
strong opinions when it comes to government and the current state of
America.

Bucket List: Visit Israel, Scotland and Ireland

187

Sheryl B. Scarbrough
Bomsta

HKIS Class of 1969

700 Bear Hollow Road
Montpelier, ID 83254

Cell: (208) 540-0174

[email protected]

Birthday: December 4, 1950

Social Media: Facebook

Spouse: Frank Vilt

Children: Rebekah Schneider Rachel Powell
Eric Bomsta Lori Stafford
Grant Bomsta John Bomsta
Brandon Bomsta Zack Bomsta

Grandchildren: 30 (27 now, plus three more by end of 2019)

Great-Grandchildren: two

HKIS Memories: I have many vivid memories of my two years at HKIS.

One that stands out clearly was sitting in Mr. Schroeder’s history class and watching
the construction going on across the street. It was surprising to see how they disposed of the
excess dirt – women with bamboo poles across their shoulders and a basket, filled with dirt,
on each end of the pole, would make their way down a steep, narrow path, dump the dirt and
then climb back up for another load.

One of my most embarrassing moments happened in eleventh grade at the very first
fundraiser dinner we held. It was a spaghetti dinner held in the cafeteria. I carried out the first
two plates of spaghetti on a tray, and with “grace” and “finesse” I lifted the first plate off and
laid it on the table. At the very same moment, the other plate of spaghetti slid off the tray and
landed on the floor with a loud “splat.” Fortunately, it missed those sitting at the table. That
was the beginning and end of my waitressing days.

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As editor of the yearbook, I made the mistake of trying to do too much myself. The day I
lugged the yearbook proofs (100’s of pictures) from Kowloon across on the ferry, then on
the bus, and, finally, walked up the steep hill to the school, I realized I needed to ask
for more help.

Basketball, basketball, basketball!!!

After Graduation: I went to college at Mankato State College in Mankato, MN. I

majored in French and Spanish, as my goal was to be an interpreter at the United Nations. At

the end of my second year, I met Larry Bomsta, thanks to Martha (Borgman) Allen. We were

married in October of 1971. I was married to Larry for 36 years, until he passed away in

November of 2007. I jumped into motherhood right away and now have eight children, 27+

grandchildren and two greats, as of this year (2019).

While Larry finished college, attended Medical School, did his Residency, and finally
started practicing medicine, we lived in ten different places. During those ten years, I was
busy practicing motherhood with our first five children. I also went back to school during that
time. My dreams of being a translator were long gone, but I did manage to graduate Cum
Laude with a BS in accounting. I was happy with that, as I was pregnant the entire second
year with number five and Larry was home very little, as it was during his Residency. We
then spent eight years in Sterling, CO where three more children joined our family. We
moved to Montpelier, ID in 1989, when Larry made the switch from spending all his time as
an ER Doc, to doing Family Practice.

I managed Larry’s office, went to more school sporting and other school events than I
can count, spent several years building our house, barn, and shop, laid tons of sod, and did
all the other things you do to keep up with a large family. I spent three years alone and then
met and married Frank Vilt, in January of 2011. Life has never been boring and the
challenges have changed. Frank and I owned and ran a radio station for two years. Now, I’m
busy tending grandkids, sewing, quilting, and playing pickleball to name just a few things that
go on throughout the week.

As a family, we’ve lived through good times and difficult times, as most every family
does. I’m happy to know that as adults, all my children are productive and work hard at caring
for their families.

Significant Life Events: Raising my family, building my house, developing my
sewing and quilting skills, and owning a radio station.

Bucket List: Our family crossed the Atlantic Ocean in both directions

multiple times, as I was growing up, but I’ve never been on a relaxing cruise. I’ve

always loved tennis since learning on the grass courts in downtown Hong Kong. I’d love to

attend Wimbledon, the French Open, or the US Open.

189

Doreen Soong-Jaeger

HKIS Class of 1969

Hong Kong

Phone: 852-2866-8355

[email protected]



Birthday: August 9th
Social Media: Facebook
Children: Julian Jaeger

After Graduation: After leaving HKIS, attended Occidental College in

Pasadena, CA majoring in Psychology, returned to HK 1971, moved to Switzerland in

1975 and got married.

Significant Life Events: My husband, Andre Jaeger, and I took over his father’s
restaurant “Fischerzunft” on the banks of the Rhine River in Schaffausen. We started
blending Chinese and Western influences in 1980, winning plaudits from Guide Gault-
Millau, culminating in being awarded 19/20, becoming a Relais & Chateaux gourmet
destination, and ranked as one of Switzerland’s top restaurants right up until its closure
in 2015 with Andre’s retirement.

Our wonderful son was born in 1989, educated in Hong
Kong, England and the U.S., and is now working in London in a private equity firm.

For over 25 years now, I have been based back in Hong
Kong and lead Hughes-Castell (HK) Ltd. Asia’s first and most prestigious specialist legal
search firm, with a staff of about 30 people in three locations. Our firm has both an Asia-
wide and global search capability, with mandates based in Greater China, North and
South Asia, ASEAN and Europe.

Note to Class: Through Facebook I am now back in touch with so many

HKIS schoolmates. I am crushed I cannot attend this reunion, but family commitments

pre-empted my participation. I wish everyone a fantastic time and remember…you are

as young as you feel!

190

Michael D. Swaine

HKIS Class of 1969

16307 Batchellors Forest Rd.
Olney, MD 20832

Phone: (301) 570-3114
Cell: (443) 255-9813

[email protected]

Birthday: March 11, 1951
Social Media: Facebook & Twitter
Spouse: single
Children: daughter, Evelynne (16)



Favorite HKIS Memories: The school plays, especially Our Town. Track meets with
communist Chinese schools where they recited Mao quotes from his Little Red Book
and waved PRC flags before each event, which they usually lost. Standing with Tay
Bosley in his apartment, toasting HKIS students with beers as they walked down the hill
from school. Oogling the very attractive French and Drama teacher, Mrs. Traub. Crazy
Mr. Lwin in Science class. Everything else about school is a blur. But my memories of
living in Hong Kong remain vivid: driving around the island in the middle of the night with
Tay and Peter in Tay’s mother’s Triumph. Watching the floor show at the Mocambo
night club in Central while sipping Singapore Slings. Sitting up all night at Ricky Hum’s
apartment listening to Bob Dylan and Jefferson Airplane and taking in the panoramic
view of the harbor. Going to a party on the Peak at Doreen Song’s house (where Tay
jumped into the pool fully clothed). Taking the Star Ferry (I can still hear the bell ringing
and the clanging of the gate when it shut). Taking a sampan back across the harbor
after the Ferry ended for the day. Having lunch or dinner with Dave Landau at Jimmy’s
Kitchen. Eating an enormously long, delicious French lunch with David at a restaurant
owned by a pal of his, and then leaving without paying (which was apparently
acceptable among restaurant owners)! Taking the hydrofoil ferry to Macau to watch the
Formula One race. Having tea in the Peninsula lobby. Going to the deserted, beautiful
white beach on Lantao island. What a completely glorious experience it was!

After Graduation: Since graduating from HKIS, I obtained a BA degree in Chinese
Studies from George Washington University, an MA and Ph.D. in Government (with a
focus on Asia) from Harvard University, completed a PostDoc and taught for one year at
Berkeley, worked for a trading company in San Francisco for two years, travelling to

191

China, worked for 12.5 years as a Senior Fellow at the RAND Corporation in Santa
Monica, California focusing on China security-related issues, and shifted to do much the
same thing as a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in
Washington DC (where I am now). As part of these activities, I lived in Taiwan for two
years studying Chinese, lived in Japan for three years studying Japanese and
conducting research, and now I live in rural Maryland. And along the way, I have
produced a beautiful daughter, Evelynne (soon to be 16) with my former partner and
friend Monique Stins, and travel to England and Holland every summer with Evy (her
mother is Dutch), while also travelling to Asia very frequently as part of my job, mainly to
Beijing and Tokyo. I also see a lot of Peter, my brother, and his son Trevor, who lives in
NYC, and spend every Thanksgiving with Tay and his extended family. I also care for
my father’s 1963 Studebaker Avanti, which I drive regularly and take to the occasional
antique auto show. Dad passed away in 2003 and mom died in 1981. And I paint, i.e.,
oil painting; including portraits still lifes, landscapes, etc.

Significant Life Events: Having a daughter, a wonderful young lady who speaks
fluent Dutch, excels at school, dances ballet, is becoming a very accomplished violist,
and tolerates her erratic father. I have maintained a range of close friends with whom I
have had some wonderful experiences, and have re-established close friendships with
past friends, most notably Tay Bosley and Christy McCaskill. I have also had the
privilege of interacting with a range of senior officials, diplomats, military officers, and
scholars from the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries and
through those exchanges have hopefully had some impact on the course of Asian
security affairs, although you might not think so, judging by the current period of insanity
we are going through in U.S.-Asia relations. My other significant life events consist of
my experiences overseas, including an exciting stay in Cambodia during its domestic
upheavals under a UN mandate in the early nineties, and very memorable residencies
in Japan and Taiwan. But by far the most memorable “travel” event of my life was my
two years in Hong Kong, which largely established my interest in Asia, and China in
particular.

Bucket List: To see my daughter grow up to become a happy, fulfilled

woman, perhaps with children of her own. To “do” Italy from South to North. To visit

the Prado in Madrid, along with a long list of other art museums. To become a better

person.

Message to Classmates: It’s great that many of us will be able to meet again after fifty
years, and that we will be able to also meet with Mr. Christian, who keeps chugging
along after all that time. He must be doing something right!

I’m not sure I would have done things the same way in my
life, knowing now what I didn't know then, but no sense in dwelling on the past. What I
do know is that the old cliché that family and friendships matter more than anything else
is pretty true, and the friendships and memories we formed in Hong Kong fifty years ago
were among the very best of those experiences for me.

192

Steve (Tsui) Zee

HKIS Class of 1969

1674 Rushing Street
Yuba City, CA 95993
Birthday:
Social Media: Home: (530) 674-9486
Spouse: Cell: (530) 713-7194
Children:
Grandchildren:
[email protected]

November 29, 1948
Facebook
Ellen
Stephanie & Edwin
Eleanor

Favorite HKIS Memories: Too many to list!
After Graduation:
Attended California State University at
Significant Life Events: Sacramento, forty year in banking, retired in
2017.
Bucket List:
Married Ellen in 1979. Birth of our daughter,
Stephanie, in 1981 and our son, Edwin, in 1986,
and our granddaughter in 2017.

Too many to list.

Note to Classmates: Wish everyone have good time at the 50th year
reunion and enjoy your stay in Seattle.

193

Roxanne Young Jang

HKIS Class of 1969

17696 Dorson Lane
Castro Valley, CA 94546

Cell: 510-909-9451

[email protected]

Birthday: April 13, 1951

Social Media: Facebook

Spouse: Widowed

Children: Daughter, Renee and Son-In-Law, Glenn

Favorite HKIS Memories: Mr. Bill Mahlke’s English class. He made sure we
read the assigned books and he made us THINK for our final exams. I
remember writing a new ending to the book we read and another time, defending
the main character as he committed a crime and what was his crime? I
remember writing about something we took for granted and I loved writing feature
stories. I learned so much from Mr. Mahlke. I also learned to memorize facts
from Mr. Melvin Schroeder in Social Studies. I remember walking up and down
the seven floors and stairs at HKIS, the water shortage in HK and praying for rain
in summer (God answered!), the Communist Party homemade bombs/riots, and
the humidity!

After Graduation: I left HKIS before graduating and graduated with my high
school class in San Francisco. I studied Graphic Design in college, got married,
had my daughter and then became widowed 4-1/2 years after my daughter was
born. I am presently working with the Engineering Dept. for the City and County
of SF as my bureau’s Health & Safety Coordinator and Wellness Champion.

Significant Life Events: My spiritual birth and decision to live for Christ and the
birth of my daughter. I will begin a new chapter in my life…Retirement in June!

Bucket List: Travel and Cruise. I would love to visit the Holy Lands and The Ark
Encounter. I will be cruising Spain on the newest 2020 Princess ship next year.

Note to Classmates: I felt a little deprived that I didn’t get to graduate with you.

I wanted to graduate with my high school friends in SF, but felt out of place when

I returned. Some people had changed and I wished that I had stayed in Hong
Kong to graduate with you. The best part of graduating with my class in SF is that I
am still in contact with nine high school girlfriends. We get together once, twice, or
more annually. We traveled from the Golden Gate to Alaska on a Princess cruise for
our 60th birthdays!

194

David A. Weisz

HKIS Class of 1969

Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Cell: (240) 437-9463

[email protected]



Social Media: dalanmcendree.com
Facebook – Dalan McEndree

Spouse: married

Children: two

Favorite HKIS Memories: Being kicked off the basketball team for smoking and
Senior Prom.

After Graduation: Education: BA, MA, M.Phil., MBA, Columbia College/

Columbia University; Free University of Berlin, East European Institute; U.S.

Army Russian Institute, Garmisch, Germany; 30+ years professional and

educational experience in Soviet Union/Russia related topics, in government (as

Foreign Service Officer) economics, political, political-military; in business in

general management, as well as business development and M&A for U.S., UK,

Dutch, and Russian companies in Russia/CIS; small business owner. Currently,

blogger (energy, international relations, domestic and international politics) and

author, writing as Dalan McEndree.

Significant Life Events: 30+ year marriage, two great children; in Soviet Union
when Soviets invaded Afghanistan, during Chernobyl, in Pakistan during Soviet
occupation of Afghanistan war, in Soviet Union during the collapse of
Communism and transition to democracy/market economy; founder, in 1991, and
general manager (as an employee of Coca-Cola Company) of 100% foreign-
owned Open-Joint Stock Company Coca-Cola St. Petersburg Bottlers;
successful M&A in Russia; watching Russians, including many young Russians,
take advantage of the collapse of Communism and build successful careers
and/or businesses both in Russia and abroad; author of five books, two Russia-
related mysteries, two satires, and the most recent: Operation Counter African
Genocide, all of which are available on my site listed above.

Bucket List: Writing more books.

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Sometimes you never know
the true value of a moment
until it becomes a memory.

In loving memory of classmates
who no longer can celebrate with us . . .

we fondly remember them and will
miss and honor them with our hearts

forever more.

HKIS Class of 1969

The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand The

way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

© 1996-2019 Southwestern Inspire Kindness, Inc., thedashpoem.com

Diane Anderson Persons
May 29, 1952 – July 3, 2003

HKIS Class of 1969


Diane Anderson Persons, 51, of
St. Charles, MN and the
Philippines, a missionary, died
Thursday (July 3, 2003) of injuries
suffered in an auto accident near
Bambang, the Philippines. A
memorial service for Mrs. Persons
was held on July 14, 2003 at 2
p.m. at St. Charles Bible Church.
Memorial services were also
conducted on July 19, 2003 at First
Evangelical Free Church in
Maplewood, Minnesota, and later
in the Philippines in Bagabag and
Manila.

Diane Anderson was born May 29, 1952, in Chicago and grew up in Hong Kong, where her
parents were missionaries. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of
Science degree in secondary math and earth science, and while at the university was active in
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. On July 20, 1974, she married Gary Persons in St. Paul, MN.
Mrs. Persons taught at Faith Academy in Manila, the Philippines. She and her husband served
with Wycliffe Bible Translators for 26 years, working on the Bolinao translation. They were
regional directors for the northern region of the Philippines, providing administrative support to
other translators. During their missionary years, they rotated living in the Philippines for four
years and then a year in St. Charles before returning to the Philippines.

Survivors as of January 2019 include her husband; four sons, Seth (Lisa, sons Daniel & Ryan)
of Wichita, Kansas with Textron Industries, Jonathan of Eagan, MN with Delta Airlines, David
(Shannon) of Baltimore, MD with Brain Trust Holdings, and Nathan of England with the USAF,
two daughters, Andrea (Jacob Patten) of Grand Marais, MN with the Free Church and Bonita
(Andy Kleinsasser, daughter Evelina, sons Henry & James) of Wichita; and three brothers,
Gary (Judy) Anderson of Montana, Bryan (Mary) Anderson, and Scott Anderson of the Twin
Cities, MN. Her parents from Shoreview, MN, Roger (2005) and Ruth Thor Anderson (2012)
followed their daughter, Diane, home.

196

!

Janet May Breen Bester
July 7, 1951 – May 25, 2012

HKIS Class of 1969

!
Janet May Breen Bester, 60, died
peacefully surrounded by her
family on May 25, 2012 in Duluth,
Minnesota.

She was born July 7, 1951 in
Duluth to Gordon and Florence
(Lindberg) Breen.

Janet loved gardening, cooking, !
and spending time with family
! and friends. Her life was filled
with traveling, adventures, and
treasured moments at the lake. She was known for her great sense of humor and for
being an excellent cook and entertainer. Her happiest moments were spent with her
grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Dennis Breen.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Bester; daughters Amy Pogorelec (Brian), Kallie
Fish (Cory), Roxanne Ebel (Josh); grandchildren Grace and Zack Pogorelec, Karlie and
Alexis Fish, and Eden Ebel; sister Barbara Breen; nephew Cory Niemi (Tara); niece
Amanda Oja (Matt); and beloved friend, Jill Opack and daughters Nicole and Tennille.

Her funeral service was held at J.M. PainTeext Memorial Presbyterian Church in Carlton,
MN.

197

Joseph Edward Byler
July 20, 1952 – March 19, 2010

HKIS Class of 1969



Joseph E. Byler passed away
Friday, March 19, 2010 in
Euless, Texas after a battle
with liver cancer. Funeral: 10
a.m. Friday, March 26, at
Moore Funeral Home-Bowen
Chapel. Interment: Dallas-Fort
Worth National Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in
Joe's honor to the ASPCA,
Disabled American Veterans or
the American Cancer Society.


Joe Byler was born July 20, 1952. He was the son of th e late Delmar R. Byler and

Bonnie Byler Scheid.

Joe attended Hong Kong International School as a junior in 1968 and graduated from
Tenafly High School in New Jersey in 1969. He served in the Army from 1972 to 1975.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in business
administration.

His career was as a senior claims adjuster with Gulf Insurance Group and claims
examiner for Nationwide. His survivors include: Wife, Laurel Metzler Byler of Euless;
her daughter, Megan Button of Ames, Iowa; his mother, Bonnie Byler Scheid and
husband, Bob; sister, Jeanne Mitchell; brother, John Byler; foster sister, Johanna Hon;
stepmother, Karen Byler Overpeck; stepsisters, Jamie Danias and Janet Carmichael;
niece, Rachel Fisher; and nephews, Chris, Andrew and Will Byler.

HKIS classmates may remember Joe’s sister, Jeanne Byler Mitchell, who was a
freshman at HKIS in 1968.

198

Gregg Nelson Grimsley
April 27, 1951 – March 27, 2004

HKIS Class of 1969



Gregg Grimsley, age 52, passed away on
March 27, 2004 in Peoria, Illinois following a
heart attack. He was buried at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church Yard In Peoria.

Gregg was born April 27, 1951, in Peoria, to
Frank and Betty Wahlbrink Grimsley. He
married Kylie Rogas in 1976 and they had
two daughters. He married LeAnna Karnopp
in 1997 in the British Virgin Islands.

He graduated from Northwestern University
with a B.A. in 1973 and was a fraternity
member of Phi Delta Theta and a member of

the school rugby team. He earned his J.D.

from Vanderbilt University Law School in
1976 where he was associate editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. Gregg was admitted to the Illinois State Bar
in 1976 where he served on the Assembly from 1988 - 1992 and practiced several years at Vonachen, Lawless,
Trager and Slevin, In 1982 he was awarded the Lincoln Legal Writing Award. Gregg served on the Bankruptcy
Law Section Council as Chairman 1988/89, the Illinois Bar Foundation from 1986-2004, and the Illinois Trial
Lawyer Association. He formed his own law firm, Grimsley and Grimsley, P.C., with his wife LeAnna.

Gregg was active in the Peoria Ballet for many years and was an avid scuba diver and gourmet cook. He was a
member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral and was former Chancellor of the Dioceses of Quincy.

Surviving Gregg are his wife (LeAnna Early Karnopp Grimsley, 61, died on July 7, 2013); his parents of Peoria;
two daughters, Brooks (Stenoish) and Kara (Ehrhart), and two sisters, Brenda Stubbs of Peoria and Sandy
(Scott) Lazenby of Sandy, Oregon. His nine gradchildren are pictured below.



199

Earlene Ynes Hornbostel Wirsching Welch
November 14, 1951 – June 20, 2011
HKIS Class of 1969

Earlene Welch of Waccabuc, New
York, passed away on June 20th,
2011. She is the daughter of
Elizabeth Valdez Wirsching and
Norbert R. Wirsching of New York
City, the sister of Elizabeth del Alamo
and Margaret Still, the wife of Teed
Welch, the mother of Theodore “TJ”
Welch, and the sister-in-law of
Constancio del Alamo and Gary Still.

Earlene was born of a Filipino-

American mother and American

father in Manila, Philippines, and

grew up in Manila and Hong Kong

before going to the United States
after high school. She attended the

American School in Manila, and graduated from the Hong Kong International School in Hong Kong.

She received her Associate’s Degree from Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers, her B. A. in

Economics from Columbia University School for General Studies, and her M.B.A. from Columbia

University. Earlene worked for RJR Nabisco, Kiddie Products, and IBM in Westchester before

becoming a stay-at-home mom in 1998.

Earlene married Teed Welch in 1984. Her son Theodore (“TJ”) was born in 1992. In 2005, Earlene and
her two sisters were adopted by their stepfather, Norbert R. Wirsching.

After Earlene retired from her business career, she was involved with a number of local organizations in
the Waccabuc, New York area, serving as social chair of the Waccabuc Landowners’ Council, and as
an organizer for the Lewisboro Library Fair.

Her son Theodore graduated from the University of Chicago, and lives a few blocks from his
grandparents in Manhattan. He is actively involved with New York State GOP candidates as an
organizer and researcher.

Earlene was remembered in the 1969 HKIS Orientale Yearbook as “Hippie…mod…creative writer.”

The last time I “talked” with Earlene was in 2006 when we were locating classmates for the HKIS 40th
school anniversary. She sent me the following email – “Christy, if the class of '69 doesn't travel to HK,
perhaps someone could pull together a reunion in the US. I don't think I've been in touch with anyone
from our class since Doreen in 1992. Hello to anyone who might remember me! BTW, I had my son
and only child at 40. Do I win the prize for oldest mother? Usually the fathers have me beat, but I
might get the mother award! -- Earlene (Hornbostel) Welch

200

Madeleine Anne Myers Sloan
January 7, 1950 – October 10, 2018

HKIS Class of 1969



Madeleine Anne Myers Sloan, one
time Kansas City resident, died
peacefully in Burbank, California
on October 10, 2018 at the age of
68. She was born January 7, 1950
in Salt Lake City, Utah the eldest of
three siblings.

Before settling in Kansas City, her
father’s career with the Standard
Vacuum Oil Company
(ExxonMobil) took the family all
over the Far East to Pakistan,
India, Indonesia, Japan, and Hong
Kong. These travels were
overseen by the love and care of
her parents, both longtime Kansas
City residents, Eugene and Marguerite Myers.

After raising her children in Kansas City, she developed a creative and intimate relationship
with author Hunter S. Thompson, and frequented Woody Creek, Colorado until his death.

She subsequently resided in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Burbank, California. She was a
frequent contributor to the Santa Fe New Mexican Newspaper as well as author of countless
short stories and the novel Blowback (Madeleine Sloan, 2017).

She is survived by two children, twins, Marguerite “Mimi” Sloan Marlow and James D. Sloan,
granddaughter Madeleine Song Marlow, brothers Eugene Myers, Jr. and Lloyd John Myers.
No formal, public services were held. Only a private memorial for the family. Donations to The
Rose Garden, Loose Park, Kansas City, MO would be welcome.

201

Annie To

HKIS Class of 1969

Yvonne Li advised us that Annie To passed away “many years ago.”
Regretfully, we do not have any additional information on Annie.

202

David Gordon Wray Vaughn
July 20, 1952 – February 16, 2011

HKIS Class of 1969



David G. W. Vaughn
passed away Wednesday,
February 16, 2011 in
Helsingborg, Sweden, of
cancer.

A memorial service was

held at Påsjö Crematorium

in Helsingborg, Sweden, on

March 29, 2011. David was

the beloved husband of
Maja and father of Sara.


David was born in California on July 20, 1952 to American parents, grew up in
Hong Kong, and spent some years living on Oahu, Hawaii. Work brought him to
Stockholm in the 80’s, where he met his wife Maja. They started a small family,
and Sara was born 1984. They subsequently lived in Singapore and Hong Kong
during the later part of the 1980’s.

Having been a true citizen of the world since childhood, David settled in the
South of Sweden 1990 together with his family. Here he worked at Pyramid
Communications, a B2B advertising company, as an English copywriter until the
last weeks of his life. He never ceased to love reading books and gaining
knowledge about anything and everything.

203



FACULTY


The faculty and staff members of HKIS have a long tradition of supporting HKIS
students in countless ways. Even under the best of circumstances, starting a new
school is an immensely complicated and daunting challenge. It involves real
estate, construction, financing, logistics, marketing, staff recruiting, procurement,
and numerous other responsibilities -- many of which are outside the experience
of even veteran educators -- but trying to accomplish those tasks overseas in a
foreign country adds a whole new level of complexity to the project.

When I look back at all that was accomplished despite insurmountable
challenges, limited resources, and the melding of a brand new team, it only
serves to increase my respect and appreciation for all that Mr. Christian and our
teachers accomplished during those first years at HKIS. All were dedicated,
resilient, and exceptional pioneers required to wear many hats in order to ensure
on a daily basis that each of us received the best possible education and
experience.

As HKIS Alums I hope we’ve made our teachers and mentors proud as we’ve
worked for the past fifty years to change the world for the better. Thank you
teachers!

Miss Beverly Arnett P.E. Mr. Michael McNaughton Science

Rev. Karl Boehmke Religion Mrs. Mary Parr Music

Mr. Edward Brackmann P.E. Mr. Melvin H. Schroeder Social Studies

Mr. Robert Burns P.E. Mr. Fred Staubach Guidance

Mrs. Victoria Chew Library Mrs. Mignon Traub French

Mrs. Barbara Christopherson English Mrs. Marie von Behren Library

Mrs. Felice Grad French Mr. Werner von Behren Music & Religion

Miss Joan Kaufmann Math

Miss Mariellen Lense English Mrs. Beverly Arnett Dean of Girls

Mrs. Anna Lieberman French Mr. Robert Christian Headmaster

Mr. Robert Lieberman Math Mr. Edward Dollase Business Mgr

Mrs. Jeanette Lo Chinese Mrs. Ainslie Jones Financial Admin

Mr. M. M. Lwin Science Mrs. Eunice Martin Attendance Secy

Mrs. Dorothy Mache Art Miss Helen Stoeckmann Headmaster Secy

Mr. William J. Mahlke English Mr. Albert Wingfield Dean of Students

Mrs. Eunice Martin Typing Mr. Lester H. Zimmerman Headmaster Asst


204





206





207

page 208 HKIS Alumni Directory

(Maiden) Last Name First/Middle Names Address City
(Byers) Quirsfeld Rebecca Lynn 1081 Zoeller Court Reno

Carte Sharon Lizabeth

Chen Edmond 2404 Primrose Drive Richardson

Fishel Peter GPO Box 12587 Central

(Gooch) Deaver Melinda L. 11341 SW Hallmark Terrace Tigard

(Hadinoto) Watkins Ginny W. 83 Hillcrest Drive Weaverville

(Hornbostel) Still Margaret G. 176 Market Street Saugerties

Lipschultz Peter 12200 Montecito Road Seal Beach

Lui Edward W.C. 574 Monterey Blvd San Francisco

Mache Eric E. 34-11 28th Street Long Island Cit

(Munn) Anderson Pamila J. 3307 North 500 East Rolling Prairie

(Mushett) Baldridge Cheryl J. 144 North La Esperanza San Clemente

(Raborn) Carlton Rebecca 901 W. 5th Street N. Ladysmith

Strouss, Jr. John P. 1937 Prairie Circle Fairfield

Surh David J. 16985 Vinaruz Place San Diego

Swaine Peter F. 1796 Kenyon Road Richmond

Terwilliger Janet Y. 2950 SE Ocean Blvd. 110-404 Stuart

(von Behren) Keup Karen L. 5115 Sheridan Road Saginaw

300 West Martin Street Martinsville

Waddell Harry P. 2495 N. Indian River Drive Fort Pierce

(Johnson) Christine Elizabeth Missing Class
Lau Ronald (last known address was Vancouver, CA)
Lee Won Yong
(Manseta) Bharati (last known address was 340 E. Homestead A
(Mason) Horner Angela
(Wong) Jane (last known address was in the UK)
Wong Kenneth Kin Who
Wu Benjamin Bun Chuen
Yau Tak Ming (Andrew)

Deceased Cla

(Blair) Peacock Janice Gail 2016
Hadinoto Raden Pani Glenny 2018

y - Class of 1968

State Zip CodeCountry Phone Cell Phone Email
NV 89511 USA (775) 391-2811 [email protected]

WV USA [email protected]

TX 75082 USA (972) 669-9786 (972) 302-8119 [email protected]

Hong Kong 852-94649415 [email protected]

OR 97223 USA (716) 435-5486 [email protected]

NC 28787 USA (828) 484-9282 (828) 484-2295 [email protected]

NY 12477 USA [email protected]

CA 90740 USA (562) 493-6362 [email protected]

CA 94127 USA (415) 987-3363 [email protected]

ty NY 11106 USA (718) 786-9848 (347) 533-3427 [email protected]

IN 46371 USA (219) 465-8158 [email protected]

CA 92672 USA (949) 492-7323 (949) 444-8520 [email protected]

WI 54848 USA (979) 777-7812 [email protected]

IA 52556 USA (641) 919-8778 [email protected]

CA 92128 USA (858) 676-5959 (858) 472-3960 [email protected]

VT 05477 USA (802) 434-3533 (802) 999-9386 [email protected]

FL 34996 USA (828) 551-0600 [email protected]

MI 48601 USA (989) 777-8321 [email protected]

WV 25401 USA

FL 34946 USA (304) 263-4988 (304) 433-7548 [email protected]

smates

Avenue, Palisades Park, NJ 07650)

assmates

BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY 2-Jan-49 Surh David J.
Edmond
FEBRUARY 13-Jan-46 Chen
MARCH Peter
28-Feb-50 Fishel Cheryl J.
APRIL Karen L.
4-Mar-50 (Mushett) Baldridge Peter
MAY Margaret G.
6-Mar-50 (von Behren) Keup Melinda L.
JUNE
SEPTEMBER 15-Mar-50 Lipschultz Ginny W.
OCTOBER Peter F.
DECEMBER 4-Apr-50 (Hornbostel) Still Pamila J.
1-Jul-19 Harry P.
page 209 5-Apr-51 (Gooch) Deaver Rebecca
Eric E.
6-Apr-50 (Hadinoto) Watkins Janet Y.
John P.
17-May-49 Swaine

18-May-50 (Munn) Anderson

20-May-50 Waddell

7-Jun-50 (Raborn) Carlton

23-Sep-51 Mache

12-Oct-50 Terwilliger

10-Dec-49 Strouss, Jr.

Please let Ed Chen know if any of
your contact information changes
so we can keep HKIS Alumni records

updated!

210



page 211 HKIS Alumni Directory - Cl

(Maiden) Last Name First Name Address City

Adcock Stephen J. 382 Degraw Street Brooklyn

(Andersen) Brigham Lindy 2827 E. Weymouth Circle Tucson

(Booth) Baum Kathie 62 Kakawahie Place Wailuku, Maui

(Bordwell) Roby Margo 634 Many Oaks Street San Antonio

(Borgman) Allen Marty 161 B. Maggie Lane Washington

Bosley Jackson "Tay" 55 Reinman Road Warren

(Brannigan) Farber Kristine A. 2510 S. Sheridan Avenue Tacoma

(Bryant) Zolo Susan PO Box 1092 Fairfield

Christian David C. 549 E. Park Avenue Port Angeles

Chu Karl 20 Exchange Place #5002 New York City

(Dingler) Cortopassi Brenda 2863 Windy Knoll Lane Carmel

Fox Stefan Lovangsvagen 6, 262 61 Angelholm

(Gelbard) Linsenbaum Susan 21205 NE 37th Avenue, #1207 Adventura

(Gilhooly) O'Neill Patricia J. 55 Otter Rock Drive Greenwich

Gohier, Jr. Joseph 2102 S. La Rosa Drive Tempe

Gore Elizabeth S. 1608 Royalty Ridge Road Willisburg

Hayakawa Etsuro 15075 SW Kilchis Court Beaverton

(Ho) Mok Barbara 1464 Quiet Manor Sugar Land

Hum Richard K. 9608 Kilninver Court Colorado Spring

(Israel) Warren Barbara 148 Bank Street, Apt. 5B New York

Jimmerson Joseph "Al" 2812 Vista Drive Huntsville

(Jones) Bodine Debra D. 17245 S.W. Heritage Ct. #44 Beaverton

(Kasala) Kranak Valmere L. 3400 N. Valley Dr. Apt 17 Manhattan Beac

Landau David J. 19640 109th Place NE Bothell

(Li) Yvonne 5 Shousoh Hill Road, B22

Logan Richard 3253 W. McClernon Street Springfield

Loh Jeffrey C. Permata Hijau Blk, XK Jakarta

(Malaihollo) Hilda A.W. Perum. Masnaga Raya, Jl. Bukit
Latupeirissa Barisan, Blk A #86, Jakasampurna,
Bekasi Barat, Kota Bekasi 17145,
Jawa Barat

(McCarthy) Leblanc Kathy J. 403 Sempronius Road Chappell Hill

(McCaskill) Wendell Christy 4142 Primrose Lane Paris

Miller David W. 26115 S Carmel Hills Drive Carmel

Minich Dennis 562 Hawthorne Lane Winnetka

(Oliver) Giberson Brenda J. 610 Olive Street Pittsburgh

(Scarbrough) Bomsta Sheryl B. 700 Bear Hollow Road Montpelier

(Soong) Soong-Jaeger Doreen

Swaine Michael D. 16307 Batchellors Forest Road Olney

(Tsui) Zee Steve 1674 Rushing Street Yuba City

(Waddle) Kathy 848 Shady Lawn Road Chapel Hill

Weisz David A. Chevy Chase

(Young) Jang Roxanne L. 17696 Dorson Lane Castro Valley

lass of 1969 July 1, 2019

ST Zip CTY Phone Cell Phone Email

NY 11231 USA (419) 308-7887 [email protected]
AZ
HI 85716 USA (520) 576-9020 (520) 955-2599 [email protected]
TX
NC 96793 USA (907) 378-1262 [email protected]
NJ
WA 78232 USA (210) 251-0501 [email protected]
IA
WA 27889 USA (252) 927-1037 (252) 944-1618 [email protected]
NY
IN 07059 USA (908) 222-9927 (908) 361-2171 [email protected]

FL 98405 USA (650) 387-6685 [email protected]
CT
AZ 52556 USA (641) 919-1223 [email protected]
KY
OR 98362 USA (360) 457-6121 (360) 477-1936 [email protected]
TX
gs CO 10005 USA [email protected]
NY
AL 46074 USA (317) 733-1336 [email protected]
OR [email protected]
ch CA Sweden 00946-739410045
WA
33180 USA (305) 586-7676 [email protected]
MO
06830 USA (808) 371-1800 [email protected]

85282 USA (480) 968-2276

40078 USA (312) 504-0204 [email protected]

97007 USA (503) 646-0492

77479 USA (832) 656-6688 [email protected]

80908 USA (719) 494-1601 (719) 322-5072 [email protected]

10014 USA (917) 971-0689 [email protected]

35803 USA [email protected]

97003 USA (971) 313-3835 [email protected]

90266 USA (818) 621-2069 [email protected]

98011 USA (425) 420-3860 [email protected]

Hong Kong 2553993 90808118 [email protected]

65803 USA [email protected]

Indonesia 62-8111085964 [email protected]

Indonesia [email protected]

TX 77426 [email protected]

TX 75462 USA (903) 739-9377 (903) 517-8907 [email protected]

CA 93923 USA (831) 250-7539 (916) 607-6489 [email protected]

IL 60093 [email protected]

PA 15237 USA (412) 952-6269 [email protected]

ID 83254 USA (208) 847-3035 (208) 540-0174 [email protected]

Hong Kong 852-2866-8355 [email protected]

MD 20832 USA (301) 570-3114 (443) 255-9813 [email protected]

CA 95993 USA (530) 674-9486 (530) 713-7194 [email protected]

NC 27514 USA [email protected]

MD 20815 USA (240) 437-9463 [email protected]

CA 94546 USA (510) 909-9451 [email protected]

Missing Clas

(Cheung) Morris Susan possible address: Woodinville, WA
(Clemente) Diy
(Eu) Maria (Chiqui) possible address: 921 Hillcrest Street, El Segudo
Ho
Hon Adeline attended Contra Costa College - CA
Kang
Lee Robert
Leung
(Reid) Michael
(Roessiing)
(del Rosario) Chung Won Korea - was CEO of KB Kookmin Bank in Seoul
(Stevens)
Tse Tak-Ching Barbara last known address was Hong Kong
(Wong)
Roy possible address: Staten Island, NY

Caroline

Carol

Maria Cristina

Anne

James possible address: 7 Stayman Court, Manalapan,

Betty last known address: 910 Wahman Estate, Wahs

Deceased Cla

(Anderson) Persons Diane 2003
(Breen) Bester Janet M. 2012
Byler Joseph 2010
Grimsley Gregg N. 2004
(Hornbostel) Welch Earlene 2011
(Myers) Sloan Madeleine 2018
(To) Annie unknown
Vaughn David 2010

Birthda

JANUARY 2/10/51 (Andersen) Brigham, Lindy
FEBRUARY 2/13/51 (Oliver) Giberson, Brenda
2/28/51 Miller, David W.
MARCH 3/3/51 Gore, Elizabeth S.
APRIL 3/11/51 Swaine, Michael D.
MAY 4/13/51 (Young) Jang, Roxanne L.
JUNE 4/30/-- Hum, Richard K.
5/21/50 Loh, Jeffrey C.
JULY 5/23/51 (Gilhooly) O'Neill, Patricia J.
6/19/51 (Jones) Bodine, Debra D.
6/21/50 (Ho) Mok, Barbara
6/26/51 Christian, David C.
7/30/51 (McCaskill) Wendell, Christy

Please let Christy McCaskill Wendell know if any of your contact inform

page 212 1-Jul-19

ssmates
o, CA 90245 (310) 322-0610

, NJ 07726 (732) 780-7125
sum Estate Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong 852-9081-2174
assmates

ays

AUGUST 8/7/51 Bosley, Jackson "Tay"
8/9/-- (Soong) Soong-Jaeger, Doreen

SEPTEMBER (Booth) Baum, Kathie
OCTOBER 10/11/50 (Borgman) Allen, Marty
(Malaihollo) Latupeirissa, Hilda
10/23/50 (Brannigan) Farber, Kristine A.
10/29/50 (Israel) Warren, Barbara
10/15/51 Fox, Stefan
10/19/51 Adcock, Stephen J.
NOVEMBER 11/4/49 (Tsui) Zee, Steve
11/13/50 Landau, David J.
11/29/48 (Scarbrough) Bomsta, Sheryl B.
DECEMBER 12/3/- (Bordwell) Roby, Margo
12/4/50 (Gelbard) Lisenbaum, Susan
12/9/52
12/25/50

mation changes so we can keep HKIS Alumni records updated.



Mere words are not enough to express what we owe those who have sacrificed so much to
ensure our freedom, but nonetheless, we sincerely thank these classmates for their service.

Jackson “Tay” Bosley

US Army
1969-1972
Ft. Ord, CA; Ft. Monmouth, NJ; White Sands Missile Range, NM


Joseph E. Byler

US Army
1972 – 1975

Vietnam


Stefan Fox

Swedish Air Force
1970s

Radar Surveillance

Richard Kent Hum

US Air Force
1978 – 2008
Scott AFB, IL; Clark AB, Rep Philippines; Travis AFB, CA; Peterson AFB, CO;
Maxwell AFB, AL; Royal Air Base Bentwaters, UK; Malmstrom AFB, MT;
Luke AFB, AZ; Hickam AFB, HI; Arlington National Cemetery, Pentagon (OSD-Office
of Secretary of Defense); US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

Kang Chung Won

South Korea

Brenda Jill Oliver Giberson

US Navy
Lakehurst, NJ A-school for weather;
Norfolk, VA Fleet Weather Central aerographer’s mate (storm tracker)

David Surh

US Marine Corps
1969 - 1971

Camp Pendleton, CA; Camp Lejeune, NC;
Marble Mountain, South Vietnam

Harry Patton Waddell

US Army
1970-1972
Fulda, Germany

213

Progression of Michael Swaine’s painting of Mr. Christian
for 50th HKIS Class Reunion Celebration



Photo from 1967





214

Marty Borgman Allen Lindy Andersen Brigham

Steve Adcock 1969 Memorabilia Facebook Page & Weaving

Reunion Photo Show



David Christian Margie Hornbostel Still Rick Hum

HKIS History & Pottery FB Page & 1968 Memorabilia Reunion Photographer

Eric Mache Michael Swaine

HKIS Photo Memorabilia Sheryl Scarbrough Bomsta Bob Christian Painting

Reunion Quilt

John Strouss Our 50th+ HKIS Reunion was the culmination of more than two
years of planning and preparation. Sincere thanks to everyone
Reunion Music for attending and contributing to this extraordinary event.
Several individuals truly went above and beyond to ensure our
gathering in Seattle was successful and they deserve special
mention, in addition to my gratitude. When I asked for
volunteers they immediately responded with offers of help and
incalculable hours of work! In addition, Hillary Sandeen, HKIS
Alumni Relations provided tireless support, research and your
HKIS mementoes.

MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL! 215

HKIS INSPIRES

At the end of 2015 when commencing plans for the celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the school, HKIS wanted to recognize the achievements of
people from within the school’s community of alumni, faculty and staff who
exemplified the HKIS spirit. Whether in their day-to-day work at HKIS or
their achievements since leaving HKIS, the goal was to honor individuals
who had inspired and represented HKIS’ values, mission and legacy.
Requests for nominations produced over one hundred names for
consideration. The nominations were a veritable who’s who of HKIS history;
people who had served as students, faculty and staff across the decades.
Their achievements ranged from champions of human rights and
businesspeople to those who were acknowledged for their efforts in
establishing the school and growing the HKIS community.

Every one of the nominees made a significant contribution to the life of the
school inside and out, but together, those chosen as part of HKIS
INSPIRES represented a cross section of the type of excellence HKIS
consistently demonstrates.

Throughout the school’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2016, HKIS posted
INSPIRES profiles on the website and all were featured in the winter 2017
issue of Dragon Tales. Each award profile detailed the legacy of the
INSPIRES impact. Some of the individuals are no longer with us, but they
were remembered for their work and gifts to HKIS. Reading about the
efforts of the awardees hopefully will inspire future generations of the HKIS
family to continue to live-out the HKIS values. Although the first 50 HKIS
Inspires’ names are only a faction of the number of dedicated heroes in the
HKIS-family, they represent the start of what is planned to be a wider
project which will continue to recognize the rich tapestry of alumni, faculty
and staff who have passed through the HKIS doors.

HKIS INSPIRES will continue to grow as we honor those who have gone
before and inspire those who come afterwards. If you would like to share
your inspirational story or nominate someone, please contact
Christy McCaskill Wendell.

Two of our classmates from 1969, Barbara Israel Warren and
Michael Swaine, were recognized in the original 50 people of HKIS
INSPIRES.

Go to blog.hkis.edu.hk/HKISInspires to read the biographies of the initial 50
HKIS INSPIRES.

216

217

218

Bob Christian Alumni of the Year Award

The Bob Christian Alumni of the Year Award was established in 2006 during the HKIS
40th Anniversary to recognize the tremendous service of the first Headmaster of Hong
Kong International School, Robert E. Christian. This award is presented annually to an
alumnus who has made a strong, positive contribution to HKIS, the school’s community,
and the wider Hong Kong community while exemplifying the HKIS Mission Statement
and Student Learning Rules (SLRs).

HKIS Mission:

• Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service
and global understanding

• An American-style education, grounded in the Christian faith, and respecting the
spiritual lives of all.

Student Learning Rules (SLRs):

Academic Individuals who have demonstrated outstanding undergraduate/
Excellence: post graduate achievement or received an honorary degree

Spirituality: Individuals who have gone to great lengths to develop their own
spiritual identity such as dedicating their lives to ministry, protecting
the faith, assisting the sick, and helping the poor

Character Individuals who have demonstrated the courage to stand up for
Development: what is right

Self-Motivated Individuals who have applied various learning strategies or
Learning: motivational techniques to life

Contributing to Individuals who regularly volunteer his/her time to the community

Society: or to charitable organizations

Chinese Culture: Individuals who have a true appreciation for Chinese culture, for
example, mastering his/her Chinese language skills or studying
Chinese Medicine

Nominating guidelines:
1. Any member of the HKIS community can make nominations.
2. Any student who attended HKIS for more than one semester is considered an alum

and is eligible to be nominated for the Award.
3. Self-nominations are welcome.
4. Nominations must be submitted by February of each calendar year.

The 2016 Bob Christian Alumni of the Year was submitted by
Tay Bosley and Christy McCaskill Wendell (HKIS 1969) and awarded

to Michael Swaine, HKIS Class of 1969.

219

NOMINATION of Michael Swaine for Bob Christian Alumni of the Year Award

Please provide a brief background of the nominee.

Michael Swaine is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and one of the most prominent
American analysts in Chinese security studies. He is a specialist in Chinese defense and foreign policy, U.S.-China relations,
and East Asian international relations.

Michael D. Swaine was born on March 11, 1951 in Buffalo, New York and grew up just outside Batavia, a small rural town in
western New York State. He was the second son born to English parents, Derek and Margaret Swaine. His father, a television
design engineer, was transferred by Sylvania to Hong Kong in 1967 and thus began a life-changing event for teenage Michael
Swaine.

Please describe the nominee's current or past involvement with HKIS and why you think they should be a worthy recipient.

Michael and his brother, Peter, attended HKIS from its earliest days. Peter was a member of the first class to graduate from
HKIS in 1968, and Michael graduated the following year. Michael, an exceptional student, was a well-liked and active member
of the school. He was President of the junior class and President of the Student Council his senior year. He excelled in
individual and team sports: tennis, judo, basketball, track & field, as well as the debate team and drama club where he played
the lead role in the school play, Our Town. Michael was also chosen to be the U.S. representative in the HKIS Mock UN
General Assembly…no doubt, a sign of future diplomatic roles. As HKIS Student Council President, Michael was also
instrumental in launching the now well-established region-wide sports competition between HKIS and various American schools
across Asia. Michael is a loyal HKIS alumnus and has participated in HKIS alumni events, been a contributor to Dragon Tales,
encouraged attendance and was present at the 40th Anniversary of HKIS in 2007, and plans to attend the 50th Anniversary
celebration in 2017. While some exemplary HKIS alums have been fortunate recipients of Headmaster’s Bob Christian’s
Award, Michael Swaine is fortunate to personally know and have attended HKIS during Mr. Christian’s tenure.

However, it is what Michael has done with his life since his youth in Hong Kong that speaks to the most salient reason for this
award nomination. Following HKIS graduation, Michael went on to obtain his B.A. with distinction in Chinese Studies from
George Washington University in 1973, clearly influenced by his newly discovered interest in the Far East while attending HKIS.
In 1979 he earned his Masters in Political Science from Harvard University, followed by completing his Ph.D. from the
Department of Government at Harvard in 1986. He is highly proficient in Mandarin and Japanese, having lived for years in
Taiwan and Japan, has authored and edited numerous books, monographs and journal articles on Asia security issues, directs
several security-related projects with Chinese government officials and scholars, and regularly advises the U.S. government on
defense and foreign policy issues in U.S.-Asia relations.

Describe any work or projects that the nominee is currently engaged in or has done in the past which exemplifies our School
Mission and Student Learning Results.

Michael Swaine’s entire persona embodies the highest notions of service as exemplified in the HKIS Mission Statement of
dedicating minds to inquiry, hearts to compassion and lives to service and global understanding. He has devoted his life’s work
to critical thinking and the unbiased exploration of the complex world of international politics, as illustrated by his unflinching
analysis of world events and his steadfastly “speaking truth to power” to officials in the U.S. and Asia. His current work involves
acting as an intermediary between the military forces of the U.S. and China, and attempting to deescalate potential trouble spots
and resolving conflicts. This makes him a significant contributor to better global understanding and enhancing world peace.

Dr. Swaine’s resume is a synopsis of the HKIS Student Learning Results: Academic Excellence, Spirituality, Character
Development, Self-Motivated Learning, Contributing to Society and Chinese Culture. His impressive credentials are too
numerous to list on this nomination form, but are summarized on an attachment to this nomination form. He has spent the
majority of his professional career as a policy analyst for two leading American research institutes (also known as “think tanks”)
working on national security affairs: the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California and the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace in Washington, D.C. His research and analysis in both organizations has focused on key aspects of the
U.S. security position in Asia, in particular, the military security and foreign policy relationship with China. Please refer to this link
for additional information on Dr. Swaine’s accomplishments: http://carnegieendowment.org/experts/?fa=119
In this capacity, for three decades, Dr. Swaine has produced a steady stream of highly respected written and oral products
(books, reports, articles, opinion pieces, briefings, commentaries, etc.) for senior political and military leadership of the U.S.
government, as well as for the most influential security analysts in key Asian countries. His most recent book, America’s
Challenge: Engaging a Rising China in the Twenty-first Century is an incredibly cogent presentation of why the U.S. and China
must learn to live cooperatively in this changing political landscape. Dr. Swaine meets regularly with members of the U.S.
National Security Council, State Department, Pentagon, and U.S. Pacific Command, as well as with high-level Chinese and
other Asian officials involved in foreign and security relations with the United States. He commands their utmost respect and is

220

highly regarded by many, having established long-standing relationships of trust. For many years, he has led prominent
collaborative projects with his Chinese military and civilian counterparts on issues such as crisis management and elite and
public polling. He is heavily involved with numerous conferences and seminars, and accompanies senior U.S. politicians and
officials on visits to China in the capacity of advisor and interlocutor. By way of example as to his dedication to building genuine
cross-cultural relationships, I have attached a photo of Dr. Swaine presenting a portraiture to China’s National Defense
University’s Major General Zhu Chenghu. Michael has known the General for many years, came across of photo of Chenghu
as a young Red Guard in Chairman Mao’s Army, painted the oil portrait himself, and presented it at a conference with Chinese
scholars and officials during a collaborative project meeting on Sino-U.S. crisis management which Michael facilitated in Beijing
last May.

It is difficult to over-state the significant influence that Michael’s work has had and continues to exert on U.S. national policies. It
plays a key role in security-related issues and meetings held between U.S. and Chinese officials. He is actively involved and
directly informs how the U.S. government thinks about and deals with potential-military crises between the two nations. U.S.
officials have described Dr. Swaine as a “national asset” providing critical analysis and information for Washington in numerous
areas. He is often referred to within the China studies field as one of the leading, or THE leading American expert on U.S.-China
security affairs outside of the U.S. government. His vast area of expertise includes defense and security, foreign policy, the
military, and nuclear weapons…and this incredible journey all began as the result of a 16-year-old young man being enrolled at
the newly formed Hong Kong International School in 1967.

Please provide any other relevant info.

Throughout his life, Michael has been affable and engaging. Always inclusive of diverse backgrounds and cultures, and open to
new experiences: despite amazing achievements and impressive recognition, he remains a humble, compassionate, and highly
ethical individual with a great sense of humor. Although many may not recall, one of his first monographs was a small, red
school guidebook written while at HKIS, titled “Quotations from Chairman Mike” which was a parody of the “little red book”
entitled “Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong” that was popular in China at the time. Michael Swaine’s personal expertise,
stature in his field, widely acknowledged integrity, and commitment to lifelong learning, are traits of which the HKIS faculty, staff,
students and alumni can justifiably be proud, as well as inspired, by this award.

Michael is grateful for the unique insights and opportunities offered while he was in Hong Kong and at HKIS and often
acknowledges that those experiences introduced him to a life-changing culture that inextricably linked him to Asia for the
remainder of his life. He credits HKIS with profoundly influencing what has been a very fulfilling and productive career. Without a
doubt, his HKIS mentors and experiences served him well, helped him to develop a multi-cultural perspective and shaped his
educational and career choices. Our HKIS teachers expected nothing less of us than to go out and change the world. Michael
Swaine has not only met, but exceeded those high expectations, given back to our world, left his mark, and nudged history
forward through his distinguished service.

Michael is an individual devoted to excellence in all he does with a wide range of interests and talents. He is an avid fan and
generous patron of the arts. He is an accomplished artist and gardener. He is most proud of his twelve-year-old daughter who
is also excelling in music, ballet, sports, theater and academics!

Michael is not only a recognized leader in his field; he is deeply committed to “paying forward.” He has mentored and been very
influential in the personal development and advancement of dozens of international Carnegie and RAND Junior Fellows and
interns under his direction: all virtually from top universities, the majority of whom have gone on to obtain doctoral or other
advanced professional degrees, and were provided challenging assignments and opportunities to advance their careers in key
positions of academia, government and global enterprises. These contributions have had positive impact well beyond the scope
of Dr. Swaine’s workplace and resulted in significant benefit for the betterment of the universal community.

We appreciate the HKIS AAC’s favorable consideration my nomination of Michael Swaine as a 2016 candidate for the Bob
Christian Alumnus Award. We trust you will agree he would be an exemplary recipient and stellar representative of all that this
award is intended to recognize.

Submitted by: Jackson Tay Bosley & Christy Wendell, HKIS Class of 1969 alums

Please upload a copy of nominee's resume. Resume attached.

Optional: You can upload additional documents to support this nomination (e.g. third
party reference letters, press clippings, company reports, or similar). Word, maximum file
size 1 MB per document. General’s portrait photo attached.



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Do you receive
DRAGON TALES?

The HKIS alumni magazine is published
twice a year – Winter and Summer. It is a
great way to stay connected with the school,
faculty and friends.
In addition to current events and HKIS
happenings, there is a section in DRAGON
TALES for CLASS NOTES with alumni
updates. The deadline for your submissions
is November and May, but you can send
your update (a sentence, a paragraph or an
article!) to Hillary Sandeen
[email protected] or Christy Wendell
[email protected] any time.
Please consider writing a brief update. It is
important for current students to hear from
former students … especially our classes
representing the FIRST HKIS students!
Be sure to keep Christy informed of your
address and email changes so your contact
information on file remains current at the
HKIS Alumni Office. In addition to DRAGON
TALES, HKIS will email you a monthly
ALUMNI eNews update with current events.


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