Where do you live now? Citrus Height, Sacramento, CA
How many years were you in the desert? 1949-56, 60-62
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sure
Are you willing to help with stories? Sure
Comments: The following note appears to be one of the first entries in the guest book. My classmate, Pat Jones, at S.E. Burroughs High School, China Lake, CA, was the originator, lay-out artist and web-master of High Desert Memories. Notations in the Guestbook will show that Pat has since passed on to glory .. Pat's mate & friend of many years, Loretta Elm, took responsibility for getting this web-site turned over to the hands of a Ridgecrest area historical society who is keeping it alive and viable ..
08/04/03 Where do you live now?Eagle Point, OR Comments: It has been a pleasure for me to put this website together for others to enjoy. There are so many people who have helped by sending pictures, memories, adventures and stories I can't begin to thank them all here. But they know who they are and I am acknowledging them here and now. Thank you all!!! I continue to scour the internet and email visitors in order to get more and more to insert. I hope to carry this on beyond my lifetime by finding someone to keep it going when I no longer can. If anyone cares to give it a whirl contact me by email and we'll arrange a meet of some sort to discuss it. So for now I welcome all comers and would appreciate your comments about the site as well as suggestions for additions or improvements that would make the experience more enjoyable.
Where do you live now? Citrus Heights, Sacramento, CA
How many years were you in the desert? 1949-56, 1960-62
Are you willing to help with pictures? Sure
Are you willing to help with stories? Sure
Comments:
At the request of a friend, Nancy Ellings-Oseman BHS 1957, I'm reposting this obituary of; Duane William Mack, erstwhile China Lake employee and resident. Nancy and I were schoolmates of(as I recall); John Mack BHS '56, & Diane Mack-Musick BHS '57 ..
January 07, 2011
Former China Lake resident Duane William Mack passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, at his home in Laguna Beach. He was 92. Duane was born May 17, 1918, in Albuquerque, N.M. He arrived at China Lake in 1943, where he worked as a pioneer range engineer, leading the effort to plan and coordinate Charlie Range, which was well known for its can-do spirit. Mack earned the Navy's second highest ranking civilian award in 1956. He was one of a small group of Cal Tech employees to provide ground support for the first test conducted at NOTS. He spent most of his career as the head of range operations for aviation ordinance. He was featured in Volume 3 of the Magnificent Mavericks, a history of the personnel at China Lake written by Liz Babcock. Duane loved the desert and enjoyed exploring the area. He once found an ancient skeleton and some hunting and gathering tools in a cave near Little Lake. He also loved camping in Yosemite and traveling. He retired in 1972. Following retirement, Duane and Margaret settled in Laguna Beach. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Duane was preceded in death by a brother, Don Mack. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Margaret Ann Mack of Laguna Beach; daughter, Diane Musick of Grass Valley; daughter, Carol Ann Seaman and husband, Ken of Ridgecrest; daughter, Kathleen Short and husband, Bob of Laguna Beach; son, John Mack and wife, Marilyn of Modesto; six grandchildren, Kevin Musick of Chico; Darrell Musick of Los Gatos; Kim Seaman and Colette Weimholt of Ridgecrest; Evan Mack of Los Angeles; and Karen Mack of Oakland; 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; and a brother, Doug Mack.
Where do you live now? Citrus Heights, Sacramento, CA
How many years were you in the desert? 1949-56, 1961-62
Are you willing to help with pictures? As I'm able
Are you willing to help with stories? As I'm able
Comments: Stopped by today to check out pix of, what used to be, the Yucca Drive-In, a drive-up cafe on China Lake Blvd. Just received an email from schoolmate, and RC/CL resident, Bill Sturgeon, that the Yucca Drive-In was demolished recently. Understandable, considering it's age, but still sad, somehow .. It was our hangout in the 50's, etc.