LLU&MC Scope, Autumn 1997, 1950s alumni notes

Bee (Wagner) Biggs-Jarrell (SN'51) writes that "After serving with ADRA in Malawi from 1990 to 1992, my husband, Ken, and I have enjoyed traveling with our chocolate lab and Ossi cat in our fifth-wheel RV and Dodge truck, criss-crossing the Western U.S., and spending a marvelous 10 weeks in Alaska.

"We did not dream we'd have another visit to Africa, but when the Idaho Christian Women's Retreat adopted four Malawi Dorcas Societies to assist them to begin small enterprises in sewing, it became our privilege to present the sewing machines (all treadle, of course), fabric, scissors, thread, and other supplies, in person! Hosted by our friend, Shamil, an Asian- Muslim merchant in Blantyre, Malawi, we spent October, 1996, revisiting some of the 24 villages where he had begun the Child Survival Project in 1990.

"What a thrill to see entire villages cleaned up, with no more cholera; all 2-year-olds immunized; clean, protected water supplies; and new churches, clinics, and sanitary latrines where there had been none for miles around! We were greeted by many happy faces of those it had been our privilege to teach improved village health principles. God is so good....We are now at home in the beautiful Idaho mountains, awaiting whatever other surprises God has in store for us."

Mrs. Jarrell was honored as Alumnus of the Year by the School of Nursing in 1978.

Raymond J. Bungard (SM '51) ...using a Kodak view camera during World War II.

Raymond J. Bungard (SM'51) reminisces about his experiences during World War II. Dr. Bungard was a member of the 67th General Hospital, which was activated in late 1942 at Fort Bliss, Texas. While there, Dr. Bungard met two other Seventh-day Adventists, Ted Benedict (Pacific Union College, Angwin, California), and Wayne Hixson (Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington). "The three of us worked in the clinical laboratory, and were in charge of the photo lab," reflects Dr. Bungard.

"...We learned that the 67th would sail for the British Isles on the Queen Elizabeth, then the largest ship afloat...troops and crew would exceed 16,000 personnel. The Queen left New York on November 24, 1942, and arrived in Gourock, Scotland, on November 29, 1942."

The heaviest allied shipping losses due to German U-boat attacks occurred in the fall and winter of 1942.

U-boat Captain Horst Kessler later recalled firing four torpedoes at the Queen Elizabeth. "Had the torpedoes scored," states Dr. Bungard, "loss of life would have exceeded 12,000, as there were lifeboats for only the normal compliment of passengers and crew.... Survival in the cold waters of the North Atlantic would be limited to minutes, not hours."

The 67th served in the European theater (England), for almost three years, at times treating the wounded by the trainload after the Normandy invasion. The hospital unit returned to the United States in 1945 on the Queen Mary.

Ila Mae (Childers) Helgemo (SN'54A) writes from Vista, California, "I entered nurses' training at the College of Medical Evangelists/Loma Linda campus, in 1946. Illness forced me to withdraw in 1948. I returned in 1952, and graduated in the 1954A class....The bond of that class is remarkable. We have published a class letter every year for the past 48 years.

"I am married, and have one child. The first six years after graduation, I worked in clinic and office nursing. Then, after 10 years helping my husband with his business, I returned to nursing, and retired from school nursing with the San Marcos Unified School District in 1988. I enjoyed the 18 years of school nursing, and thank Loma Linda University for the good nursing program."

James R. Dunn (SM'55) sent in several clippings along with a note chronicling his activities since graduating from LLU. He completed his medical training at Porter Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Dunn then began a family medicine practice in Grand Junction in July, 1956. He retired on August 30, 1996.

Dr. Dunn, a private pilot, writes that he "had the privilege to fly to La Vida Mission in New Mexico, to the clinics at the school every other Wednesday since 1965.

"Because of that, Mesa, Colorado, and Colorado Medical Society honored me with community service awards and a write-up in Diversion, a medical journal, and newspapers in Grand Junction and Denver."

Geneva B. Bowman (GS'58), from Macks Creek, Missouri, has been retired for 24 years. During her career, she worked for many Adventist institutions, including Southern Missionary College; the Canadian Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists where she was asked to establish a school of nursing in Willowdale, Ontario; and for Loma Linda University. She writes that, throughout her retirement, she has been active in numerous health and nursing activities in the community. She also enjoys working in her garden with plants and flowers, and enjoys church work.

John Haines (SAHP'58) graduated with a medical technology degree the same year as his brother, Robert (Bob) Haines (SAHP'58), and is a medical technologist in Hemet, California. He is working in an oncology laboratory of Smith Kline Beecham. Mr. Haines lives in Loma Linda with his wife, Jane.

Robert (Bob) Haines (SAHP'58) retired from Madera Community Hospital, where he had worked as a medical technologist, in June, 1997. He and his wife, Bonnie, "just celebrated 41 years of a great marriage," he writes.

"My wife and I have lived in Madera, California, for 33 years, and are active in our local Adventist church....We have made several trips to Hawaii, and enjoy snorkeling."

The Haines have three married children: Robert John, who is married to Kelly and lives in San Francisco; Peggy Seyfang and her husband, Larry, residents of Martinez, California; and Linda Durnam and her husband, Ron, who live in Angeles Oaks, California. Linda Durnam works in the University's department of anatomy. "We have three grandchildren," writes Mr. Haines, "whom we enjoy visiting."