Members
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Members of the ALPENA, MICHIGAN......ROMEO CLUB

Bill, born April 6, 1935 in Ossineke, Michigan is one of the original 3 members who started the group in 1997. He is “The Leader of the Pack” and is the contact man for the group and never fails to have the coffeepot brewing for us. His scrapbook on the history of the club with his interesting comments is delightful.  He graduated from Alpena High School and was employed by Besser Manufacturing Co. as sign painter.  He married his wife Charlotte in 1982. They have 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls).  Bill says his hobbies are eating, biking, history and music.   Bill says the club gives him a chance to get together once a week with a swell bunch of guys. He didn’t know retirement could be so much fun! Some winter months are spent in Casa Grande, AZ.
Duane (Bud), is one of the original members of the group of three.  He was born September 16, 1934 in McHenry, North Dakota, graduate of Alpena High School, served with the Army Security Agency for 3 years and retired from the Besser Manufacturing Co. after 41 years.  Bud’s hobbies include biking, walking and eating.  He and his wife Alice of 50 years (who he calls Rosia) usually take 2 major trips or cruises annually. They have a son Douglas with wife Peggy and children Sarah and Rachel of Alpena and a second son Randy with wife Lisa and children Leah and Erin in Evergreen, CO.  Bud enjoys ROMEO for the comradeship, food, exercise, exploring and a chance to meet new people.  Also it is a challenge to find new and different places.  Being “The keeper of the coupons” we some times get two meals for the price of one.  He says he has a need to stick together when crossing streets and etc.  Some winter months are spent in Holiday, Florida.
Ralph is our “Old Timer”.  He has been member of the ROMEO Club since about 2002.  He was born December 1, 1921 in Alpena, Michigan.  Ralph attended 12 years of school.  During WWII he served 3 years as a Communications Sargent in the U.S. Army.  He was in the Philippines, Hawaii and New Guinea from 1943-45.  He was employed as a pipe fitter at Huron Portland Cement Company / National Gypsum Company.  On June 20, 1970 he married Evelyn Becker.  Ralph has 3 stepchildren Darrel, Debra and Kathy. Ralph loves ROMEO for the camaraderie, exercise, joke telling, BS and eating out with good buddies.  Ralph says, “All of you can get old, all you have to do is keep on living and ride a bike.”  You know there are some things Ralph will tell you for sure!
John, a member of the ROMEO Club since 1997, was born July 27, 1933 and raised in Alpena, Michigan.  He graduated from Alpena High School and was employed by Besser Manufacturing Company in Alpena, retiring in 1998.  John married Patricia Dignan in 1954.  They have two daughters, Susan Sherbert of Florence, SC and Nancy Wedge of Alpena.  John enjoys bicycling, woodworking and spending time at his hunting camp.  His hunting camp has been the site of a few ROMEO cookouts.  John claims the ROMEO bunch is a good group of fellows to be with even though one of them tells me, “John, I didn’t like you even when we were friends”.  John is known as “Teaser” as he likes to agitate the waitresses.
Tom was born May 6, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan.  He retired from Detroit Diesel.  After living at Whitmore Lake, Michigan he and his wife Lynn whom he married in 1972, moved to Harrisville, Michigan.  They have a daughter Wendy living in Okemos MI.  Tom has been a member of the Alpena Romeo Club for the past 3 or 4 years.  Tom’s many hobbies are freestyle canoeing, hot air engines, G gauge railroading, building and racing remote-controlled wooden boats.  He has manufactured buck knives, canoe paddles, bows and arrows, wheeled potato cannon, and are now crafting a wanigan for use as a base camp on canoe trips.  We call him the “Chief Engineer” because of his many and varied projects. Tom likes to travel, to do shows that benefit the community and promote history.  Tom enjoys ROMEO getting together, eating and biking to different places.
Bill, a member of ROMEO since 1998 was born October 23, 1934 in Alpena, Michigan.  He attended Alpena High School, Junior College and was employed in manufacturing engineering.  His hobbies include woodcarving, reading and gardening.  Bill and Sharon were married in 1960 and have two children Cindy and Bill Jr.…  Bill says he enjoys the fellowship of the ROMEO Group.  Since Bill is such a tall guy we call him “High Pockets”.
Ron, a member of the ROMEO Club since 2000 was born January 9, 1932 in Alpena, Michigan.  He graduated from Alpena High School. Ron served in the U.S. Army as a medic during the Korean Conflict 1952-54.   Huron Portland Cement Co. employed him for 36 ½ years.  Married twice, his first wife Shirley (Beyer) who died after 35 ½ years of marriage and Marge, his second wife with whom he has been married 19 years. They have four children; Art, Bruce, Carrie and Denise.  Ron enjoys a day out with the boys for Good Food and Good Company. Ron suggests everyone keep on biking and living the good life.  Since Ron is always out front leading the tribe, we call him “Indian Feather”.   Some of the winter months are spent in Port Richey, Florida.
Dale was born September 30, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan.  He graduated from High School and married his wife Patricia in September of 1955. They have 3 children (2 girls and one boy).  Dale owned and operated the pet shop “Pet World” in Alpena, Michigan which he sold and retired in May of 1991.  His hobbies are fishing, hunting, biking, shuffleboard, darts, walking and cards.  He is a “Lover” of beer and donuts.  Some winter months are spent in Port Richey, Florida. Dale, a member since 2003 says the ROMEO group is a good bunch of men… fun to be with and good exercise.
Bob was born December 9, 1931 in Wolf Creek, Alpena County, Michigan.  Bob married Verna in 1954.  They have 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl).  Early on, Bob was employed by Wolf Creek Farm Bureau for approximately 10 years. He was a truck driver for several years and self employed in construction as equipment operator until his retirement.  His hobby is being involved in farm and tractor shows.  Bob has rigged up a flatbed trailer with a ROMEO Club bike rack for about a dozen bikes. It is towed with his comfortable RV in which we have taken extended bike tours as far away as Petoskey, Michigan.  We call him “Cigarman” since he protects our donut/coffee money in his cigar box.  Bob a member since 2001 says he enjoys the Romeo group for the good company.  Some winter months are spent in Port Richy, Florida
Rudy is a member of the Alpena, Michigan and Payson, Arizona ROMEO Clubs since 2004.   He was born in Saginaw, Michigan in October 6. 1930.  Rudy was founder and owner of Alpena Glass Co. Inc. in Alpena, MI from 1950 until retiring in 1995.  He served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955 with A CO. 701sst M.P. Battalion at Fort Knox, Ky.  Rudy graduated from Arthur Hill Trade School as a draftsman in 1947 and Arthur Hill High School, Saginaw, MI in 1948.  He enjoys stamp and coin collecting, gardening, forestry, hiking, history and writing his memoirs.  Rudy and Marylin (LaComb) were married in June 1952 and have 5 children.  Since he always has his camera along we just call him “Clicker”. They love Alpena, MI, May through November and Payson, AZ December through June.  Both ROMEO cubs have an interesting and enjoyable bunch of guys to be with.
Bob, a member of the ROMEO club since 2004 was born in Alpena on August 30, 1936. He graduated from Alpena Catholic Central High School and attended some college courses.  He served in the U.S. Army two years (1958 – 1960) in the 85th Ordinance as Specialist 4th class.  In the past he has been employed as a meat cutter, barber and at the Alpena Power Company as Field Engineering Rep. and Supervisor in the Meter Dept.  For a time he was owner operator of the State Street Car Wash.  He married Patricia Werstine on May 26, 1962.  They have two sons David and Brian.  His hobbies are hunting and Field Trialing Beagles along with his music, playing the accordion and violin.  The ROMEO’S call him “Bobby Wonder” the keyboard man.  Getting together with the ROMEO bunch gives him a chance to ride his bike with a good group of guys and it is very educational, especially Don and Ed’s jokes. For a suggestion he says we should plan a ride on Mackinac Island.       
Dick was born February 24, 1938 in Alpena, Michigan and has been a member of the ROMEO club since 2003.  He attended High School and had 8 years service in the National Guard with a rank of E-G.  For 38 years he was employed at the Besser Manufacturing Company. Having been a cleanup man, the guys call him the “Sanitary Engineer”.  He married his wife Diane in 1999.  Dick has one child and Diane has three. His hobby is golf and he also spends a lot of time playing baseball and water volley ball while in Apache Junction, Arizona during the winter months.
Don, a member of ROMEO since 1999 was born on October 26 1933 in Tower, Michigan.  He graduated from Alpena High School and four years work training for electrical journeyman license.  In 1953 he married wife Joanne.  They have four adult children. Bike riding is his hobby and he comments that the ROMEO group gets him to see more of the outdoors and gives him a good opportunity to exercise.  Being with good friends makes it very enjoyable.  We Don, our “Happy Humor Technician”.  He is all ways ready with the latest jokes.  He says the club is great fun the way it is!  Some of his winter months are spent in Florida.
Bob was born November 7, 1946 in Alpena, Michigan.  He is a graduate of Alpena High School.  Bob spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corps Air Wing, E-4 Corp.  After his military service he was employed at Besser Manufacturing Co. as department leader in heat treat.  Bob married Ann Moulds on July 14, 1973.  They have two sons, Rob and Eric and a daughter Julie.   His hobbies are golf, tennis, pool shooting, hunting, bike riding and motorcycling.  We call him 8:55 Bob, since he always shows up for our Romeo breakfast just before we place our orders at 9 a.m.  Bob joined ROMEO in 2007 and says he is enjoying the company of a “Great Group of Guys”.
Wendell was born December 5, 1934 in Battle Creek, Michigan has been a member of ROMEO for the last 5 years.  He graduated from W. K. Kellogg Central High School and served in the U.S. Air Force 1951-56 with time in Korea.  Wendell married Carol (Klee) on March 17, 1956. . They have three children, Wendell Jr. Donna and Kenneth. He was employed as an Equipment operator at Huron Portland Cement Co.  and National Gypsum Company.  His hobby is woodworking.  We previously called him the “Youngster” but just recently, because of a woodworking experience, he acquired the name “Stubby”. Some winter months you can find him in Holiday, Florida.
Ed was born November 8, 1934 in Germany (West Prussia).  He was educated in Germany and came to the USA in December 1955.  From 1957-1959 he served in the U.S. Army in Germany.  He served with a CID unit.  In 1959 he married Elvira “Elfei” (Hose), a German girl he met while in Germany.  He calls her his “Shatzie”.   They have two children Arnold and Monica.  Ed is a professional painting contractor with great talent for his trade.  Among is hobbies are story telling, pitching horse shoes, fishing, music and a weekly Sunday German music radio program which he has presented for over 25 years.  He has been a singing member of the local Besser Chorus for many years.  We call him “The Happy Minstrel”.  He has been a member of ROMEO since 2005 and says he enjoys ROMEO for love of out doors sports and fellowship.
Bob, “Wes” was born December 27, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri. Graduated from high school, attended college and tech certification at Alpena Community College.  Bob is retired from the USA Air Force after 23 years of service  (1961-1984) with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.  He was involved with personnel / training manager.  Since his Air Force retirement, Bob has served Alpena Supply Company as Warehouse Operations Supervisor. His hobbies include; Sports, NASCAR and outdoor activities (yard work).  He married Mary Ann Dziesinski in 1963 and they have two sons, Mike and Chris.  As a new 2006 member of ROMEO, Bob is looking forward to being with a fun bunch of guys.
Jim, “Gas Man” was born in Grosse Point, Detroit, Michigan and came to Alpena at the age of five.  He graduated from Alpena Catholic Central High School.  He married Geraldine Burgett on July 18, 1970.  Geraldine passed away June 5, 2004.  They were blessed with a son, Gerald.   Jim was employed and retired on 12/31/2004 from Alpena Supply Company (welding division as gas man) after 39 years of service.  In 2006, ROMEO welcomes Jim and hopes he will find enjoyment visiting and participating in our activities.  
Bob was born October 23, 1940 in Flint, Michigan.  He graduated from Millington High School and has a BS from Ohio State in economic statistics and a MA from Central Michigan in management and supervision.  He married Priscilla Jones on August 10, 1963 and they were blessed with two children, Michael S. and Melissa R.  After twenty years of military service, he retired as a major in the U.S. Air Force and recently retired from the Alpena Public School system.   He is currently broker / owner of Michigan North Realty in Alpena, Michigan.  His hobbies are golf, collecting, cards and gardening.  We call him the “Wok Man”.  Bob joined ROMEO in 2007 and finds that they are a good group of interesting guys.