Jo Ellen Kloppenberg:

On leaving Princess Anne, I went to Mary Washington, however, at the beginning of my junior year I transferred to the University of Virginia. I received my B.S in Education and was inducted into the Lychnos Society in 1964. The environments could not have been more different. A ratio of ten to one would be accurate only if you included all the nursing and graduate students. Finding myself as the only woman in a Logics class of two hundred, I was indeed glad to see Pete Kloppel. Charlottesville held other interests. The Hampton High student I began dating in ’58 had entered UVA in ‘59. Gene and I were married in 1963. Following his graduation in 1963, we went to Philadelphia for a job with GE. Having attended two summer sessions allowed me to skip the fall semester and return to graduate with my class.

The next two years would find us in Syracuse, NY, and Roanoke, VA, before we returned to Philadelphia in order for Gene to pursue an MBA at Wharton. After he completed his degree, GE sent him to Lynchburg, VA, for eight years. During this same time period, I taught school in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia for a total of eight years. I also began graduate school.

Our three children were born three years apart between teaching, graduate school and career changes.

In 1977 we moved to St. Louis when Gene accepted a job with McDonnell Douglas. My life changed dramatically when I decided to share my children’s interest in horses. They became active in the United States Pony Club and I became a DC. Being a USPC District Commissioner is akin to being a scout leader to boys, girls and horses.

By 1987, the kids had all finished high school and gone to college. We now have a nurse, a businessman and a vet in the family.

Yet another career opportunity brought Gene and I to Atlanta in 1989. Having served as a deacon at our church in St Louis, I searched for a new church home. Peachtree Presbyterian (membership 10,000) provided fellowship and offered me new challenges first as a member of the Wedding Guild and later as its Chairman from 1993-1998.

We were here for the excitement of the Olympics in1996! However, this year was more meaningful for us as the first of our four grandchildren was born. Ryan (14) and Katie (11) live in Atlanta while Patrick (9) and Meghan (4) live in St. Louis. Being able to interact with each child has added immensely to our lives.

Gene’s career offered me the opportunity to travel with him. Highlights of trips include Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Bermuda, England, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

Travel with the younger two grandchildren has brought the added adventure of the Hawaiian Islands.

I feel truly blessed. Neither Gene nor I could have envisioned any of this fifty years ago. The Class of 1960 opened the door to all of our futures.