Streaks Alumni Profile- Rick Welty & Sue (Swegle) Welty 1969

This Streaks Alumni Profile features Rick Welty and Sue (Swegle) Welty from the GHS Class of 1969. 

Rick and Sue were involved in clubs, activities, and sports at GHS. They had an impact on their school and on their classmates. 

They chose to live in Galesburg, and raise a family in Galesburg. They have had a positive impact on our community as leaders and as role models. 

I am so happy that they were willing to take the time to share their memories. 

Favorite Teachers/Classes

Rick-  Helen Dunn, Joe Patterson, John Kessler, Art Fish.  All were excellent teachers but also excelled in relating to students with humor, kindness and humility.  John Kessler let us listen to some of the World Series at the end of Algebra class.

Sue- Mr. Kuster, Mr. Rodefer, Miss Amy Lindahl, Mrs. Rosine

 

Churchill Football Cheerleaders

Clubs/Activities/Sports

Rick- Baseball, J V basketball, Senior Council, G Club

Sue- Varsity Cheerleader, GSL, Pep Club

 

Streaks Varsity Baseball

Best Memories Growing Up in Galesburg

Rick- Being born in 1951 puts me in the Baby Boomer generation which meant many kids in every neighborhood of Galesburg which allowed for many activities with friends mostly spent outside.  With each season we went from baseball to football to basketball and it seemed as if every neighborhood has a “team”.  Summer days were spent playing baseball from morning to supper, then a switch to games like flashlight tag, kick the can, or hide and seek.  I consider my youth growing up in Galesburg as idyllic.  CUSD District 205 afforded us all a quality education and helped prepare us for adulthood.  I can’t imagine a more enjoyable youth, anywhere.

Sue- Growing up in a neighborhood with lots of kids, and we also went to school together. Great memories with Jr. High cheerleading, Varsity Football cheerleading.

Streaks Varsity Football Cheerleading

 

Meeting Each Other

Rick- Sue and I went to first grade together at Bateman School, next to Churchill Jr. H. S.  Our first date was on March 29, 1969 as went to the movie, “Romeo and Juliet”.  Interesting side note; in grade school my buddy down the street (Ted Nocella) and I walked to school together.  After school, Ted walked Sue (my wife) home from school and I walked Sue’s next door neighbor Carolyn Strader home.  Ted ended up marrying Carolyn and I married Sue.  Quite a coincidence.

Sue- We met in first grade at Bateman School. On our first date, we went to the Orpheum theater to see Romeo and Juliet ( my choice).

 

1962 Little League Giants

Life After GHS

Rick- B.S. from Western Illinois University then 24 years in various positions at Dick Blick Co., 2 years selling insurance for Country Companies, 15 years as administrator of Medical & Surgical Specialists.

Sue- Wife, Mother, Banker, Bookkeeper 

GHS’s Girls Service League

 

Why Galesburg?

Rick- Our entire family has graduated from GHS, including brothers, sisters and children.  Many years ago, I had the opportunity to move with my job to Nevada but couldn’t leave family and our small-town environment.  Galesburg is just a great town to raise a family, make a living, and enjoy life at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Sue- Small businesses, opportunities, parks, recreation, people.

 

May of 1969, Rick pitching a no-hitter in Regionals

Today

Rick- Being a grandpa to our three grandchildren from our son, Adam, and his wife, Debbie (Johnson), both of whom are also GHS graduates. And our daughter, Megan is a ‘94 GHS grad. Riding my bicycle daily, going to the YMCA, serving our church (Bethel Baptist), being on the board at the Galesburg Sanitary District, Prairieland Hospice Foundation and YMCA, speaking at the Galesburg Rescue Mission chapel and drinking coffee with other old men.

(Editor’s Note- Adam was a Practice Player for the Streaks Girls Basketball team, and Megan was a Varsity manager for Streaks Girls Basketball for three years.)

Sue- Active in our church, I lead a ladies Bible study, and love to watch my grandkids play volleyball, baseball, soccer.

Rick with classmate- Jim Reinebach

Advice for Today’s Students

 

Rick- Love God dearly, enjoy life, work diligently whether at school or in the workplace, smile often, and be thankful for the many blessings from God.

Sue- Stay in school, graduate, you don’t have to go to college to get a good paying job. After graduation, come back to Galesburg, we need you and it’s a great place to live and raise a family.