2025 March 28th: ROMEO Brunch

We had a delightful gathering at the general store in Scottsdale after somewhat of a miniature battle to arrange for a table for our group of 11 people. The patio tables were full albeit being a cloudy Friday afternoon. We did see a large open table, but perhaps some in our group may have created problems in the past the service crew was hesitant to fit all of us in the corner of our local hangout. We managed to convince them that we could control those who had reputations that raised concerns. Perhaps it was the presence of Cal Schwandt that gave us enough credibility to be trusted. Cal was visiting his brother-in-law Tom Nielsen for the week, which gave all of us the opportunity to catch up with the best known district manager and clinical pharmacist in the Des Moines area, he certainly has not changed a bit and is quiet calm in influence seem to be an element of control over this rambunctious group. Tom was also in attendance, obviously between trips. Tom did not disappoint and that he ordered his eggs Benedict with the hollandaise sauce on the side. Jerry Ostermann was in attendance as this gathering was early enough in the spring that he had not left for the midwest per usual Curt Larson did manage to finally make it to the gathering from the east Valley. As a snowbird, he is scheduled to return to North Dakota in about three weeks. He has been entertaining a lot of family and friends from the snow and cold. but the warming trends at his lake home is telling him that his presence is needed to clean up the winter debris. Arlyn White was in his last days in Arizona before returning to Salt Lake City to enjoy it spring and summer it had been a couple of years since Arlyn has been able to make a Romeo and it is always great to catch up which reinforces how lucky we all are to have worked with such quality people. Bill Harbecke is close to venturing to Aruba for a destination wedding for his daughter in about four weeks. I think he is just trying to find a way to jump over and visit Columbia South America.. Bill looked great. Frank Stock was taking some time off from the stock market as it dropped 700+ points on the Dow and close to 500 points on the NASDAQ. We really appreciate it Frank unfortunately for Frank he has not been able to play golf for some aggravating hand and knee discomfort. Hopefully he can get those taken care of and be back on the course Ron Grove, and Liz, as mentioned previously has moved into their new home and is getting settled in. It always takes time to personalize new locations and they’re getting used to the fact that their neighborhood is in the midst of much new building. Stan Petersen and Deone have been spending quite a bit of time visiting their new grandchild in Kansas City and are currently planning a nice relaxing week on the big island of Hawaii. They did to go to Kansas City to participate in a mini reunion of previous Osco people especially including JP Larson, who is spending time recouping from some health related issues. after a couple of years of absence, Mr. John Spellman was in attendance and it was great to see him. He looked great! As you know, he had been a partner in a business that catered meals to professional sports teams of hockey basketball and baseball, and he finally just sold the business and as a man of leisure once again, obviously he has been going to Maui in January and he indicated that Lahaina is still struggling to rebuild and he can’t wait for it to return in its new form and shape. John’s son who had the heart transplant five years ago is doing extremely well and still lives in Phoenix, his other two children also reside in the valley of the sun.

We had a wonderful morning and afternoon and it’s always great to visit old friends which reinforces how lucky we all were to work with such a quality group of people. Best wishes to all. Gerry