Coach Ray Walder

I am still waiting on an official confirmation or obituary for Coach Ray Walder, who died recently at age 90.  Ray and Faye have been living with youngest daughter Cathy.  The news has been circulating on various MMHS lists, but the family (as of Feb. 17) hadn't put a notice in the paper. Here is the note in the 1955 MMHS Mounder, which means even those of us who were not athletes, had him for an instructor. I think general science was a required course.

"Science is Mr. Walder's field.  He teaches biology and general science in addition to coaching the fresh-soph football and basketball teams which takes a lot of his time.  Mr. Walder can usually be seen at the games.  He is a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College with his Bachelor of Arts degree."

 

The 1953-54 Fresh-Soph Squad

Lynne and Nancy have been busy looking through the Index archives. This scan from the Sports Section reminded Lynne of the movie Hoosiers--except for the white shoes. Lynne identifies line up as: Back row: Phil E, Moe K, Ray G, Dave S, Jon M, Chuck W, Larry B; Middle row: Glenn R, Dick Z, Dave B, Ron D, Mike S, Mike B; Front row; Gene H, Dick H, Stan M, Dave B, Bob H, Murray T.

The coach was Ray Walder, a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College and our General Science and Biology teacher. He led the "Moundets" to 15 wins and 5 loses that season, with only 2 returning lettermen. In the Conference, they finished with 7 wins and 1 loss. The main 8 lettering players were 6 sophomores--Stan, Dick, Bobby, Murray, Dave and Gene, with our own Dave B and Dick Z adding a lot of glam and action.