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Accomplishments

• Olympic swimmer (US swim champion, 200 meter breast stroke, 1936-1039)
• Began flying in 1939
• FAA designated pilot examiner for over 20 years
• From 1942 to 1944 while a member of Women Air Force (WAFS) served as a ferry pilot with Army Air Forces
• During this time Iris flew more than 18 types of military airplanes as pilot-in-command
• Involved in the All Womens Transcontinental Air Race from 1951-1957
• Curator and Archivist for Aeronautical Library collection
• Currently still flying and giving flying lessons

Memories

I remember Art Young as my freshman math teacher. I remember well his encouragement for my athletic and aviation interests. With appreciation, I remember my three years of Latin with Miss Deatherage and two years of French with Dr. Andre Rush as well as the wisdom of the dedicated chemistry teacher. I enjoyed attending most all of the Sea Hawk football games and sharing these events with my classmates, some of whom I hope will make it to the Centennial celebration. I remember with some amusement now, the very simple and inexperienced delivery of the talk I was asked to give to the assembled students in the Fall of 1936 about my Olympic Games experience in Berlin that summer. I remember those school uniforms, the white middy blouse with the dark skirts and the colored ties — green for freshman, red for sophomores, blue for juniors and black for seniors! I was also pleased that our son Robin put in two years of pleasant high school experience at RUHS, 1960-61, before we moved to Claremont. I have enjoyed keeping in touch with many classmates during the last 20 years. In just two years, it will be the 70th anniversary of our graduation from RUHS. I hope to be around to celebrate!