Chaminade High School, Class of 1935, Part 1

Welcome to Chaminade High School in 1935- Dayton, Ohio.

Yearbook Year- 1935

You can view the whole yearbook- Here

There are 86 senior students and this series will be divided into several parts for shorter posts.

1. Robert A. Albers "Bob"

Robert's yearbook description: 

"As an "argufyer" Bob cannot be surpassed. He has a highly developed controversialist talent which enables him to discuss any point".

Robert August Albers

born: 13 Nov 1917 in St. Bernard, Ohio
died: 14 Jul 1942- at Sea, age 24

Parents: August Joseph Albers (1891-1967) & 

                                                Marie Anna Kloenne (1896-1986)

Robert never married or had children. He died at the young age of 24- according to a personal family tree on Ancestry.com, Sgt Robert Albers was lost at sea in a crash of U.S. Army Air Corps A-29 Hudson #41-23395 into the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 miles south of Louisiana. 

2. Gerald J. Ballman "Jerry"

Jerry's yearbook description:

"Quiet, unassuming as Jerry's disposition is, he is a top-notcher in all student activities and can be depended upon to cooperate in any undertaking". 

Gerald Joseph Ballman 

born: 23 Jul 1917 in Dayton, Ohio
died: 5 Jul 2011 in Englewood, Ohio, age 93

Parents: Gabriel Frank Ballmann (1889-1977) &

                                                Viola Mary Zink (1890-1968)  

On 6 Nov 1950, Gerald married Alma L. Kroger (1921-2017) and they had 2 children- Kathy and and Joseph. After Chaminade, Gerald graduated from GMI with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Gerald died at the age of 93 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Dayton. 

 

3. Albert R. Bir "Foamy"

Albert's yearbook description:

"His pugilistic inclinations and strong self-confidence as well as a bulldog determination are indicative of Foamy's claims to future success. He rises to the heights when telling about his numerous exploits". 

Albert Ralph BIr

born: 7 May 1917 in Dayton, Ohio
died: 09 Jan 2001, Dayton, Ohio, age 83

Parents: Edward Leo Bir (1889-1956) & Mabel C. Schaeffer (1895-1949) 

Albert served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II.

I couldn't find any record of a marriage or children for Albert. In 1950, he was 32, working as a proprietor for a used car service and living with his father. Albert died at the age of 83 and is buried in the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. 

4. John B. Blandford "Chink"

John's yearbook description:

"Clink seems to have a tireless zeal for study. Friendly and active in class activities and a good mixer, his enthusiasm attracts everyone". 

John Bernard Blandford 

born: 12 Mar 1917 in Dayton, Ohio

died: 26 Sep 2000 in Kettering, Ohio, age 83

Parents: John Bernard Blandford (born 1881) & Alice Regina Clayton (born 1883) 

John married Winifred Estella Weiser (1916-2007) and they had 5 children. In 1950, John was working as a process engineer for an electric app mfg and living with his wife and four children- John B III, Gerald Alan, Daniel Lee and Kenneth Dale. 

John died at the age of 83 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

5. Richard J. Boeckman "Dick"

Richard's yearbook description:

"Dick is the local sports authority and future radio commentator. He has a sound and comprehensive knowledge of basketball, as well as a large store of golfing incidents".

Richard Joseph Boeckman

born: 19 May 1917 in Dayton, Ohio
died: 03 Aug 1998 in Jackson, Mississippi, age 81

Parents: Joseph Valentine Boeckman (1889-1953) & 

                Martha Margaret Meyer (1895-1974) 

Richard married Frances Ford Blissard (1921-2015) on 30 Jun 1946 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Together, they had at least one son: Joseph Bernard Boeckman (1958-1958). Richard died at the age of 81 and is buried in the Natchez National Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi. 

6. Charles R. Borns "Charley"

Charles' yearbook description:

"Charley was one of the most efficient football managers ever to fill that position. It was due to his first aid treatment that so many injuries were cured before the next game".

Charles Robert Borns

born: 10 Dec 1917 in Dayton, Ohio

died: 23 Apr 1983 in Honolulu, Hawaii, age 65

Parents: Joseph Bernard Borns (1874-1948) & 

                Mary Catherine "Carrie" Fowler (1884-1925)

Charles attended the University of Dayton and then went onto Harvard University for a Master's degree in business administration. Later, he married Frances Magdalena Schnell (1918-1995). In 1958, he became a professor and later became a vice president of Chaminade University. Charles and Frances had 3 children, a daughter and two sons.  

Charles died at the age of 65 and is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 

This is the end of Class of 1935, Part 1- continue the series here: Part 2

Copyright (c) 2025, Carrie Smith