David Sapp

Since our mostly blissful years at Hickman, my lifeline has included a degree in Chemical Engineering from MU in 1967, marriage to non-Kewpie Jo Barnhill in 1968, four years of work at the research laboratories of Sinclair Oil Company near Chicago, a return to Columbia as an engineer with 3M Company, the birth of my two best legacies, Lesley and Michael, and various engineering and management positions at 3M culminating in the assignment of a lifetime, building and managing 3M's first southeast Asian electronics manufacturing facility in Seremban, Malaysia.

Upon returning to Columbia from Malaysia, I opted for early retirement and proved that you can find meaning outside the office. My years since have been fulfilling and busy with community and home activities. I've discovered anew my love of history and have researched and written about the history of Boone county while contributing many wonderful hours to the Boone County Historical Society, currently serving as president of the board of directors. I have similarly worked with the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri in many capacities, the Missouri State Genealogical Society organizing statewide conferences, and the Columbia Kiwanis Club. My wonderful wife prods me and keeps me active in supporting our local Democrat candidates, doing what I can to save us from Dubya.

Through all these years I've had the great pleasure of a continuing association with the "Parkade gang" that graduated in 1963 — John Cunningham, Bill Taft, and Bill Trumbower and John Douglas on occasion. Everyone should have the good fortune to be able to play a little tennis or a round of par-3 golf with Kewpie friends forty years after your prime!

December 27, 2011

Since our mostly blissful years at Hickman, my life story has included a degree in Chemical Engineering from MU in 1967, marriage to non-Kewpie Jo Barnhill in 1968, four years of work at the research laboratories of Sinclair Oil Company near Chicago, a return to Columbia as an engineer with 3M Company, the birth of my two best legacies, Lesley and Michael, and various engineering and management positions at 3M culminating in the assignment to build and manage 3M’s first southeast Asian electronics manufacturing facility in Seremban, Malaysia.

Upon returning to the U.S. and Columbia in late 1997, I opted for early retirement and am thoroughly enjoying different kinds of work . I’ve had trouble figuring out how I had time to work. I discovered anew my love of history and continue to research and write about the history of Boone county. I devote lots of time to the Boone County Historical Society – having served on its board for twelve years, including two years as President, and currently by leading a new initiative to preserve a number of historic buildings in a setting we call the Village at Boone Junction.

History and genealogy go hand in hand and I have worked with the Genealogical Society of Central Missouri in many capacities, the Missouri State Genealogical Society organizing statewide conferences, and the National Genealogical Society organizing the Kansas City conference in 2008. My Kiwanis Club efforts are rewarding and help in a small way the children of Columbia.

Many of you know that we have a historic treasure in the Columbia Cemetery and I am lucky enough to serve on the Columbia Cemetery Association’s board, one that extends back over 150 years now. Politically, I support Democratic party candidates because they come closest to representing my values, though I do wonder about the sad state of most politics in our country.

All of the (now old) “Parkade gang” that graduated in 1963 — John Cunningham, Bill Taft, and Bill Trumbower and John Douglas are still around, thankfully. In 2003, I said in this spot: “Everyone should have the good fortune to be able to play a little tennis or a round of par-3 golf with Kewpie friends forty years after your prime!” In 2013, I have to say that, while I haven’t played tennis or golf for years now, Cunningham and I can still take Taft and Trumbower any time. Here’s to the entire Class of ‘63.

I’ve been so fortunate in so many ways over nearly 78 years now, but my greatest fortune since our last reunion was discovering love again after Jo’s death. It took several years but I eventually found the courage to ask a beautiful woman for a date. We took a few years to get to know each other and got married last October.

Sharon Carmignani is still a licensed internal medicine physician, one of the best around central Missouri, but she now only provides care for her son and for me on occasion! We have settled in to share this next phase of our lives.

Sharon’s son and my daughter both live in Columbia and my son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter live in St. Louis, so we have great family close by.

Writing about family history and local history continue to be my other passions. I’ve published a number of short books in the last ten years and only have about fifteen more to go! Looking forward to seeing lots of young Kewpies.

I went to Grant School with Dennis Marriott. Dennis was serious about his studies. He never caused trouble in class. Shooting a spitwad is not something he would even consider.

During recess the boys played in one area and the girls in another area under the watch of one of the teachers. For reasons lost to the ages, us boys got cross-purposes with the teacher watching over things that day.

So we marched around the playground in protest until the bell rang -- all of us except Dennis.

When the afternoon final bell rang, the teacher said "All you girls and Dennis are dismissed. The rest of you boys must stay here." One by one she sent us to the principal's office for a little reminder on the butt of who was in charge.

Life went on. Dennis became a Missouri State trooper. I moved away and then returned to Columbia with 3M Company. One morning I was driving to Linn Tech in Osage county to interview tool and die makers for our tool shop, and running a little late. The flashing red light in my rear view mirror told me I was going to be even later. Miffed with myself, I rolled down the window and shoved my license at the officer.

The glimmer of hope at getting out of a ticket didn't last long. He was all business after that. And I was to be $50 lighter.

Dennis was killed in the line of duty by an intoxicated driver a few years later, leaving a wife and four children. I can never forget that he always respected authority and became the type of authority we should all look up to.

Today, if you drive on Highway 54 west from Jefferson City, you will see a stretch of highway designated in his honor. If you pass that way, salute a great Kewpie from the class of '63.