“We had no idea back in the late 60s when we started connecting that we would still be doing so 50 years later,” said Ann McMinn.
Every two years they gather somewhere, usually in the Midwest, to catch up, share memories, and have fun. The Vintage 60’s Broncos have been celebrating reunions, officially, since 1977, but their meetings began long before that.
THE VINTAGE 60’s BRONCOS
“The common thread of who makes up the Vintage 60’s Broncos is a group of friends—men— who had all lived in Ellsworth Hall at some time and graduated from WMU in the early 1960s,” Donna Mody explained. Kirit and Donna Mody have been involved with the group from the beginning.
The “men” were also largely involved with the Lutheran Student Center on campus. Donna noted that several of them even met their wives at the Gamma Delta House.
“Because of the friendships made by the men while living in Ellsworth Hall and the time spent at the Lutheran Center with many of their future wives, a close relationship was formed,” said Lyle Rutgers.
… But not everyone in the group is a WMU Alumni.
“While some of the couples were students at WMU others married someone not associated with WMU. Everyone in the Vintage Broncos feels a special connection to each other and the fun times we had at Western and over the years since we left school in the 1960s,” said Nick Fisher, whose wife Lori is not an alumna of WMU. In fact, despite the number of years that have passed, the group has remained close and their connections to one another have grown rather strong.
“My wife and I are involved as this fine group of people remain solid lifetime friends. While we all traveled different career paths and went through the ups and downs that occur in life, we have found our Vintage Bronco friends have remained a solid part of our lives,” Nick added.
THROUGH THE YEARS
In October 1968, during Homecoming weekend, Lyle and Ginger Rutgers were living in Kalamazoo. They invited 3-4 couples for the weekend, “We enjoyed ourselves immensely,” said Donna, “but at the time, we did not know we would be meeting approximately every two years for the next 50 plus years!”
Two years later in 1970, Nick and Lori Fisher hosted a group in Hastings, Michigan— but the group’s next meeting did not occur until 1975 when Nick and Lori again invited the group to their home in Elkhart, Indiana to celebrate WMU’s Homecoming weekend.
“We had so much fun at these events, we all agreed we would try to get together on a more regular basis,” said Donna, “however, by that time, most of us had young children and several of us had moved out the Kalamazoo area—some had moved out of Michigan.”
That did not stop them. Lyle and Ginger had moved to Menominee, Michigan and in 1977, they brought the group back together at a scout camp in Cedar River.
“It was that weekend when we first formally named our group the ‘Vintage 60’s Broncos,” said Donna. The group found a six-foot piece of driftwood on the beach and decided to inscribe their name on the board. They added the names of the group members and the locations and dates of each gathering. Today, the board is still in use and passed from the current host to the future host at each gathering.
In 1980, the group decided it was time to get back together and planned a trip for Beloit, Wisconsin in August of that year.
“We determined that we should start a routine of meeting every two years in August before our children had to go back to school. We also decided we would all take turns at planning each event,” said Donna.
From 1980 on, the group has met every two years, passing along that important piece of driftwood.
“It is our turn to plan the next reunion to be held in 2014,” said Donna, “We are hoping that many of the Bronco children and grandchildren will attend.”
“This group, with the common connection to WMU, is simply too much fun and too interesting not to be involved with,” said Wally McMinn. “It has always been fun to revisit the WMU Campus and see the continuing development, and to realize that many other lasting friendships are being formed. I expect there are other Vintage 60’s Bronco-like groups evolving.”
“I look at the time I spent at WMU as a very special and fun part of my life. As time passes, a person forgets about all the hard work earning money for college and the many hours spent preparing for classes,” said Nick Fisher. “You remember your friends and the good times. The Vintage Broncos reinforce memories of this special time.”
Lyle agreed, “It is this friendship that I remember most about WMU.”
It’s not just the friendship, memories, and fun that keeps them together. Over the years, with the addition of children and grandchildren, the group has become a sort of family.
Donna and Kirit, along with their children, became very close to the other families in the group through the years. In fact, their children became closer to the children in the group and saw them more than their cousins, “Our Bronco friends are like family to us. We care deeply about them and their families.”
In 2002, Philip G. Ingraham passed away. His wife, Karin— a self-proclaimed Vintage Bronco by marriage— became the first ‘widow’ of the group.
“They are the sort of people you would want to count on to be your friends,” said Karin. “They have always been there for me and include me in all of their reunions. The McMinn’s have sort of adopted me and see to it that I get to do my share in co-hosting when it is their turn to plan the reunion. I would like to think that WMU has been instrumental in producing these wonderful people.”
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
“According to our daughter, the experience taught her the value of lifetime friendships, and the importance of nurturing relationships,” Donna commented.
“Our biennial gatherings are eagerly anticipated, particularly after 50 years when we have had time to recognize how very special these relationships are to each of us. Our children, now spread around the country, still feel that bond they formed years ago with each other,” Ann added.
In fact, the McMinn’s son has established a similar group with his own friends from MSU. Meeting once a year, the group has come to include spouses and children—just like the Vintage 60’s Broncos. “It is fun for us to hear about their 13 small children together in one accommodation while remembering when we had the same,” said Ann.
The Vintage 60’s Broncos:
Lyle (BBA ’61, Personnel Administration) and Ginger Rutgers— Lyle worked in the banking industry for 33 years, eventually retiring from The National City Corporation in 1997. He spends his spare time active in Masonic activities and observing sporting events. Ginger began her career in retail with Gilmore Brothers Department Store and remained in retail until she retired in 2003. Always active in church, she has served on committees; she enjoys knitting, cross stitch, and crafts. Together the couple enjoys volunteering and spending time with family.
Nick (BS ’62, Industrial Engineering; MBA ’68) and Lori Fisher— The couple has been married for 45 years and have two married children and three grandsons. Lori is retired from her job as a Registered Nurse. Nick founded an industrial machinery sales company in 1989 and remains with that company.
Wally (BA ’63, Science) and Ann (BS ’64, Elementary Education) McMinn— Wally went on to dental school after WMU. After a 44-year career in private practice, dental education, and public health dentistry, he and Ann (who taught and managed the dental office) are “nominally” retired. They love to camp in their RV and visit their children in Virginia and Texas. In the summer they enjoy sailing on the Great Lakes.
Kirit (BS ’62, Paper Technology) and Donna (BA ’65, History) Mody— Kirit spent 12 years in the Kalamazoo paper industry after graduation. He later joined the 3M Company where he specialized in tapes and hook and loop technologies for disposable diapers. Donna taught elementary school before and after having children. She started a Computer Learning Center in her school district and later went on to join Cummins, Inc., in information technology management. The couple is retired but remain active and enjoy traveling, volunteering, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Don (BS ’62, Social Science) and Linda Bensing
Ken (BS ’63) and Priscilla (BA ’63, English) Yeager
Philip (BS ’62, Political Science) and Karin Ingraham
Tom (BS ’62, Paper Technology; MA ’68; PhD ’70, Chemistry) and Mary Asmus
Bill (BS ’61, Paper Technology) and Kay (’61, Secretarial Certificate; BS ’63, Business Education) Castle
St. Ignace, MI 1996. Ann and Wally McMinn planned several creative Olympic events just before the 1996 Olympics. "It was quite the competition," said Donna.
