RICHLAND CLUB 40
A Brief History of Club 40
Taken from Material Provided By Richard J. McCoy , Class of 1945
In the early 1980's, Richard McCoy would drive from his home in Lynnwood, Washington to see family in Richland for the Christmas holidays and to spend some time with his friends and buddies from Col-Hi. "These gatherings usually included Charles Larrabee, Dick Quigley and Don Richey all 1947 graduates, Johnny Frank and Ray Conley from 1946, Dale Gier from 1948 and myself (Dick McCoy) from 1945. After a year or two we decided to enlarge the group, rent a hall and have a real party. But it was decided that it was too busy at Christmas time and we thought about the weekend following the Fourth of July. But we had no class lists, and being guys, did not have the drive to get them. So the plan languished."
In 1986, Don Richey called Dick McCoy with the news that the Col-Hi Class of 1947 was having a reunion in 1987 and planned to invite class-mates from all of the 1940's classes. At Christmas time when Dick McCoy drove over to Richland for his annual group get-together, he told them about the Fifties Club of Lincoln High School in Seattle and his idea to do something similar for Col-Hi alumni. It was decided to use the Fifties Club as a model, except they would include Col-Hi graduates who had been out of school for forty years instead of the fifty years used by the Lincoln High alumni group. Dick McCoy suggested the name Club 40, and asked Dick Quigley (attorney) to put together corporate articles and generic By-Laws.
"During the weekend of June 26, 1987, the Class of 1947 held a very successful reunion of some 300, as I remember. The movers and shakers of that Class were positive about our idea for Club 40, but did not want it to be a Class of 1947 function. Don Richey set up an organizational meeting on Thursday, December 10, 1987 at the Shilo in Richland." There was a big storm on the Pass (Snoqualmie) and Dick (McCoy) drove down through Portland to get to the meeting. "Don Richey and Ray Conley got about 20 founder-members to show up, and they were all very positive" about forming Club 40. "Elections were held, Dick McCoy for President, Don Richey for Secretary, and Ray Conley for Treasurer. All eligible present were elected to the Board (of Directors). Dick Quigley had brought the documents (articles of incorporation) which were signed, and filed to the State of Washington the next day."
Club 40 was now official!
Dick considers all of the Col-Hi graduates who were present at that December 1987 meeting to be Club 40 Founders. From his memory and notes this group included: "Charles Larrabee, Dick Quigley, Don Richey, Dale Gier, Ray Conley, Mary Triem Mowery, Johnny Frank, Bernie Simpson, Ray and Marilyn Hauptman, Doris Nordman Gibson, Jean Bobo, Keith Clark, Dick McCoy and probably Nina Barlow. There were also many spouses at the meeting, but not being Col-Hi graduates, were ineligible to become members of the Board."
Over the years, several important changes have occurred. Most notably, the main purpose of the organization has broadened, Club 40 now has tax-exempt status and awards scholarships annually to Richland High graduates. At the Annual Meeting typically held in September each year, elections of Officers and Board of Directors are held. It also provides the opportunity to bring together all classes to share in the memories and promote the spirit of Richland High School.
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