Bart Reigstad
5904 Prairie Ridge Dr.
Shoreview MN 55126
Phone 651-784-7805
bart_barbara@msn.com
Barbara and I have been married for 27 years. We have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.
I retired in 2002 after 37 Years working for Univac/Unisys Corp. in Roseville Minnesota. Though I wanted to go to college after high school I went into the Air Force and worked on B52 electronic systems for 4 years. After marrying, working and going to school in San Jose, CA for 2 years, I moved to Minneapolis to work for Univac. I went from being a computer technician to working in development as a Hardware Logic Designer on Large Computers before retirement. Although I do not have a degree, I have taken many college courses and was classified the same as a graduate engineer. I was fortunate to always have been challenged in my work.
Now I work on my fun cars, play the guitar to accompany myself singing, work on fun electronics projects, travel, and sometimes play golf with my younger brother Daryll.
My three most important highlights would be as follows. First, I finally grew to normal size after I was out of Central, although I may still be behind other people my age as I don't have the physical problems like many others. Second, my first wife and I had three children who have been the best thing in my life. Third, going through the pain of divorce and learning to be a better man for my second wife.
Since my mother taught me songs to sing on the Cox's Variety when I was about 8 years old, I learned to love music. I have a bandstand in my basement with recording equipment, guitars, keyboards, etc. I still play the first record album I bought and among many others, I have a 1958 Fender guitar and amp which I purchased in 1960. My wife also makes us do karaoke.
I have a daughter Cindy, who is 42 and 7 months pregnant with her second child. It took her a while because after being an All-Conference Athletic and Academic Volleyball player at Oklahoma, she has a career in Computer Science and stopped playing when she had her daughter at 40. My daughter Darla is a Database Manager for an Insurance firm and has a 7 and 6 year old. My 39 year old son works as a system analyst for Travelers when he isn't going to other countries with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering for many things, singing in his rock band, or looking for a woman who can keep up with him. He also has his second Little Brother. When I grow up I want to be like any one of them.
My wife Barbara and I have spent time in Florida the last 2 years. Since My retirement, we have travelled to Paris, (where I worked for 5 months in 1972) Octoberfest in Munich, and Norway for a family reunion. I also worked in Japan. We are planning a trip to Poland in the near future.
I enjoy going back to Grand Forks about once a year since I only have cousins there. My childhood was very difficult but I had a lot of great friends. I read the Red Cent faithfully. One of my greatest regrets was not being in music after my sophomore year.
My favorite teachers were many of the male teachers who set such a good example. I especially recall James Forslund and an eighth grade teacher Robert Hullinger. I always enjoy the reunions and I'm sure this will be great.
