News

Class of 1971 - Gymnastics

1st year for Boys' Gymnastics & 2nd year for Girls' Gymnastics. Due to crowded facilities, Boys workouts were conducted at the YMCA in Downtown Waterloo.

Reminiscing - 1971 Archers go 9-4

55th Reunion!

WHEN: Friday, August 14th & Saturday, August 15th, 2026 WHERE: Waterloo Elks Club (407 E Park Ave, Waterloo, IA 50703) The West High Class of 1971 55th Reunion planning is well underway. But we need ALL Classmates to respond as to whether they are attending. Please email Rick Smith ( rickalo@gmail.com ) ASAP , and respond with: YES , I will be attending (& how many) MAYBE , I will be attending (& how many) NO , I will NOT be attending We need this information for determini

Passing of Cheryl Hurst Willoughby

(March 23rd, 1953 - February 24th, 2026) Cheryl Ruth Willoughby , born March 23, 1953, in Waterloo Iowa, entered into her eternal rest on February 24, 2026, finally finding peace after a life richly and fully lived. Cheryl was born to Donald J. Hurst and Marilyn King and was raised in Waterloo, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Willoughby. Cheryl and Tom shared more than fifty-four years side by side, exemplifying to all who knew them what unconditional love truly lo

Passing of Melody Hartley Holbach

(September 5th, 1953 - February 18th, 2026) Melody D. Holbach , 72, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. She was born on September 5, 1953, to Richard and Donna Hartley at the Schoitz Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. She went on to graduate from Waterloo West in 1971. Melody also attended Hawkeye Community College and earned an associate's degree in accounting. Melody was married in 1975 to Dennis Holbach of Waterloo, Iowa. Together they had five boys: Dennis Jr., Jon, And

Passing of Dale Richter

(January 28th, 1953 - January 28th, 2026) Dale Richter , 73, of Evansdale, died Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at home of natural causes. He was born January 28, 1953, in Waterloo, son of George and Helen (Brucato) Richter. He was a 1971 graduate of Waterloo West High School. Dale married Erma J. Stocks on October 3, 1980; she preceded him in death on January 4, 2025. He worked for John Deere Co. in the Foundry for 30 years, retiring in 2001. He enjoyed fishing and working on c

Need some MORE Help !!

In reaching out to Class of '71 Alum, I've found that several email addresses that used Mediacom's email service came back to me as "undeliverable" . I suspect that is because those alum may have switched their internet provider from Mediacom to someone else. If you used to have email from Mediacom (@ MCHSI.com ), please email me ( rickalo@gmail.com ) with your NEW email address . I will update my spreadsheet and contact list to assure we can keep info about our class coming

Need some Help !!

In reaching out to Class of '71 Alum, I've found that Cedar Falls Utility's email service ended. That means I am unable to contact all the alumni who used @ CFU.net (the addresses I have on my spreadsheet and contact list). If you used to have email with CFU, please email me ( rickalo@gmail.com ) with your NEW email address . I will update my spreadsheet and contact list to assure we can keep info about our class coming to you!

55th Class Reunion Planning Underway

The Waterloo West High Class of 1971 Reunion Committee is excited to announce that we are officially beginning planning for our 55th High School Reunion! We have selected Friday, August 14th & Saturday, 15th, 2026 for the event. We wanted to reach out early to ensure we can connect with as many classmates as possible. To help us move forward with our planning, reply to this email with one the following: ***************************************** - Yes , I plan to attend. (

Passing of Barb (Peffer) Collman

(January 17th, 1953 - November 10th, 2025) Barbara Jean (Peffer) Collman , age 72, of North Liberty, Iowa, peacefully passed away on November 10, 2025 and entered fully into the presence of her Lord and Savior. Barb was born on January 17, 1953 in Waterloo, Iowa to Glenn and Mildred (Murphy) Peffer. She graduated from West Waterloo HS in 1971 and Central College (KS) in 1973 before obtaining her education degree from Greenville College (IL) in 1976. Barb married William "Bill