The Mirror: Reflections of the Class of 1927 of Ilion High School from the New York Heritage digital Ilion Free Public Library Yearbooks collection. Link opens in new browser tab. (added March 24, 2021)

Class Roster and Class Officers as published in the 1927 "The Mirror" Yearbook. (added November 4, 2021)

Class History as published in the 1927 "The Mirror" Yearbook.

     Newspaper articles about the IHS Class of 1927. (added November 11, 2021)

Robert Humphrey Salutatorian was a Guest of Honor at the 2002 Ilion MegaReunion. Gertrude Dempster Getman, from Ilion, NY, also accepted our invitation to be a Guest of Honor but with great regret was unable to attend the reunion.

William Lennox
Father of the Lennox Brothers

Rodney Lennox '57, Warren Lennox '58,
David Lennox '63 and William Lennox '64

Mr. Robert Humphrey IHS '27
with Mr. Marvin Nellenback

Robert Humphrey IHS 1927 Class Salutatorian, age 95, of Ilion, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2004. He was born November 15, 1908 in Ilion, the son of the late William Benjamin and Nellie Olga Schneider Humphrey. He received his musical talent from his family as his grandfather, Oswald Richard Schneider, was conductor of the German Men's Manachor Chorus of Ilion. Mr. Humphrey graduated from Ilion High School in 1927 as salutatorian. After high school, he attended and graduated from Excelsior Business School in Utica, NY. He then worked for Utica Gas & Electric in parts and inventory control to earn enough money to attend Ithaca College. He waited on tables at the Ithaca Infantile Hospital while at college and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Music in 1935. After graduation, he worked as an instrumental teacher at Van Etten Grade School for two years, and then moved to West Hemstead, Long Island, to teach in their grade school. While teaching on Long Island, he would take the subway on Saturday into Manhattan to attend the opera at the Metropolitan Opera House. He was drafted and entered the Army in the Military Police in 1941. He was shipped to Oran, North Africa, and by sea to Italy, France, Austria and Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Corporal in 1945. While in the military, he also served as a bugler. Once returning to the United States, he entered Columbia University under the G.I. Bill, graduating with a Master of Arts in 1947. He lived on Cape Cod for a few years, and later moved back to Ilion, NY at his mother's request and taught instrumental music in Utica and then the Ilion school system.

He received a piano tuning certificate from Chautauqua School of Music in 1963, and was a founding father of the Albany Chapter of the Piano Technicians' Guild and was a member of the National Guild for over 29 years. He taught piano tuning at Utica College of Syracuse University for several years. Mr. Humphrey taught chair canning for continuing education at the Ilion High School. Bob enjoyed doing wood working and refinishing projects, including bookcases, tables, chairs, shelves, desks and other items. Bob was an organist studying with renowned concert artist Clair Cocci and local artist Stephen Best. He attended the Church Music Institute at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, for ten years and studied with nationally recognized organists. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists for years. He was a life time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ilion. He is survived by his close friend and caregiver, Marvin Nellenback; and loyal friend, Glen Goodrich. He was grateful for his longtime friendship with John and Jeanne Briggs. Special thanks goes out to Hospice for the care he received in his final weeks. Funeral services for Mr. Humphrey will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, Second Street, Ilion, with Rev. Victor McKusick officiating. Friends may call Friday, February 20, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, February 21, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego Street, Ilion. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. (February 19, 2004)

Mrs. Gertrude Dempster Getman, IHS 1927, age 94, of South Third Ave., Ilion, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2002, at St. Luke's Medical Center. She was born October 29, 1908, in Garoga, NY, the daughter of the late Leonard and Bessie Dorn Dempster. Gertrude was a graduate of Ilion High School and Crouse Irving Hospital School of Nursing. She taught for several years at Crouse Irving Hospital after her graduation. She was an RN at the Ilion, Herkimer and Cooperstown Hospitals, retiring several years ago. On February 15, 1936, she married Lynn Getman in Ilion. He passed away December 24, 1983. Mrs. Getman was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ilion and was very active in the Church Women's Society. She was a member of the Valley Chapter 82 Order of the Eastern Star, the Mohawk Valley Hospital Guild and the Folts Home Auxiliary. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Pilar, o! f Spain, Allan and Amy, of Wilmington, NY, and Paul and Tina, of Rochester, NY; a daughter, Elaine Getman, of Charlotte, NC; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Getman will be held on Monday, December 30, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. from the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St., Ilion, with Rev. Robert Wollaber officiating. Burial will be in the North Columbia Cemetery in the spring. Friends may call Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. (December 29, 2002)