The Decade of the 1970’s
The 1970’s. In the 21st century, historians have increasingly portrayed the 1970’s as a “pivot of change” in world history focusing especially on the economic upheavals.[1] In the Western world, social progressive values that began in the 1960s, such as increasing political awareness and economic liberty of women, continued to grow. In the United Kingdom, the 1979 elections resulted in the victory of its Conservative Party Margaret Thatcher, the first and to date only female British Prime Minister. Industrialized countries, except Japan, experienced an economic recession due to an oil crisis caused by oil embargoes by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries. The crisis saw the first instance of stagflation which began a political and economic trend of the replacement of Keynesian economic theory with neo-liberal economic theory, with the first neo-liberal governments being created in Chile, where a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet took place in 1973. Novelist Tom Wolfe coined the term “‘Me’ decade” in his essay “The ‘Me’ Decade and the Third Great Awakening”, published by New York Magazine in August 1976 referring to the 1970s. The term describes a general new attitude of Americans towards atomized individualism and away from communitarianism in clear contrast with the 1960’s. More about the 70’s on Wikipedia .
Graduates of the 70’s who are no longer with us…
Class of 1970 – Robert D Helmer (Bob) lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, November 30, 2014, at the age of 62. Survived by his wife of 36 years Joyce, son Bobby, and daughters Christy and Patty, brothers Mike (Sue), Tom (Vicke) and Tim, sisters Peggie (Dennis Mancebo) and Patti Hargrove, and many nieces and nephews. Bob was born in San Bernardino, CA, graduated from San Juan High School and American River College. He loved music, played a great guitar and was an avid baseball and football fan and loved those 49ers. Bob raised his family in Sacramento then in South Lake Tahoe and later moved to Windsor, CA. Services will be Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 12 noon at the Santa Rosa Christian Church, 1315 Pacific Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Burial to follow at the Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Class of 1972 Roy Coss 1954 – Dec 2015 Survived by Julia Coss
Class of 1972 Bonita Kay Beard Davis 4/1954 – May 14, 2016 Bonita passed away from cancer. Survived by her husband John and daughter Joyce. She lived in Folsom and was a former District Sales Leader for Frito Lay. Information provided on the San Juan High School-San Juan Alumni Association-Citrus Heights, CA Facebook page.
Class of 1977 David Whitnack 3/14/1959 – May 5, 2016 Passed away of cancer in Philadelphia PA. Survived by ex-wife Sandy Popkes Whitnack, two children, Royce and Renee and a grandchild. Also survived by siblings Sandra Whitnack Ball, Jeff, Kathy Whitnack McLendon, Rana Whitnack Fyffe, Michelle Whitnack, Chris and his wife Cathy Hagenbuch Whitnack. Information provided on the San Juan High School-San Juan Alumni Association-Citrus Heights, CA Facebook page.
Class of 1978 – Janet Lynn Harvey Wehri of Citrus Heights, CA, a native of Sacramento, CA, aged 55 years. Beloved wife of Ray Wehri. Cherished mother to Jeremy (Melissa) Domon, Rachel Wehri, and Janell Wehri, and grandmother to Everett and Jackson. Loving daughter of Harold Harvey and Delores Brown, sister of Gay Kestner, and the late Billy Harvey and Joy Harvey. Friends are welcome for visitation on Thursday, March 19, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at PRICE FUNERAL CHAPEL (6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, 725-2109), and are invited to attend a memorial service on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM at First Evangelical Free Church (5300 Madison Ave., Sacramento, CA). Funeral Home. Read more at the Sacramento Bee Legacy.