John Hamnett, Class of 1963
John Hamnett was a member of the Grant tennis team and continued playing throughout his life. He played the alto clarinet in the band and served as a band officer. He worked on class assemblies and was part of the stage crew. John graduated from Oregon State with a degree in business. He later earned a master’s in taxation from Portland State. John worked for Willamette Industries for thirty-three years retiring as the tax compliance manager. When John’s classmate Bob Burdett passed away, John generously offered to take over the alumni website, grantalumni.org. He not only maintained the site but also grew and improved it.
John was instrumental in the success of the mural project fund raising and was always willing to help. We will miss his work ethic and Grant spirit.
John passed away May 9, 2022.
John was instrumental in the success of the mural project fund raising and was always willing to help. We will miss his work ethic and Grant spirit.
John passed away May 9, 2022.
Sigrid Fehrenbacher Clark, Class of 1958
Sigrid Fehrenbacher began playing the violin as an eight year old, was a member of the Grant orchestra, and spent 37 years with the Oregon Symphony. While studying at GHS, she was a member of G-Note, Chresto, as well as the orchestra; she was an officer in them all. A National Honor Society member, she studied at Portland State after graduating from Grant.
Sigrid was a successful business women as well. She was co-owner of the Goose Hollow Inn and Mother Goose Antiques. Her husband, former Portland Mayor Bud Clark, credits her with giving him the confidence to run for mayor. In 2001, the Clark family opened the Fehrenbacher Hof next door to The Goose. The coffee house honors Sigrid as well as her sister, Frieda, an artist and professor.
Sigrid passed much too early in February, 2001.
Sigrid was a successful business women as well. She was co-owner of the Goose Hollow Inn and Mother Goose Antiques. Her husband, former Portland Mayor Bud Clark, credits her with giving him the confidence to run for mayor. In 2001, the Clark family opened the Fehrenbacher Hof next door to The Goose. The coffee house honors Sigrid as well as her sister, Frieda, an artist and professor.
Sigrid passed much too early in February, 2001.
Freida Fehrenbacher, Class of 1963
Frieda Fehrenbacher was the Girl’s League executive secretary, student body secretary and selected as an outstanding Grantonian Girl of the Term while at Grant. She was a gifted musician, studying violin for 14 years. A member of the National Honor Society, Frieda continued her studies at Portland State and earned a degree in painting and drawing as well as a master’s in fine arts from Syracuse University.
“A committed and well liked teacher," Frieda spent 28 years teaching drawing and design at Moore College in Philadelphia. She was the first Moore faculty member to be awarded the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching. Frieda’s artwork, primarily pastel drawings and abstract paintings, was displayed in many Philadelphia galleries. The Portland Hof coffee house includes one as well.
Frieda passed very early in January, 2000.
“A committed and well liked teacher," Frieda spent 28 years teaching drawing and design at Moore College in Philadelphia. She was the first Moore faculty member to be awarded the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching. Frieda’s artwork, primarily pastel drawings and abstract paintings, was displayed in many Philadelphia galleries. The Portland Hof coffee house includes one as well.
Frieda passed very early in January, 2000.
Joe Simpson, Class of 1968
Joe Simpson was a member of the Grant track teams (’67 PIL champions and ’68 State champions), the football team, and was elected into the Grant Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Joe sang in the Senior Choir and was an officer in the Clefs Club. Joe graduated from Linfield College, where he also participated in football and track and field. He earned his master’s degree from Lewis and Clark.
Joe returned to Grant in 1972 as assistant freshman football coach, but quickly became the varsity coach and track coach while also teaching social studies. Joe retired as a vice principal in 2002 after thirty years of supporting Grant High School. Although officially retired, Joe continued to mentor new administrators and substitute for principals in the PPS system.
Joe resides in northeast Portland and continues to be active in the community.
Joe returned to Grant in 1972 as assistant freshman football coach, but quickly became the varsity coach and track coach while also teaching social studies. Joe retired as a vice principal in 2002 after thirty years of supporting Grant High School. Although officially retired, Joe continued to mentor new administrators and substitute for principals in the PPS system.
Joe resides in northeast Portland and continues to be active in the community.