Co-Valedictorian
(see Commencement Program page)

Barbara Hewitt and John Basye

Biography of John Basye and Barbara Duncan Hewitt

We grew up as friends and neighbors living across the street from one another on Cumberland Rd., Burlingame. I attended McKinley; John, Washington Elementary School. We've lived together since Nov. 1977 and have been happily married since our wedding at our 32nd high school class reunion in 1987; most of you were there. It's been a great life so far and it's fun to share these Burlingame memories with all of you.

Barbara began creating clothing with original fabric prints in 1974 while living in Texas. We started our business together, working at home, about 1983. Later, we moved to various warehouse spaces and then returned to work at home the last few years; we sold the business in 2003. We attended art shows and fairs up and down the west coast showing original cyanotype (blueprinted) clothing. We also manufactured a line of clothing blanks for fiber artists and produced fabric, and later watercolor paper, prepared for printing by others.

In 1995 Interweave Press published Barbara's book, Blueprints on Fabric: Innovative Uses for Cyanotype. We stopped doing production prints at this time and concentrated on selling the treated products at art manufacturing trade shows, quilt markets and (thanks to Dave Freund's suggestion) conferences for photography teachers, primarily at the college level. It was a challenging learning experience; we met many interesting, creative people and enjoyed the interaction of ideas.

Currently, instead of working ‘at home’, we are working ‘on our home’. John bought our house in 1963; from then until joining my business, he worked in a lumberyard, built houses and was an independent remodeling contractor. Over the years he has built additions to this house and remodeled it several times.

We are at it again, remodeling the master bedroom and bath. When you come back for the next reunion, the living room/dining room (now, the studio) and front part of the house will be quite different, too. We have also taken a big interest in our garden: landscaping, raising vegetables and flowers. Being domestic is refreshing after years of travel for business.

John writes: I lost control of things shortly after high school. College included one year at Stanford, one year at Texas A&M, and three years at University of Illinois graduating with a degree in agricultural engineering. I married (perhaps too soon) Joan Forst from San Mateo High between the 2nd and 3rd year at U of I: that followed with 2 years at Drew Theological Seminary before returning to live in Burlingame.

Next, we had children (also, perhaps too soon): Rachael 43 (Niwot, CO) and 2 adopted children who are now off-the-screen. I just kept going day after day. After my divorce, if Barbara hadn't come to live with me, I'd be dead by now. (Editor Barb's note: He's exaggerating!)

I've worked with my hands most of my life which has taken a toll on the rest of my body. I have a lot of arthritis and spare parts now. I look forward to a time when I can just slow down, go somewhere without a schedule or a deadline; just the two of us.

The most inspiring song for me is John Fogarty's "Centerfield"; Neil Young helped me find a "Heart of Gold" and advised me well with "Old man, take a look at my life; I'm a lot like you are."

Barbara writes: I have four daughters: Karen, 44 (Urbana, IL), Leigh and Lynn, 41 (Houston, TX), and Carol, 39 (Monterey, CA).

I married Roger Hewitt in 1957 between our sophomore and junior year at Willamette University in Salem, OR. After graduation, we went east to Rochester, NY where Roger did his graduate work, receiving a Ph.D (radiation biology) in 1963. We then moved to Houston, TX where he did his postdoctoral work and continued on at the M.D. Anderson Hopsital and Cancer Research Center. He has retired now, but still lives in TX as do our twin daughters.

I returned to school, Univ. of Houston, for a teaching certificate in the early 70's, but couldn't find a job teaching art and began doing art shows and fabric design while living in Houston. Roger and I separated 1977 and later divorced; I came out here to live with John.

My 3 youngest daughters graduated from Burlingame High School in 1982 & '84. After living and traveling around the country, I realize this is a very special place and I am fortunate to be back here. (And, we are fortunate John bought this house in 1963!!!)

Together we have four grandchildren and one more on the way: Rachael's daughter in CO, 16, Karen's daughter, 13 and son, 12 in IL, and the youngest, Carol's daughter, 2 (and the next one any day now) in Monterey, CA. This is the first baby to live near us and it's fun watching her grow.