Roger Dale Detrich, Marshalltown High School class of 1955, and Pam Determan, St. Marys class of 1963, were married on May 18, 1965, at Our Lady of Fatima in San Clemente, Calif. Roger was serving in the U. S. Marines at Camp Pendleton at the time and Pam had journeyed west via rail from Haverhill for the wedding.

Due to complications in the wedding plans arising from having obtained their blood tests in two difference counties the wedding was delayed. The wedding reception was held on the weekend before the wedding as the wedding party and guests, who were mostly Marines, were not on duty at that time The Tuesday wedding was aided significantly by Pam’s aunt, Helen Christiansen from Costa Mesa, Calif., who served as bridesmaid while the church janitor had to perform duties as best man.

Roger went to serve in Vietnam in 1966 and Pam returned to Iowa to further her education. In 1968, their first son was born. All three sons, Cameron (47), Chris (45 and Curtis (38) reside in Austin, Texas near their parents who have lived there for the past 30 years.

In between living in California and Texas, the Detrichs lived in Des Moines, Hartford, Conn., and St. Louis, Mo. Pam continued her education in each of these cities and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 2003 from Texas State University. Pam works as the accountant at a church and child development center in Austin.

Roger has been an insurance executive managing medical professional liability insurance companies and currently acts is a specialty agent in that same market. Grandchildren include Hannah Detrich, daughter of Chris and Michelle, and Henry Dale Detrich, son of Curtis and Alissa.

The highlights of their many wedding anniversaries have included several trips to Hawaii and most certainly their extended trip to Australia in 2012. Family, friends and neighbors will join Roger and Pam in Austin, Texas on May 16 for a celebration of their Golden Anniversary.