Here is a brief DUGAN UPDATE for any that are interested:
I contacted via mail several former Junior Dugans that I'd worked with all those years ago just prior to the May, 2010 50th Anniversary celebration, urging them to visit the park on the anniversary weekend when former employees were invited back for a reunion.
In reviewing photos posted of the reunion, I did notice one Junior, Tony Wagner, appeared to have been at the reunion. One Ruby Dugan, Vivian, whose last name I don't recall, also appeared in some photos. It appears Tony may have moved in 2010 or 2011 from his hometown of Nevada, MO to Fort Scott, Kansas, from stuff I could find on the Internet.
I posted some things about diving bell ride designer Gerald Koogler here, and got a reply from his son, Deleslie, who also was a Junior. "Doc" (Deleslie) said his father was retired now and doing fine. Further attempts to have Deleslie respond have failed.
I contacted diving bell maintenance man, Kevin McPhail earlier this year, but he failed to respond. However, I know he lives in Ste. Genevive, MO and operates his own leatherworking shop.
I heard back from Rick Madison, a former Junior, last year about anniversary time. He sent me a brief email but failed to contact me again when I sent him another email.
I know former Juniors Randy Stowe, Bill "Moose" Hensley, Terry Sanders, Russ Maulden and former maintenance man Kerry Chester all still work at SDC and have enjoyed long careers with the park in various management and support and performance roles. Also, former Junior Bob Nichols is still active in the Branson entertainment scene. He has an interview show on the Branson Vacation Channel.
If you know of anyone connected to the diving bell, please contact them and have them post an update with us. I believe some of the former Juniors are visitors to this site, but "lurk" in the background, checking the forums, but not ever posting. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please give an update as to who you are, where you are at, and what you are up to. Also, any old diving bell or SDC stories are more than welcome here.
;DHOpe to hear from some of you diving bell family members soon!