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“Coach didn’t want us dating,” recalled Doug. “He said it robbed us of our energy.”

An avid sports enthusiast, Karen loved watching him on the court, and off the court, too.

“He played rhythm guitar in ‘The Cruisers,’ a rock ’n’ roll band,” said Karen. “I was a groupie.”

After graduating from Central Valley in 1966, they both attended Western Washington University in Bellingham.

By their junior year, they knew they’d be married and had looked at engagement rings, but Doug still managed to surprise Karen with his proposal.

“I took her to Vancouver, B.C., and hid the ring in the back seat,” he said. “Then I had her look for it.”

They graduated in 1970; Doug with a chemistry degree and Karen with an education degree.