Class of 1947

Doris Leenhouts-Hunter, Ph. D.

Minister in the Unitarian Universalist Church

Author and Lecturer on Religion and Philosophy

College Professor and Counselor

Inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 2014

Doris Anne Leenhouts graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1947. She can be seen in the school yearbook enjoying the senior trip to Mackinac Island. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Albion College before earning a degree from Boston University School of Theology and a doctorate in philosophy of religion from Boston University’s graduate school.

Doris combined raising a family with a career. She married the Rev. Dr. Howard E. Hunter, a professor at Tufts University. They have two children and four grandchildren.

Doris Leenhouts Hunter spent many years employed in higher education. She was an instructor and lecturer in religion and philosophy at Bentley College and Tufts University. She served as an assistant professor of humanities in the college of basic studies at Boston University and counseled women students at Boston University’s School of Theology.

Dr. Leenhouts Hunter was a pioneer. She was one of the first women to attend divinity school. In 1975 she became a minister in the Unitarian Universalist Church. She became an accredited interim minister and served many different churches in the greater New England area in that capacity. She is active in the Unitarian Universalist Association serving on many committees and on its board of trustees.

Doris Leenhouts Hunter has authored and co-authored many publications on the subject of religion and nonviolence. She is an active member of the International Association for Religious Freedom and has served as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Leenhouts Hunter can frequently be found at a conference or a retreat presenting a talk or leading a panel discussion. Her influence is felt internationally with presentations in Canada, England, Germany, India, and South Korea.

Dr. Leenhousts Hunter served as vice-president of the board of trustees for the James Luther Adams Foundation which promotes social ethics in the United States. She spent several years on the Clarence Skinner Award Committee which annauly recognizes the preacher of the sermon that best expresses the social principles of the church. As an interfaith leader she has served as president and vice-president of the Massachusetts Bay District Ministers Association.

Class of 1947

Bill Muncey

Champion Hydroplane Driver

Member of Motorsports Hall of Fame

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1996.

William Edward Muncey graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1947. He was known as "Bill" while in school and throughout his career. As a hydroplane driver he was known as "Mr. Unlimited" or the "Hot Chauffeur".

Bill Muncey began a career in hydroplane racing by sinking his boat in the Detroit River in 1949. His first attempt to drive in a Gold Cup race resulted in blown engine on one run and a boat that had its bottom fall out on another run.

He drove Miss Thriftway to his first Gold Cup victory in 1956. He continued to rack up victories throughout the 1960's and 1970's. Many of those victories were in boats sponsored by Atlas Van Lines.

Mr. Muncey became an American hydroplane racing legend and is regarded as the greatest hydroplane racer in history. He won 62 races, the most in the history of the sport. The victories include eight Gold Cups beginning in 1956; seven U. S. National Championships beginning in 1960 and four World Championships.

In 1981, while leading the field in the final heat of the World Championship at Acapulco, Bill Muncey died in a blowover crash while traveling at 175 miles per hour.

William E. Muncey was awarded the National Marine Manufactures Association Hall of Fame Award in 1988. He was inducted into the of Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1989, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2004, and the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 1996.

Class of 1947

Douglas H. Breniser

Michigan Regional and National Roller Skating Champion

While touring as a professional skater he was presented to the Queen of England

Appeared as ice skater in Sonja Henie movies

Skating performer and instructor in Las Vegas

Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 1996

Douglas H. Breniser graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1947. As an "Acorn" he participated on the varsity swim team as a diver. While in high school he also won the U. S. men's novice figure skating crown at the Arena Gardens in Detroit.

Mr. Breniser began competitive skating at the age of 8. At first he joined a speed skating team, but he soon discovered he got more enjoyment in doing jumps, spins and dances. By the age of 13 he was winning first place medals in individual and pairs roller skating events.

After high school he became a professional skater and joined the Skating Vanities where he teamed with Gloria Nord. In the show he skated as the Prince in a lavish production of Cinderella and was called the "Galahad on Skates" by the local press.  He displayed his versatility by performing as the principal clown in a circus sequence and as a soloist.

The show appeared in 29 cities in the United States as well as performances in Canada, London England, Paris France and Havana Cuba. In London he was formally presented to the Queen of England. He received rave reviews for his performance in Canada, and a French critic dubbed Douglas Breniser the "Nijinsky of the Skates" because of Breniser's majestic leaps looked like those of the Russian dancer had made famous.

In the 1950's Mr. Breniser was drafted into the U.S. Army and served with the Special Services performing at camp shows. After being discharged from the Army he returned to professional skating and performed in the Roxy Theater and in several movies as an ice skater with Sonja Henie.

Douglas Breniser moved to Las Vegas, where he performed at several casinos including the Stardust, the Mint, the New Frontier, the Freemont and the Aladdin. He culminated his professional career skating for nine years in the show Fire and Ice at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino.

In 1996, Douglas H. Breniser was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame.