I definitely remember that there wouldn’t be any more homework for the next 50 years.
Scott, if this is for extra credit…..kinda late, don’t you think? Here goes…. Graduation was inevitable in spite of what brother Dave predicted. The party at the Community Center in Ann Arbor was a fun evening…..all those hours training in the pool finally paid off as I got to dunk Kevin Huntington and threaten to dunk Jeanne McClow (I’d never). I’d like to thank a couple of classmates for their support, teachings and insights: Harry Fountain…..I wouldn’t be the man I am today without your, you know…….Rich Malboeuf and Noble Kheder…where the Hell are you guys? Dave Agnew/Paula Hurson….forgiven long ago.…but still remembered. Judy Eley, like many others, you are missed (I’ve never talked to someone, on-the-phone, for 13 hours since). And thanks to my closest classmates for making our small neighborhood a nice place to grow up: Mike Drennan, Bob Anderson, Eric Morgeson, Ron Becker, Clint Blood, Larry Oldford and the always lovely, not saying you guys aren’t, Julie Lent (my apologies if I’ve missed someone within this 2-block radius). |
Michigan’s swim coach, Gus Stager, showed some interest in my swimming potential (probably cause Walt sold him an Olds Vista Cruiser), but since my 2.0 GPA wasn’t stellar enough for Ann Arbor right away, on his recommendation, I went to Flint JC where a former U of M swimmer was coaching.
The GPA was 3.5 after the first year (I finally figured out this studying thing after years of being both near-sighted and far-sighted and no goggles for swimming)…..but no, they wanted me to stay there for two years. So off to State (I'd always wanted to go to MSU since PHS won the '61 State Swimming Championships there). So, I sat out ’65-66, while swimming with the freshman team, satisfying the required year of residence. "Summers of ’65 & ’66 I spent life-guarding in Ocean City, NJ, and they were more than fun (enough said).…with an average of 30 saves a season….a lot of people, especially parents, are happy I learned to swim. Initially, I didn’t know that the South Jersey Life-Guard Association had a Rowing & Swimming Champion-ships, but I competed for OCBP (Ocean City Beach Patrol) and won and defended the 100 SCM Individual Medley and placed second with a oars-mate, Andy Deane, in the Rookie Rowing division. |
By the 2 nd week of fall quarter of ’66, I elected to drop out of MSU, flew to Fayetteville, Arkansas and spent a month with a buddy I made friends with in Ocean City that summer….Hillary and Bill were in attending Arkansas, but the only campus cocksman I met was a big yellow lab who fathered most of the puppies you’d see around town.
The day I left Lansing, my cousin Tom was killed in Viet Nam. My plan was to enlist when my money ran out, but in Little Rock, I failed the physical exam due to impetigo. My buddy’s girlfriend had a kitten that scratched the heck out of me (that was the consensus at the time – but I think medicine has moved away from this theory now) so I returned home. Later attending the MSU-Norte Dame - game of the century, sad. |
I enlisted (airborne – unassigned) at the US Army recruiting station in Ann Arbor, on January 9, 1967. Basic training was at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. AIT (advance individual training – they made me a MP) was at Ft
Gordon, GA. Jump school (it was kind of an outdoor class) was at Ft Benning, GA. My first duty assignment, 6/67 was with the 82 nd Airborne at Ft Bragg, NC. Subsequently re-assigned, 10/67 to the 100 st Airborne at Ft Campbell, KY. During training for overseas duty, I made my 7th and final “jump” at night, from a C-141 Starlifter jet. Served a one year tour in Viet Nam 12/67 – 11/68. The last 13 months of service I was assigned to Armed Forced Police Detachment in NYC (and woohoo….no longer could my parents keep me from getting a motorcycle – it was a 1969 Honda 350 I custom painted it Charcoal). |
There were evenings at the Fillmore East, the last day - Sunday at Woodstock (with sister Mary Lynn, she still has her ticket) and occasional weekends in Ocean City - where brother Wally was life-guarding. This concluded my government service as I retired from active duty on January 8, 1970 telling them to, “don’t call me, I’ll call you.”
Back at MSU by spring quarter ’70, the 4 yrs out of swimming had taken its toll, so I played water polo (a Club sport) for two years, highlighted by scoring 2 goals in 8 seconds against Ohio State….also learned to play bridge, thanks brother. And, more importantly, met Christine Margaret Hook, from Hastings via England, Canada and NY. I’ve always considered my lucky number to be 4. This was solidified when I found out Chris was 4 years, 4 months and |
4 days younger then I am. My 2nd motorcycle was a ’71 Kawasaki 500, the only color was a bright blue but after I soaked the gas tank in the bath tub and removed the decals – it looked sweet enough.
Chris and I, and two friends from MSU, moved to San Francisco in October, 1972. Three and a half years of architecture school, a degree in ‘76 and eventual CA licensing in ‘87, followed. We also welcomed Alexis Leigh into the world on December 4, 1979, and she proclaims that 4 is her lucky number too. I couldn’t be more proud. By-the-way, the 3 rd (and 6 th) motorcycle was a bronze-colored, ‘71 Moto Guzzi 850T (re-painted red/black then re-re-painted all black w/tan seat – to match my car). |
I returned to aquatic endeavors in 1978. Masters Swimming, which is now the 5 th arm of FINA, was given birth in California ’73. Masters is designed so you compete within 5-year peer age groups: 25-29; 30-34; 35-39 and so on. It’s kind of like the 4-year peer groups of high school and college (as a matter of fact I’ve competed against former state of Michigan competitors over the years – it really depends on which region (east, central, west) and city is hosting USMS Nationals. Especially for the Michigan Masters to get up and leave the state for a 4-day weekend. San Francisco is in the Pacific Masters Swimming region….and I love telling people I competed at the PMS championships and even though I’m not a woman, I still won! (settle down, you’re all past it).
|
In ’81 I was recruited and joined the Olympic Club - for swimming (LCM, SCM and SCY) events. But I would also represent the O Club in water polo and open water (ocean, lake and river) swimming events. You might know of the Olympic Club due to the famed Lake golf course and many US Open tournaments, but truth be told, The Olympic Club is the oldest athletic club in North America, founded in 1860. The Lakeside Country Club was purchased by the O Club in 1918. The O Club sponsors 20 plus sports teams who compete all over the world.
I traveled and competed, with teammates to: Christchurch, New Zealand ’84; Brisbane, Aus ’86; Tokyo, Japan ’88 and Montreal, Quebec ’92 with numerous Top Ten finishes including 3 World records. I was selected to the 40 and over USA water polo team losing to Australian, 4-3 at the FINA ’90 World Masters Aquatic Championships in Rio de Janeiro ’90. In 1996 the University of Michigan hosted the USMS LC Nationals…I turned 50 (it’s called aging up) and won the 200 M Individual Medley in front of John and Pat McFall. Alexis traveled with me and really took to the campus and Ann Arbor. So much so that she would tire of being Bible-belted after 3 semesters at Purdue and transfer to Michigan, with the help of sister Janet and family who lived in Ann Arbor. We have a few times a year where we go head-to-head for a buck….and I’m not a rich man because of that...she laughs at her losses. She lives and works in San Francisco, a high school Special Ed teacher (earning her Masters Degree from Nazareth College, in Rochester, NY). When the economy stunk back in 1993-94, I traveled twice to Hong Kong and worked for 4 months and then 3 months stints. I got see more of Asia this time around, working on and visiting projects in Pattaya, Thailand, Guangzhou and Beijing, China. While there I trained and competed, winning 5 individual events at the Hong Kong Masters Swimming Championships. Four of my times were the fastest of all age groups. But when the economy after 911 stunk, like it did for everyone, being an architect on his own, my real priorities prevailed and I resigned from the Olympic Club, taking a break from swimming in April, 2002. Motorcycles 4 and 5 were 1998 BMW K-1000, red/black and 1997 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport, bronze/black, alas all are long gone (tear). A lucky career change, to an industry related field 2/06, allowed for me to get back in the water for the ’06 World Championships, hosted by Stanford University 8/06. The results weren’t pretty |
but the effort was rewarding and even though I look forward to the pre and post workout showersmore than I do the actual workout, I know in the long run this is the way I want to finish out my years….silly me, I must be getting, ha, I am - old. While were on this topic, a another thing I look forward to, is our 50 th high school reunion next year and seeing all my really (with emphasis) old friends.
|
Barb and Don on our 38 foot Trawler which we had sold,
but into ran into it at Mackinaw City this past summer. Don and Barb this summer at Pancake Bay, Canada.
We kayaked this bay which is located on Lake Superior. |
Education: Bird School
Plymouth Junior High East Plymouth High School Schoolcraft College Worked at the P A movie theater during my high school years. Worked at Hugh Jarvis gifts for many years, plus for a Doctor for 2years. I married in 1966 to Don, we have 2 children Donald Jr. and Kimberlie . I have loved being a Mom and was very active with my children. Never missed one of my sons football games (was voted All American in his senior year). I showed Quarter horses with my Daughter (she was much better then I.) I was involved in the 4H program for 6 years and State level for 1 year. Don and I moved to Lafayette, IN in 1977 from Plymouth and opened up a business. We then added two more franchises until we retired in 1999. I worked the office, payroll, and accounts receiving for 30 years. Don and I are proud grandparents to 8 beautiful grandchildren and we total enjoy them. The children and grandchildren all live by us so we have lots of get togethers. I love to camp and travel plus we have a summer home in Upper Northern Michigan. We Kayak and Golf, boat, water ski, biking and walking. I really enjoy seeing everyone at our meeting and the reunions, I truly hope everyone will make an effort and come to the 50th. We miss you ! |
Masters from Northern Michigan University, 1972.
Presently semi retired: Financial Planning CFP, Asset Management with Key Financial Group. Married (Sandra), two children (Tanya & Ashley) two grand children (ages 11 & 8), homes in Jacksonville, FL and Morganton, GA. Daughters live in Plymouth and Canton, Mother lives in Ocala, FL. |
Over the years have been involved with owned businesses (interstate service station, horse farm, campground, H&R Block offices, computer services , and marketing firm specialized with banks).
Hobbies are motorcycle riding, playing with property sales, and enjoying wife and family. Hope to see all at the 50th. |