Larry Peterson, page 164 of the 1962 Yearbook
Where did every one of those 40 years go ?
Who cares ?
Do you remember your first day at Radford as a student? Can you remember your last day at Radford as a student? For me my last day as a student was August 1, 1962. Maybe you can and maybe not, but I am sure that you can remember a lot of stuff in between.
I remember that first morning at Radford when I fell off the bus. I think Jan Smith, '63, broke my fall. In the last 3 years, this was my 4th high school in 3 different states. 1960 was the high point, with 3 high schools in 3 states in that one year. I had made it all the way to the 11th grade! Could it be possible that some day I might even graduate? I can still remember it like it was yesterday.
By the end of that first day I was so glad to get out of there that I left school on the wrong bus. Who cares where it was going, at least I was out of there. By the end of 12th grade I was so sad to leave that I failed English just so I could stay and go to summer school. Yes, yes I took English during summer school (and passed) so I could get my diploma. I really do have a diploma from Radford. Wanna see it?
Ray Akahoshi probably remembers one of my last days at summer school. During class he sent me to his car for something. He watched in horror from the second story window as I took his car for a spin around the parking lot. He must have heard how I hit the cop car as the ink was drying on my new drivers license. Oh thememories in between my first and last day at Radford. All the bad things forgotten and only the good times remembered.
40 years, the short version, not the really long boring version.
After graduation my dad retired from the US Navy and moved the family back to Manhattan Beach, California. That's a small little town just south of Los Angeles International Airport. Unfortunately he made me go too. Bummer! I spent a few months living at home and working at a small butcher shop in Redondo Beach waiting for the next semester of college. Then a new plan.
Tired of waiting so in July '63 I left home and went back to Honolulu to stay with my good friend Phill Jacques, Radford '63 and look for a job. I left my cherry 1936 Chevy Coupe with my friend, bad move. Should have left it with my parents. I never saw that car again. Loved that car.
I worked 2 jobs at Pearl Harbor for a year and road the bus back and forth from Waikiki every day. I made some friends that I have kept in contact with till now. Great memories! Then tragedy, the draft board wanted me for the US Army. No no I won't go, it's the US Navy for me! Boy you girls sure have it easy, no draft for you. Days before I was to leave for boot camp I went skin diving and broke my right ear drum. Boot camp at San Diego sent me back to Pearl for discharge (1Y). July 31, 1964 to August 31, 1964, 30 days in the US Navy, Retired. Ha! I was disappointed. I was going to get a nuclear education from the Navy, on Nuclear Subs like my dad. I was going to be a Nuclear Physicist! You'll notice that the yearbook people couldn't fit the whole Nuclear Physicist thing in by my name. I didn't know it then but later on in life I was able to get the nuclear stuff. To this day I still haven't got to the Physicist part.
After my great Navy career I returned home to try college. After 1 year I had a chance to get in to a construction trade school / union and took it. From May 10, 1965 to January 14, 1997, and 107 jobs later I finished my career as a Pipefitter / Steamfitter. During that time I had several turns at Nuclear powered electrical generating plants. See that's the Nuclear part!
Along the way I met a wonderful Hair Dresser / Beautician / Cosmetologist. A girl no less. So I married her twin sister. We bough a house and have lived there for 27 years with 2 wonderful kids, boy 19 & girl 22 and no grand kids yet. I'm bringing the Cosmetologist to the 40th reunion with me. Since January 14, 1997, I've been kicking around, trying different jobs. Now I'm doing home inspections and I think this will carry me over to my next life, or when the Lord returns. Whichever comes first. The years just seem to fly by. All 40 of them. The bible verse "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 Seems very real to me.
Many thanks to all involved with the web site and the 40th reunion. Without the Internet I would not have known anything about anything. Thanks again. If any old Rad grads want to Email me or call or stop by I would be happy to hear from them. So much more to share so much more to reminisce about; life, love and Radford. I'm over 1000 words already. Hey lets get together, talk story. I'll fill in the blanks. You too. Lets say we get together Saturday, August 24, 2002. How bout the Honolulu Country Club about 6:30 pm. Hope to see you there.
Larry Peterson (Radford '62)
14562 Raintree Lane
Tustin, California 92780-7122
(714) 838-4630
sniglepuss@earthlink.net
Oh if Ray Akahoshi happens to read this, please be kind with the gammer check Ray, it's been a long time. A really very long time, THANKS. Leggs.
