Things got started with me on Saturday, October 30, 1926 in the Southern California community of Wilmar (now San Gabriel). Calvin Coolidge was President, Knute Rockne's undefeated Notre Dame shut out Georgia Tech 12-0 that Saturday, Hemingway published "The Sun Also Rises" in 1926, Babe Ruth was redefining baseball, coffee and donuts were a dime, and a new dance, The Charleston, was all the rage of the "Roaring Twenties."

Growing up during the depression might impose symptoms that alter ordinary behavior. At barely 16 years old, I lied about my age and joined the Navy in 1942, the day after the five Sullivan brothers were lost when the U.S.S. Juneau went down at Guadalcanal. Talk about maturing in a hurry..., but came through with no major repercussions, and got my fill of traveling since I was in both the European and Pacific theaters.

Met Katie in 1947 on a blind date and early-on knew she was the one. We were wed in 1948 - a lucky opportunity for me because who else could have tolerated me all this time? Started railroading in 1950 and retired as Amtrak Conductor in 1985.

Aquired an Amatuer Radio License and California Real Estate License after retirement but am inactive in both. Enjoy school classes as well as anything for a pastime - probably because I cut my school years short as a teenager. Have taken a variety of subjects but my favorites are computer related courses, especially Graphics and Digital Art. Also like to work with stained glass projects - both windows and lamps.