Bob Purple:
CLASS OF 1967
Newton North High SchoolClass of 1967
Newtonville, MA
Huntington School for BoysClass of 1968
Boston, MA
Weston High SchoolClass of 1967
Weston, MA
Bigelow Middle SchoolClass of 1963
Newton, MA
Underwood Elementary SchoolClass of 1961
Newton, MA
Bob's Story
Life
Dec 2006 - Somebody asked me today how I was doing. I replied that some weeks are better than others (personally I'm doing fine). On the Monday after Thanksgiving my wife's younger brother passed away after several years of struggling with Parkinson's and colon cancer (operations and chemo). At 56, he wasn't very old and wasn't very young - just uhable to fight the ravages of the body.
At times like these we are reminded how important health is and how important it is to stay connected with those we know and care for. It took my wife several days to get over the guilt of not visiting her brother this past summer when she had some time. You never know when life will throw you a curve.
Take advantage of opportunities when they are presented - and if they don't present themselves, MAKE THEM UP.
School
Just thought people might want some background info, to help identify me. I went to Underwood, Bigelow Jr High, and then Newton North (graduated in 1967). I also took one post high school year at Huntington School for Boys, next to Northeastern in Boston.
I loved to run and play sports. I stayed by myself for most of my school iife. I had very few friends but lots of kids I knew. I think having a twin brother (Bill) made it easy not to make close friends.
During high school I ran cross country, outdoor track, and indoor track. I also played on a church basketball team (Elliot Congregational).
If I had to do it all over again, I would try to be more outgoing and make more friends - maybe if I played football instead of running cross country it would have made a difference (I played football in Jr High). It seems most of the groups of people centered around the sports you played or other extra activities (theater, band, language club, etc.).
College
I went to New England College in Henniker NH - the only Henniker on earth. I was there in 1968-69, and 69-70. I met my wife there - she was playing the piano after hours and we just hit it off. We are still married and have five children (well, offspring born in 1971, 1972, 1981, 1983, 19...Expand for more
87 - they aren't children anymore).
I was in the Elementary Education program wth a Math major. I only made it through two years of college and then got married during the summer of 1970.
I remember my dorm roommates - John (from New Hampshire) and Jim (from New York). I also remember that ? Sykes was the only college friend that sent me a wedding present. We still have that pair of silver sugar tongs.
I lived in one of the dorms during my freshman year and then off campus in an appartment. There were five or six of us in the apartments - just rooms that people rented out. I don't remember too any people's names but we had lots of fun and I can remember learning not to drink too much beer on Sunday nights because with the last meal on the school food program being served at 2:00, it was difficult to not get sick at night if I had too many beers.
I remember spending lots of hours at one of the small dorms, playing cards with Jane and two or three other girls. That would have been during the second year (1969 - 70).
I used to spend a lot of time in the computer room making games, playing games, and goofing off.
I ran cross country during the first year but for some strange reason I developed numb legs whenever I ran so I had to give it up. I also participated in the outdoor track club and remember travelling to Brandies for a track meet.
I remember talking someone into joining the track club to throw the shot put. We encouraged him a lot but his heart wasn't in it and he gave up before we had a meet.
There were many memorable things that happened while I was away from home for the first time in my life. One that always stayed with me was staying up all night to finish a paper, for which I got an "A". It was called Emannuel Pesch. It was based upon a dream I had and somehow the professor read some profound theological insights into it. I got asked by two or three people to collaborate on the next paper, only to fail miserablly because I couldn't think of anything original - a one time wonder and most likely the only "A" I got in college.
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