Duane Steele:  

Started El Dorado as a freshman in 1974 in the old brick building and I enjoyed Mr. Fairchild's English class ' "Godzilla grades on a curve¿, Mr. Pacino's Spanish class, Mr. Bidstrip's wood shop, Mr. Swenson Ag Shop, Mr. Mark's algebra and Mr. Galloway's geometry. Most of all I think I gained my current skills from Mr. Clarence Roundtree's mechanical and architecture drafting classes. I started my Architecture business at age 16, while still in High School at El Dorado. Worked in construction while continuing my education at El Dorado and then to Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. I worked for Asplund, trimming trees while I continued to grow my business. In the summer, I also worked in the woods setting chokers, chasing landings and driving a skidder. After a couple of near death experiences with trees versus equipment, I went back to Architecture. I planned a wedding to a Ponderosa Bruin in 1979 and then she became a "Runaway Bride", only to run off with me to Minden Nevada in 1980, where we got married before a Justice of the Peace. The union of a Bruin and a Cougar lasted ten years before we divorced. No kids to separate, but I did build us a nice two story house on a half acre lot in Cameron Park that later became a battle ground. After the failure of the marriage, I moved to Sacramento and then to the Bay Area. I moved in with my brother and then found an apartment and another Architectural job in Danville, CA. While working at this office and sharing Monday Night Foo...Expand for more