Renell Robert:
CLASS OF 1965
Gonzales High SchoolClass of 1965
Gonzales, LA
Renell's Story
Graduated 62nd out of 135 students; that's the story of my life, pretty average. 10 days after graduation I was in a serious auto accident that nearly ended it all but I made it through O.K. and started school at Southeastern "College" at the end of the summer. After having fun at SLC for a few semesters, I tried working and then joined the military (Coast Guard) at age 19 to avoid the draft. I served on board the USCGC PONTCHARTRAIN for almost my full 4 years and made the Vietnam trip in 1970. I'm very thankful for the eperience, but had my heart crushed when I found out about Ike Diez and Joe Valentine and others making the ultimate sacrifice. I finished up my military duties and returned to school, Southeastern "University" in June of 1971, and met the love of my life, Karen Cascio, at summer school that year. We were married on 7/7/72, and were blessed with 2 wonderful daughters, Robyn (now 31 and an English teacher), and Rebecca (now 25 and an RN at OLOL Hospital). I retired from Ciba-Geigy (now SYNGENTA) in November of 2006 after 2 back surgeries. As happens in many families, after enjoying only 2 years of retirement living, I lost Karen, my wife, to breast cancer the day after Christmas in 2008. I'm still wandering around aimlesly, wondering what I'll do with the rest of my life without Karen. I do have one grandchild, a granddaughter (Sophia - Robyn's), and she has fully captured my heart and keeps my life "interesting." I'm living in Denham Springs and really don't plan on leaving here since Robyn and family are here and Karen's family is also; besides, I've been here since 1972, in the same house, so moving is really out of the question. I've been in contact with several...Expand for more
of our classmates over the years, mostly through work, and unfortunately, I heard of the passing of some of them also. I stay pretty busy as much as possible with my back problems, and I don't plan on hitting the "Old Retirement Rocking Chair" any time soon.
I always wanted to be a success when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a good idea. As it turns out, they were right.. Before I forget, Gary LeBlanc and I went through bootcamp together and worked together at Syngenta until retirement (along with Curtis Gautreau).
As of our 50th class anniversary, My oldest daughter Robyn had another child, a little boy, Gavin Grey Miller. My youngest daughter, Rebecca, had a little boy last year, Cohen Todd Ingram. Little Cohen lived only an hour after birth due to developmental problems in the womb; his kidneys failed and his lungs failed to develop. Rebecca carried the baby full term and delivered by C Section. She has handled the situation well, and told me one day that "God doesn't make mistakes."
In May of 2012, I entered North Oaks Hospital in Hammond for my 3rd major back surgery. Shortly before leaving for this surgery, I met Lillie (Reedy) Petty at church, but didn't realize that "something was up" until after I was in rehab after 6 weeks in intensive care (of which I only remembered a few minutes due to a reaction to propofal). I didn't even know Lilie's last name, so I had no way of getting in touch with her. When I returned home from rehab, I was able to locate Lillie, and all I can say is, it was a match made in Heaven. We were married 6 months later and now reside in my house in Denham Springs. I guess, like the old saying goes, "It ain't over till it's over!"
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