Robert Perez:
CLASS OF 1972
Franklin High SchoolClass of 1972
Los angeles, CA
Robert's Story
After graduating from Franklin High in 1972, I put off going to Princeton University for a year and spent that year at CSU, Humboldt in Northern California. I had a great time there, but near the end of the first year, I suffered a broken heart and was unable to continue my studies for a while. To get over this condition, I went to work in construction for a couple of years. Nothing like hard labor to get your mind off your troubles.
In 1975, I joined the Unification Church and traveled the U.S. as a fundraiser. This is not as bad as it sounds, because I gained many useful experiences. For example, meeting people from all over the world, new social skills, travel experience, and mind control. I used my knowledge of mind control while working with the Citizens Freedom Foundation and Jewish Family Services for about a year to help individuals gain freedom from cults such as Scientology by providing deprogramming and counseling services.
In 1976, I attended CSU, Los Angeles for a couple of years to continue my studies in Geology. During that time, I got involved with the some one who I probably shouldn't have. This relationship lasted about a year. In 1978, I took a job on the 'west side' working as a picture framer dealing with all types of art. This was a fun filled time with not too much responsibility, but lots of social activity. What was only supposed to be a summer job between semesters, turned out to be a five year stretch working for three different galleries. During that time I framed antique prints and engravings, oil paintings including some by Pablo Picasso, Magritte, and Chagall.
In 1980, I decided what I needed in my life was someone special with whom I could build a new life. Fortunately, before too long, I met Teri. That was in 1981. We went out, and after a year and a hal...Expand for more
f of friendship and dating, we married in 1983. We lived in Echo Park, a cool neighborhood near downtown LA teeming with artists. Verdant Elysian Park, with its maze of hiking trails and the Dodger Stadium, was only half a block away.
One night I heard Irish accordion music coming from my garage in Echo Park. The next day, I went to meet the musician who played so beautifully. He said he was looking for someone to teach some of what he had learned about wood working. As it turned out, he was a 7th generation cabinet maker from Ireland. For the next twenty five years, I worked as his apprentice after hours and in my spare time learning an amazing craft. I enjoy woodworking as a hobby, taking unwanted, cut down trees and turning them in to useful items such as building materials and furniture.
In 1984, I began working for the Southern California Gas Company as a field service representative. Twenty six years later, I still work for SoCalGas, but now as the Instructor of Industrial Service. I teach the senior technicians in the company about the operation, maintenance, and service of large industrial combustion equipment, such as industrial boilers, furnaces, ovens, gas engines, turbines, and gas A/C. I thoroughly enjoy my work and probably will retire from SCG in another five years.
In 1987, I purchased our hill side house in Eagle Rock-adjacent Highland Park and the Echo Park apartment building I lived in. We waited nine years before having children. Daniel Raphael was born in 1992 and Isabella Maria was born in 1995. They are great kids and bring Teri and me much joy. Teri and I have enjoyed 26 years of marriage and look forward to many happy years ahead.
I look forward to re-establishing contact with old friends and catching up on what has happened in their lives since our last encounter.
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