Rick Centner:
CLASS OF 1961
St. Augustine High SchoolClass of 1961
San diego, CA
University of Southern MississippiClass of 1974
Hattiesburg, MS
University of CaliforniaClass of 1967
Berkeley, CA
Coronado High SchoolClass of 1961
Coronado, CA
Blessed Sacrament SchoolClass of 1956
San diego, CA
Rick's Story
Although my profile says St Augustine, I transferred in my junior year and graduated from Coronado HS in '61 after losing a year to a kidney disease that was supposed to kill me. It gave me time to practice my guitar, which I used to help pay my way through college.
Co-Lead guitarist/vocalist in '60s rock band in the SF Bay Area, where I met Brunetta, my wife of 43 yrs, while playing the SF Whiskey A-Go-Go. My son followed in my footsteps and is working for guitarist Tim Reynolds; my daughter Teri earned a B.S. in aerospace eng. at MIT and a commission in the USAF (1989). She'll retire in 11/2009. Ask me if I feel old. A stepson, Brian [Brunetta was a widow] is a Texas Aggie and a small rancher -- he isn't small, his ranch is.
Our band released two singles that went nowhere, but we had great fun, even appearing on KFMB's Dance Time in San Diego.
After music, with a B.A. in history from Cal ('67), I went into radio, beginning as a deejay, eventually working into news, moving into TV news. While a reporter at WDAM-TV in Laurel/Hattiesburg, MS, I was offered a grad fellowship at Southern Miss and so went back to school.
For some reason, working in broadcasting (KLTV in Tyler, TX and an AM station in Blythe, CA that no longer exists) didn't hold the same appeal, so in 1974 I went into PR with the Boy Scouts in Tucson. I'd filled out an application for Federal Service hoping to go into public affairs, but nothing had come from it, so I figured that was that. Naturally, a few months into my scouting job, I got a phone call from an Army Reserve officer in Salt Lake City offering me a dual status position with the Army Reserve Command there. "Sorry," I said. "I was 4F because of a kidney disease." "Do you still have it?" he asked. When I told him I didn't, he suggested I go to the local Army recruiter and see if they'd accept me. My kidney disease had kept me out of an NROTC Scholarship following high school and I still wanted to serve in the military, so I went to the recruiters and, much to my surprise, they said I was eligible for enlistment in the USAR. I called MAJ Akerlow back and said, "That still doesn...Expand for more
't change the fact that I have a job." He paid expenses for me and Brunetta to visit SLC and the 96th ARCOM [he was shocked to learn that a non-Mormon was interested in living in Utah] and, learning the job would mean a substanial raise and a chance to serve, I took it. It literally changed our lives. I had to take a bunch of special medical tests and go before a medical review board for the final okay, but I got a thumbs up to attend basic training at the age of 33. I later made $300 for an article on my experience published in "Army" magazine (a civilian publication).
In 1976, I did some writing for a neighbor who ran successfully for Congress. When he was reelected in '79, he offered me a job as Legislative Assistant. I wasn't keen on a move to DC but, after praying about it, we took the position and it proved to be the right decision. Brunetta worked for Sen. Bob Dole, a wonderful person (who really does have a great sense of humor) and an expert legislator. In '82, we both joined the Reagan Administration, I as a speechwriter and Brunetta as support staff and grants manager. [To be continued]
2011 After losing my wife of 45 years to Alzheimer's earlier this year, I've had a tough time keeping busy. Fortunately, in recent weeks, I was selected to serve on the Tarrant County (Fort Worth) Grand Jury. We're the body that reviews police reports and preliminary evidence to determine whether there's reasonable cause to hand down an indictment for a crime. The cases are brought before us by the District Attorney's offfice, with witnesses for one or both sides sometimes appearing. It's been challenging, sometimes heart-rending, and even amusing once in awhile. It's increased my admiration for the late Jack Webb and the job he did with his Dragnet programs. Criminals often say and do the stupid things he portrayed on the program.
I'm gradually getting the hang of being a widower. I've even gone on a couple of "dates" -- coffee and conversation, movies, lunch or dinner. My kids have beem pushing me, as has a clergyman friend. Not having dated in 45 years, it feels a bit awkward, however. [To ve continued]
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