Robert Woolacott:
CLASS OF 1962
Grant High SchoolClass of 1962
Van nuys, CA
Robert's Story
Hi everyone;
Today I made contact with someone from the old neighborhood (David Gindraux) and it gave me the incentive to update my profile with some of my life experiences since the summer of '62.
In September of '62 I enlisted in the Air Force with Terry Petes under the buddy system. Some system, we spent 16 weeks together in basic training in San Antonio Texas then I went to Illinois for schooling and he went elsewhere. Following school I was transferred to Victorville, Ca. for the remainder of my 4 years at George Air Force Base (near Adalanto). I didn't see "my buddy" till the 20 year reunion. When I saw him, we had little in common and have not spoken since. Terry, if you are out there, e-mail me and I'll tell you a story about someone I met in Germany that you promoted in the Ralphs Market chain. (He was a V.P. there at the time of the reunion.)
While in the service, I was dating a girl in Granada Hills named Karen. One day, while on the phone with Karen, someone picked up the other line on the party line. Remember those? Anyway, she excused herself and got off the phone. I asked Karen who she was and it ended up to be a neighbor she went to school with. Karen set her up on a blind date for cokes and whatever with us and my best friend Mike. That afternoon we met her on her front porch to pick her up, I lost both my girl and my best friend that day. That was the defining moment in my life. I had just met the love of my life and now my wife of 42 years.
We married in August of 1966 and started managing apartment buildings on Woodman ave. in Van Nuys while I worked for an electronics firm in Northridge, ca. While working there for 14 years, I attended Pierce College at night pursuing an engineering degree. I then went to work for JBL (the speaker manufacturer) also in Northridge, where I have worked as an Engineer for the past 28 years. During the time since 1966 we had two loving daughters and bought a home in Simi Valley, Ca (1979) where we have lived for 29 years. My oldest daughter Tammy (named after Debbie Reynolds's song) is a nursing manager in a large local hospital and lives literally over my back fe...Expand for more
nce in the cul-de-sac behind us. She is married with 3 kids (one of her own). My youngest, Cindy is married and lives in Las Vegas. She made a career in the civil engineering field while her husband has his own pool cleaning business. We wish they lived closer. In the past 18 months, both daughters have blessed us with a Grandson, which I had been waiting for, forever!
While waiting for the greandkids to come along we got two Welsh Corgies and they are almost as good as grandkids. Both are girls and a lot of laughs.
I will be retiring in less than a year and am looking forward to it greatly. My wife Barbara and I have traveled the world pretty extensively over the years and with retirement; we look forward to traveling the US. It's great when your spouse is also your best friend.
I am looking forward to building a family room onto the back of the house next year as we have large crowds over for the Holidays and the family has outgrown the house.
For those of you who have not posted a picture, please do so. I was not fortunate enough to get an annual and recognize many names I see, but can't put faces with them. If not a current picture (we have all changed a lot) at least one from the high school era.
If you haven't visited David Gindraux's profile do so. He has put together a great collage of pictures that pretty well captures a significant portion of all our lives in the valley in the 60's. It is a great trip back in time and good to see his life unfold as well.
Have a great 2009.
Bob
Update 2-16-09;
About 3 weeks ago I got in touch with Grant High to see if there was a way to get a copy of the annual. I got an e-mail back from Mel Stave, who is the
Coordinator for the U.S. Grant communications Technology Magnet Center. Copies were not available, however he was gracious enough to scan a copy of one they had on file. I have spent hours going over and over it remembering the names and faces. I recognize someone new each time I look. Now that I can see all your shining faces, it's even more important that you fill in some info about your life. I now know who you were but I'd like to know who you have become.
Bob
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