Robert Smith:
CLASS OF 1970
Bethpage High SchoolClass of 1970
Bethpage, NY
Robert's Story
After barely graduating BHS in 1970 (and I quote what Miss Anita Pepe wrote in my yearbook): "Well Bob, laziness and all, you made it" (unquote). I started going to sea on merchant vessels, shipping out of N.Y., San Francisco, Longbeach (Ca.), Seattle, New Orleans,and (mostly) from Houston. I've worked on Oil Tankers, Break Bulk freighters, Container ships, LNG ships, Bulk Carriers, L.A.S.H. ships, and Tugboats (towing RO RO barges,Oil Barges, and Cargo barges) all over the world. Sailing unlicensed as "Able Seaman" and "Bosun", I received my "Third Mates" license in 1979 and joined the "Masters, Mates, and Pilots" union. Raised my license to Second Mate, Chief Mate, and finally "Master, Unlimited". The last twelve years or so working for WFP (World Food Program) transporting "United Nations" Humanitarian aid cargos to East Africa, The Middle East, Pakistan, Bangladesh, The Black Sea (Republic of Georgia, Bulgaria, Russia, Rumania), Vietnam, Indonesia,Phillipines, West Africa,(breath), Central and South America. This included "World Vision, CARE, Feed The Children, USAID, Catholic Charities,U...Expand for more
.N.I.C.F., and a few I can't remember right now. Became an avid spearfisherman in the early eighties and spearfished my way down the Central American coast to Costa Rica. Bought a partnership in a Bar in downtown San Jose, Costa Rica which Myself and my girlfriend Amparo owned from 1987 until 1992. My future plans include doing an "RTW" (Round the World) on a KTM 990 Adventure (Motorcycle). As you can see, I was infected early on with the "Travel Bug" or just plain "Wanderlust". If you're going to contract a disease, It's not a bad way to go. It's been a great run so far!
P.S. There's a quote from Joseph Conrad (which I've never actually been able to find) that supposedly goes like this:
THE MERCHANT MARINE
"A bunch of overpaid, underworked, drunk and degenerate derilicts, sailing around the world from one seamy port to another".
Yes Joseph, I totally agree. And you are my mentor...
Other than that, It would be great on a T-Shirt.
Y Anita, "Hola, que tal senora" Si tu quieras a hablar conmigo, escribame aqui en este direcion......Ud esta en mi "mente de pasado" mi professora.
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