I was in the 4th grade at Lincolnia Elementary School. My teacher, Mrs. Malcolm was a very special teacher who, two years previous, had taught my brother David to read and who has since never been without a book in his hand.
One day Mrs. Malcolm surprised us by introducing a new kid to the class, her son Bobby. The Malcolms had been living in Lorton with Mrs. Malcolm commuting up to Lincolnia to teach. We referred to our teacher as Mrs. Malcolm while Bobby called her “Mother”.
Bobby and I quickly became inseparable friends.
Bobby had a big beautiful collie named Tammy and I a golden retriever mix named Chopper. Everywhere we went so went our dogs. Bobby and I rode the school bus home from school. At his bus stop sat his Tammy and at my bus stop awaiting me as always, my dog Chopper.
We used to hunt squirrels in Pinecrest with our BB guns. We thought we were great hunters but truth be known, we threw so many BBs up into the tree tops that the squirrels felt safer running for it on the ground where the dogs scarfed them up.
Throughout our boyhood, Bobby would spend a night at my house or me at his. At one sleep-over at his house, with the help of Bobby’s sister Anita, we skinned, fleshed and pinned a possum.
We played YMCA softball together for the Pinecrest Pirates, just like so many of you reading this now.
I think about the 9th grade, we went to a couple of boy girl parties. There, we met wonderful girls like Deborah Newby, Susan Rodenhizer and Nancy Brown.
At one of these parties that Bobby and I attended the lights were turned off and we explored our limits. One girl said “Stop or I’ll tell my mother!”. Many years late, I wish to apologize to her.
Bobby and I were a strange pair, neither took school books home to study. I, because I couldn’t read anyhow, and Bobby because he didn’t have to study! Knowledge just came to Bobby. He won science fairs at an early age, once with a chicken skeleton he put together. His mother once told me that their family was very tired of eating chicken!
When we were 15 to 16 years old, I found profit in chasing girls and Bobby in capitalism. Bobby took out a loan and bought a big riding lawn mower. From then on Bobby raked in money working for himself.
At this point we grew apart. Before graduating from TJHS, Bobby tested out with several universities to skip the first 2 years of university. He did the same at Veterinary school. I think Bobby became Dr. Malcolm by age 22 or 23.
In 1971 by chance I met Bobby in the Memco parking lot at Braddock Road and Rt. 236. We were both waiting for the store to open up. We talked for a short time and parted. I never saw Bobby again.
Tragedy followed the Malcolms like the plague. While Bobby was attending TJHS, he lost his father to tuberculosis and his brother, George, to complications associated with Down’s Syndrome. I heard Bobby was married with 2 little girls when he was taken from us early in life.
Here I apologize for anything I might have misrepresented with my words. This is, from my best recollection and without malice.
I don't really remember Robert Malcolm. But, I just want to thank Lance Morrow for the reflections and memories he wrote about his friend from those days. It is such a beautiful and thoughtful tribute.
Amazingly beautiful history and tribute to Robert Malcolm. Thank you Lance for your thoughtful insight on both Carol Reiter Morrow - whom I did not realize that she was your sister-in-law and Robert Malcolm whom, I also, only became aquainted with, through your memorial to him. You have certainly elevated our TJHS'69 site.
Lance Morrow (Morrow)
Lance Morrow (Morrow)
I was in the 4th grade at Lincolnia Elementary School. My teacher, Mrs. Malcolm was a very special teacher who, two years previous, had taught my brother David to read and who has since never been without a book in his hand.
One day Mrs. Malcolm surprised us by introducing a new kid to the class, her son Bobby. The Malcolms had been living in Lorton with Mrs. Malcolm commuting up to Lincolnia to teach. We referred to our teacher as Mrs. Malcolm while Bobby called her “Mother”.
Bobby and I quickly became inseparable friends.
Bobby had a big beautiful collie named Tammy and I a golden retriever mix named Chopper. Everywhere we went so went our dogs. Bobby and I rode the school bus home from school. At his bus stop sat his Tammy and at my bus stop awaiting me as always, my dog Chopper.
We used to hunt squirrels in Pinecrest with our BB guns. We thought we were great hunters but truth be known, we threw so many BBs up into the tree tops that the squirrels felt safer running for it on the ground where the dogs scarfed them up.
Throughout our boyhood, Bobby would spend a night at my house or me at his. At one sleep-over at his house, with the help of Bobby’s sister Anita, we skinned, fleshed and pinned a possum.
We played YMCA softball together for the Pinecrest Pirates, just like so many of you reading this now.
I think about the 9th grade, we went to a couple of boy girl parties. There, we met wonderful girls like Deborah Newby, Susan Rodenhizer and Nancy Brown.
At one of these parties that Bobby and I attended the lights were turned off and we explored our limits. One girl said “Stop or I’ll tell my mother!”. Many years late, I wish to apologize to her.
Bobby and I were a strange pair, neither took school books home to study. I, because I couldn’t read anyhow, and Bobby because he didn’t have to study! Knowledge just came to Bobby. He won science fairs at an early age, once with a chicken skeleton he put together. His mother once told me that their family was very tired of eating chicken!
When we were 15 to 16 years old, I found profit in chasing girls and Bobby in capitalism. Bobby took out a loan and bought a big riding lawn mower. From then on Bobby raked in money working for himself.
At this point we grew apart. Before graduating from TJHS, Bobby tested out with several universities to skip the first 2 years of university. He did the same at Veterinary school. I think Bobby became Dr. Malcolm by age 22 or 23.
In 1971 by chance I met Bobby in the Memco parking lot at Braddock Road and Rt. 236. We were both waiting for the store to open up. We talked for a short time and parted. I never saw Bobby again.
Tragedy followed the Malcolms like the plague. While Bobby was attending TJHS, he lost his father to tuberculosis and his brother, George, to complications associated with Down’s Syndrome. I heard Bobby was married with 2 little girls when he was taken from us early in life.
Here I apologize for anything I might have misrepresented with my words. This is, from my best recollection and without malice.
Judith Grodowitz
I don't really remember Robert Malcolm. But, I just want to thank Lance Morrow for the reflections and memories he wrote about his friend from those days. It is such a beautiful and thoughtful tribute.
Chris Hamlin
Amazingly beautiful history and tribute to Robert Malcolm. Thank you Lance for your thoughtful insight on both Carol Reiter Morrow - whom I did not realize that she was your sister-in-law and Robert Malcolm whom, I also, only became aquainted with, through your memorial to him. You have certainly elevated our TJHS'69 site.
Chris Hamlin
Nancy Brown (Williams)
I remember Robert. I went to a party at his house. I’ll never forget it. Yes, I wasn’t popular in school but he treated me like I was.