(Jun) Richard Reed

Yes

Graduated Cornell ('64) went to grad school (M.S. Geology, Univ. of Arizona; Ph.D. Geology,Univ. of New Mexico), became an oil geologist (Texaco, Union Texas, Marathon). In my former occupation, I traveled extensively (especially Europe, Ireland & Africa), but to my regret have never actually lived overseas for longer than 6 months at a time.

Army veteran. I married rather late (1978), and have 3 daughters, 4 grand-kids (so far). My wife Sharon lost a years-long battle with early dementia on November 10, 2005. (She was only 55).

I was force-retired from Marathon Oil in 1994 during one of their many layoffs. Luckily, I had bought a small burger shack in 1985, which I still run with two of my married daughters. It is a lot of fun and pays a few bills.

I miss the Midwest and its people, but love Texas, especially when I can get out of the big city. My hobbies are heirloom gardening, babysitting my grandchildren, and writing. I finished a play (Grandpa's Pixies-a comedy and a tribute to my wife Sharon, who could be demented and wise at the same time) and Distant Ancient Sky - part of a proposed Mars trilogy - a 'hard' (ie. realistic) science fiction tale of the exploration and settlement of the red planet.

I am teaching my grand-kids all the verses to "Whadda do with a Drunken Sailor?" (and whatever other bad habits we can think of). They are quick learners and it is a hoot. There are many interesting things one can do with a drunken sailor. I was hoping we would learn "Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum" next, but they are becoming more interested in Veggie Tales, which is actually a good thing.

If you are ever in Houston, please visit my daughters and I at Bubba's Texas Burger Shack.

Many great stories, but I remember well the day the First Chair trombonist fell off the stage risers during rehearsal and Mr. Guse rushed over, filled with great concern as to whether the school trombone (not necessarily the trombonist) was uninjured. (Thorpe, being first chair, had the only school trombone).

I also loved the area's passion for basketball, and remember well the regional tournaments held in the (then) new high school, and the day the audience got so rambunctious that a section of temporary bleachers collapsed.

I do think that our high school coeds were a lot prettier then than the students today, although I was mostly way too shy to kiss them. I wish I had, a couple in particular. Oh, well.