Mr. Sothan was an Industrial Arts teacher at Garden Grove High School. If you know any details of his life or passing, please post them in your comments on this page.
Mel Sothan was my Auto Shop teacher, and I remember his optimistic, futuristic views. Once he told us about a new air conditioning technology in which a stream of air, divided at exactly the correct angle, blew warm and cool streams of air... And his dreams of future highways where the MINIMUM speed would be 80 miles per hour or so... Yes, he was way ahead of his time, but that kind of vision and insight and optimism are the things that eventually change the world for the better. He even brought in a Bentley one day to show us that INDEED a silver 50-cent coin could stand on top of the radiator cap without falling onto its side... My term paper got only a "B", and when I asked him about it, he said it was good, but that I could have done better. His advice (along with Mr. Grimes'), helped me put my heart into my writing, and helped me build a better life. With fond memories,
Jack Grubisich (1970)
You taught me much which I use daily!
you are missed...
Jack Grubisich
Belinda Elliott (Martin) (1971)
per SS records Melvin Sothan was born 1 Sep 1926 and died 8 Aug 2003. He was listed in the 1930 census with his family in Nebraska.
John Cole (1970)
Mel Sothan was my Auto Shop teacher, and I remember his optimistic, futuristic views. Once he told us about a new air conditioning technology in which a stream of air, divided at exactly the correct angle, blew warm and cool streams of air... And his dreams of future highways where the MINIMUM speed would be 80 miles per hour or so... Yes, he was way ahead of his time, but that kind of vision and insight and optimism are the things that eventually change the world for the better. He even brought in a Bentley one day to show us that INDEED a silver 50-cent coin could stand on top of the radiator cap without falling onto its side... My term paper got only a "B", and when I asked him about it, he said it was good, but that I could have done better. His advice (along with Mr. Grimes'), helped me put my heart into my writing, and helped me build a better life. With fond memories,
John Cole