Whitey died unexpectedly in the Placeville home he shared with his wife and daughter, two people who loved him very much. The Whitey they knew was nothing like the person some may remember from our time at Millikan. They saw a breadwinner, as well as a loving and devoted husband and father.
I last spoke to Whitey about 6 months before his death. He called from John Metcalfe's office at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. " I'm headed back to Placerville and I'm bringing Mike Brewer with me. "
Mike had been just been discharged and Whitey was bringing him home to the bosom of Whitey's family. Mike needed care and Whitey and his familly were committed to helping him rest, recover and see the VA Drs. he needed to see.
Although we had both lived our adult lives in Northern California, I hadn't seen Whitey in two decades or more. We planned to get together after Whitey and Mike's return. And Whitey was excited about the three of us boarding his new boat for a fishing trip on one of the Sierra Lakes he knew well.
Whitey was retired. He'd been the framing supervisor for a large construction company for many years. He also was a Master Carpenter.
One of my best memories of Whitey was an unexpected late night phone call from Fort Benning, Georgia. Whitey was with the 101st Airborne Division. In that huge crowd of soldiers, Air Force Personnel and waiting C130 Transport Planes a bit of a miracle took place. "Guess who I'm with, Scott? Zale Schuster "(Millikan Class of 65). Zale was a Load Master on one of the C130's that would transport the 101st to Vietnam. The three of us talked and laughed until their duty called.
Whitey was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device after the battle for the A Sau Valley, one of the deadliest in the history of the war. What he did and saw there and during the tet offensive caused him to struggle on his return, PTSD not yet part of our collective lexicon.
When we last talked, Whitey's voice told me that he was at peace with himself, content in the life that eventually came to him. I think he considered himself, in the end, a lucky man.
Thank you, Mike ... that was a very thoughtful and respectful tribute. Since leaving Long Beach in the mid-seventies, I have lost track of virtually every person in our class with the exception of Ken Rule. My memory also is shot, so I have forgotten many things. But I do remember Whitey and ... if my memory isn't totally over the hill ... I knew him from Marshall days. I find it very hard to read accounts about what that war did to our generation, and your account of Whitey's struggles only reinforce that. But he seems to have found peace, love and a positive, constructive life. Ironically, it was in Placerville, on the other side of Sacramento Valley from where I lived in Trinity County for 20 years. Anyway, thanks for your words, and peace with you, too.
Michael Scott
Whitey died unexpectedly in the Placeville home he shared with his wife and daughter, two people who loved him very much. The Whitey they knew was nothing like the person some may remember from our time at Millikan. They saw a breadwinner, as well as a loving and devoted husband and father.
I last spoke to Whitey about 6 months before his death. He called from John Metcalfe's office at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. " I'm headed back to Placerville and I'm bringing Mike Brewer with me. "
Mike had been just been discharged and Whitey was bringing him home to the bosom of Whitey's family. Mike needed care and Whitey and his familly were committed to helping him rest, recover and see the VA Drs. he needed to see.
Although we had both lived our adult lives in Northern California, I hadn't seen Whitey in two decades or more. We planned to get together after Whitey and Mike's return. And Whitey was excited about the three of us boarding his new boat for a fishing trip on one of the Sierra Lakes he knew well.
Whitey was retired. He'd been the framing supervisor for a large construction company for many years. He also was a Master Carpenter.
One of my best memories of Whitey was an unexpected late night phone call from Fort Benning, Georgia. Whitey was with the 101st Airborne Division. In that huge crowd of soldiers, Air Force Personnel and waiting C130 Transport Planes a bit of a miracle took place. "Guess who I'm with, Scott? Zale Schuster "(Millikan Class of 65). Zale was a Load Master on one of the C130's that would transport the 101st to Vietnam. The three of us talked and laughed until their duty called.
Whitey was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device after the battle for the A Sau Valley, one of the deadliest in the history of the war. What he did and saw there and during the tet offensive caused him to struggle on his return, PTSD not yet part of our collective lexicon.
When we last talked, Whitey's voice told me that he was at peace with himself, content in the life that eventually came to him. I think he considered himself, in the end, a lucky man.
Scott Hays
Thank you, Mike ... that was a very thoughtful and respectful tribute. Since leaving Long Beach in the mid-seventies, I have lost track of virtually every person in our class with the exception of Ken Rule. My memory also is shot, so I have forgotten many things. But I do remember Whitey and ... if my memory isn't totally over the hill ... I knew him from Marshall days. I find it very hard to read accounts about what that war did to our generation, and your account of Whitey's struggles only reinforce that. But he seems to have found peace, love and a positive, constructive life. Ironically, it was in Placerville, on the other side of Sacramento Valley from where I lived in Trinity County for 20 years. Anyway, thanks for your words, and peace with you, too.
Thomas Guy
Whitey was always a loyal friend and what a personality. I think he lived life the way it should be. I was lucky to know him.
Mary Beth Powell
Thank you for your posts.
Although not a close friend, I do share and appreciate the community and generation that we all experienced.together.