Tom Allen

Hi, everyone! I attended EGSP for only a couple of years (6th grade, 66-67; 7th grade, 67-68) before Goodyear transferred my father back to the States. Those two years were extremely enjoyable, and I only wish I could have stayed on.

After Brasil I lived in New Hampshire, New York, then finished high school & college in Ohio before returning to my pre-Brasil home in Anaheim, CA (living a couple of blocks from Disneyland).

After losing my wife to cancer in 2018, I left So. Cal and moved to Las Vegas. In a new relationship for the next chapter of my life.

I fondly recall the Drama department under Mr. Colby (not Mr. Bobbert - thanks all for jogging my poor memory). In the 7th grade I shocked my parents by playing Bert in the production of "Mary Poppins"; then later, Jonathan Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace" (where I "threw" across the stage my friend Steve Pepper, who was playing the role of Dr. Einstein). I then took a backstage role running the light board for "Peter Pan" (a play in which Debbie MacDonald as "Peter" actually flew above the stage via cables).
I always looked forward to gym class with coach J.C. I also have a fleeting memory of another gym teacher with a decidedly British accent who, upon discovering Bobby Bott with chewing gum, uttered the immortal quote: "Bott? Are you...chewing? By, God, Bott - are you CHEWING? Spit it out before I knock it out!" I think Bobby swallowed it at that point.
When we first arrived in Brasil Goodyear housed us in the Hotel Ca'Doro. Turns out Steve Pepper and family, also with Goodyear, were there at the same time as well. Good memories of having fun with Steve in constructive activities (flinging soft cheese packets off the pool deck on the 20th floor onto cars below - relieving the switchboard operators "Telefonista!" - playing with the emergency stop buttons on the elevators - etc.). During the next two years we also hung out with Steve Vermie, also from a Goodyear family. Steve V, where are you?
One memory of a trip to Guaraja with the Peppers and Vermies involved the ferry boat ride. One of our cars had a sudden engine fire. It took considerable persuasion from our three dads to convince the ferry operators NOT to push the car off the ferry while they managed to extinguish the flames.
Dan Waters should be designated as Class Historian for his photos, and his tales. Thanks, Dan, for restoring long-dormant memories. And special thanks to Sharon, for providing the the platform, and soliciting participation. It has really been interesting to see the depth and breadth of responses. Be sure to take lots of photos at the reunion!