Thanks to Michael Hauser for pushing this network, and “inviting” us all to share our classmate spotlights.
It’s been a busy and reflective time for my wife and I as we are pondering retirement and our next chapter. I’ve had a fun and rewarding career working with public water supply utilities, engineering and building lots of cool stuff that goes with keeping water flowing to our taps, and enjoying life’s blessings that go along with raising our family in central NJ. After LHS I left New Jersey for college and first job, but quickly ended up back in the Garden State.
I have many fond memories of my early years in Livingston, LHS, and our class of 77. It was a great place and an interesting time to grow up, our home on top of the Edgemere Road hill, marveling at my parents letting us grow up with tolerance (really? a “Baritone Beer Blast” party in the backyard) and well before helicoptering was a way of parenting (get out of the house but be home for dinner). But how did they let me out with that long shoulder length hair and plaid pants. 50 years later it was a day of many mixed feelings when we “helped” my Dad sell and give up that house that was our home, leaving so many memories up on that hill…
High School Band, Lacrosse team and many memorable outings with the family VW beetle, or Bing’s Dodge Dart, bring smiles as I think back to those years. LHS’s teacher David Bast, and drafting classes in the second floor back corner classroom helped shape my future profession. Early on I was “identified” to be an Engineer, being pretty good in the math and sciences and not so much in English (sorry Mrs. Brousseau, you tried). Four years followed at a Tech College in up upstate NY (Clarkson College) where very cold weather, techie all-nighters, and winter sports (old time hockey eh?) facilitated many college beverages, fraternity life and a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
After a short first job in Pittsburgh for a steel company, and experiencing reality with one of 1980’s RIF’s, I ended up back in NJ, settling for a temporary job working for a private water utility, not really quite sure what that was. But my idea was that it would be for a few months until I could find my real job, and I could use my newly educated “knowledge” to help deliver…water… (well not quite the most exciting cool industry to build a career around). Well, that temporary gig extended to a few years, then 5, then 10, well next thing you know life happens and before you know it, you’re in your third thirty years with 40 years of work behind you. During those years I’ve been fortunate to have been part of a lot of growth both for myself and the Company, expanding to new areas and yes, building lots of cool stuff including water treatment plants, pipes and infrastructure……I know, not real sexy stuff….
Life happened, and it’s been terrific and rewarding. Friendships I’ve made along the way continue to be strong, kept us busy and opened up many doors, including meeting my wife Pam, now together for 40 years. Together we’ve been blessed with “growing” and living a storied life together in Monmouth County, raising three beautiful and successful children and all that comes with that, and having a little fun all along the way. Early in our relationship we tested ourselves with our complete rebuild of a small 19th century seaport home in Keyport along the NJ Monmouth County Bayshore…while living in the house….as newlyweds……for way too long…what were we thinking? But, we survived (and thrived?) …Looking back at ir we say it was character and relationship building.
As our family grew, the suburban neighborhood and school systems attracted us to move to Freehold, our home now for 30 years. I recall in my 1970’s view from Livingston, anything over that Parkway bridge at that smelly paint factory was “South Jersey” and “down the shore”. Well Freehold isn’t quite a seashore community, but it is close enough for very easy visits to those shore towns and boardwalks in Belmar, Point Pleasant, and Asbury Park, with LBI not too far away. And while Freehold is the Boss’s original hometown, we’ve yet to have the coveted local Bruce sighting…although there is still that chance, I guess. (But we have had more than our share seeing Bruce in concert).
Along our journey of more growth and character building, we’ve lived the dream of parenting (a little different now than what I remembered growing up), engaged in children’s activities, sports teams and clubs, soccer coaching and player/parent management, and all that comes with that. And then kids are off to college…and all that comes with that…
Pam and I both attended small colleges, with relatively small college sports teams and moderate school “spirit”. Our children chose different paths, big Universities of Clemson, Delaware, and “the” Ohio State, and we were thrown right into big college football and all of the fun and excitement that goes with Saturday football. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute, the Big10 or ACC tailgate parties, and it may have even help make those college payments a bit more, well bearable. We still enjoy gameday, and who knows, getting into a tailgate circuit again in the coming years might be in our future.
After the work day and family activities, we’ve enjoyed traveling and exploring the outdoors and the U.S a bit, and I’ve been able to volunteer with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate (building things) and helping them grow and deliver through challenges (Superstorm Sandy along the Bayshore). Hiking, a little golf, kayaking here and there, and sharing these with many friends and family fill our life. And now another adventure: Grandparents!
Ahhh…. Did I mention I like to build things? I’ve collected quite a collection of tools, and our garage hasn’t seen a car in it for many years, instead hosting lots of tinkering, fixing, woodworking and making stuff for whenever there is an idea or need for something to be designed and built. Not that these efforts might result in anything profitable, but memorable? How about the wedding arch for your daughter’s wedding? Yup, pretty cool.
So, as I reflect and try to fill this spotlight, I don’t have any sensational tales of trips abroad, no Internet IPO’s or Shark Tank entrepreneur business takeoffs. But I do have many memories of solid happy life with family, purpose and friends. And to think Livingston and LHS got me started me on this journey.
