|
It’s hard to believe it has been 50 years since the
Phillips High School Class of ’62 walked across the stage and got a hand
shake and diploma from Mr. Kimmins. After that we all scattered out into
the world to pursue the “American Dream” as best we could. I had some
general idea of what I wanted to do with my life, go to college, get an
engineering degree and get a job. In retrospect, most of that actually
came to pass but in an unimaginably random and serendipitous way.
After graduation, I attended Frank Phillips Jr.
College for two years and then transferred to the University of Texas in
Austin. In January of 1965 I married Joan Sellinger. She worked and I
went to school. In 1968 with a Masters in Aerospace Engineering, I
accepted a job with Humble Oil Company (Exxon) in Corpus Christi. I was
with Exxon for 34 years during which I held mostly reservoir engineering
positions. About half those years were assignments in Corpus Christi,
Kingsville and Houston and the rest in Iran, Abu Dhabi, Norway and
England. Working for Exxon provided the opportunity to travel and live
in parts of the world that I would have never imagined when I graduated
from High School. I learned a whole new field of Petroleum Engineering,
was able to be party to the development and use of new technologies and
participated in the exploration and development of some amazing projects
around the world.
My last assignment was in Houston and retired there
in 2002. I did some work with the United Way of South Texas for a couple
of years and in 2004 started taking art classes at the Glassell School of
Art in Houston. Joan took up golf when we were in Stavanger and when her
tennis elbow got too painful she made it her passion. I play with her
occasionally, but can’t compete. I try to work on my painting, but I
never seem to get much better. None the less, I enjoy it and am reminded
of my early love for art that came from Miss Moore and Miss Chamberlain.
Wherever they are, my heartfelt gratitude to them both. |
I have recounted the unique story of Phillips and its
special school system to people all over the world. We were indeed
fortunate to have the community and benefits that a company camp with
corporate taxes can bestow. We can be especially thankful for the
outstanding teachers that this made possible. We all have our favorites.
In addition to the two I mentioned above, two more were especially
influential for me.
Mr. George was a great teacher who made history come
alive through his animated re-enactments. But more than that I remember
his passion for baseball which he brought to the summer little league
program. I can hear him now shouting “Rounsaville in left field” as he
hit a towering fly ball and I ran as fast as I could from center field to
left field to catch the ball on a dead run. If someone was on base during
a game and the next batter was up, his call of “ducks on the pond” was a
reminder to be prepared for any eventuality involving the runner on base.
For three summers, I played baseball on two teams, Mr. George’s team and
one in Borger. That usually meant I worked out every morning with Mr.
George and in the evening I either played a game or worked out with the
team in Borger. I learned a lot from these experiences, not the least of
which was the importance of commitment and hard work.
Mrs. Forbus stimulated my interest in and
appreciation for math and hence in engineering. She was an excellent
teacher and mentor. She was also a close friend of my Mother.
These and many other
teachers, coaches, friends and neighbors had a tremendous impact on my
life and for that I will always be grateful.
|
