Larry Seymour

Personal:

No grandkids, yet. I’m working at being retired.

Have I accomplished something I never thought I would? Yes, doing this questionnaire for the 50th reunion. Where did the time go?

Athletic accomplishments? I’ve done pretty well in competitive racewalking. I’ve competed in two National Senior Games, many masters level competitions and our North Carolina senior games. Won a few medals.

Favorite place or experience…I’ve traveled to a few places with hiking groups. My favorites are the French countryside, Hawaii, Israel, Costa Rica, but the best place was the American West – in particular the Grand Canyon and Utah, Arizona. However the Very Best was LAS VEGAS!

Published, recorded, exhibited? No, but I’ve been stapled, spindled, rolled and mutilated. I was a movie stand-in for a tv pilot filmed here in Asheville. I got to hold the hand of Andie MacDowell for a scene.

I can still sing “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall.” Isn’t that our alma mater?

I’m a Vietnam-era vet.

I’m involved with a land conservancy to keep our precious mountain land free of development.

Happiness is a good bank account, good digestion, functional bowels, and kids to be proud of.

Naperville years- Simple times, friendly people, uncertainty about the future, good friends.

Hidden talent? Perhaps writing.

Autobiography title: “Huh?”

I’m not “just like” my parents, but I believe they were proud of me as I was of them.

Life for most of us is a continuous process of getting used to things we hadn’t expected. Life is also the interval between the time your teeth are almost through and you’re almost through with your teeth.

Memories:

Favorite memory of Naperville – a wonderful small town of happiness and feeling safe.

Store to revisit: The drug store.

Faculty remembered: Mrs. Warnell.

Prank: Blowing the tops off cornstalks with firecrackers and the police taking great umbrage with us. My dad took me to the police station where I swore allegiance and forgiveness to God and the Chief of Police. At the time I was scared the death but now it’s just a good story.

I would relive the last class of chemistry. It was finally over! I hated that class.

Jack Weissenborn had a great car.

Fashion statement: blue suede shoes??

Cafeteria food- No, I can’t remember what I ate yesterday.

Graduation: Didn’t the guys wear shorts under their gowns? It was a pretty disturbing sight.

Eccentric characters or interesting individuals about town? Duh! The class of 1959.

First job? Shoveling a gravel pile for John Frey.

Television programs: Gunsmoke, Playhouse 90.

Ads, etc – The only thing that still sticks in my mind are those funny, strange voices.

Anybody that scared me in Naperville? BILL NORDBROCK!

I suddenly feel old. 50 years! I left Naperville in 1961 with my family and moved to Florida where I joined the Air Force. Spent time in Texas and Libya. Returned to Orlando and with the GI bill earned a Masters from Fla. State U. in Clinical Social Work. Transferred from the new Tampa VA Hospital to the Asheville, NC VA Hospital. I retired from the VA here in Asheville in 1994. Married a lovely French lady in 1969 and we had two great kids who were born and raised here in Asheville. Josiane died in 1991 and a second marriage didn’t work out. I spend my time hiking and competitively racewalking and being a general nuisance. Life has been pretty good. Can’t complain too much although I’d like to change a few things.

(Note: Larry can’t make the reunion as he has a commitment to the state Senior Olympics that weekend).