Getting to know the Boneyard members at bit | The Boneyard

Getting to know the Boneyard members at bit

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I'd like to know more about members of the Boneyard. So I'll start with this question to any and all:

Outside of marriage and/or your children, what is the most significant/memorable moment of your life.

My most memorable professional moment was arresting Michael Lauder. Michael was a brilliant man who suffered from schizophrenia who brutally murdered his pregnant girlfriend in Hasting on the Hudson in 1998 and subsequently took a bus to Cornell University after having committed the heinous crime.

 
All of my events are small. I did no signally great thing either professionally or personally. I successfully attained all the professional certifications in my field: MA PhD tenure, published the requisite number of scholarly articles and so on. But these are finally trivial as markers of a life. I’d like to think I’ve been a good mentor to several hundred college students who’ve passed through my college. And that I’ve been a good father and husband. The only sense in which I’ve stepped outside the usual path of a pedant is my hobby: writing novels. I’ve published 8 spy thrillers and am in the middle of #9. They’re just pulp fiction, nothing great about them. But I have enjoyed writing them very much.
 
All of my events are small. I did no signally great thing either professionally or personally. I successfully attained all the professional certifications in my field: MA PhD tenure, published the requisite number of scholarly articles and so on. But these are finally trivial as markers of a life. I’d like to think I’ve been a good mentor to several hundred college students who’ve passed through my college. And that I’ve been a good father and husband. The only sense in which I’ve stepped outside the usual path of a pedant is my hobby: writing novels. I’ve published 8 spy thrillers and am in the middle of #9. They’re just pulp fiction, nothing great about them. But I have enjoyed writing them very much.
Impressive and not small by any means
 
Toss up between UConn MBB championship in 1999, and a hole-in-one I finally made in 2019 (about 60 years trying). WBB in 1995 was up there too.
A hole in one is very elusive for us weekend warriors. Congrats on yours. I have two, one in 1998 and one in 2024 ( 3 week ago) both at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Cornell University
 
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My greatest accomplishment..

The realization and acceptance of God’s unconditional love and faith in as my Lord and Savior..

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see”
~ John Newton
 
I’m sure there’s a large number of folks that spend time here in the BY that in any way one could measure their lives that they would be considered very accomplished and highly successful.

Received training as a Massage Therapist specializing in Pfrimmer Deep muscle Therapy in 1991. Over the years I’ve played a part in people living where they have less pain in their bodies to living pain free lives.

I still see clients I’ve had for over 30 years and others who keep tabs on my wife & I.

This weekend our daughter was in town and my 13 & 19 year old grandsons wanted their backs worked on. :)
 
Nothing dramatic for me, either. I worked 30 years for one company and I think I did a good job, which I'm old enough to be proud of. Have been married for going on 37 years and, while no children, have had a succession of generally long lived pups, so I'm proud of being a family man in that regard.

It hasn't been a perfect life, of course, and as I say it lacks a defining accomplishment. Yet, for all that, I guess the right thing to say is I'm ok with where I've been and where I'm at. And there are so many out there for which this isn't true.
 
Grad school at UConn in early 60's - UCONN fan since then - 60 years - true blue blood
Now at 85, still around (in FL) to watch my adopted school be the best in college basketball, baseball, hockey and more.
and glad Bobby Hurley chose to stay! What's next? Can't wait!
 
Well I went from living in a public housing project, to the US Navy where I attended Electronics Tech and Nuclear Power schools. While serving aboard the USS Carl Vinson I took #2 reactor plant critical for the very first time. I qualified to operate there different reactor plants by age 25. While serving full time, I completed a BS degree as a first gen member of my family to graduate from college. I left the Navy after almost 11 years and went to work for a major airframe manufacturer in the PNW where worked for 32 years. While working full time, I earned an MBA and went on to become a Marketing/Sales director managing accounts in India, Thailand, Vietnam, and New Zealand. I've been to every continent except Antarctica and over 45 countries. I'm also the son of an immigrant mother who didn't speak English and parents neither of whom graduated from high school. I retired at 62, have a son who's a world-class sailor and a PhD daughter doing cancer research at UVM.
 
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I'd like to know more about members of the Boneyard. So I'll start with this question to any and all:

Outside of marriage and/or your children, what is the most significant/memorable moment of your life.

My most memorable professional moment was arresting Michael Lauder. Michael was a brilliant man who suffered from schizophrenia who brutally murdered his pregnant girlfriend in Hasting on the Hudson in 1998 and subsequently took a bus to Cornell University after having committed the heinous crime.

Thank you for arresting that son of a bitch.
 
By far the most significant experience of my life was to have served with a group of incredibly brave and honorable men as an infantryman in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.

Their memory inspired me to submit a drawing to a competition for a memorial to the service of Vietnam veterans. It was the winning design for the Suffolk County (Long Island) Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There are some nice drone videos of it on Youtube.

Finally, there was another service, difficult in its own way, as a juror in a Federal District Court trial in Boston. It resulted in the largely inaccurate book and movie- "A Civil Action."

I am an example of history knocking on my door, uninvited.
 
Connecticut Yankee. BA from Penn, MBA from Harvard and at the end of my professional career was named President of Yanmar America, the first non-Japanese to hold that position. Have lived in South America and Japan and half a dozen other states before landing in Knoxville, where I proudly annoy bunches of folks when I talk about WCBB. I'm proudest of my relationship with my Dad. After a rocky start (only 19 or so years!) I grew to respect and revere him. He became my closest friend, my best advisor and was an awesome roommate for the better part of 30 years, til he passed away at 103 in our apartment. He taught me what life was all about and set an example I'll never forget and will likely never achieve. Well, you asked!!!!
 
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I spent 33 years in public education in Connecticut. I was a band director and music teacher. My most memorable moments were teaching on the middle school level. My middle school jazz band and middle school wind ensemble, both audition only groups, played at the state music teachers convention. The kids, the parents and the school administration were so happy and proud of what the kids had accomplished.

Outside of my teaching, I volunteered for coaching little league and babe ruth baseball teams. My kids were involved. A lot of great memories of games and winning championships. I spent over 25 years as a volunteer leader for Boy Scouts of America. I was a Scoutmaster to two of my sons when they recieved their rank of Eagle Scout. I was also Scoutmaster for over 30 boys who recieved their Eagle rank.

After my boys aged out of Scouting, I stayed on as a Scoutmaster and then became district chairman. Many great memories as chairman but the one that will always be with me was the tragedy that struck Sandy Hook Elementary School. We had a vibrant Cub Scout pack there. The news broke before noon, as I remember, and I was in complete shock. My very good friend, who was #2 in the district, called me and ask what should we do? I had no idea but I got on the phone and started calling the Sandy Hook leaders. I also notified the district committee about what had happened. Later that day the names of those who died were released. That's when we knew. As funeral arrangements were made and wakes scheduled, I met with the leadership and we decided that if possible, we would attend all the events. Many of us made all six wakes and funerals of those who died that were members of the Cub Pack. There are specific memories that I will not go into here. Needless to say those memories and images and faces will never leave me.

One more event that will never leave me was May 4, 1970. The Kent State Shootings. I was a freshman then. I was by the architectual building when the shooting started. I knew 2 of those who died. Many images remain with me. Another date that I will never forget.
 
I guess I've lived a varied life. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY.
From 8 until 18 did some movies West Side Story original, FBI Story a couple more, a Perry Como Show, a Sid Caesar Show, and a couple Broadway Shows.
At 18 went out to Liberty, MO to William Jewell College a Southern Baptist College being one of 3 Jews on campus Where I wrestled on the College Conference Champion team caught the Wrestling bug and decided to teach Physical Education and Coach HS Wrestling!
Taught HS History and Coached HS Wrestling in Polo, MO 1970-1971, moved on to Plattsburg, MO started the Elementary PE there and Coached HS Wrestling1971-1973.
In August 1973 I got the Elementary PE job and HS Wrestling coach in East Lyme, CT. Teaching till June 2000 when I retired from teaching. During that time I coached HS Wrestling till 2002. In 1998 I was selected CT Wrestling Coach of the Year and in April 2005 was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame! It was a joy for myself and my assistants to coach over 400 wonderful kids from tremendous families through those years!
After retiring from teaching and coaching my buddy Glenn and I got season tickets for the UConn WBB and we traveled to all the 1st & 2nd rounds, Regionals and Final Fours from 2002 to 2013!
Glenn and I had to give up our season tickets because of ill health and money problems!
From 2013 to the present time I've dealt with Heart problems, bad Arthritis, now for the last 2 years I've had problems with my feet having 3 operations on my right foot and 1 on my left foot! Having been so active earlier this health stuff now sucks big time!
I still fanatically follow my WBB Huskies and my NY Yankees and they get me through the year!
 
After retirement, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I went to the park one day, and watched a Dog Agility Trial going on. I had just got a dog for companionship, and thought this looked like fun. It took a long time to learn how to train my dogs, but they were very smart and cooperative.

I ended up doing this for 14 years, until I finally had to "retire" again at age 75. I ran three different English Cocker Spaniels, and they all earned many Agility Titles.

For those unfamiliar, they give you a course map, with the sequence of obstacles. (Shown at the beginning of the video). You then get to walk the course for about ten minutes, without your dog, while you plan your handling strategy. Here is a representative run. ( I was age 70) Hope you enjoy watching.

 
After retirement, I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I went to the park one day, and watched a Dog Agility Trial going on. I had just got a dog for companionship, and thought this looked like fun. It took a long time to learn how to train my dogs, but they were very smart and cooperative.

I ended up doing this for 14 years, until I finally had to "retire" again at age 75. I ran three different English Cocker Spaniels, and they all earned many Agility Titles.

For those unfamiliar, they give you a course map, with the sequence of obstacles. (Shown at the beginning of the video). You then get to walk the course for about ten minutes, without your dog, while you plan your handling strategy. Here is a representative run. ( I was age 70) Hope you enjoy watching.



Do you Practice on the same course?
 
The most memorable moment in my life was the murder of my six year old niece in 1992. This shaped the trajectory of my life. Life isn’t always ‘cake and balloons’. Memorable moments sometimes are thrust upon us. What we do with the moments is what matters.
 
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My most memorable moment was performing on guitar along with an orchestra at the premiere of a symphony I composed to document the 5,000 mile walk across the country with my wife. The journey was to reboot our lives and Cindy’s brain health after she had been let go from work due to cognitive decline. The movements of the symphony correspond to five themes of discovery while walking across America, synchronized with photos in a slideshow. Cindy improved during the journey but regressed again after it was over. At the time of the premiere I had been her full time caregiver for over a decade, and still continue in that role.

You can view the slideshows here: American Discovery Symphony
 
All of my events are small. I did no signally great thing either professionally or personally. I successfully attained all the professional certifications in my field: MA PhD tenure, published the requisite number of scholarly articles and so on. But these are finally trivial as markers of a life. I’d like to think I’ve been a good mentor to several hundred college students who’ve passed through my college. And that I’ve been a good father and husband. The only sense in which I’ve stepped outside the usual path of a pedant is my hobby: writing novels. I’ve published 8 spy thrillers and am in the middle of #9. They’re just pulp fiction, nothing great about them. But I have enjoyed writing them very much.
There is a thread on detective novels on the entertainment board. You should post about them there. I'm sure a bunch of people will read them.

As for me, I am the inventor of Wikipedia. If you don't believe me, you can confirm that on Wikipedia. Just give me 15 minutes of lead time before you check.
 
The most memorable moment in my life was the murder of my six year old niece in 1992. This shaped the trajectory of my life. Life isn’t always ‘cake and balloons’. Memorable moments sometimes are thrust upon us. What we do with the moments is what matters.

I agree with your last sentence, though it doesn't make working through things and easier. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.
 
Do you Practice on the same course?
The courses are always different. Judges design their own courses, following certain guidelines, like number of obstacles, challenges, discriminations, etc. I posted a "clean" run, i.e. no errors, but I could certainly put together a blooper reel of runs that were, let's say, less than perfect. As a handler, you look for certain patterns, or groups of four to five obstacles. Usually, tunnels afford the opportunity to prepare for the next sequence.

The venue in the video is right next to Quinnipiac College in Hamden, but Agility took me all over the East Coast, from Burlington VT., to Orlando, Fla, and West to Harrisburg, PA. I chose not to fly my dogs, but several handlers do. Thanks for asking.
 
I would like to say that my most memorable experience in life is having earned my doctorate from Northeastern University. However, I think my most significant moment of personal gratitude would be keeping my feet moving in my formative years. My parents were divorced when I was four due to domestic abuse; was raised lower middle class in each home. When I was nine years old, my mother was in a tragic car accident that left her with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), nonambulatory, and without the use of one of her arms and one of her legs. At that point, my older sister and I were forced to move in with our father who we had not seen in years due to divorce, and because my mother was fighting the legal battle for full custody at the time of the accident. In the moments that I allow myself to feel pride in who I am, having achieved my doctorate, spent 10 years as a public school educator, and with the plan to marry my partner in Newport, RI, next spring, I feel proud of what I have accomplished.

I would like to pose an additional question for others to consider. What is your first AND favorite memory of UConn Women's Basketball?

My first, and likely why I was hooked, is the memory of Tarausi's half-court basket against Tennessee in January of 2003. It was the first basketball game I can remember watching on TV. I remember running upstairs to tell my sister, "YOU HAVE GOT TO COME SEE THIS SHOT!" As a competitive athlete myself, I very much also remember being so fond of the way DT carried herself -- the confidence, the swagger; I wanted to carry myself like her on the field and court. My favorite memory is a close competition between these two: the game where KML came back from that awful elbow injury (with the hefty brace on) and hit a collection of 3s early on (I think it was against Duke?) OR the 1v2 game where South Carolina was just getting onto the scene and there was the snowy February game at Gampel. Watching Moriah Jefferson cross up Tiffany Mitchell and go in for the lay-up or Stewie dominate Wilson had me sitting on my living room floor, pompously yelling, "Okay, SC, you're good. But you still aren't UConn."

Fun Fact: I graduated from the same high school that Carla Berube attended.
 
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