Grandpa's College Days

Good morning all.  Now I have known my husband for over 42 years, but on our trip last week he told me some of his college days' stories that I either had never heard or had forgotten.  I might have forgotten.  My grandsons probably don't think of us as anything other than being grandparents, but one of these days they will probably see this blog so this is a little bit of fun for them to learn about their grandpa.........something beyond the fact that he is the smartest person in the world and knows everything (actually heard them say that a couple of weeks ago).  

Boys, I want to tell you a little about life at the University of Arkansas as your grandpa experienced it, but I need to start a little earlier at the age of 14 so you will understand a little more about why Grandpa is the way he is.  Grandpa's father died when he was 14 so life changed dramatically for him at an earlier age.  I wouldn't say he had to become the man of the house, but he certainly had to assume responsibilities early in life.  Even with or perhaps because of those responsibilities, he knew he would need college to take him to a place in life that would make his mother proud, but more importantly provide for the needs of a future family.

The first two years he stayed home right there in Conway to attend the then Arkansas Teachers College (now known as University of Central Arkansas).  During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he joined the reserves and his unit was called to active duty for a couple of years.  By the end of his active duty, you can see that he was getting older.....older than other first year students at the University of Arkansas.  That didn't deter him living in the dorm in Fayetteville to finish his college education to become a mechanical engineer. 

Grandpa worked every way he could to get through college, working as a mechanic (working on cars goes a way back, huh), working at the university, borrowing from the bank, etc.  By his senior year, the GI bill finally kicked in for him which helped, but certainly didn't give him a free ride.  Back then he drove an old '49 Chevrolet which was often on its last legs.  He tells the story of using a piece of foil to keep his car running (you'd have to ask him the particulars) so off he headed back to Conway with that piece of foil and 15 cents in his pocket (2 hour drive or more).  By the time he got to Russellville, he decided to could make it on in to Conway so he stopped for a coke and used that last the 15 cents.  (Boys, do NOT start anywhere with only 15 cents in your pocket.)  Three months before he graduated, he went to the bank to borrow $250 to fix the old car, but the bank said no.  He could; however, go to the car dealership and get financing for a year old '66 Chevelle SS 396 with no payment due until he was three months out of school.  That is what he did.....the best thing he could do since he had to have a car.  Sometimes things just don't make sense.........borrowing $250 or getting a newer car...........

Sweet story:  Grandpa told me that he would walk around the Fayetteville town square and walk by the men's store, looking in the window.............."one of these days I will be able to afford clothes from here".  Well, boys, I am here to tell you that he can now afford clothes from there. 

That's just a few of the stories grandpa has to tell about his college days.  Ask him, he'll tell you more.  By the way, Grandpa doesn't know I am writing this and if he reads it, I am sure he'd be telling me that isn't the way it was, but this is the way I interpret it. 

I love you.