Confessions of an Old Geezer are just that! Dick’s reflections of his childhood during the turbulent years of the 20’s and 30’s when he and his family struggled for their very survival. World War II interrupted his life when he served for 39 months in the military rising to the rank of Captain in the Corp of Engineers.
Upon completing his military obligation Dick returned to his previous position with the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York. He explains his life as a shift worker and what prompted him to leave his position at Kodak to pursue a business in the Recreational Vehicle field. Dick, and his wife, Vivian, parlayed a meager $1.500.00 into an annual gross sales of over $4,000,000.00.
Dick has many interesting, humorous, and daring tales of his adventures during 22 years of business ownership, camping and cruising followed by a closing chapter titled: Reflections.
Dick, now 84, has experienced the turbulent “Roaring 20’s, The Great Depression” and military service during World War II. His autobiography will share his adventures during those trying years and the recovery period that followed. Dick has recorded his overseas duty in the form of a diary composed especially for his wife, Vivian.
He has previously written, and published, a booklet titled, “Facts, figures and Formulas.” In addition, he has published several articles related to the Recreational Vehicle field. Dick feels his story will appeal not only to fellow veterans, but also to our younger generations who are hungry for information concerning the early lives of their parents and grandparents.
Excerpt 1
Before boom boxes, heavy metal, space shuttles, VCR’s and computers, in the days of street cars, Model T Fords, hand-wound phonographs and gas lights; a little boy was born. The little boy was born in the bedroom of a house in what is known today as, “The Inner City.” Both of his parents were German immigrants who entered the United States during the early years of the 20th century. The little boy’s father was processed through Ellis Island in New York Harbor during the year 1903. He embarked from the port of Hamburg, Germany on a German ship named, “Deuchland.”
The little boy’s father was not alone on his long voyage to America. His parents, four brothers, two sisters, and his grandfather all sailed together. The ship was very crowded, filled with many eager passengers from all over the continent of Europe; mainly from Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. Many other ships departed from various ports in Ireland, the Scandinavian Countries, as well as immigrants from the eastern regions of the continent. Each of them had at least one valid reason to leave, “The Old Country,” as it was known as. Possibly religious persecution, lack of a decent wage, undesirable employment, or just to better themselves in the new world.
Excerpt 2
Okinawa, a strange word from a fascinating land half a world away. The majority of the citizens of the United States had never heard of the Ryukyu Chain of Islands, and Okinawa, with its strategic position only 415 miles from Tokyo, Japan. That all changed on Easter Sunday morning April 1, 1945 when the 2nd Marine Division. and supporting army troops made a divisive attack along the southeast coast. The main body attack force landed along the coast near the City of Kadena This mighty force, with air and naval support, consisted of the 7th and 96th army divisions, and the 1st and 6th marine divisions. In just one day the beachhead was established with little resistance. Farmers and shoppers continued on with their daily routine, not at all perturbed with the invasion.