A longtime buddy

Rod and I became friends when I worked in the kitchen at Warwick Estates where he lived with his parents as keepers of the House. In 1961 Rod invited me to fly to Tampa for Spring vacation. We were 16 years old; I had never been in an airplane. We were accompanied by two Pusgley ladies,his mom Ruth and Aunt Helen. Of course we had a grand time; Rod was already 6 feet tall and passed for 18 so I remember we bought some beers.

i think that trip led to Rod attending the University of Tampa, meeting Eileen, acting stupid at frat parties, etc etc. After their wedding ( Westchester county), they moved to Warwick and I moved away. But we saw each other over summers and I would get reports from and about him. Rod was not shy and knew a lot of people in town; he was successful and happy. He had wonderful parents, and I respected them immensely. I was equally impressed with Eileen who put up with Rod and apparently forgave his many escapades, innocent as they may have been.

I'm sorry I haven't spoken to him in a while. We love PSU and I wanted to stop by several times. Rest in peace buddy.

JB