Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Ken was my uncle and my hero when I was younger. I remember him taking the train to Ft Edward with his bicycle on board and then riding it to Argyle to spend time with us. He was probably in high school then. He and his father, Ken senior, would come up and hit golf balls from our yard down into the cow field. I never asked and they never offered to show me how to hit a golf ball for some reason. I'm bummed now that I'm an avid golfer, but I did not take it up until I retired at age 60. Maybe, just maybe, my handicap would be somewhat better if only. I do remember one time tagging along with both of them when they played a round at the Batten Kill Country Club. My first time on a golf course.
I still have a picture of Uncle Ken and me riding a sleigh (I was prone on his back) very fast down the hill in front of our first rental house in Argyle. Seemed like a hundred miles an hour.
Uncle Ken gave me On Walden Pond by Thoreau way back when plus gave me a whole bunch of science books that he designed the covers for. Still have the first but not sure about the latter.
Another memory is of Ken doing a forward flip onto his feet from a standing start. Or maybe a short run first. I was amazed then and still am. On my bucket list to do myself. I better hurry!
In his latter years I was able to stop in and visit him (and Betsy the first time) on my cross country flights in my own planes going from Arizona to Argyle and back. Great visits, and I did get to give him a ride the first time in my homebuilt plane.
I remember Ken buying a Vespa motor scooter and traveling all through New England on it before stopping in to visit us before heading back to Yonkers. I was so disappointed when he didn't give it to me when he was done with it. Such unrealistic visions the young sometimes have.
Betsy and Ken had me as an usher at their wedding. I was so honored but so mortified doing that and sitting at the head table. I was way, way too shy and introverted. I do remember the young lady sitting next to me had lovely decotletage, and I couldn't stop glancing her way if not outright staring. No one ever said anything to me, but I'm sure it was pretty obvious.
And Ken treated me to my very first airplane ride. What a thrill. I probably would have become a pilot anyways, but I always so treasured that first flight.
He also gave me his baseball glove when he was done with it playing baseball in high school, and I used it in my high school play and I believe in college too.
And I remember Ken and Betsy taking me to Rye Playland Amusement Park when I was younger. I was so young that I was not tall enough to be allowed on the roller coaster. Grrrrr…. Big bummer, but I remember the bumper cars, fun wheel, and house of mirrors.
Ken and Betsy took me to see the horror flick, Them, about huge ants that infest and invade Los Angeles. Still scary in my mind.
He was my hero and inspiration, and I so wanted to emulate him and make him proud.
