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| Bob Travis |
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ROBERT E. TRAVIS
"Bob"
"But Apollo was a blond."
Football. . . . . . . . 1,2,3,4
F.F.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Track. . .. . . . . . . . . .2,3,4
Boys' Quartette. . . .1,2,3
Mixed Chorus. . . . I,2,3,4 Vocal Solo. . . . . . . . . 2
Band. . . . .. . . . . . 1,2,3,4 Basketball. . . . . . 1,2,3,4
Mustang Review Staff. . 3
Class Play. . . . . . . . . . . 3
One Act Play. . . . . . . . . 2
Class President. . . . . . .1
Brass Sextet. . . . . . 2,3,4
Brass Quartette. . . . . . . 2
County Chorus. . . . . . . .4 County Band. . . . . . . .1,2 Operetta. . . . . . . .1,2,3,4
Mixed Quartette. . . . . . 2
All-State Chorus. . . . . . 2
Band Officer. . . . . . . . .3
Mixed Chorus Officer. . .3 History Debate. . . . . . . 3
All-Conference Football 4
All-State Football. . . . . 4
"D" Club |
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July, 2005, 50th Anniversary High School Graduation, Bob wrote:
I am currently retired from Delta Air Lines after more than 29 years of service. I live on a small farm in Southern Oklahoma near a town called Marietta. For a few years, I kept a small herd of Brangus cows and a beautiful one ton Brangus bull. Two years ago I decided to sell the whole herd (while the market was good). Now, I have only ten head of broodmares. Since I cannot play the tax scam game with the big boys, I have not had any of them bred for next year.
I am a “hoarder”! I prefer to say “collector”! I try to keep older cars in repair for my general use, so I’m kept busy (and broke!!) attempting to keep them on the road. I keep a small collection of bows (hand-made archery ones) that are truly works of art! A small collection of art, pocket knives, swords, and guns rounds out by interests.
I suppose that I get the most pleasure out of my “recycling” efforts on my cars and from keeping my pasture looking like someone cares. The feeling of peace I had from an incident last spring was incredible. I was mowing down near a wash in a meadow and there were six paint mares grazing there backed by the green of trees and could think of no place in the world that I’d rather be! (and I’ve seen a few!)
Rose and I have three children and eight grandchildren—one of the biggest blessings in life. So far—no great grandchildren. My second marriage gave me three step-children and four step-grandchildren.
What has happened in my life since graduating? Oh Lordy!! That’s a book in itself!!
I stayed in the Air Force and flew tankers for close to ten years while the kids were being brought in this world and starting to grow. I had a very capable and supporting wife who carried the family load during my frequent absences. After the Air Force, I was fortunate to secure a job with Delta Air Lines and I felt that I served them well for almost thirty years. I retired in January of 1998 from the cockpit (now the polite term is flight deck) of a Boeing 767. It was a wonderfully challenging job, and in those days, just a wonderful job. Really, it was the only one that I could have fit so perfectly. Once again, I had a loyal and capable wife who kept the home in order during my frequent absences (usually averaging four days gone out of seven). The kids all graduated from high school and went on to some form of advanced education during this time. My oldest gal, Terri, has finished an associate degree in liberal arts. Vince got his bachelors degree in aviation business (and his PhD Air Transport Rating in flying) and is rated on the Boeing 737, 767, and 757. Valerie, my youngest, is a dental hygienist and has her own business of training horses and training youngsters and some oldsters to ride them.
In early ’97, I retired from Delta. In March ’98, I had surgery for prostate cancer.
So many recollections from high school! I’ll recount one from the football field. At a home game against Panora or Redfield, Dick threw a pass to Tom Castles. Tom had a deep bruise and wasn’t motoring as fast as his normal capabilities allowed. I was downfield and was able to throw a block that sprang Tom for a touchdown. Funny, the things that stick in your mind, isn’t it? Bear with me for one more. I went out for track practice in the spring of our junior year (just east of the old Ag. Building) and when I was warmed up and ready to run a time trial on the hurdles; I dropped my sweat suit to my ankles before I realized that I had not put on any track shorts! Pretty embarrassing as school had just let out. (I, however, did remember my “athletic supporter”.)
Does anyone remember my trying to read the poem “Lochinvar” and a humorous parody of it early in out school days in Miss Frederick’s class??
As a post script, it has been, and is, a beautiful life with lots of blessings (and a few hard bumps!!) I wish I could share the feeling of peace and tranquility that I get from caring for my little place and my animals. The best to all of you. You hold a very special place in my heart.
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