Roberta Pater
78 years old
The following note is from Grandpa Bob written about his memories of meeting grandma Bert years ago.
I first recall seeing Roberta when she was Freshman in GJT at the old school. The GYM was for both the Junior High and High School students where a new elementary school, Chipeta, is located. I was an upperclassman... Junior at the time!
We had an assembly and Roberta came out on the Gym floor riding a scooter playing the part of "Animosity"! I asked one of my friends who she was... so that was probably the first time I saw her. However, we oftentimes frequented the Golden Pheasant on Main between third and fourth... that was in the early 1940's. There was oftentimes a small girl sitting in one of the booths... probably Roberta!
Roberta's father, Grandpa Bill, had a bull service here. He and his friend, Rollie, would take the bull via their truck to whatever locations the cows were that needed servicing! I believe I may have referred to your mother as, "Is this the bull service Orchard" residence. I know it was embarassing to Roberta to answer their phone and have some farmer start talking about his cow being in heat and needing the bull service! Ph # 1657!
The first time that I really spoke with Roberta was when driving to school after lunch break! We had a 1938 Chev pickup! Great truck! She was less than half a block from the high school on 10th when I pulled up along her and asked if she wanted a ride! She said she was almost to the school and did not need a ride, but I said that is "OK", I'll still give you a ride! She hopped in and we drove about fifty yards to the parking area by GJHS! I was a Senior at the time... she was a Sophmore!
Roberta dated one of my classmates, Brian Dersham, when we were Seniors. Brian still lives here! Great guy and super friend. Anyway, Brian was dating Roberta but he enlisted in the Air Force and left for training the day after we graduated! I thought that now with my friend Brian gone that I should call Roberta! That was the real beginning. She was a Sophmore... had lots of friends... and I headed to college later that summer.
We did see each other from time to time during the next couple of years. She went to CU, as did Jim Fuoco, and she probably almost could have ended up as a "Fuoco"! He became a Navy Pilot after CU. I ran into his older sister last fall... we were talking about Jim and Roberta and their dating and all... fun and interesting! She said that Jim came home one night and said that he could not match things "socially", so it was probably not going to work out! Well, Jim became head of Fuoco Motor... made a fortune... great fellow! He still asks about Bobby, especially, and how all of you are doing! His dad made wine, "Purple Passion", in their basement, and it was quite the talk,or rage, of the students... good stuff if you were into that kind of thing!
When I was at Aggies (CSU), Roberta was at CU, and we did see each other from time to time... but Harper and I were having lots of fun at Aggies, running rivers, Steamboat Springs hunting, flying, etc.! Going spot light hunting was our thing... riding up in the Bookcliffs! Great times! We even shot a bear one time!
Anyway, I was in Animal Husbandry, then applied for Veterinary School, and guess someplace along the line I talked Roberta into marrying me, so, you better take advantage of the moment before they change their minds!
Do women really do that... change their minds?
Now, back to GJHS for a moment! Roberta was a straight "A" student, only perhaps one other student had a higher average... maybe! Carol Buttoph, her friend, may have been a 0.001 higher, ask Roberta on that one! Anyway, Roberta was super smart, honors at CU, but really not quite smart enough so she married me! If you all have smarts... there is good reason! Good genes! Grandpa Bill dropped out of school after his Sophmore year, had no mother for help when growing up... lots going on... but he was one super smart sharp fellow also without a formal education! All the families are well blessed with smarts! Hargleroad, Orchard, Rigg, all!
Anyway, that is the short story on how I met Roberta... then applied for Medical School and regrettably left the Veterinary Medicine program... I loved the ranch part of life! Horses, flying, rivers, etc.! But, all is well! We did the medical school thing in DEN, Internship there... could have done Family Practice in DEN... looked at Ophth programs in New Orleans at Oschner, Miami, one in NY, then Detroit... and we were welcomed there with open arms! Could have stayed there also!
Enjoy the moment! All is well! Thanks for a great fun time... all the time... every day of the year!
Remember always... for bull service... call GJT # 1657! They promptly deliver the goods! Always a happy customer and satisfied cow!
Also, boys, always listen to your mothers! Be very careful about picking up girls when driving an old pickup!
Now... where is that great old 1938 Chevrolet Pickup?
Love to all...
Daddy, rwr/sr., etc.
Feb 4, 2010
On snow conditions:
On his mother's skiing ability:
On girls:
