Cronies
As in high school, I developed a small group of really close friends. While living in a single room (Walcott 501) as a freshman, I became friendly enough with classmates Bruce Butterfield (facing front, right of center) and Richie Garber (right, with guitar) that as sophomores we turned 503-504-505 Walcott into a triple and became voluntary roommates.
Bruce hails from Johnson City, Tennessee and enrolled as a Course VI (Electrical Engineering) student; Richie, of Kew Gardens, Long Island, pursued civil engineering (Course I). They resolved that I, as a Course VIII (Physics) nerd, would not be allowed to graduate until I could solder an electrical connection correctly. They achieved their objective, with my thanks.
The somewhat bearded face in the top photo belongs to John Reed, possibly the most fearsome practitioner of the ancient game of hearts I’ve ever encountered. With Roy Harris, contemplating his cards in the pic at left, nipping at his heels for the title and apparently oblivious to the typical boys’ dorm décor. John and Roy were freshmen in 1960-61, when the Technique photographer took these shots to document the Florey spirit. Not clear where I was, the day he chose my buddies to sit for history.
To one degree or another, my fellow East Compost Tech Tools tended to be social misfits like me. Must be why we got along so well. Couldn’t imagine ever getting elected to anything in San Bernardino, but became significantly active in student government in East Campus. Where, for the first time, people came to me for counsel and enlightenment. And where I learned by trial and error that I seem to possess some modest gifts along that line.
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