This posting will start what I hope will become a family effort to collect remembrances about Dick and Hazel Mae Bock in one place. So many times when we think of preserving genealogical records for our children we think of researching great-great-great grandparents, finding out when and why they immigrated to this country. This is important but we should not neglect writing down what “everyone” knows but what will be gone with us in a few short years. I hope that everyone who knew them, or who has heard stories about them from others, will take a few minutes to add to our record.
Don’t think of this as having to write an entire chapter of their biography all by yourself. Don’t keep a story to yourself because you are not sure if you remember it correctly. Think of this blog as a scratch pad where we can jot down notes as we think of them, correct each others [sometimes fading and failing] memories, fill in the gaps between what others write, etc. Perhaps some day when one of us has the time, this material can be organized into a true biography. But even if that day never arrives, at least we will have given a glimpse into the lives of these two wonderful people to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who never knew Dick or Hazel Mae.
I’ll try to illustrate this blog with some scanned and digitized pictures, music and links to places on the Internet that illustrate the area and history when Dick and Hazel Mae lived. My aim is to start a new thread (topic) every week and my hope is that everyone who feels so moved will take up that topic by using the “Comments” button. I’d also appreciate your suggestions about future threads.
Don’t think of this as having to write an entire chapter of their biography all by yourself. Don’t keep a story to yourself because you are not sure if you remember it correctly. Think of this blog as a scratch pad where we can jot down notes as we think of them, correct each others [sometimes fading and failing] memories, fill in the gaps between what others write, etc. Perhaps some day when one of us has the time, this material can be organized into a true biography. But even if that day never arrives, at least we will have given a glimpse into the lives of these two wonderful people to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who never knew Dick or Hazel Mae.
I’ll try to illustrate this blog with some scanned and digitized pictures, music and links to places on the Internet that illustrate the area and history when Dick and Hazel Mae lived. My aim is to start a new thread (topic) every week and my hope is that everyone who feels so moved will take up that topic by using the “Comments” button. I’d also appreciate your suggestions about future threads.
16 comments:
This sounds like an awesome idea! I hope to check in every so often to read what everyone has written... and perhaps add a story or two. :)
-Kevin Bock
ditto!
Renee
Dad was a wonderful son. As I recall he would write a letter to Kate (his mother) every week.
Kathy
I remember going over to the home on Ido Ave as a little kid. Grandma would always let me play with her discarded envelopes in her back little office type room. She would always use the letter opener so all the envelopes would always be so crisp and neat. I would play "office" or whatever for long periods of time. Maybe I am not remembering right, but did she always butter the bread for sandwiches? I remember a red checkerboard table cloth for some reason. I used to play hide and seek or have an adventure in those big overgrown pine trees out front. The attic seemed huge and had that old wood smell.
anyway, it's what I remember.
Wonderful idea, I'm excited to read others' recolections.
Beth
Max you remember well - Mom absolutely used butter on all her sandwiches.
When thinking about Mom & Dad - I believe they passed on to us the importance of family. I remember the trips we took to Tiffin & Sandusky each summer - visiting with extended family members. I especially remember (when I was pretty young) visiting Dad's old (wonder if they were the age I am now?) aunts: Cora, Ira, Elizabeth? I'm not quite sure of their names and I wonder if there are any pictures of them in Mom's old books. Judy might tell us the correct names.
A story I told recently recalled the many evenings we knelt in the living room and said the rosery - it was also at those times that I studied and fell in love with his paintings on the wall.
Kathy (I assume that last comment was yours), I'm thinking the old aunts in Fremont (?) were the twins Ida and Barbara. There was an uncle Claude and I can't think of his wife's name. In Sandusky there were several aunts including Cora and Lucy. I'll look up their names. And yes, I often remember our ritual of saying the rosary every night after dinner and wish I had kept that up in my family. Judy
i don't do it often, but once in awhile i have a craving for a simple bologna sandwich on plain white bread, with a thin layer of butter, and then wash it down with a glass of cold milk. it always reminds me of the kitchen at ido ave., although i seem to remember that sandwich was usually constructed with chip chop ham.
i am sure more entries will trigger long lost memories, such as grandpa often using a macaroni theme to our names - 'markaroni and steve- aroni', but i think one of the points already made here may be the most substantial and enduring - namely, that the sense of family was paramount. a living testament to that is the four strong individuals they raised, and of course the batch of good souls that are my cousins and brothers. their family bond is manifested in our thanksgiving get together every other year (in 7 months, by the way). this was a great idea, and i look forward to coming back every week or so. i am also looking forward to the art collection.
mark
I am sure my siblings and the younger cousins in the family will agree with me that there has always been a sadness in not knowing our grandfather. I truly look forward to hearing the stories and memories you all shared with him.
Mary Anne
Judy, Judy, Judy (some line in a movie) what have you started! Thankyou.
Recently, while strolling through WalMart as Karen shopped in the womens section, I strolled through entertainment and at the end of the music aisle was a 4 CD Best of Big Band collection. Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie. It called to me. I don't play it a lot, but at times, I pop them in, and it takes me back. Dad's den had an old bookcase that lined the wall on the right, packed with books of 78's. We took the the glass doors off because of concern he might fall into it. But he'd pull out a book, and grab a favorite and play it. As a kid, I recall words of one I found funny, someting about a fish that "swam and he swam right over the dam." Didn't make the greatest hits, though. I think later, Dad had to use the magnifying glass (I still have it) to read the titles. After Dad died, we sold the collection. I think Mom just wanted someone to have it that would enjoy it. I'm sure whoever bought it got a steal. What it would be worth today! As I play them, The lyrics talk to a simpler time. No cells, no pager, no cable TV. As a rocker, I'm surprised how I like the beat, tap my foot. Listening to them brings back very, very, very, good memories. I count my blessings that Dick and Hazel were my parents.
Rick
with the advent of ebay, i am not sure how much that 78 collection would be worth in today's dollars, but it would be priceless to me. most people know that i am a music fan, but few know that i am a closet 30's/40's big band fan, especially the duke ellington and benny goodman early bands. i would love to see if he had any of the albums i have of those bands. you are right, uncle rick, the music, especially the lyrics, were of a simpler time. of course, most of the lyrics were still penned on tin pan alley - which wouldn't change till the 60's, but the music was written by the band leaders, and the influence on the next generation - elvis/beatles/motown/stones etc. should not be underestimated. for a great example of duke at the height of his big band claim to rock and roll, check out 'blues in orbit' - a mid 50's release that will make your toes tap. it swings hard.
mark
This is for you, Rick. Paste this
http://www.themadmusicarchive.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=10399 into your browser and then hit the speaker icon to play. :-) Judy
How did you ever find it? Now that I have the title, I searched and found other versions, but it was definitely Kay Kyser's that I remember. Wow, is that great or what?
Rick
All those memories on the blog from before my time, dancing, card playing, vacations to the lake, were special to Mom. Some of the detail you guys remember is amazing. Golfing, painting locations, dancing, etc. My ramblings today, on Mom’s 93rd Bday, will lack some clarity, I just don’t remember details.
I do, vaguely remember Malkmus side of the family used to meet half-way for a summer picnic. Anyone remember where?
We couldn’t take those kind of vacations as I was growing up. The first vacation I remember was to Hollywood Florida. I can’t remember the exact year, Kathy may as she took Dad to the airport and picked him up. Mom and I drove down, and I think I was in the 6th grade so maybe 1966. The place belonged to an old man that lived a block up the hill on Ido. I can’t remember his name, I can’t remember how I got to doing odd jobs for him. I don’t recall a lot of outside yard work, maybe, but more scrubbing floors in the bathroom, basement. At 12 years old I wouldn’t have been able to do much else. He had a second home in Fla, and he offered it to us. I think we thought the drive was too much for Dad, so we drove, he flew. I was the navigator, not too hard even for a 12 years old, with AAA triptic. We were probably a few blocks from the beach, I’m sure we went a few times, but hard for Dad. Dad of course sun bathed everyday in front of the condo. It was all on one floor, which was good, and the facility was maybe a dozen condos, four buildings arranged like a box with a courtyard in the middle. Mom and I took a few short day trips, two I remember was to the fort at St Augustine and Busch Gardens brewery tour and park. Remember kiddees no Disneyworld back then. Coming back, we must have stopped for gas/food, and somehow, I missed getting back on I-77 in West Virginia. Rather than turn around, I thought I saw how to keep going, and we’d catch up at the next exit. Wrong. The two roads crossed on the map, but no exit/entrance. This seems to fit a stereotyped male thing, but rather than stop, ask for directions, turn around, I guess I convinced Mom to keep going. I don’t know which road, but we wound through the hills, and I recall fog and night approaching, and thinking we were in trouble. We found a bridge to Ohio, and sign to get to I-77, a big sigh of relief. We got in much later, but did she ever complain to me? No. Just something we’d laugh about later.
Another vacation was a couple days to Niagara Falls and drive through Finger Lakes in NY. Really have no clue on the year, but just Mom and I, I think after the FLA trip. Didn’t take Maid of the Mist, but drove into Canada, and viewed from overlook. I recall stopping at one, maybe two vineyards in NYC. I don’t think I was of age, but Mom slipped me a glass anyway. I recall her philosophy, a little here/there with family was way to introduce drinking with moderation. With minor exceptions over the years, knowing my limit and being a responsible drinker was one of many things I learned at home.
I was working at Burger Chef on Arlington near Wilbeth the night Dad died. She and Nana were with Dad that night, and I can’t image the fear/panic /commotion for her. Nana too, as Jim had died only a year before, I think. Mom called the manager to tell him she was picking me up early, but not to tell me why. Mom had to drive and pick me up, I think a very difficult thing for her to do. I was stunned, at that age no thought ever entered my mind he wouldn’t come home. We cried/hugged for a while in the parking lot before she drove home. Almost a year after Dad died, Mom mentioned one day she had her first happy dream about Dad, I think something like an evening out with friends dancing. Without saying it, I presumed that meant other dreams were nightmares about that night. Something she kept to herself, I guess not to worry me.
In 1973, right after graduating from high school, I totaled the 66, or was it 64, Ford Galaxy. I had gone to whatever the strip mall was on Arlington, near Waterloo. There was a back entrance off Wilbeth, then Virginia Ave so you wouldn’t have to go all the way out to Arlington. Who knows what I went there for, but on the return trip I’m sitting at a stop sign on Virginia waiting to turn left on Wilbeth. I only know the names by using mapquest. Wilbeth was two lanes in each direction, and as a pick-up truck was approaching on the driver side to turn right onto Virginia, I thought the coast was clear. What I didn’t see was a car in the blind spot, the back fender of the pickup in the second lane. I pulled out and wham. The guy was driving a Duster, probably 30 – 40 MPH, no time to brake, right into the driver’s door. The guy gets out of the Duster, and first words out of his mouth, “are you OK?” If I wasn’t in a boat, well who knows. To this day, I won’t be in a tin can. The frame was bent, car totaled. Although a bump on my head, and bruise on my knee, I refused medical attention. No cell phones then, residential area, so no stores with pay phones, so officer felt sorry for me and gave me a ride home. I have no idea what Mom thought when I got out of a police car, but never once did I get a raised voice. I totaled the only transportation we had, and all that mattered was no one was hurt. A number of life lessons learned, but most important, everything material can be replaced. I presume one of you helped her pick out the first Nova.
In the fall of 1975, I had my first co-op semester in Maryland. First time I was leaving home for an extended period. Scary/Exciting for me, I presume hard for Mom all alone in the big house. In January 1977 I met Karen, and in the spring Kathy and Mom came down to check this chick out. I think a long weekend, couple days in DC, I don’t remember the show but a formal evening at the Kennedy Center. At some point, Mom indicated to me she liked this girl, and said what pretty eyes she had. In December, I was finishing another semester in Maryland, and the month break usually had us co-ops doubled up at the apartments. Those leaving wanted to work another month, and those coming in wanted to start early. I figured I’d be in a sleeping bag for the month, but Karen’s family invited me to stay with them. Now a split foyer house, with 2 adults, 8 kids, dog, bunny, I wasn’t sure where I’d be, but the sofa on the lower level folder out into a bed. I don’t know why, but I figured Mom wouldn’t approve, so I thought, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. Well, she called the co-op apartment one evening, and whoever answered said, something like Rick moved out and is living with his girl friend. Mom also knew I bought an engagement rink, and was going to ask Karen to marry me. So much for not finding out. I had some explaining to do. I suppose Kathy had to calm her down a little?
Well enough rambling for tonight. Happy memories on her Bday. Enjoy the fireworks in her honor.
Rick
Rick: a few notes to add to your remembrance.
We used to picnic at a little roadside park (I think) in Nova. It was ½ way between Akron & Tiffin. Sometimes we would be switching cousins. I would be going to Tiffin to stay with MJ & Dick for a week and other times either Jane or Chris would be coming to stay at our house for a week.
You and mom’s trip to Florida was in July of 1968. Judy & I put Dad on the plane at Akron Canton airport. I remember there were riots going on in Akron at that time. On our trip to the airport, National Guard troops were on the overpasses of the expressway. I was a bit scared to stay in the house by myself, so I had a friend come & stay with me.
I found pictures of you & mom from your trip to Canada – dates on the pictures were 1972
Kathy
Anyone remember Chickery Chick? You can (with patience) listen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIZtvDdb4bA&feature=related but if anyone can find the Frank Sinatra / Sammy Kaye version (I remember it as being much more upbeat), let me know. You can read the words here: http://www.mtv.com/lyrics/marxer_marcy/chickery_chick/621297/lyrics.jhtml
Or Mairzy Doats? Listen here (and check out the gloves): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKTB2jmVccg&feature=related
And then read the words here: http://www.amandashome.com/doats.html
Judy
Post a Comment