I originally provided a short bio (with very little details) to Greg back when he first started this web page in January of 1999. However, after having seen some of the bios that have been added after me (with lots of detail!) and because a lot has happened to me this past year, I am providing this new one.
I lived at WSMR from January '75 to August '78. I attended WS Jr. High during the 9th grade and then I attended Mayfield High School until I graduated in 1978.
I have both good and bad memories of those times. I hated my first year at WSMR. First, my mother was usually very drunk and abusive (I wonder if any of you knew I was going through all that), so I was a very depressed kid most of the time. Second, I was the new kid in school and going through puberty (with all the problems that brings), so it didn't help that there were certain kids who liked to make fun of me or give me a hard time. (I guess I can thank John Schoen's adding his bio for reminding me of all that.) Anyway, one of my worst memories was of the "funny" caricature that Greg Arthur drew of our 9th grade class and how he depicted me like that Peanuts character with the blanket and all the flies flying around him. Except my "blanket" was that old green sweater that I used to wear. Everyone got a good laugh over that. Yeah, kids can be so cruel! But I got over it and do forgive all those who tried to make me feel bad. Really! Although I did resent him for it at the time (I really think people should like you for what you are, not what you look like or how you dress), it took Bill Naddef's prodding to "break me out of my shell" and get me to try to fit in better. I started dressing better, I got my acne cleared up, and I started having my hair styled--all thanks to Bill. At any rate, after that first bad year, things were much better for me.
I have very fond memories of the teen club and all the good times we all had there. I am constantly grateful that we had a central place where we could all get together so that we didn't have to do what I see kids doing now-a-days (e.g., going to the mall). The dances were just great! I also thank Jean Lindberg for giving me my first "real" kiss. Wow, where are you Jean!?
I also have a lot of good memories of playing baseball for WSMR and Mayfield. What a team we had in the summer of 1976! Almost made it to the National Championship!
But my fondest memories are of those with Greg Heiden, Cameron Stubbs, Greg Toste, and Danny Smith. I found Heiden, but just can't seem to find the rest. You guys were the best! Anyway, I miss the rest of you guys and am sorry about how I was and how I treated you during my senior year.
For those reading this who left before our senior year, I got engaged to Lori Bohlken and spent "all" of my time with her. That eventually fell apart (after I graduated and was at Texas A&M) due to my "own" drinking (but I quit drinking 3 years later and haven't touched the stuff for 19 years!). Sorry to you too, Lori and family. :(
Anyway, after Lori and I broke up, I quit college and joined the navy (it's a long, long story). What a mistake! Luckily, I was able to later get a Secretary of the Navy nomination to the Naval Academy, so I was able to get out of my enlistment. However, I only did two years and resigned in 1983, when I got married.
After finishing the rest of my enlistment (I had a year and a half to finish after leaving the Academy), I went to College at Texas A & M and received a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 1987 and a M.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 1990. After graduating I worked as a nuclear engineer at the NRC and then as a manager in nuclear criticality safety in Erwin, Tennessee, for Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (they make the nuclear fuel for the US Navy). However, as of this year, I reside in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where I now work for the Y-12 Plant as a contractor for nuclear criticality safety.
Unfortunately, I also got divorced this year (in January), due to finally being tired of not being happy. However, I have a wonderful son, Craig, Jr. (we call him CJ) as a result of that failed marriage that just turned 12 in February.
Well that's my bio to date. I hope I haven't been to "wordy" (or offended anyone). Drop me a line at chrabal@hotmail.com I'd love to hear from you.
Back To
1978