1970s

I graduated from DPHS June 1970 and left for my year abroad in Belgium in July 1970.

When I returned a year later, I had a big maturity edge over the incoming Freshman class at UC Berkeley and I put it right to use.

I moved into the SAE House on Bancroft way my very first week at Cal, and by the end of the month, I had fired the cook (who was stealing from us) and began running the kitchen. I would go to the Farmer’s Market in Oakland every couple of days to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, and then do the rest of the shopping at the local Safeway. A group of us became the breakfast cooks and I hired a new chef to come prepare dinner. We were all on our own for lunch.

Long story short, we poured all the extra money we saved into the social fund and began throwing very popular parties that were well attended by Cal coeds.We were the hot fraternity that everyone wanted to go to. In the spring of 1972, we revived the South Seas Party and I was put in charge of building the five-foot tall pool in the quad using the railroad ties that were stored underneath the house.

I loved my life as an SAE and school came easy. It got even easier when I switched my major from pre-med to accounting at the end of my sophomore year. This gave me lots more time to spend with Liz after we became a couple in March of 1973.

I graduated two quarters early because I passed an extensive French test and they granted me a bunch of French credits. I went home to live with my Dad from Jan to June 1974. I worked in Merced for a CPA during their busy season in 1974 and then studied successfully for the CPA exam which I passed on my first try. I started work at H&S July 1975.

Liz and I were married at Fort Mason in San Francisco on 10/18/75 and moved into our new home in Castro Valley in Aug 1977.

Welcome to the decade of SAE, Haskins & Sells and married life.