I am a docent at the Monrovia Historical Museum. In my life I always loved history and as a high school history teacher, I have shared it with thousands of people over the years. I am retired from teaching now, but I still teach people about our city’s history every week at the museum. I have lived in Monrovia since 1998, and I really love the city and its people. At the museum, I meet people from Monrovia, from other places in Los Angeles county, other states, and from countries around the world.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Where were you born and did you grow up here? Share a little about your childhood and your family.
I was born in Glendale in 1958, and I grew up in the Highland Park section of Los Angeles. I was one of eight children in a family with deaf parents. During World War II, my father was a machinist at Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles, and he built some of the planes that won the war. Though deaf, he instilled in me a love of history that has stayed with me.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I dropped out of college after three years at Cal State L.A. and worked as an assistant manager at Ole’s/Builders Emporium until 1993, when the company shut down. In 1989 I worked at the Monrovia Ole’s at Huntington Oaks . In 1994 I returned to college and finished my history degree at Cal Poly Pomona in 1995. That year I did some substitute work at Clifton Middle School and also Monrovia High School, and in 1996 I was hired full-time at Arcadia High School. I taught there until 2022.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We have so many great restaurants! Jake’s Roadhouse, Café de Oia, Café Mundial, and Bella Sera, to name a few.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
I moved to Monrovia in 1998, and I live in a nice neighborhood with a beautiful view of Monrovia Peak. It’s a neighborhood where everyone says hello to you as you walk by. So many of us walk our dogs and we greet each other.
Q: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you’ve met here in our community who helped you get to where you are or inspired you?
One of my neighbors is City Council Member Sergio Jimenez. He has gone on walks with me and we discuss many things. When I told him I was retiring and volunteering at the museum he encouraged me to do that. I appreciate his support.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I have traveled to other countries and states, but honestly there is nowhere else I would rather be than Monrovia.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
2001: A Space Odyssey. I saw that movie as a kid in 1968 and it taught me something about the relationship between humans and technology.
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
In 1905 philosopher George Santayana wrote, ” Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
See my new granddaughter graduate high school. She is three months old.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
Kansas
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I have many fond memories of eating meals with people at Jake’s Roadhouse.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would like to meet with President Biden for lunch at Jake’s Roadhouse. I believe we would have a good visit and both of us would learn something.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
I love the city and its people.
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
I have made many mistakes in my life.
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I met Mao Zedong’s personal photographer and had a conversation with him. He was the grandfather of one of my students at Arcadia High School.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Yosemite National Park
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement has been teaching young people about history for more than a quarter century.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
When the Dodgers win the World Series.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife, Lynn, inspires me to be my best self. We have been married for more than 41 years.
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
What I’m involved with is learning more about history. If that could become a movement, the world would be a much better place.
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Perseverance, a positive attitude, and patience.
