We’ve Just Lost One of the “Big 4”
It was “back in the day”, sixty-five years ago, in Arlington, and attending Wilson Elementary School where the “Big 4” came together and are still friends today except for the unfortunate fact that we’ve just lost one of the “Big 4”.
It’s truly been a tough few days reflecting and coming to the realization that we are indeed mortal–nobody gets outta here alive. Way back then we felt invincible knowing we’d live forever never realizing that the day would come when one’s life actually ended.
So, who are the “Big 4”? Certainly, legends in our own minds, who seemingly were always together remaining very close through Stratford Junior High School, and Washington-Lee High School. Then it was off to college and adulthood focusing on careers and family that we fell somewhat out of touch, but in recent years have reconnected and been able to reflect on those “good ol’ days”.
Bob, Gary, Fred, and the Baby Boomer were the “Big 4” forming our bond of eternal friendship in our formative years. We did almost everything together, and I mean everything, being virtually inseparable. We all grew up in apartments well within walking distance and later a quick bike ride. Yes, we’d visit and play at each other’s home, but Wilson turned out to be our meeting place, at least, through our years at Stratford. That’s mainly due to our love of sports and it was at Wilson where we met in the Fall and Winter to play football, in the Spring to play basketball, and in the Summer to play baseball.
Taking a break meant we’d head across the busy four lane Wilson Boulevard doing our best to run in between the whizzing automobiles in order to visit the 7-11 Store. We’d usually enjoy a bottled soda along with a candy bar or a small bag of peanuts. I remember some folks, not us though, who enjoyed a RC Cola pouring their small bag of peanuts into the soda before drinking it–yuck! Not for sure, but I think a soda and a candy bar was just ten cents. Later, while in Junior High, 7-11 began serving Slurpee’s which was a tasty and refreshing treat after a game of whatever.
Other than visiting each other and meeting at Wilson, we’d often pack a lunch and head over to Arlington National Cemetary either by foot or bike. We were free to roam the entire cemetery without anyone caring always showing the utmost respect for our fallen heroes. I know we spent hours in awe of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sitting with our hands on our cheeks holding our heads up admiring the precision of the Honor Guard.
We loved to bike and would ride our bicycles throughout North Arlington hours at a time without a care in the world. Throughout our public school years, we’d always eat lunch together and sometimes get in some trouble with our teachers in classes we shared as we became a bit mischievous. It was “one for all and all for one” when it came to the “Big 4”.
Certainly, when we got to Stratford Junior High School our friends and acquaintances grew as our enrollment grew with a number of other elementary schools coming together just as it did at W-L when our enrollment grew once again being joined by other junior high schools. The “Big 4” endured throughout these years as we always remained close.
Bob had a somewhat older brother while Gary had both a younger sister and a much younger brother. Fred and the Baby Boomer were only children which made it easy for the “Big 4” to feel like they were brothers. I will say, though, once we got to W-L, we did become much more interested in girls and we were each very consumed with our “steady” which took up way too much time upon reflection. Bob had his Melanie, Gary his Gloria, Fred his Melinda, and the Baby Boomer his Dana.
At Stratford, we all played football and I believe both Gary and Fred wrestled. We made sure we attended all sporting and school events together cheering our “Cavaliers” on to victory. While attending W-L. the “Big 4” all played football together and we weren’t too bad as I recall having the ability to give our opponents a pretty good “pop”.
Then it was off to college with Bob and Fred going to William and Mary, Gary to VCU, and the Baby Boomer heading to Vanderbilt. Although we got together during breaks and summertime, it just wasn’t the same as you could imagine. Once we left college, we sorta went our separate ways and ended up losing most contact. Honestly, for me, and you’d probably agree, the 1980’s and 90’s were nothing but a blur as I focused on career and family, unfortunately, in that order until I woke up and matured before it was too late. We, the “Big 4”, lost complete contact during that time.
Fortunately, though, we, in recent years, have reconnected and from my perspective that’s been very good. No, we don’t see each other that often, but we talk, meet occasionally for lunch, try to have coffee quarterly, and maybe an annual get together with other classmates from W-L.
From 1948-1961, the Pick Temple Giant Ranch TV show was aired on WTTG, Channel 5 in Washington and was a children’s show where Pick, being featured as a cowboy, played his guitar and sang songs to kids in the studio’s hayloft. I recall him ending his show by repeating a quote from, Benjamin Franklin, where he said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”. I find that to be extremely appropriate, especially, when it comes to getting together with old friends from “back in the day” knowing that tomorrow is never promised.
So, WTBS, the “Big 4” lost Bob this past week. Melanie, Bob’s “high school sweetheart” and wife for twenty-six years, said he had passed from an apparent heart attack. No doubt, I’m extremely saddened by Bob’s death and feel very fortunate to have met him and Gary for lunch some months ago at Hanover Courthouse where we enjoyed an afternoon of “catching up”. I did speak with Bob last month and, ironically, meant to call him the day before his passing, but received a phone call and didn’t follow up. Please remember not to “put off until tomorrow what you can do today” because it could be just too damn late.
Bob was not only one of my best friends growing up, but he was also known as being a really good guy. He had a great personality, he was very bright, kind and caring, funny, serious, honest with a high degree of integrity, extremely loyal, and he “left it all” on the football field. Bob, unfortunately, lost his father as a young teenager and I’ve always felt it affected him to the degree that he really never ever got over that loss.
In speaking with Melanie, she said something that really struck me. She told me, at 72 years of age, that Bob was so young. It seems like just yesterday that the “Big 4” were together at Wilson playing some football having so much fun and being so carefree and knowing we felt anyone who was 72 happened to be old–very old! My, oh my, how times have changed now being 72 myself not thinking of myself as being old–very old!
Wow, the Baby Boomer has so many fond reflections of growing up with the “Big 4” and he always will. Yes, I miss Bob, and he’ll always be a part of me. So long and rest in peace old friend!
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