Inquisitive Quest

Chaparral trumpeter

.  Gary always pondered the rhetorical posture, does the uniform make the man,  or the man makes the uniform,  questioning his sons appetency for a new trumpet.  Robert displaying pride in the acquisition, and his participation with the Chaparral High School Band.   the family expending an exuberant amount for the unique trumpet to fulfill their son’s quest.  The elder  Willson recalling the past,  coming home from elementary school, finding a piano residing in his living room,  and soon discovering it wasn’t a piano, but an entity.   If only it could talk,  it could relate an unimaginable number of stories  it had experienced thru the years.  The young man having found a friend, soon discovering that it could discourse,  and he wouldn’t be the only one sensing what it had to say.  His friend could emit every emotion from light-hearted happiness,  to  largo despondency, it could paint a pictured aria on its musical canvas,  the  oceans bellowing the song of the high seas, or a forlorn  Wagon Train crossing the plains and emit the tapestry sound of a babbling brook on a hillside.  This magical instrument knew no bounds,   providing a means to transport one to unlimited horizons.

.  The elder Willson having spent his earlier years in the music profession,  discerning that his son was not a enliven musician,  differentiating between those who could accomplish the playing of music,  and those who instilled a euphoric desire  within.  Gary apprehending,  most younger music instrumentalist were rapt in the arts basic structure,  having never witnessing his son projecting a vision of musical affection in the confines of the home,  or verbally according a musical endeavor.   Like most reaches in life,  there were two types of music visionaries,  those who impassioned an inner venerate for music,  and those who replicated it, extricating the notes of presentation.   It was apparent, Rob’s ambition was an absolute perfection of reflecting the written score,  not inherent from within,  but a pensiveness of his desire to replicate its calling and ameliorate both the music and his stature.

.  The fall evening temperature having peaked at 60 degrees,  the stands beginning to fill for Chaparral Roadrunners football,  the elder Willson’s seated,   Gary an avid high school football fan, never missing a Roadrunner home game,  Robert also present as a member of the  high school band.  The contest between the Conway Springs Cardinals and the Roadrunners getting underway,  it was subtle but noticeable, the  wind having shifted,  no longer traversing from the southern direction of Oklahoma, but increasing in velocity out of the north,  and with it a marked descending change in the temperature.   Halftime at the football arena also found  an aura of change,  the once mild humid evening now in transition,  the temperature having dropped over 20 degrees with the brisk north wind.  The engulfed assemblage of fans discovering they were not suitably attired for the abrupt change in the weather and  began a departure.   the stands once filled with supporters were rapidly being vacated.   Gary noting the remnants of fans after the mass exit was sparse,  it was apparent that most of  those remaining were loyal  family members of the football team and the insuperable band,  determining  sadly,   the winner of the game was the weather.

.  It was Band Day at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, the Chaparral Band traversing by bus to march in the annual  parade,  one of many high school bands invited to compete in this astounding presentation.  Gary and Jan having digressed from their labors to be  present, lining North Main Street with a host of other parents and spectators.   Standing curbside, the ambiance of the marching bands passing in review, all in attendance experiencing a proud moment, watching the schools and the uniformed youth on parade.  The approach of the Chaparral band Gary sensing a communion with each of the marching musicians, a chill of recognition, acknowledging and sharing their accomplishment.   The marching exposition coming to a conclusion, the statewide assembly of bands venturing to an admission free State Fair, the realm of the midway and carnival rides calling.

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 Gary visiting with his son about his return to Anthony,  asking if he would rather ride back with them, or remain with the band and return on the bus.  The question was a mute, questioning a teenager whether he would rather sit in the back seat of a car, or share a ride in a bus filled with excited teenagers.  The  State Fair was a annual event for Gary’s in-laws  Bud and Helen Murrow,  transporting their 35 ft. 5th wheel RV, taking advantage of the fairgrounds designated hook-up area and spend the most part of a week taking in the vast array of the fair.  The Murrow’s shelter convenience reverence was virtuous, the September weather always providing a variety from cool rain to summer heat, visiting family members according a place of refuge from the weather,  a way-stop from the continuous activity of the fair.  The highlight was always attending the grandstand concert appearance of  a nationally celebrated performers, to his astonishment in 1988 Gary succeeding in fulfilling a life-long longing the fair hosting an epitome of Americana, the one and only Red Skelton.

Kansas State Fair

Red Skelton – an American Icon

The state fair also provided another but  continuous star attraction,  the fairgrounds culinary exponents, upon arrival its presences experienced by  an overwhelming aroma adjacent to the Midway.   The bouquet of offerings included not only  blooming onions,  funnel cakes but  a paradise of international and culinary splendor resonating throughout and encompassing the ornamental sphere of the fairgrounds.   A given,  mounting the circular miniature train that traversed the total fairground arena,  enabling one to view the location of most of the commercial exhibits in the pavilion acreage.  This commerce display from the Kansas opportunist, hawking their boats, trailers, tractors and other merchandise and an organized presentation of entrepreneurship from the local merchants.  The agricultural building giving presentation to the competitive livestock,  awards being accorded to individuals and their entry’s,  row upon row of corporeal stock,  from poultry,  bovine,  lamb to swine,  a splendid exhibition with the youth of the rural farming community showcasing their beloved husbandry.   Another presentation,  the commodity building housing all the fruits of labor from the Arcadian individuals, the moms,  pops and grandmothers,  their jams and jellies,  the homemade condiments from the rural households of the planar plains of Kansas giving a presence to their ubiquity.   The pavilion of home-grown fruit and vegetables demonstrating an element of rural life, Gary recognizing the Kansas State Fair was an open opportunity for all to coalesce with the meaning of America,  the true aspect of unity,  a reservation of equanimity where like-minded people can assemble in concert.

Two beauty’s

home grown

Can’t resist a funnel Cake

Hutchinson Kansas State Fair train

Hospital Administrator Buck McKinney

.  Gary’s employment at the Kiowa Hospital, found him returning to the  Kiowa  Ambulance Service as a certified first responder,  Sharon Regan covering his shift when commuting from Anthony.   Gary making a decision to enroll in a Harper County 12 week EMT certification course,  evening and weekends at Chaparral High School,  finding at times,   the 60 mile round trip to Kiowa , and the evenings at Chaparral somewhat grueling,  but perseverance prevailed.  Gary aware,  almost  1/4 of those taking the EMT written certification and 5 station practical test in Wichita would fail some part of it,  having experienced it with his first responder certification. Gary traveling to Wichita, finding  his instructors having done their job,  having no discernment with the written portion or the 5 station test, being told the results would be notified  by mail.  The notification arriving,  opening the envelope,  he was relieved finding a formal certification Certificate and EMT card from the State Board of Emergency Medical Services.

.  Gary found Buck McKinney was a likeable,  laidback good natured person, dressing accordingly, only wearing a suit n tie for Hospital Board meeting.  blending well with the hospital environment and staff, joining them on their breaks.  Gary on occasion  sometimes questioning his  aptness ,  espousing from past experience,  having worked with remarkable administrative supervisors,  Jay Jolly,  Glen Piper and staunch John Deere franchise owner  Steve Miller,  but giving credit where credit is due, Buck as  hospital administrator,  stepping up so that the ambulance service would remain in Kiowa.   but from another prospective, his status as ambulance Director was mostly in name only,  the paper work handled by the hospital office and the monthly on-call status  schedule  performed by the Director of Nursing,  the incomparable Sharon Ragan.

.  During the annual Ambulance State Certification Inspection,  the Surveyor finding the Kiowa ambulance lacking the required written protocols for an ambulance service.  Gary obtaining a precedent from Medicine Lodge,  providing  their modus operandi as a template,  adapting it for Kiowa’s Type B Service in protocol form,  fulfilling the states compliance requirements.  Buck expressing at an ambulance staff meeting,   protocol in hand, the ambulance was now in compliance.     Buck was very forthwith,  not a hesitant person,  letting the ambulance personnel know he failed the State EMT CPR practical station in Wichita,  remedying the situation,  meeting with the  director of emergency medical services,  the hospital administrator  stating   the person in charge of the CPR station was in error,  demonstrating a correct procedure,  The EMS director enabling his certification.

. As a member of the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association,  Gary was elected to the Board of Directors of the KHEA,  representing South Central Kansas District 3,  which included Wichita,   also having accepted the added responsibility as treasurer, and  editor of the KHEA monthly newsletter.   The Kiowa Hospital being  member of the Kansas Hospital Association.   Buck blatantly boasting, even though the hospital was a member,  he had never attended or participated in any of the KHA, seminars , or professional presentations.  Gary recalling an apropos  quote from a Louis L’Amour western novel expounded by his father,  “ride low in the saddle,  stay off the high ridges,  you’re riding in a dead man’s seat”,  the verse’s implication imparting a means for a person to cloak their ineptness.

Rob’s pride

.  The time having arrived,  Gary’s son Rob having attained the age of automotive responsibility,  satisfying the  vision and  written examination requirements,  receiving a state issued learners permit, the youth excited with the prospects.  Gary recalling at that age, his father insistence the 1940 Chevrolet Pickups double-clutching non-synchromesh transmission four speed be the endeavor to acquire his first driving experience.  Gary’s Dad,  a Teamster by trade,  able to drive everything from a World War II  Army M-4 tank,  to a 500 series Caterpillar Road Scraper,  always emphasizing the use of the clutch as the most important exchange to extradite the performance of opportunity.   Gary insisting  Robert’s first learning experience would be in the 5 speed manual shifting 4 wheel drive Toyota Tercel Wagon.   Robert having no difficulty with the shifting of gears,  acquiring an immediate dexterity after two driving  sequences.  Dad allowing his son the helm of the Chevrolet Blazer Sport,  also being a manual shift,   Robert finding a natural comfort behind the wheel of motorized transportation.

.  The endeavor was Rob’s orthodontist appointment on North Rock Road in Wichita,  fulfilling his scheduled sixth month checkup,  wearing a correctional appliance retainer.  The Father and Son seated in the Blazer,  only this time Gary setting in the passenger’s seat,  imparting the driving to Rob.  Dad having total confidence, sitting back watching as Rob nonchalantly started the Blazer,  displaying a I’ve done this before deposition, ready to incur the 54 mile drive.  Departing Anthony on the hour long journey to Wichita,  the Blazer turning east on West Kellogg the main thoroughfare through the city.   Gary keeping a watchful eye because of the Saturday Traffic, Rob progressing across town, his Dad impressed with his driving performance, the two arriving.  The appointment task completed, Gary opting to drive back, Rob’s first long distance drive a success, the only somewhat negative response was from his mother,  who apparently wouldn’t have entrusted him to make the drive.

.  Gary’s day at the Kiowa Hospital started like most,  fulfilling his normal routine when approached by a fellow Apostolic Christian Church brother, and close family friend, Huber Farney.   The Farney’s,  a Kansas wheat farming family under the craftsmanship of Huber’s son Tom,  farmed sections of acreage spreading across the state line into Oklahoma.  The elder Farney disclosing,  Gary’s son Robert,  whom Tom had employed for a summer job,  had endured an accident with the Blazer.  The accident occurring near the Stateline on the Burlington Road,  Huber firmly emphasizing,   Robert wasn’t injured.   Gary questioning Huber about the damage,  his elderly friend hesitant about providing any information, only conveying that Gary needed to avail himself to the scene.   The weather not being congruous,  a very cogent thunderstorm blanketing Kiowa and the surrounding area,  Gary immediately giving notice at the hospital,  he was leaving to inquire about his son’s dilemma.

.  The wind-driven rain was coming down in torrents,  the lightning discharging from the towering cumulus, the thunder resonating with an earthshaking sound.  Gary arriving at the scene  finding the Blazer off the road, upright,  but the driver’s side rear roof line was slightly bent.   It was apparent the car had been laid over on its side, sliding during its venture off the road before up-righting itself.   The left rear wheel having been literally ripped from the axle, but although bent at an angle, the rear window frame and glass remained intact.  Approaching his son,  who was seated in the inert vehicle,  the deluge of rain still persisting,  Gary joining him in the front seat.   Rob was shaken, almost to the point of tears, but holding his composure.  Gary assuring him that his only concern was that he wasn’t injured,  the damage to the car was of no immediate importance, circumstances happen.   The inevitable question had to be asked,  what happen?.  Rob slowly replying,  he  really didn’t know,  it all happen so fast,  only that it started to rain, and suddenly  the Blazer was sideways in the curve, then an impact and a silence,  the vehicle coming to rest.

.  Surveying the situation amidst the downpour,  noticing how close his son had come to hitting the cement pillar that marked the boundary between Oklahoma and Kansas,  thanking the Lord for what could have been a desolating experience.   Gary entreating Huber to return to Kiowa ,and inform Keith Rathgeber at D and W Auto of the incident,  and ask him if he could retrieve the Blazer with his tow truck.  Gary visiting with his son  discovering  the Oklahoma Highway Patrol had been on the scene before his arrival,  writing Robert a citation for honesty,  asking him if he was wearing a seat belt,  the young driver answering truthfully,   no.

.  The Blazer finding a new home for the next six weeks at D and W,  the extensive repairs a low priority on the shop’s schedule.  Scott Rathgeber giving assurance he could rend the top back to its normal position providing the window glass remained intact,  something Gary thought impossible.   The  torqueing of the roof  post back to a straight vertical position  was a success,   a new rear left axle,  wheel and  brakes fulfilling the remaining damaged parts,  and with touch up paint,  a total cost of 13 hundred dollars  put the Blazer on the road,  Robert once again able to host his grandfather’s gift,  the Blazer briefly down,  but not out.

.  It was the start of Roberts senior year at Chaparral High School,  Gary trying to convince his son to drive the 82 Terrel wagon to school,  but Robert proclaiming he would rather ride the school bus to than to be seen in the Toyota.  Gary having employed the 1984 Chevrolet Blazer for his daily 30 mile commute to the Kiowa Hospital,  weighing a decision,  but finally giving in to his son’s desire.   Robert was meticulous in maintaining a prestige’s image,  always appropriately dressed,  a stature fitted for all occasion,  the Blazer providing a transportation means in keeping with his character.   Gary accepting the downside of the Tercell Wagon,  especially the lack of air conditioning, the unit having failed the past year,  but having spent most of his life without an AC appliance in his Vehicle’s,  driving the 51 Dodge pickup,  the Ford and Chevy Vans, remembering transporting the band equipment in “Old Blue”,   his 1966 Ford Pickup across hundreds of miles of West Texas in the August heat.  The 60 mile round trip to Kiowa during the heated Kansas weather was  child play.

.  Robert taking pride in his acquired transport,  the blazer kept pristine in appearance,  installing a high-powered 300 watt subwoofer system in the rear, able to shatter the atmosphere with its reverberating projection as he traveled down the road.   Gary and Jan borrowing the vehicle on a Saturday morning to attend a Amway meeting in Wichita.  Descending upon the parking area of the meeting accommodation,  members of his group,  including his up-line sponsors, Earl Carra and Don Ransom, who were gathered awaiting their arrival.  Gary Switching on Roberts subwoofer system,  the resounding sound resonating off the buildings,  the Blazer Sport with its tape player presentation giving the Willson’s a booming and noticeable entrance.

.  Sandra having reached the age of auto mobility,  Gary again acquainting the five speed SR 5 Toyota Wagon as the transport of learnable experience.   His youngest daughter not quite having the dexterity of her brother Robert,  but up front with the perseverance to master the shifting of the 5 speed manual transmission.   Dad starting her familiarity with a driving exercise on the dirt mile section road east of Anthony,  explaining how one could downshift from 5th gear to 4th slowing the vehicle.   Sandra soon mastered the usage of the clutch and the shifting,  but on occasion,  because of the narrow proximity of the gear shift pattern,  she would shift from 5th gear, missing 4th  dropping the Toyota into 2nd  gear,  Gary finding himself almost prompted thru the windshield with the sudden deceleration.   This event was more humorous than serious,  Sandra accomplishing her goal and obtained her driver’s license without any difficulty.  Unlike Robert, she was convivial in accepting the Tercell Wagon as transportation.

.  Gary discovering a requirement for another vehicle,  Robert and the elder Willson journeying to Wichita in the Blazer, once again acquainting East Kellogg and automobile row.   Gary in search of a reliable used vehicle that would transact his weekday 60 mile round trip from Anthony to Kiowa. .   Once again returning to a Davis Moore dealership,  whom they  had purchased Jan’s Dodge Shadow Convertible,   Gary not a person to dicker about specifics found what he was looking for on the trade in sales lot,  the salesperson perplex that his sales pitch was not needed,  and within an hour Gary was returning to Kiowa in a 1989 blue Oldsmobile Cutlass,  pleased at his selection,  the automobile heredity of the Willson family fulfilled.   Jan with her Shadow Convertible,  Rob with the Chevrolet Blazer,  Sandra with the Toyota Tercel and Gary more than satisfied with the newly acquired Oldsmobile Cutlass.

I.  t was a Saturday, Gary and Jan journeying to  Oklahoma City to visit Gary’s daughter Marlo, his daughter in an expectant manner. The couple arriving at the residence,  finding a note on the door,  the written message  acknowledging they were expected,  but were called away to their recent acquired business opportunity, the note posted with the address.   Their recent acquired enterprise, a result of Marlo’s mother’s friend,  Jim,  marketing his business  A graphic LWD,  logging while drilling, operation.   The endeavor evolving from oil companies, and speculators engendering their menstruation’s from the drilling sites,  measuring the porosity,  resistivity, and acoustic wave fronts of the drilling process.   Transferring the analysis to a paper graph,   presentable for the oil rig roustabouts,  engineers, and various enfolding invested constabulary for contemplation of the drilling progress.  Gary well aware of  Oklahoma’s oil rich endowment ,and its contribution to the state’s overall economy, and was ardent about his daughter and son-in-law’s new found opportunity.

.  The phone call was expected, the new year welcoming a new arrival, on January 3 1995,  Allison, Elaine Denton, tipping the scales at 5 lbs., 13 ounces, blessing the world and heritage of the Denton and Willson families. .   The grandfather making the drive to Oklahoma City,  the visit was brief, but enduring, experiencing, the euphoria that fills the air with the presence of a newly born..  Gary extending and looking forward to Marlo and Chris, a possible early spring visit to Anthony.  The drive home was one of  contemplation,  Gary pondering how to be what he wasn’t, a close knit family grandfather, the answer remained, but was within a circle of circumstances.

.  Graduation , A celebrated occasion that beholds the beginning of progressive events in a young man’s life.   A commencement and inauguration of responsibility,  the family members no longer an exponent of parental supervision,  relinquishing their authority and decreed decision-making in their son’s behalf,  Robert Willson was graduating from high school.   The Chaparral High School event finding Robert’s parents,  sister, and grandparents all present for the occasion, his Grandmother Willson flying from California to be present for the celebrated event.  Gary discovering the ceremony much like most graduations,  having attended his daughter Marlo’s in Oklahoma City,  but what really impressed him was the closing song.   Gary, never a musician to be impressed with lyrics,  but  the lyrics of   “A Irish Blessing”  a choral presentation would forever remain an  ardent part of his son’s graduation.   “May the road rise to meet you.   May the wind be ever at your back.   May the sunshine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again.   May God hold you,  May God hold you ever in the palm of his hands.

.  Graduation fulfilled,  Robert venturing in the 84 Chevrolet Blazer journeying westward,  his wayward travel  taking him to California.   His ambition, to visit his west coast family,  arriving at his Aunt Nancy’s and his grandmother’s residence in Columbia,  five miles north of Sonora.   All was not pretense,  the youth finding he was called upon to avail his cousin Sarah,  her husband Randy having injured his back in a work related incident.   With new carpet being installed in their residence,  Robert called upon to provide the muscle for moving furniture.   His journey was not without substance, taking time to explore the pacific coast,  the youth now proclaiming  “ surf’s up”,  a Kansas youth able to experience the realm of the wave driven pacific ocean,   a vast difference from the land-locked patronage of Kansas, viewing the world  thru the eyes of a young person fining responsibility.

.  The full-page ad in the Wichita Eagle Beacon certainly received Gary attention,  The Man of La Mancha was being presented at Century II.   What caught his engrossment was the production company having acquired the actual stage setting used for the Broadway production,    the paper displaying in full color the majesty of the set.   Gary knowledgeable of the musical,  especially its characterization of Don Quixote and  acquainted with the story and composers whom have written musical depictions.   Gary’s favorite,  Richard Strauss,  having composed orchestrated tone poems about Don Quixote,  Don Juan,  Ein Heldenleben ( a hero’s life), ,  “Also Sprach Zarathustra”,  better known to the American Public as the opening theme from the movie “A 2001 Space Odyssey”.     Gary asking his wife Jan if she would like to accompany him for the Saturday afternoon presentation,  but her knowledge and interest in the arts reflected her Murrow family upbringing in Kiowa,  a salt of the earth family, but rather lacking in recognition of the artistic expressions of the world.   His enthusiasm was building as He journeyed to Wichita’s Century II,  knowing that the Mitch Leigh’s musical composition would be an imminent presentation,  highlighted by the song  “The Impossible Dream” ,  its stature  a prominent display in the world of music.

.  Arrival at the Century II Concert Hall, an abundance in attendance,  Gary discovering that the only available seating was in the balcony.   As customary when  attending the symphony or concert performances his attire was always fitting for the occasion,  a suit or sport coat with tie.   Standing in line to acquire a balcony admission,  a lady with a young girl approached him,  asserting that they had an extra ticket in the orchestra section,  her husband unable to attend, asking Gary if would he be interested in purchasing it.   Gary inquired as to the price, the lady acknowledge she would accept the same amount as the $13.00  balcony admission.   Joining this newfound acquaintance and her daughter,  Gary was astonished to find himself in the season ticket holders reserved section,  seated 15 rows,  center stage from the performance,  miraculous seating for a musical dream about to come true.  With its conclusion, the performance of The  Man From LaMancha  exceeding all expectations, Don Quixote leaving one, a lasting impression, “Call nothing thy own, except thy soul. Love not what thou art, but only what thou may become.

.  The 1995 fall meeting and Vendor Exhibition for the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association was being held at the 10,000 sq. ft. Ramada Inn Conference Center on W. Crawford, in Salina Kansas.  Gary having represented District #4 which included Wichita on the Board of Directors and in addition served as Treasurer for the KHEA for the past three years.   Larry Dunn the current Hospital Engineers Association president was supervising plant operation manager for the 760 bed HCA Wesley Medical Center on North Hillside in Wichita prevailing upon Gary  that he should submit his name for the upcoming Board of Directors presidential election.

. Gary having no ambition to enter the contention for the presidency,   but Larry was persistent, Gary reluctantly giving into the prestigious engineer persuasion.   The names of  members placed in nomination were taken under advisement, the membership voting, descending the number down to two very contrasting constituents.  Gary with his small community rural hospital experience finding himself placed on the ballot, the other nominee was the Executive Vice President in charge of maintenance at the 353 bed Salina Regional Medical Center and like Larry wore a white shirt and tie to work and also was the Kansas representative to the national America Society Of Hospital Engineers (ASHE)  with a degree in engineering.

.  The time of reckoning was at hand,  for the representative members from the hospitals throughout the state of Kansas in attendance,  the two candidates  standing  before the group according their qualifications and  reason for seeking the office.  Gary beginning his electoral presentation very much aware that the majority of the membership were from small rural hospitals, acknowledging  he was a singular maintenance operative like many of them,  working in a small community hospital,  solely responsibility for all the mechanical, physical and ground keeping commitments, logging and fulfilling all the regulatory compliant paperwork for the facility.  His qualification for KHEA president was his experience and service as a representative of district 4 on the Board of Directors, plus  his service as Treasurer of the organization and editor of the monthly KHEA newsletter,  but more important he could identify and was  representative of their working environment.   The two nominees were asked to remove themselves to the Conference Center foyer while the voting took place.  The perspectives visiting with each other during the electoral process.  Upon returning inside to the convention hall it was announced Gary was the Kansas Hospital Engineers president-elect, surmising in all probability it was the support of the small rural hospital delegates that championed his election.

.  Realizing with his new position came the commitment of responsible leadership in exercising  his posture as president,  including introducing innovating new programs to the Board.   While serving as treasurer he became aware of  thousands of dollar instilled by contributors and vendors to the KHEA’s financial account which continued to grow serving no purpose but to accumulate interest.    Gary having given thought about the unheralded dedication of hospital  maintenance employees,  proposing to the Board, a scholarship program for the membership,  including the immediate members of their family.  The program would provide 2 scholarships of 2 hundred fifty dollars to be  awarded for each semester to further  their education.  The applicants required to submit a written essay  expanding on the statement,  as an example,   “the meaning of education to me” or a suitable healthcare subject.  The  Board of Directors to select a winner,  and as a safeguard to remove any suspicion of favoritism on selection,  the submitting applicants name would be removed,  the essays numbered,  the numbered  names known only to the President.    The enacted program was a total success, the first winning essay was the daughter of Stan Murphy,  the maintenance supervisor at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

.  During Gary’s tenure as president the Engineers Association board determined, that to be in line with the State Kansas Hospital Association,  a by-law and name change was suggested from Hospital Engineers to Healthcare Engineers Association, allowing the organization to include Nursing Home Facilities.  Gary disagreeing with the Board of Directors,  denoting the name healthcare was somewhat vacuous for an engineering association,  but agreeing,  unlike retirement nursing homes,  skilled nursing facilities did meet most hospital criteria. His protest in vain, losing his argument, the name change being enacted.

.  The propitious of his presidency enabled a continuation of other envisioned plans, foremost was  a union with the Michigan Healthcare  Engineers Association,  the only State  Healthcare   Engineers Organization accredited by JCAHO,  (the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization) .  It was an industry standard that a qualified membership and certification by JCAHO exempted a facility from federal Medicare inspection,  because  the “Joint Commission ” evaluation standards surpassed all federal regulations.  The Michigan Healthcare Association  with its comprehensive testing program and  JCAHO recognition was  enabled to certify a member as a recognized Certified Healthcare  Engineer.   Gary corresponding with the Michigan’s Healthcare Engineers with a  vision of  providing the members of the KHEA with a JCAHO recognized healthcare engineers certification program.      Gary’s tenure as president of the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association,  provided an introduction to another avenue,  on the road of life.

Sandra Willson as Kendra Star

Sandra attaining her senior year at Chaparral High School in Anthony,  an outstanding academic student,  surmounting her older brother Robert in many aspects.   A social protector,  in that she was an advocate for her friends, even those with defalcations, always projecting a caring beam of aspiration to those whom surrounded her.   As an after school activity, a continuance of her cheerleading ambition acquired in Grammar School,  becoming a  member of the Anthony High School Cheerleading team,  but  discovering she was not always in favor with the high school sponsor,  the faculty member citing her disapproval,  seeing her smoking off campus.

Gary not too concerned, having been there as high school student,    but just  Prior to the  Friday Night school football game, the faculty sponsor informed Sandra she was excluded from participating with the Cheerleading team.  When informed,  her Mother immediately finding and  affronting Kris Kastler the principal of the school,   Jan demanding an explanation for Sandra’s non-participation, forcefully stating that her infraction was off campus and shouldn’t have any application to her participation.  The principal agreeing with Jan, reprimanding the faculty sponsor for her indiscretion,  Sandra making her cheerleading presence known.

Sandra as a member of the Performing Artist of Chaparral,  was selected for the featured role of Kendra Star, in the Jerome McDonough Play, “Addict”.   Gary,  when working at the Kiowa grade school,  having recognized Sandra’s enactment talent  ten years earlier,  in Norma Feaster’s  2nd grade class presentations.    The Addict  production portraying  the detriments of  youth’s in a community,  and their adherence to the addiction of drugs.   Gary and Jan traveling to Wichita for the  Chaparral Artist celebrated performance before  members of the Kansas Congressional body,  including the state’s Lieutenant Governor Gary Sherrer.  The high school cast’s enactment providing a meaningful message.

Keeping abreast with  activities in Wichita,  Gary again noticing a presentation in the Wichita Paper,  a subject of interest aroused.  For many years vacant,  the Orpheum Theater at 200 North Broadway was attempting a resurrection.   A Theatrical Enterprise was trying to raise money to revive its longevity,  the Wichita Community Theater and Center for the Arts actively involved in the project.   The paper announcing,  a musical production to be presented in the once prestigious but long abandoned structure,  a musical written by Wichita’s,  David and Kenneth Gale,  featuring local cast member,  entitled,   “ Frankenstein The Musical“.   Gary taking notice to a highlighted addition to the newspaper announcement,  “Due to the ongoing construction, it is advised that you bring a coat as the building is without heat” ,  an intruding dissemination to put in the newspaper.

.  Arriving , Gary was impressed with the aged structure,  the theater built in 1922,  an endowment of the cities past heritage.   Entering the lobby was analogous to stepping back in time,  the cold building showing remnants of its historic past.  The presence of a once proud theater organ sitting in the foyer, removed from its prominent stature inside,  the once snack amenities counter still in disrepair,  the building having a chilling effect,  in concert of keeping with the title of the  musical presentation.   The theaters spacious 13 hundred seating capacity,  a proud stage looking down on the lower level orchestra pit,  the balconies with their ornamental statues showing their age,  the figurines still symbolizing the décor of a colorful past era.

The musical was without orchestration, but utilizing a choral group with recorded effects,  the format not a matter of substance,  but a disquisition of the individual.   The audience receiving a critique pamphlet to be deposited upon leaving.   Gary finding this first production somewhat lacking in structure,  but the rationale was warranted.  This first production,  a journey’s start with endless possibilities, the attendance marking  support for a restoration of a once proud landmark and prominent icon of Wichita’s theater history.  The Journey home, Gary realizing he had attended the reincarnation of a living entity, a once proud theater destined for destruction,  brought back to life to live again, and proclaim its heritage….