The Cookieman

I've had the pleasure of getting to know various classmates via email and by phone over the past several months. Again, I wonder to myself, where was my head when I was going to school - these people are truly nice and I don't even remember talking to some of them during high school! And, people like "Cookieman" a/k/a Rich Hendrix is a fine example of this.

Rich used to call me the "Milk Lady" back in junior high 'cause I worked in the lunchroom and sold the little cartons of milk out of the cooler. He was a real tease and has a special place in my memories, past and present. I've asked Rich if I could make a compilation of the emails that we've exchanged so everyone else could get "reacquainted" with Rich like I have. He has, finally, agreed.

Rich met his wife, Jenny, in Minneapolis in 1973 and they were married in April of 1974. They have 2 children, Angela 33 and Christopher 31. They have 2 grandsons, Justin will be 11 in October and Jordan will be 9 in November. After being married in 1974 Rich joined the USAF and served until 1978. They moved back to Minneapolis in 1978 and now live in Apple Valley, MN, a suberb of St. Paul, with the SPICE GIRLS, their 2 dogs. Sage and Rosemary, are half Rat Terrier and half daschound. Picture of Rich & Jenny, his wife.

Rich worked for OEI Business Forms, from 1978-1989. Later, he went to work for a small family-owned trash hauler, Dick's Sanitation, in Lakeville, MN, where he has been employed for the past 18 1/2 years. He has done residental pick up, commercial pick up, roll-off containers and is now doing cart delivery with a 22ft box truck. He says this is good "Old guys work". Of all the work he has done at Dick's, his favorite was Residental Trash Routes. He, like Harold Schaaf, has found lots of "good stuff". The best was a full set of 4 BMW spoked rims that were sold to a local dealer for $100.

Rich mentioned that he really wasn't permitted to spend much time with school kids or participating in school activities because his folks were very strict. He told me that he spent that first year and half after graduation trying to do all of the DON'TS from the list of DOS & DON'TS. Regardless, he is thankful that his parents were strict in their way because it has helped him remain grounded for the majority of his life.

Even though he was quiet around school, Rich claims to be a Master of Sarcasm. (I bet I know a few classmates who could give him a run for his money!) The Cookieman stated he hasn't changed much...still short...still chubby...still wears a crew cut...still has freckles, but now you can actually see 'em cause they aren't covered with pimples. (Well then, I guess I'm still in puberty 'cause I had a pimple about 4 days ago!)

Picture of Daughter - Angela & Family

Picture of Son - Christopher & his friend, Amanda

Does anyone out there hunt? Rich does. He said he's not real good at it, but really enjoys getting out in the woods. Rich said his grandsons both enjoy fishing "out of a boat" so "Papa" is in the market for a used boat this year.

Rich hopes to get in more camping time this year regardless of the steep gas prices. He and his wife just bought a 33 foot Sunnybrook, set up in a permanent site on Oak Lake. About 40 miles SW of Duluth. Good fishing and only 2 hours from home. The Coachman 5th wheel they have been camping with since 2000 is now for sale. This is much more economical than pulling the trailer around and the campground holds lots of memmories for he and Jenny because they had a permanent site there for about 5 years when their kids were young.

Rich also remembers a local Bethalto haunt and wrote "Hey, does the 140 Club still have the best burgers in town? I worked at the bank senior year and Mr. Prange used to order in burgers from there on the holidays when we worked. Funny, the things ya remember. LOL"

Rich also mentioned that he must have won one of the Blog drawings a while back because Helen Downing Eyers sent him the cutest little gourd, a Mosquito House which was VERY appropriate for Minnesota that time of year. He sent Helen a "Thank You" and in the course of corresponding, they discovered that they had attended Humbolt Elementary, in Alton, during the same time in K and 1st grade. What a hoot!! Then, Rich's family moved to Cottage Hills in 2nd grade, and Helen's family moved there in 6th grade, after she attended E. Alton schools for a while. Small world!! Talk about small world, Rich's son roomed with Jim Barnes' (aka Neal Osaga) nephew for a couple years in college.

Rich's message to all of us is "Don't forget the ME TIME in your summer schedule. Whatever it is that re-news and relaxes you - do it and, make some new memories!

BTW, any of you CH kids remember David German. Rich says he's the one that gave him the nickname "Cookieman", because Rich always brought Hydrox cookies in his bag lunch. Hydrox....Hendrix...LOL