Walter 'Walt' Otto

Instructor, USNR 6 years, Teacher. administrator, college professor, coach 47 years...just retired Sept 1, 2009.

Taught and lived in American Samoa, Hawaii, throughout California. Principal four schools and designed and opened two...have enjoyed every minute of it. Now, I am busy doing my photography, working on my 32 ford roadster, and going to car shows as well as traveling with family. Beach time takes up some of my recreation as well as staying in shape...weights, walking, swimming.

Moved to SP in 1950...went to SPJHS...left for Las Vegas High, came back in 1954 to SPHS and graduated in 1955 with all of you....great school...lots of good memories and fun cheerleading...racing cars with Rudy Serar and Kenny Wright...and Gordy Atkinson...we had way too much fun in high school...playing music with Michi, Rudy, and Nancy was so much a part of our high school time...loved it all. My sister and brother both attended SPHS...Dixie Lee was head Song Girl while Tom made Head Cheerleader like me. The Otto's made their mark and all of us had fun...Dixie still lives in SP and married her JHS sweety, Forest Allen. Forest Allen's dad cut our hair at the Realto Barber Shop next to the theatre all the way through JHS and HS...

My older brother, Jim Otto owned and ran Otto's Snax on FairOaks when we went through high school. He went in the Navy at 17 and got out at 21 and started his business. Kids from JHS and HS all ate there as well as Salesmen from Fair Oaks Ford. Jim later entered the hospital business, made money, and retired at 47...lives in Indian Wells and enjoys life. Tom lives in LaCanada with his wife Carolyn...two kids...3-4 grand kids...likes
photography like me...

At reunions, I enjoy getting to know all of you again. It is fun to bring my Uke and sing and play...keep in tough with Rudy and Nancy still and sometimes others who live in South Orange County. Now that I retired, I will be able to be more attentive to old friends.

Watching Rudy start his diesel converted engine run on the football field. Racing with Rudy at Pomona Drags. Going to Hot Rod Runs with Hot Rod guys. Cheering at the football games. Going to dances with lots of girls...still love to dance...Leading the pep rallies on top of the cafeteria...singing in assemblies...acting in school plays and drama... The Clown was especially funny and I got the part of the clown...dancing and singing while no one was supposed to see me except the little boy...making believe....So many girl friends that I really loved.

Cheer leading, Pep Squad, Art, Drama, Hot rods...all of it
was fun, fun, fun.

Now, I belong to a hot rod club and am active in art shows. I am also substituting once or twice a week, just to keep in touch with kids.

Actually graduating from high school and college...I was the first since my grandpa Thrall...He graduated from the first class at Cal Tech...1910, I think...super guy.
Getting an A in Art...loved Art. Actually passing senior English so I could graduate! I remember taking the student teacher (20 years old) to lunch when I was 19...oldest guy in graduating class 55. I needed just a D to make it.

Playing my Uke and Banjo, Photography, Body Surfing, Traveling, Reading, exercising and walking, visiting old friends, hot rodding, and anything else I like to do.

Jazz lover and 40's, 50's and 60's music. I especially like the Big Band Era...When I lived in Las Vegas, I danced to all the Big Bands and listened (as a bus boy in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel) to all the headliners...some of the best of the era...loved it.

I love mysteries to pass the time at the beach. Also, I like historical fiction...good background with a storyline.

I think that my 53 years of instruction/teaching/administration/coaching was the most overall reward of my life so far. To have the honor to impact so many kids is the real reward. Looking forward to catching up with old friends.

This has been a memory blast from the past...thanks, Walt