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Richard “Bird” Lenaeus

FAMILY: Married for 32 years to Kelly Maureen Eggleston of Union, Michigan. We have 3 daughters, Alicia who is a Hostess for the Cascata golf course in Las Vegas, Amanda who is a licensed cosmetologist in California, Texas and now Missouri and Lindsay who is a Biomedical Scientist in Regenerative Medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. 5 grandsons (Ryan, Jamison, Maverick, Jasper and Logan) and 1 granddaughter (Linnea Grace) and our dog Gabby.

OCCUPATION:  I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1975 and became an infantry man.  After 4 years I switched to Air Traffic Control.  During my time as a controller, I was stationed at MCAS El Toro, CA for 2 years, then to MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years and then returned back to MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA for 5 years.

I also deployed to South Korea, Philippines and Australia.  In every base/deployment I was the tower supervisor.  It was in 29 Palms that I met my wife as we were in the same unit.   We got married in 1990 and then spent the next seven and one-half years in Okinawa.  Currently, I am still working as a Quality Assurance Specialist for the government and have no plans to retire.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES:  I enjoyed everything about high school especially football games, trips, pep assemblies and German class.  Physical Science class under Mr. Dave Gerber was my most embarrassing and funniest moment.  See Elmo for the details, he likes telling the story.  I still contend that there were 2 correct answers to that question.

After school, I liked to go to Dee’s Hamburgers because they were delicious.

Something no one knew about me while in High School was that I was an expert shot with both rifle and pistol.  My father was a Marine sniper in the Korean War and he taught me how to use firearms correctly.

I wasn’t much into music at this time; mostly sports, but I did like the Carpenters.  Other songs I liked were Cherish and Precious and Few which leads me to this topic, I had a really big crush on Connie Gerber, that’s why I took German. (And I know that I was not the only one, so the rest of you fess up). The other crush I had was a certain student, who every time I hear these songs reminds me of her. I will not divulge the name, however she did write this in my Jr. Yearbook, “Bird, you cute little thing you, maybe someday you’ll grow up to be as big as me. I really think that you are a great guy and a wonderful person. I hope we can become friends next year, cause I’m sure you’re a good one. Be good and stay sweet! Good luck and have a far-out summer. Love, Big ________. You will have to try and figure out who she is from the clues, Have fun with that.

HOW I LIKE TO SPEND MY TIME:  I like cooking and baking and, as a single guy, it came in very handy.

I also like playing softball which was almost every weekend. While in the Marine Corps I played for the MCAGCC 29 Palms softball team and also for the First Marine Division team.

Reading was also a passion of mine especially Robert Ludlum.   I also enjoy sporting events and concerts.  I go to the Stagecoach Country Music Festival (3 day event) every year.

My wife and I have people or family over for dinner and we play board games and dominoes.   We would like to visit Mt. Rushmore and Hawaii.  I’ve been to about three quarters of the states.

The best part of my day is when I come home from work and see my puppy oh and my wife.

FUN TIDBIT(S) ABOUT ME:  I (and 5 others from my unit) was an extra in the movie “McArthur” starring Gregory Peck.  Boy was that a lot of fun even though we did get into a little trouble.

I have met a lot of famous people including President Reagan.  I have even had (thanks to my daughter Alicia) Rudy (pay attention Mr. Mowbray) from Notre Dame lore call the house to talk to me……and my daughter got me an autographed photo of him (Rudy) being carried off the field.

HIGHTLIGHTS OF MY LIFE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL:  I have many certificates, awards, medals/ trophies (sports) and thank you notes from Department of Defense schools.  I was honored by the University of Maryland for being on the Dean’s list for 3 ½ years.  The ones I treasure the most are the ones I received from school children, who were so thankful for the great day they had because I was able to provide them with free bowling, lunch and other gifts thanks to my job.

Favorite trips are Disneyland, Disneyworld (won a $1,000 contest at Taco Bell in Kokomo, Indiana) and Tokyo Disney, as well as Magic Mountain and Universal Studios.

I have had an incredible life with so many exciting things that have happened to not only me but my family as well.  In fact, there are times I will tell a story and all I get is, “we’ve never heard that one before”.

Someone who has made a big impact on my life is my wife who whacked me upside my head with an iron because I was not listening to what she was saying.  Just Kidding.  Really it is my wife.  I have had to deal with my wife having kidney cancer and other illness’s which would be devastating to others who do not believe in Jesus Christ.  Live life to the fullest, because you never know when time’s up and trust in God.