In retrospect: Life after LHS - Elroy ("Roy) Wunderlich

In Retrospect: Life After LHS — Elroy (“Roy”) Wunderlich

Like many of us, I’ve had my share of both interesting and
challenging things in life. But the best part is how the Lord
has been prompting me to strive to overcome the regrettably
self-centered nature that I’ve mostly been known for.

Currently, I’m teaching special education students in a
public school system near Houston and hope to continue
doing that for several more years. I’ve been working with
youth in secondary campuses of this school district
(Humble/Kingwood) since 1989.

Back in the Sixties while teaching in Oregon, I met and
married a petite oriental girl. Eventually, we parented two
dear boys, Jeff and Michael. Though our sons “left the nest”
long ago, we remain a close-knit family nonetheless.
Currently, my wife Lucy (still petite) is involved in organic
gardening and sells produce to several health food stores.
I manage to assist her quite often, though not to a degree
of matching her tireless enthusiasm!
Spanning over four decades of being together, our relationship
has had its ups and downs; but, in general, I can truly say we
have been blessed in many ways. We’re thankful for the good
things that happened, as well as for the absence of a number
of awful things that could have happened but didn’t.
Perhaps I’d be striking a familiar chord by saying my wife
and I tend to reminisce about various trauma we experienced
in the past as likely having been lessons of hard knocks
that The Almighty intended for our spiritual benefit.

Personally, I’m better able now to consider the perspective of
what brings God glory. To my chagrin, I used to pursue what I
wanted to do . . . with scant concern for the feelings of others.
For any of you whom I may have offended during my high
school years, consider this to be an apology that I’ve been
owing for a mighty long time.
Here’s a prime example: For several reasons, I’ve come to
realize that I didn’t deserve being valedictorian.
You see, I only took bare-minimum class loads,
and I didn’t participate in extra-curricular activities.
I lacked proper standards of conduct and didn’t demonstrate
good character. And it may seem weird to admit this, but I
was seemingly content to be a stuffed shirt! (I was so far out
of circulation that even attending Boys’ State didn’t make
a dent in my reclusive armor.)

My old habits portended poor preparation for adult life,
not to mention the potential adverse effect that they had
on people around me.

While in college, I continued my insensitive ways by being
an inactive member of an honorary fraternity.
(I was reluctant to participate and do my share.)
One of my elective courses was playing tennis, but I wasn’t
motivated to put out much effort. Frankly, I don’t recall
giving of myself to any extent except in the instance of
being the assistant editor of the university newpaper.

In the fall of 1963, when I began my actual career, I lacked
what it took to be a good example. Even later, when I became
involved in graduate work, I can vividly recall studying
hard and making good grades, but not caring to crawl out of
my clamshell.

Folks, throughout much of my life I failed to respond
to opportunities for being of benefit to others, and I neglected
to be sociable. It’s a shame I can’t go back and relive those
misspent years by paying a little attention to The Golden
Rule and showing some common sense!

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I think
writing it has provided a bit of therapeutic closure for me.

The “BlogSpot” website is very meaningful; it’s nice to be
able to find out how our classmates have been doing.
Incidentally, wouldn’t it also be neat to have a collection of
e-mail addresses from those who don’t mind sharing them?
I’m wondering if this could this be arranged.
(P.S. Here’s mine: roywunderlich@mac.com)

My wish is for the best to each one of you!

Take care.

— Elroy (“Roy”) Wunderlich