Richard (Dick) Eyster
Then
Life after high school sure has been interesting and challenging over these last 50 years since walking off the football field following our graduation ceremony in June of 1965. From that day forward, so many of our fellow Cavaliers have disappeared from our daily lives. Yet over the last 50 years, there have been many inadvertent contacts with a classmate here and there. Most Cavaliers had a core group they knew in school and have remained in contact over the years to this day. Find one classmate and chances are you will find several more in their phone books or on their iPhones nowadays.
Well, here is a somewhat brief accounting of my Life After High School.
I attended San Fernando Valley State College as an engineering major for 3 ½ years. There were quite a few of our fellow Cavaliers that went to this college since it was in the neighborhood. I’m sure everyone remembers that the Vietnam War was in full swing and if you didn’t carry a full load of classes (15 units), your name would show up in quick fashion on the Draft Board’s list as 1-A. Well somehow I ended up with 14 instead of 15 units for the fall semester of 1968. My Plan A in life had been to graduate and join the Air Force as a pilot. I had been working on my private pilot license while in school and I needed to come up with another plan and quick.
Fellow Cavalier classmate David Buck ( a friend since 5th grade) was in the same boat with insufficient units. So a plan B was made to be able to stay around to complete college without being immediately drafted. David Buck and I joined the LAPD on March 24, 1969. There was a good chance that we could be granted a II-A occupational deferment. This would allow us to finish college, then join the Air Force. At this point we viewed the LAPD as a temporary position. Three weeks after joining the LAPD, I received my draft notice.
On April 14, 1969 I went to the military processing center on South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. I was informed by the City Personnel Department that the military could induct me into any of the services, but I would have a job with the City when I returned. After successfully completing the written and physical testing, I went before the military officer in charge for disposition. I informed him I was an LAPD officer and showed him my ID and badge. At that point he told me that he could get all the men he needed, but that the LAPD had higher standards for hiring. He then said “You can stay here and fight the war at home.” I was not inducted into the military. I returned to my ‘temporary job.’ After completing the one year probation, I returned to college and finished my four year degree in Geography in 1972. This had been a minor area while I was in engineering.
Well, my Plan B in life didn’t work either. With the Vietnam War winding down, the Air Force had plenty of pilots. My temporary job became 30 years, 3 months and 9 days. But who was counting. I retired in July of 1999. Along the way, I got my commercial pilots license for airplanes. This allowed me to get a position in the LAPD’s Air Support Division as a helicopter pilot. I got my commercial rating for helicopters and a flight instructor rating in helicopters. I flew for the LAPD for 15 of my 30 years. I was a supervisor for 24 out of the 30 years. So I was able to have a flying career. However it was very different from the one I had hoped for.
There were quite a few fellow Cavaliers that went on to careers in Law Enforcement.
Well, here is a somewhat brief accounting of my Life After High School.
I attended San Fernando Valley State College as an engineering major for 3 ½ years. There were quite a few of our fellow Cavaliers that went to this college since it was in the neighborhood. I’m sure everyone remembers that the Vietnam War was in full swing and if you didn’t carry a full load of classes (15 units), your name would show up in quick fashion on the Draft Board’s list as 1-A. Well somehow I ended up with 14 instead of 15 units for the fall semester of 1968. My Plan A in life had been to graduate and join the Air Force as a pilot. I had been working on my private pilot license while in school and I needed to come up with another plan and quick.
Fellow Cavalier classmate David Buck ( a friend since 5th grade) was in the same boat with insufficient units. So a plan B was made to be able to stay around to complete college without being immediately drafted. David Buck and I joined the LAPD on March 24, 1969. There was a good chance that we could be granted a II-A occupational deferment. This would allow us to finish college, then join the Air Force. At this point we viewed the LAPD as a temporary position. Three weeks after joining the LAPD, I received my draft notice.
On April 14, 1969 I went to the military processing center on South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. I was informed by the City Personnel Department that the military could induct me into any of the services, but I would have a job with the City when I returned. After successfully completing the written and physical testing, I went before the military officer in charge for disposition. I informed him I was an LAPD officer and showed him my ID and badge. At that point he told me that he could get all the men he needed, but that the LAPD had higher standards for hiring. He then said “You can stay here and fight the war at home.” I was not inducted into the military. I returned to my ‘temporary job.’ After completing the one year probation, I returned to college and finished my four year degree in Geography in 1972. This had been a minor area while I was in engineering.
Well, my Plan B in life didn’t work either. With the Vietnam War winding down, the Air Force had plenty of pilots. My temporary job became 30 years, 3 months and 9 days. But who was counting. I retired in July of 1999. Along the way, I got my commercial pilots license for airplanes. This allowed me to get a position in the LAPD’s Air Support Division as a helicopter pilot. I got my commercial rating for helicopters and a flight instructor rating in helicopters. I flew for the LAPD for 15 of my 30 years. I was a supervisor for 24 out of the 30 years. So I was able to have a flying career. However it was very different from the one I had hoped for.
There were quite a few fellow Cavaliers that went on to careers in Law Enforcement.
Now
There have been many good times in life that outweigh the down times. I enjoyed surfing, snow skiing, and traveling for activities. I have been married to my wonderful wife Cindy for almost 39 years. Our daughter has two children that now bring joy into our lives. We moved from our home of 35 years to be closer to our daughter and family. We are finding that this is very common thing for our generation. We are both retired now and looking forward to the next phase of life, a day at a time.
I really hope that every Cavalier reading this will make the effort to come to the 50th Celebration of our graduation from high school and starting our adult lives.
Everyone has interesting stories over the last 50 years. Please come and share them. Ask me about the plane crash I was involved in (August of 1967). Or maybe some stories from the LAPD. I would love to speak with you. I can say that it will be a fun time that weekend in 2015, with lots of opportunities to catch up.
I really hope that every Cavalier reading this will make the effort to come to the 50th Celebration of our graduation from high school and starting our adult lives.
Everyone has interesting stories over the last 50 years. Please come and share them. Ask me about the plane crash I was involved in (August of 1967). Or maybe some stories from the LAPD. I would love to speak with you. I can say that it will be a fun time that weekend in 2015, with lots of opportunities to catch up.
Rookie Officer Richard Eyster, LAPD
My 57' Chevy on the Senior Lawn at GCHS
|
Dick and his Huey UH-1B Helicopter
LAPD Helicopter Pilot Richard Eyster
|
This is me driving in the La Canada Memorial Day Parade in my T-Bird
A closeup of my GCHS license plate on my T-Bird
|
Myself and fellow Cavalier Dave Buck, upon graduation from the Police Academy
|
Just back from the hospital, following my airplane crash (with a souvenir). The plane was an old World War II Trainer (a Fairchild PT-26).
|
From our 2012 "65th Birthday Party"
|
COMMENTS
Dear King Dick, I am so glad that we have been friends for so many years & I am so proud of all that you achieved! I think it all began with our win at the famous Peanut Push!
Your loyal subject, Gloria
Gloria Dorcy
Your loyal subject, Gloria
Gloria Dorcy
What a great life you've had, Dick! Thanks for sharing it with us. You're one of the nicest guys I've ever known, and I really appreciate all of the hard work you've done (and are doing) for our reunions. I look forward to seeing you at the 50th. By the way, I don't do helicopters. Gotta have wings before I get in it. It's the one area I thought you were kind of crazy. Otherwise you're the most level headed guy I know.
Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis
Thank you for the nice comments about my life after high school. After reading your life story mine sounds a bit boring. Interestingly, I almost became a police officer too. I’ll tell you about it at the reunion. Sounds like you had a great career. Yes, I want to hear about the plane crash you were in.
You may not remember this (or maybe you will) that I made you and several others skateboards in wood shop in high school. We can talk about that too.
You should be proud of your accomplishments and thanks for sharing your story. Be well,
Dave Rounds
"You are still a great guy!! I loved reading about your life after graduation -- though we did visit in '69 -- you as a new LAPD and me as a new mom! You did not get your dream career as an Air Force pilot, but you did get to fly planes AND heliocopters for LAPD -- what an adventure that must have been. Crime and crashes! Good to hear you've been married SOOO long and have a daughter and grandkids -- don't think I'll ever get any grandkids! Life just happens -- the path you have taken sounds healthy, fulfilling and exciting. See you at the 50th event with my third husband! Love to you my friend,
Chris Van Laar -- Prom Queen to your King"
Chris Van Laar -- Prom Queen to your King"
Good Buddy! Thanks for the run down on your military/LAPD/college saga. I knew some bits and pieces but now I’ve got the whole scoop. I’m sure you made a much better cop than you would have made a soldier, if you get my meaning. Makes me glad I kept my student deferment up to snuff, and then the draft lottery saved my ass on December 1, 1969 (I drew 326 out of 365). It’s been great to touch base with you every few years over the decades. Thanks for being a long-time friend. It’ll be great to see you and Cindy again.
Kirk Lamb
Kirk Lamb