Richard Bogg ’56: “Take The Hardest Courses You Can Handle”

Delta Chi was small and not very significant compared with the larger fraternities.  It was in a great location.  But I got life-long friends from Delta Chi and one can hardly top that.  I do recall a group of us cleaning up after a pledge formal and pretending that we were management and labor and in-conflict.   Unions were powerful in those days and I recall several of us listening to a radio program which we called, “Labor screws the news.”   I lived in the house for three years.  The first year I roomed with Bob Weir ’57 and for the next two years my roommate was Tom French ‘57, who recalls the disadvantages of competing with New York students from high schools that were first rate.  His was rural and mine was suburban and not much better.

Besides Tom, I have kept in touch with Bill Cortright ‘54, John Jenkins ‘57 and Bob Stekenas ‘55.  They all live far away but I have been able to visit the first three, Tom several times.

I got my BBA and a Master’s in Hospital Administration which I consider little better than a skilled trade.  I was unemployable until I got my Ph.D. in Medical Care Organization which fortunately was almost like a degree in sociology.  I had a dance band just before rock came along and John Jenkins ’57 played trumpet and the late Russ Jack ’57 played sax.  Summer jobs in Detroit paid well and with the dance band earnings I was able to attend the University of Exeter in England and visit the continent twice, skiing in Switzerland and visiting the World’s Fair in Brussels.  Years later, Ball State provided six months of teaching service people in Germany and  I was able to travel as far north as Sweden during breaks.  The Eifel tower was neat and I got photos from each of the three levels. 

My second wife Nancy helped me acquire two mixed race daughters and then lost interest in them and me.  I now have seven grandchildren of all colors.  Seventeen year old Sydney did a near perfect copy of American Gothic and I suggested that for a price she try impressionism.  I now have a marvelous copy of a Monet pond and she is working Monet’s bridge painting.

During my 70’s I commissioned a steel trawler and did very canal and navigable lake in New York and Northeast Canada.  Boating is adventurous.  Fortunately the boat has been sold.

I heat with wood and my forest which I grew provides me with firewood.  I guess my hobby is collecting, sawing and splitting wood.

I just beat my dad in longevity but not having ever smoked I avoided dementia and blindness

At Ball State, Department of Sociology for 26 years, I only missed four days due to the flu.  With a former student we studied drinking in hillbilly bars in Muncie and got lots of publicity including an interview on CNN.  I also got on NPR and an interview with disc jockey in Adelaide, Australia.  I published two articles on the psychopathic construct and an article on Byronic Heroes which answers the question: Why do nice girls like bad boys?

In my second marriage I acquired a two and a half year old psychopath.  He is now more conventional than me but it did take plenty of effort — well worth it.

My biggest regret is not taking more algebra courses in high school.  It would have helped me stagger through statistics courses later on.

My advice: take the hardest courses you can handle.

Tom Michalski ’56 mentioned my putting new shingles on the house as “D” at the 50^th reunion in 2006.  I don’t remember where the money came from.  Thanks, Tom.

I’ve been retired for almost 20 years and although I am playing the stock market successfully I haven’t the foggiest notion what career advice to recommend.

I do have a companion, Peggy, who is very pretty, and it sure beats living alone.

Phone – 765-759-7245

880 South County Rd.  900 West

Daleville, IN 47334-8601