Sheptalk

Forum Topic
Hammond Indiana

Subject	Message	Replies
Mr. R. Date: 08-15-2009 By: MrRazz	This is my first post...been sitting in the wings. Ran across this site over a year ago and found it most facinating and have so enjoyed remincing. I grew up in Hessville and have many fond memories of the area. Actually started out at James Whitcomb Riley Elementary School until 3rd Grade when we moved to Hessville. Graduated from Harding Jr. High in 1963...don't know if that was the last class in the old "fire trap". Graduated from the"old" Morton High in 1967. Was that the last year before they moved to the new school? As some of you may remember, my dad taught biology and zoology at Morton. I'm sure that name..."Mr. R"...struck fear into some hearts and maybe brings good memories to others (but I know he had good thoughts of many of you). I had him for some classes myself...big mistake. I have recognized a lot of the names posting here...former students of my dad's and classmates. Must admit that I had to get the old Top Hat's out, (which some of you made some marvelous contributions to), to recollect. Now that my mom and dad are gone, I don't get back there much, so this site has helped keep me in touch and brought back so many memories...many happy, some sad, but still and always a place in my heart, a part of my life, and something I'll always reflect on. My accolades to all of you for keeping Shep, Hessville, Hammond, and those great memories alive through this forum. I think back to the play, "Our Town" (my first exposure...Mr. Edwards's or was it Ms. Virden's class at Morton)and everything is significant...it all plays a part in making up this wonderful existence...Illinois Ave, Hessville, Hammond, Indiana, United States of America, North America, the earth, the universe... Little Brother of Two, Tim	8

Replies

Date	Member	Message
08-16-2009 ( Reply#: 3586 )	Jim R	Yes, your class was the last to graduate from the old Morton. The summer after your graduation was when they demolished the wooden Harding. The following fall was the start of the 7th and 8th grades in the old Morton and the start of classes in the new Morton. Your parents lived on Illinois Ave, I lived on Idaho Ave. I used to deliver the Chicago paper to your parents around 1967/68. My younger brother took over the paper route and would occasionally do things like put about a hundred rubberbands on your dad's paper. Edit: Forgot to mention, my father was your postman on Illinois Ave. Harding K thru 7 Morton 8 thru 12 Class of 1972
08-16-2009 ( Reply#: 3589 )	Bill Bucko	Mr. Julian Rasmussen was my favorite High School teacher, by far. He was totally kind, caring, fair ... I can't understand why you write he "struck fear into some hearts." The only thing unpleasant about his classes was the overpowering formaldehyde smell from the dogfish sharks he had us dissect. Oh, and I suppose many disliked/dreaded the task of "pithing" a frog (destroying its cerebrum with a probe, prior to vivisection). I remember his practical exams, in which we moved from microscope to specimen, and answered questions about what we were seeing. He sponsored the Photography Club ... I remember that forbidden sanctum behind the back room of his classroom, with the red light over the door ... Ken (wvcogs on this Forum) took lots of yearbook photos under his guidance, around 1960. Mr. R also co-sponsored the Music Appreciation Club, and sold me my first stereo component system for $ 10 ... coming to my home to help set it up. I had a record of Wagner's "The Valkyrie" but I'm afraid instead I shocked poor Mr. R by testing the system with The Rolling Stones' "Out of Our Head" LP. I knew your big brother, Dave--a good, honest guy. Hope he's ok. Mr. Rasmussen was a very fine man. He is definitely not forgotten. We still remember him fondly. Bill Warren G. Harding Class of '63
08-16-2009 ( Reply#: 3592 )	wvcogs	My God, it is Tim Rasmussen. HELLO Tim!!! It's great to hear from you. Your Dad was one of my favorite persons of all time. To me, he was much more than a teacher, he was a friend. I never took a biology class, but was in the Photo Club for three school years (1957-1960) and spent a lot of time in what Bill referred to as that "forbidden sanctum behind the back room of his classroom, with the red light over the door." By the way folks, the red light just meant that we were developing film or printing pictures and the door had to remain shut. And, it did keep he from having any study halls for three years. I spent many hours at your home (that's 6625 Illinois for everyone else on the forum); had dinner with your family; and used the darkroom your Dad had converted from a closet. Even before 1960 he had something rigged up with a timer so he could record programs off the classical music stations in Chicago. The last time I saw your Dad was not in person, but on television on a PBS program, I believe, about the Galapagos Islands in the late 1980s. It may have been "Nature," but it seems he was there as part of a tour group and was interviewed briefly as part of the show. Somewhere in my collection I have a tape of that show and probably should transfer it to DVD hoping it hasn't deteriorated too badly by now. Please stay around and continue in the discussions on the forum. Ken O'Neal MHS 1960
08-16-2009 ( Reply#: 3593 )	wvcogs	Here's a picture of Mr. R. at work. No, it's not one of him teaching Biology. It's one of him taking a picture, probably for use in the Hessvillite. The photo was printed in the November-December 2008 issue of the Hammond Historical Society newsletter and is from the Times negative collection of November 1958. That's his back in the foreground while he's taking the picture of Santa. Mr. R. is in his classic pose focusing the old 4" x 5" Speed Graphic. Across Kennedy Avenue are the Hessville Department Store on the left and Vierk's Furniture on the right. Ken [url="http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/wvcogs72/Christmas1958.jpg"]Christmas 1958[/url]
08-16-2009 ( Reply#: 3595 )	Tom J	Tim: I'm so glad that you have begun posting. Welcome to Sheptalk (even though you have been here for a year). I'm an "outsider," since I come from a different part of Hammond, not Hessville. I still enjoy all the reminiscing that goes on in here among the Hessvillites. Tom
10-10-2009 ( Reply#: 3841 )	MrRazz	Sorry it's been so long since I've gotten back here. I do want to thank you all for the warm welcome and the kind words about my father. The biggest joy of his life was teaching and even towards the end of his life when he was suffering from Alzheimers, he was still doing what he loved...teaching. Though his students were no longer there, in his mind they were, and he was still in the classroom with them. Ken, I remember you and your wonderful wife, Judy, so well, and the times you spent at our home. Though you were older, I enjoyed your visits as well as my dad and mom did. He was very proud of your great accomplishments in photography, and your talents are evident in your many contributions to the "Top Hat" and photos you have posted here. He was equally awed with Judy's interest and intellectual aptitude and abilities in the biological and zoological sciences. And Bill, I do remember you too hanging around the lab at the old Morton. I used to hang around up there after school waiting on Dad to finish up the day, so I could catch a ride...often decided to walk home, as he couldn't tear himself away from the joy of his life. My first frog pithing was traumatic for me, and I never became adept at it, nor did I want to. My brother, Dave, is doing great and has been a successful plastic surgeon for the 30 years. We listened to alot of classical music in my youth...not by choice...but Dad did allow me to introduce him to the other side one in awhile. Jim, I remember your dad being our mailman, and I and my brother both delivered the Hammond Times for several years on Kansas, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, & Grand...lots of memories and experiences there. My brother sent me a picture of the Hill's Agency a few years ago, calling it the local "sweat shop". Tom, though you are not from Hessville, I have really enjoyed your posts about the rest of Hammond and especially downtown area. My Mom retired from the Calumet National Bank downtown...took the bus to and from work everyday for many years. I spent alot of time shopping around down there...Minas, Goldblatts, Fox Men's Store (felt really cool when I got something from there), that neat hardware store down the street that was crammed full of everything, National Tea Grocery Store and a Chinese restuarant near it with the best Chop Suey I've ever had, going downtown to get White Castles on my brother's Cushman Eagle...wrecked once & broke a leg. Used to get half soles on my shoes in a little shop across the tracks...I remember the great smell and the kindly gentleman who put them on for me. Thanks again for continuing to bring back alot of memories...I will be here often...I think I am addicted.
10-11-2009 ( Reply#: 3843 )	Tom J	Hey, Mr. Razz, glad to hear from you again. Please DO stick around and help us conjure up those cob web covered memories that we all have somewhere in the attics of our minds. Tom
11-01-2009 ( Reply#: 3881 )	Jim Plummer	I would also say Mr. R was my favorite teacher. I never had him for biology but 2 years of photo club. He really made you feel like one of the family. I first heard Joan Baez on his home stereo. Tim, I wish you would let us know what you are doing these days. Everytime I meet a Rasmussen, I always ask if they are related.