It was June of 1963. I had just graduated from Marquette University with a mechanical engineering degree. My last semester had included interviews with several companies needing engineers. I interviewed with two companies. United Technologies of Hartford, Conn. offered me $630/month and would pay expenses to move east. Allis-Chalmers was a conglomerate headquartered in Milwaukee and they offered $570/month with a guaranteed increase to $600 after 6 months. Your mom and I chose Allis-Chalmers because it closer to "home".
Debbie was closing in on 3 years of age and Kelly was about 1.5 years old. Allis Chalmers moved us to Milwaukee and I remember the tears as we left Nana and Grampa's comfortable home in Plymouth. Rent was $110 per month and it turned out to be a rental from hell. The landlords lived upstairs and never had any kids. Noise was an issue and we were afraid the kids would do something to screw up their perfect yard. We moved 3 months later to a different apartment paying $120 per month. Remember I was only making $570 per month before taxes.
We had one car. It was paid for. It burned oil. It had the gearship housing riveted together because it had cracked. It would have to do.
We owed $750 for a carpet we bought before any moving. Monthly payments were involved.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Grasshopper No. 3 was on the way. He would be born Feb. 7, 1964, 7 months after I started at Allis-Chalmers. Wouldn't you know that he was not covered by insurance because I had to be at Allis-Chalmers 9 months to qualify for coverage of a birth. I had to take out a bank loan to pay the hospital and doctor bill. More montly payments. I had raised my salary to $600 per month before taxes.
Then our TV crapped out. I didn't have the $225 to pay for a new black and white set so I took out another 2-year loan for about $15/month so we had some entertainment.
Then in the summer, the car (a 1956 Nash) died. I was across from a filling station when death occured. We pushed it into a stall at the station and determined it was worn out. They offered to sell it to a junk yard for $25 dollars. The next day I bought a 1963 Chevrolet Impala. It was 2 years old and I agreed to another 3 year loan with monthly payments. I was still making $600/month.
Your mom had $5 discretionary allowance. I had $5 discretionary.
And then, your mom called one day at the office and said that we had to meet with our dentist, Dr. Ney. He disclosed that many of the fillings in you Mom's mouth were decaying underneath because they had been improperly years before. There were 29 fillings that had to be replaced and the bill was around $2000. He wanted us to sign a contract to pay for the new fillings. It was about 2 years, monthly payments. Remember I was making $600/month.
I remember thinking after the "tooth fairy" defecated on our parade "what other anchor can you throw me"?
Well slowly as my salary increased to $830/month by 1967 and with some creative financing of my occassional expense account, things eased a little but we wanted a house and the things that were promised by the good life. When we moved to Sheboygan in October 1967, I was offered $900/month and through brutal cash management, had accumulated about $2,000. It would be enough to make a 10% downpayment on a large old home on St. Claire Avenue in Sheboygan that we purchased for $17,000. We were still counting pennies and had just commited to a monthly mortgage including insurance.
It wasn't until 1971 when Vollrath made me Director of Purchasing that things began to ease a little. That was almost 8 years since I started at Allis-Chalmers. Somehow we survived very difficult years and opportunity was always around the corner.
I wouldn't trade those early years for anything. You mom complained about always being broke but somehow we made it and she remained a "stay at home mom". Lack of money heightened enjoyment of family outings. Simple things seemed the order of the day.
So as the holiday season approaches, reach out and hug the ones most precious to you. It is the only thing that matters in this life. And then believe. Life will offer many chances to grab the brass ring. When it does, grab it with gusto.
Love,
Dad
Thank You
I BELIEVE! I BELIEVE!!! :)