Hello, my name is Ron and I am an Alumnus from the second Civil Engineering class from the University of Waterloo.
I was part of the co-op program at Waterloo and the schedule was great because it allowed me to play varsity football. My work terms allowed me to live in many different places and one winter work term landed me in Sudbury which was not the best climate for my MG sports car.
During my time with the university in 1958-1963 there were no student residences - just private homeowners who took in students. I lived in some interesting homes. One term I lived in a place where our fridge was the stairs to the attic and at another home we had four sports cars and a motorcycle. Phillip Street had no houses or businesses. Guess what it was used for?
University of Waterloo Structural Civil Engineering prof Doug Wright (later Dean), Football coach and Head of Athletics Carl Totzke and Manager of Co-Op Bert Barber, greatly helped my transition from Banting Memorial High School to my five years at the University of Waterloo including the work terms and final job position.
The Chemistry Building was one of the permanent structures in 1963. Many of our classes were in this Annex and similar ones. E & E Seegmiller donated these facilities. They had been bunk houses in the construction of Highway 115.
Now I will be coming back after 50 years to campus to take part in the 2013 Reunion. Some of the events for the 50th year Engineering graduating class include:
- Friday-Iron Ring Ceremony and Dinner
- A small group of 1963 grads to reconnect, relive our Waterloo days and meet the wives.
- Saturday - a football game will bring back memories of bus trips, and barracks at RMC, Kingston
- Dinner - same as Iron Ring plus lots of nostalgia provided by the University
- Sunday - brunch - likely a smaller group - same as Iron Ring
Come back to where it all began to share stories of our journeys and reminisce about the past... while
If you don't come looking for us, we'll come looking for you.