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Today's Featured Biography

 
Robert Dultz

During our Senior Year at LAHS I was blessed with some things that most guys (Athletes) would have given anything for. (Could have said something different that would probably describe it better) I was interviewed by Stanford University for a football scholarship (didn’t quite make their grade expectation), offered a scholarship to the University of New Mexico, which I accepted, and then asked to play for the Dodger Rookies Baseball Team, which I didn’t accept. That was probably one of the dumbest things I ever did because after graduation I played in a High School All Star football game in San Diego . It was sponsored by the Breitbard Athletic Foundation and it matched up the teams between the Los Angeles City All Stars and the San Diego All Stars. It was a great experience and a great game until the last minute when I got hurt. I had my leg mangled and that was it for my football career.
After recovering from the injury I turned to what I thought was my best sport (Baseball) and pursued the Dodgers but was rejected by them. (They got even with me) I then went to Arizona and was a walk on with the Cubs, Giants, and Indians, but I ran like a pregnant woman and was rejected by all. SAD!
So, off to the Service I went, from 1962 thru 1966. I was stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego where I specialized in Aviation Electronics. Then came Guantanamo Bay and the activation of all Fighter Squadrons on the West Coast. For two weeks I slept on the wing of a fully armed F4H Phantom Jet Aircraft, ready to jump into the back seat and take off for Cuba but, fortunately, we weren’t needed.
I also played baseball while in the Service and was asked to represent the 11th Naval District as a player in the 1964 Summer Olympics. At that time, baseball was not a medal sport as it is today.
So you think I made some dumb mistakes that I talked about before, well, I turned this opportunity down as well because I didn’t want to extend my stay in the Navy for six more years.
After the Service I was married and had two children. After the children there was the divorce. After the divorce came six grandchildren. Not the best time of my life. Long story but I’m sure some of you can relate.
After all my poor decisions I had made, I followed in the footsteps of my Grandfather and got into the Electrical Apprenticeship Program in Los Angeles, became a General Foreman and Project Manager, ran some very large jobs, not only in Los Angeles, but in Miami Florida, Santa Clara Calif. and San Francisco. I got my Electrical Contractors License, worked as a Consultant in the Telecom/Data Field, etc, etc.(1966 thru 2008)
But, at the beginning of my career I had one more chance to make it with the Dodgers. I did some work for Sandy Koufax at his house in Studio City and he got me another try out with the Dodgers. He even drove me to the field, but, Tommy Lasorda had enough of me. It was a long drive home! I always wanted to thank Coach Jim Pendleton for helping me get ready for that try out. Anyone know where he is?
In 1975, I met my present wife Marsha at a little league field . Where else? She had two young children which I raised from that time forward. So far, there are three grandchildren with more to come. Bart, age 41, has two Masters and a EDD and is the President of a Private University in Phoenix , while Stacy, at the age of 39 is finally getting her degree at San Diego State College. Bart has three kids, Stacy is still trying. Bart also counsels professional athletes trying to get them out of their “slumps”.
In 1999, we moved from Los Angeles to Cave Creek , Arizona to be close to the kids. Sold my house in Ventura County just before the boom, but have no regrets.(Just remember, it’s “dry heat” here!!)
We spend a lot of time with the Grandkids!!!! What else is there?
My interests have always been sports but Marsha and I enjoy traveling. We have a Time Share in Mazatlan Mexico which we bought while on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera a few years ago. Great place, but don’t drink the water. Our vacations are usually with the kids and Grandkids, so our trips are usually tailored for them. I never had that when I was young so I’m enjoying it now.
In January of 2005 I had a heart attack which forced me to slow down and take another look at life and what’s really important.
I fully retired last year but I keep busy playing the stock market and working my investments here in Arizona and Nevada . Marsha is still working. (Yeah Marsha!!)
I have remained close friends with Ben Gehrman and Steve Avery. Ben still lives in California and Steve is a Snowbird, living part of the time in Chicago and the rest in Scottsdale . I have also been in contact with Joe Hooven and Barry Rosenberg.
I look forward to our 50th. Reunion and visiting with old friends, and I do mean old.

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