When I first went to work for Mr. Topper....

Back in those days, employees always referred to their bosses and called them by the formal name. Dick was Mr. Topper to me and I would never have considered calling him Richard or Dick. I can remember my interview and it's a wonder that I came across in any positive manner at all, considering how badly I wanted the other job with the diving company ( contacts for John), but I couldn't wait for the man to return from his vacation, so accepted the position when offered with Motel 6. I can remember that during the interview Dick asked me how I would respond to a letter he had received - giving me an idea of what he wanted to say. How I passed this part I have no idea, as I was not then nor have ever been good at coming up with 'composition' in my head. I am much better with a keyboard under my fingers where my thoughts can run free while the fingers just do the mechanics. I've also found out about myself is that if I want to write a speech (or a blog), or an important letter or instruction, I first 'write' it in my mind. I end up with a firm plan of what I want to say, then can run with it when I get to the typewriter (or computer now). So I know I mumble-fumbled my way through an answer for him - but apparently it was good enough.

Dick was gone pretty well most of the time the first couple of weeks I worked there and my training came from a gal called Terry (I think) who showed me how to process the daily reports when they came in and how to balance them and confirm the deposits etc. The job grew from there as I worked side by side with Dick in the same office. The two strongest impressions I formed about him were that he was (a) brilliant and (b) a little vulgar at times for my taste. I tried to take care of the latter once, but that went over like a lead balloon and if I had not needed the job so badly, or been such a wimp in those days, I might have quit. BUT, brilliant he was - his ability to handle all the responsibilities, problems, pressures was quite awesome, and it was fun to watch him take care of the major overall problem of Motel 6 growing too fast, constantly running out of money on the construction and expecting Operations to take up the slack. It seemed that Dick spent half his time, calming down the unpaid suppliers, making deals with them and basically keeping Motel 6 going. It's the behind the scenes story that will never be known about that 'household word' now. I admired his creativity also - always coming up with new ideas and ways to attack different problems.

We eventually were moved out of our joint office and Dick was given an office by himself and I had a separate reception area just outside. This was the view from the window - you can see the clock on the Santa Barbara courthouse. At five o clock each evening, Dick and I along with receptionist Mary would meet after every one else had left and have a cup of coffee together and just relax and talk. Along with the admiration for the brain, came the liking of the person and his outlooks and philosophies. We became good friends. Any of you who have been in my house and noticed the first cross-stitch I ever did, you will see it is of the Santa Barbara courthouse, the clock is set at 5pm.

Dick did many favors for John and I - gave John a job when the abalone adventure was over, made it possible for us to move into a house instead of the studio we rented. He was (and is) a good man. I remember one Christmas he took some groceries and dropped them off at Terry's doorstep. She was having a rough time then and she never knew where it came from.

Over time, I learned to admire the boss, enjoy the friend, and love the man.