Bill Webster

I graduated and 10 days later I found myself in Africa (Kenya). Everything was different, language, flora and fauna (I had majored in Biology), customs, etc. We were there during the summer of '62 and it was incredible. At one point, the chief demanded that I take a child with me home that had tagged along with me everywhere. I didn't and he demanded the shirt off my back--which I gave. I came home and tried to get jobs--only to be confronted with: "Have you served in the Military? No. When you do, let us know." So I arranged it so that I could be drafted. I was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Knox. After basic I was sent to: The Naval School of Music to be trained as a medic. Of course I had nothing to do. After some time, the Pentegon issued orders for me to go to Walter Reed Army Institute of Research--which is right behind Walter Reed Army Hospital. I worked in nuclear medicine there for my remaining time in the army.

My first weekend in D.C. I 'ran into JFK' at the Smithsonian. He was there to see the space capsule. Three of us decided to go out and stand by his car, and when he came by we saluted. He started to salute and realized he didn't have to and shook the hand of the guy next to me. That was my introduction to D.C. Later I had to run the mile in combat gear and came back and they told me he had been shot. At the time the death came over the teletype--where I saw it. I went to the funeral and saw Haile Sellase (sp?) and De Galle marching down the street.  Later, when I got out, I went on marches against the war and was at the Pentagon march--which was not represented in the news media correctly. I went to the "I've got a dream" speech. I worked at the time for Georgetown University in microbial genetics.

I later moved to Providence, R.I., because a buddy of mine in the Army lived there. I worked there for Brown University in biological sciences where we used a very early MRI--in those days you could only put a test tube in it. My boss said that one day they would put people in it.  I went to Woodstock and still have my tickets to it, since the fence was broken down and you could just walk in. I met Jimmy Hendricks and (can't remember her name now). Both who ended up suicides. At this time I became interested in Psychology and thought that I would go for a diploma in Switzerland at the Jung Institute. My father died and I took care of him at home while he died. I came back to Brown and later decided to go home. I ended up being a teacher in the inner city for some time. Later I was let go because I was the wrong color. During this time I went to a Jungian therapist by the name of Dr. Vasavada. He had studied under Carl Jung. He held a Friday night group, where we discussed many things. This reminded me of the nights spent at Dr. Benfey's. I married for the 1st time and started back to school for my Master's in Counseling. I found I liked it and was good at it. My marriage deteriorated and ended in divorce--no kids. I interned at a hospital and ended up working for them.

I remarried my current wife Regina, and we had our one son Bart, 22-1/2. We planned our own wedding and many things in the ceremony, later became interests--like drumming, healthy food. We lived in a condo on a part in Chicago that had a pond and Zoo--Indian Boundary Park. Later we moved to Skokie. Our house is by the woods--which is a green belt that goes 10 miles down into Chicago, and 10 miles up into the Chicago botanical. We have deer and coyotes going thru our 'back yard'. My wife, an engineer, started a small business in our spare bedroom and eventually expanded it to employ 35-50 people depending upon need. She was one of 6 firms to be awarded the Ohare expansion. We became very involved in Waldorf Education with our son. We also were involved with alternative medicine and Biodynamic foods. I was first introduced to those at Earlham by the German teacher and his wife. My wife also became interested in singing (Opera) and now has an agent. She just finished a gig that was a tribute to Menati, who died this year. His son came to direct.

I spent most of my career working for a Township. The clientele came from 60 mother tongues. I was able to have a very extensive externship in family therapy after I had my Master’s. This was the best. Later I was able to train interns and the team being able to create something larger than itself was a tremendous feeling. Both of us searched around and came to our spiritual group after some time and have been with it for 20 years. It is a western mystery school and studies Qabalah. Recently, our son returned home. He had been to Goucher College--in Baltimore for about 3 years and then said he couldn't take it. He was too fatigued. He did well with A's and B's, but would always have one class that he couldn't do. We begin a round of doctors that has been going on for years. It has included MRI's, Brain Specs, etc. We also went to the Mayo Clinic. We have been to psychiatrists and he has had all kinds of meds for whatever. Nothing seems to work. And his fatigue doesn't seem to go away. Lately we have had some people say that he has 'motor dyspraxia' and 'neurolorical delays'. What that means in English is that he is not able to process certain things in his brain. Very little forethought. We are just starting treatment for these things. Meanwhile. I have retired after about 28 years in the field. I am looking to new avenues, but I still have my license. Another thing that both Regina and I have become involved with is Pathways--www.pathwaysseminars.com. We find that it has helped us in relationships and moving us towards our goals. Enough for now.

With Love and Light,

Bill Webster

famlywebs@earthlink.net

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