[Texascavers] Harry Walker - part 4
Jim Mclane was kind enough to do a write up on Harry Walker I Remember Harry Walker Jim McLane, Houston Texas, Dec. 17, 2008 Last week's death of Harry Walker in Dickinson Texas caused me to reflect on my long association with that remarkable caver. I first met Harry in the 1960s. I think the occasion was probably a gathering of cavers at the Houston apartment of Tommy Knox, in the Villa Monterrey near the Gulf Freeway at the Monroe exit. That place was later torn down and the slab reused to build hotel. Tommy worked nearby in Clear Lake for Lockheed. I remember that Tommy had a really huge cave pearl that he'd collected in Gruta del Palmito, Bustamante and sectioned on a rock saw to display the internal banding. Other local cavers who met at Tommy's place included Dwaine Dickey, Mike Connolly and Charles Fromen. There was a little caving club out in Clear Lake led by Ken Griffin. It was made up exclusively of employees of TRW, a NASA contractor. Once I encountered them camping in the Rio Sabinas canyon near Bustamante, roasting chestnuts on an open fire! There were very few active cavers in Houston at that time. Starting in 1964 Charles Fromen, Mike Connolly and I regularly went on trips. In 1968 I was contacted by Don Broussard and David Honea, undergraduate physics students at the University of Houston. They wanted to visit a big Mexican pit so I took them down to Huitzmolititla near Xilitla. No large scale organized caving existed in Houston until Rice PhD candidate Barry Beck persuaded the Rice Geology Department to sponsor a club. Barry also served as the "advisor" to a Boy Scout Explorer post. He took me along on trips with the Scouts so there would be another "adult" present. Basically the Boy Scouts would subsidize Barry's caving. He would sell his blood to have spending money right before a trip so he often looked pale and anemic! His wife Patty packed him a mayonnaise jar of alcoholic Mai Tai mixed drinks to help him recover after coming out of the caves. This was especially welcome in the cold winter! Barry would borrow a big Chevy Carry-All truck from Rice, fill it with Explorer Scouts and we would go caving in Comal County. Finally some other serious cavers showed up at Rice including Paul Boyer and Roger Moore. The Rice Grotto was formed and became very successful. Harry Walker started caving with the Rice folks. Since he was born in 1921, he was a lot older than everyone else, but he was enthusiastic and physically fit, and his scientific credentials added an aura of respectability to our caving trips. Back then cavers had long hair and wore hippie attire so Harry really improved our appearance and helped with public acceptance. I think he might have taken part in a Rice Grotto trip to Indian Creek Cave near Uvalde and he might have also gone on some of our several trips to West Texas caves near Junction. I have some good photos of Harry and a British caver out at the Valdina Farms sinkhole Besides caving, he loved mountain climbing and white water canoeing and often persuaded cavers to accompany him on trips. Charles Fromen made many expeditions with him. Harry didn't go in for too much high tech stuff and I seem to remember how I was astonished to see photos of his pack on the summit of the Grand Tetons with the handle of a very heavy cast iron frying pan sticking out! One time Harry went on an expedition with friends into the Sierra Del Carmine in Mexico. This is a remote cluster of largely unexplored mountains south of Big Bend National Park. It's very rough country. They hired burros to carry water and one of the poor creatures fell off the mountain to its death. Harry was a great mountain climber. He topped all the major peaks in the lower 48 and even when he was in his 60's he climbed the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. He went to Alaska and climbed a remote mountain that nobody had been on before just so he could be allowed to formally name the place "Mount Dorothy" after his wife. He traveled to interesting places including a boat trip to Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America. Harry was a PhD scientist. In the 1980's there was a downturn in the oil and gas business and he "retired" from Monsanto in Texas City. He wrote a computer program that would run on a PC to predict the spread of a plume of gas if there was an accidental release in a refinery or petrochemical plant upset. This was a computationally intensive task and I remember he said his 386 computer (the fastest that one could buy back then) took a half a day of number crunching to generate the answers. Consulting on plume spread predictions made Harry lots of money in his "retirement." He consulted with my wife's company "Applied Meteorology" and was good friends with the company's owner, the brilliant one–eyed weatherman "Book" Hathorn. For many years Harry would enter climbing contests at the TSA Conventions and other get-togethers. He was a
[Texascavers] Harry Walker--p 2, more
At 07:31 PM 12/11/2008, David wrote: I forgot to mention that he climbed the Matterhorn. He also accompanied us in 1977 on the first through trip of the Purificacíon System, a 21 hour trip--at the age of 56. --Ediger - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Harry Walker - part 2
Mountain Climbing , Caving and Canoeing...Harry did it all!! Preston in Outer Browder - Original Message - From: "David" To: "Texascavers Mailing List" ; "Emily McGowan" Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:31 PM Subject: [Texascavers] Harry Walker - part 2 Harry's obituary has already appeared on-line. http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7be4776ef852dbd6&-session=TheDailyNews:C6401EC11d9142ED67sOY28770F1 I forgot to mention that he climbed the Matterhorn. I recall that one of his acheivements was canoeing a nearly virgin river thru the Sierra Madres. It was somewhere around Valles and fed into the Rio Tamuin.I think that was in the 70's. His group did that without much information. They didn't have Google Earth, or GPS. I don't even think they had reliable topo maps. If someone knows what grotto he was in back in Virginia in the 1940's, then they might be interested in hearing more about Harry. I only got to know his wife after the hurricane, so someone who knows her better than me should probably contact her for more caving information about Harry. David - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.16/1843 - Release Date: 12/11/2008 8:36 AM - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Harry Walker - part 2
Harry's obituary has already appeared on-line. http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=7be4776ef852dbd6&-session=TheDailyNews:C6401EC11d9142ED67sOY28770F1 I forgot to mention that he climbed the Matterhorn. I recall that one of his acheivements was canoeing a nearly virgin river thru the Sierra Madres. It was somewhere around Valles and fed into the Rio Tamuin.I think that was in the 70's. His group did that without much information. They didn't have Google Earth, or GPS. I don't even think they had reliable topo maps. If someone knows what grotto he was in back in Virginia in the 1940's, then they might be interested in hearing more about Harry. I only got to know his wife after the hurricane, so someone who knows her better than me should probably contact her for more caving information about Harry. David - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
Re: [Texascavers] Harry Walker
I have to second Jenny Holt's thoughtful comments regarding David's post on Harry, as well as his actual help to Harry and Dorothy in the wake of Ike. David catches a bit of kidding for his posts (which do sometimes fall into the "too much information" category), but his posts on (and devotion too) Harry Walker are admirable. Incidentally, the only new Harry fact I can contribute is that he was a navigator on a bomber in the European theater during World War II. We talked about this on, I believe, the trip David organized to the unusual sandstone Gunnel Cave in East Texas. Roger In a message dated 12/11/08 01:55:01 Central Standard Time, jhol...@hotmail.com writes: Hi David, I've only met you at TCR this past year, (tuna fish sandwich), but I've been reading your posts (not the LED ones) for the past few years and think you are a very interesting person. I love that you take such an interest in the caving community and yet claim to be an armchair caver. I also admire that you took such an interest in Harry Walker. Until this last post of yours, I hadn't realized that you had known him from the past. I thought your IKE help was from knowing his previous caver status, not that you'd met and spent time with him in the past. Kudos to you! I'm sad to hear of his passing, but glad that you were there at the end to help with his hurricane dilema. You know he felt comfort and relief from your presence in that horrible time. Good luck in your job hunt and don't forget that you will be blessed for your kind deeds...eventually. (Life is tough, and then you die) A saying I remember from the 80's but not sure of actuallity! Cheers, Jenny Holt (Not to be confused with my REPUBLICAN father, Fritz) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:20:21 -0600 > From: gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org > To: dlocklea...@gmail.com; texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > David, > > Well done, > > Thanks, > > Geary > > -Original Message- > From: David [mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:05 PM > To: Texascavers Mailing List > Subject: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > I will let someone who knew Harry back in his heyday describe him. > > > I met Harry in 1989 at a Houston Grotto Meeting. He appeared to be > in his > late sixties, but he showed slide shows of recent caving trips to the > Sierra Madres. I > was very impressed with his slideshows and his enthusiasm. He was > always > inviting me to go on his trips, and I always had to turn him down, > because I couldn't > get off school or work, or it conflicted with going to the NSS > Convention. > > Harry and I did got to TCR a few times together, the last being the big > flood at > Chalk Bluff. And I tried my best to get him to go with me to the > TCR, just a few weeks ago. > > In 1998, Harry invited me on what would be his last attempt to complete > all the > 14'ers in Colorado. But he planned the trip during the Tennessee > NSS Convention, > which I was greatly looking forward to. I had to make a tough > call, as I knew > Harry was 70 something, and I would never again get the privilege of > climbing > with him. We tried Mt. Anterra, Greys Peak and Torrey's Peak. > Harry would > have made it to the top had he been with an experienced person, but I > had never > been mountain climbing and I was way too out of shape. We later went > rafting > thru Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River near Salado, Colorado. > > http://www.atraft.com/8-8-03%2017%20C3_small2.jpg > > Harry was flipped out at Snider's Suckhole and we thought he may have > drowned. > It was a very tense moment waiting for someone to find him and pull > him out of the > eddy like water. > > Harry apparently started caving in the 1940's, back east somewhere. > He had > a low NSS number. I saw him climb rope at a vertical practice > about 10 years > ago, and he did fine. I think he has been into Purificacion. > I know he climbed > Pico Candela, and that inspired me to give it a try. > > Harry's claim to fame is that he taught his nephew how to cave. His > nephew > moved to Arizona, and went caving with some other guy and found a little > hole > that they kept secret for many years called "Kartchner Caverns." I > recall Harry > talking excited about it back around 1991 or so. He also showed me > the recent > book, before I had seen it at the NSS Convention. > > Harry became an important role model in my life and I looked to him for > wisdom. > He more than anybody else, was the caver that advised me to marry my > current > wife. Had he told me to run for the hills instead, I prob
RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker
Jenny's politics (and that of her sister) fit right in with the caving fraternity's. Where did I go wrong? I love them anyway. Their Dad From: Jenny Holt [mailto:jhol...@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:55 AM To: gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org; David; texas cavers Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker Hi David, I've only met you at TCR this past year, (tuna fish sandwich), but I've been reading your posts (not the LED ones) for the past few years and think you are a very interesting person. I love that you take such an interest in the caving community and yet claim to be an armchair caver. I also admire that you took such an interest in Harry Walker. Until this last post of yours, I hadn't realized that you had known him from the past. I thought your IKE help was from knowing his previous caver status, not that you'd met and spent time with him in the past. Kudos to you! I'm sad to hear of his passing, but glad that you were there at the end to help with his hurricane dilema. You know he felt comfort and relief from your presence in that horrible time. Good luck in your job hunt and don't forget that you will be blessed for your kind deeds...eventually. (Life is tough, and then you die) A saying I remember from the 80's but not sure of actuallity! Cheers, Jenny Holt (Not to be confused with my REPUBLICAN father, Fritz) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:20:21 -0600 > From: gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org > To: dlocklea...@gmail.com; texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > David, > > Well done, > > Thanks, > > Geary > > -Original Message- > From: David [mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:05 PM > To: Texascavers Mailing List > Subject: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > I will let someone who knew Harry back in his heyday describe him. > > > I met Harry in 1989 at a Houston Grotto Meeting. He appeared to be > in his > late sixties, but he showed slide shows of recent caving trips to the > Sierra Madres. I > was very impressed with his slideshows and his enthusiasm. He was > always > inviting me to go on his trips, and I always had to turn him down, > because I couldn't > get off school or work, or it conflicted with going to the NSS > Convention. > > Harry and I did got to TCR a few times together, the last being the big > flood at > Chalk Bluff. And I tried my best to get him to go with me to the > TCR, just a few weeks ago. > > In 1998, Harry invited me on what would be his last attempt to complete > all the > 14'ers in Colorado. But he planned the trip during the Tennessee > NSS Convention, > which I was greatly looking forward to. I had to make a tough > call, as I knew > Harry was 70 something, and I would never again get the privilege of > climbing > with him. We tried Mt. Anterra, Greys Peak and Torrey's Peak. > Harry would > have made it to the top had he been with an experienced person, but I > had never > been mountain climbing and I was way too out of shape. We later went > rafting > thru Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River near Salado, Colorado. > > http://www.atraft.com/8-8-03%2017%20C3_small2.jpg > > Harry was flipped out at Snider's Suckhole and we thought he may have > drowned. > It was a very tense moment waiting for someone to find him and pull > him out of the > eddy like water. > > Harry apparently started caving in the 1940's, back east somewhere. > He had > a low NSS number. I saw him climb rope at a vertical practice > about 10 years > ago, and he did fine. I think he has been into Purificacion. > I know he climbed > Pico Candela, and that inspired me to give it a try. > > Harry's claim to fame is that he taught his nephew how to cave. His > nephew > moved to Arizona, and went caving with some other guy and found a little > hole > that they kept secret for many years called "Kartchner Caverns." I > recall Harry > talking excited about it back around 1991 or so. He also showed me > the recent > book, before I had seen it at the NSS Convention. > > Harry became an important role model in my life and I looked to him for > wisdom. > He more than anybody else, was the caver that advised me to marry my > current > wife. Had he told me to run for the hills instead, I probably would > have. And > since I have an incredibly wonderful daughter, I can only tell Harry > "thank you." > Harry based this judgement on at least 2 road-trips from Houston with > my then-girlfriend. One > to Carta Valley to go in a cave, and the other to at least one TCR ( > 2000 ? ) at > Flat Creek Ranch. > > Hurricane
RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker
Hi David, I've only met you at TCR this past year, (tuna fish sandwich), but I've been reading your posts (not the LED ones) for the past few years and think you are a very interesting person. I love that you take such an interest in the caving community and yet claim to be an armchair caver. I also admire that you took such an interest in Harry Walker. Until this last post of yours, I hadn't realized that you had known him from the past. I thought your IKE help was from knowing his previous caver status, not that you'd met and spent time with him in the past. Kudos to you! I'm sad to hear of his passing, but glad that you were there at the end to help with his hurricane dilema. You know he felt comfort and relief from your presence in that horrible time. Good luck in your job hunt and don't forget that you will be blessed for your kind deeds...eventually. (Life is tough, and then you die) A saying I remember from the 80's but not sure of actuallity! Cheers, Jenny Holt (Not to be confused with my REPUBLICAN father, Fritz) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:20:21 -0600 > From: gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org > To: dlocklea...@gmail.com; texascavers@texascavers.com > Subject: RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > David, > > Well done, > > Thanks, > > Geary > > -Original Message- > From: David [mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:05 PM > To: Texascavers Mailing List > Subject: [Texascavers] Harry Walker > > I will let someone who knew Harry back in his heyday describe him. > > > I met Harry in 1989 at a Houston Grotto Meeting. He appeared to be > in his > late sixties, but he showed slide shows of recent caving trips to the > Sierra Madres. I > was very impressed with his slideshows and his enthusiasm. He was > always > inviting me to go on his trips, and I always had to turn him down, > because I couldn't > get off school or work, or it conflicted with going to the NSS > Convention. > > Harry and I did got to TCR a few times together, the last being the big > flood at > Chalk Bluff. And I tried my best to get him to go with me to the > TCR, just a few weeks ago. > > In 1998, Harry invited me on what would be his last attempt to complete > all the > 14'ers in Colorado. But he planned the trip during the Tennessee > NSS Convention, > which I was greatly looking forward to. I had to make a tough > call, as I knew > Harry was 70 something, and I would never again get the privilege of > climbing > with him. We tried Mt. Anterra, Greys Peak and Torrey's Peak. > Harry would > have made it to the top had he been with an experienced person, but I > had never > been mountain climbing and I was way too out of shape. We later went > rafting > thru Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River near Salado, Colorado. > > http://www.atraft.com/8-8-03%2017%20C3_small2.jpg > > Harry was flipped out at Snider's Suckhole and we thought he may have > drowned. > It was a very tense moment waiting for someone to find him and pull > him out of the > eddy like water. > > Harry apparently started caving in the 1940's, back east somewhere. > He had > a low NSS number. I saw him climb rope at a vertical practice > about 10 years > ago, and he did fine. I think he has been into Purificacion. > I know he climbed > Pico Candela, and that inspired me to give it a try. > > Harry's claim to fame is that he taught his nephew how to cave. His > nephew > moved to Arizona, and went caving with some other guy and found a little > hole > that they kept secret for many years called "Kartchner Caverns."I > recall Harry > talking excited about it back around 1991 or so. He also showed me > the recent > book, before I had seen it at the NSS Convention. > > Harry became an important role model in my life and I looked to him for > wisdom. > He more than anybody else, was the caver that advised me to marry my > current > wife.Had he told me to run for the hills instead, I probably would > have.And > since I have an incredibly wonderful daughter, I can only tell Harry > "thank you." > Harry based this judgement on at least 2 road-trips from Houston with > my then-girlfriend. One > to Carta Valley to go in a cave, and the other to at least one TCR ( > 2000 ? ) at > Flat Creek Ranch. > > Hurricane Ike was a stressful event for the Walkers.I think it > really took a toll > on Harry. However, what really may have done him in was that he > lost a > whole lot of money in his retirement account these past few months. > It was > only about 4 weeks ago, that
RE: [Texascavers] Harry Walker
David, Well done, Thanks, Geary -Original Message- From: David [mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 5:05 PM To: Texascavers Mailing List Subject: [Texascavers] Harry Walker I will let someone who knew Harry back in his heyday describe him. I met Harry in 1989 at a Houston Grotto Meeting. He appeared to be in his late sixties, but he showed slide shows of recent caving trips to the Sierra Madres. I was very impressed with his slideshows and his enthusiasm. He was always inviting me to go on his trips, and I always had to turn him down, because I couldn't get off school or work, or it conflicted with going to the NSS Convention. Harry and I did got to TCR a few times together, the last being the big flood at Chalk Bluff. And I tried my best to get him to go with me to the TCR, just a few weeks ago. In 1998, Harry invited me on what would be his last attempt to complete all the 14'ers in Colorado. But he planned the trip during the Tennessee NSS Convention, which I was greatly looking forward to. I had to make a tough call, as I knew Harry was 70 something, and I would never again get the privilege of climbing with him. We tried Mt. Anterra, Greys Peak and Torrey's Peak. Harry would have made it to the top had he been with an experienced person, but I had never been mountain climbing and I was way too out of shape. We later went rafting thru Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River near Salado, Colorado. http://www.atraft.com/8-8-03%2017%20C3_small2.jpg Harry was flipped out at Snider's Suckhole and we thought he may have drowned. It was a very tense moment waiting for someone to find him and pull him out of the eddy like water. Harry apparently started caving in the 1940's, back east somewhere. He had a low NSS number. I saw him climb rope at a vertical practice about 10 years ago, and he did fine. I think he has been into Purificacion. I know he climbed Pico Candela, and that inspired me to give it a try. Harry's claim to fame is that he taught his nephew how to cave. His nephew moved to Arizona, and went caving with some other guy and found a little hole that they kept secret for many years called "Kartchner Caverns."I recall Harry talking excited about it back around 1991 or so. He also showed me the recent book, before I had seen it at the NSS Convention. Harry became an important role model in my life and I looked to him for wisdom. He more than anybody else, was the caver that advised me to marry my current wife.Had he told me to run for the hills instead, I probably would have.And since I have an incredibly wonderful daughter, I can only tell Harry "thank you." Harry based this judgement on at least 2 road-trips from Houston with my then-girlfriend. One to Carta Valley to go in a cave, and the other to at least one TCR ( 2000 ? ) at Flat Creek Ranch. Hurricane Ike was a stressful event for the Walkers.I think it really took a toll on Harry. However, what really may have done him in was that he lost a whole lot of money in his retirement account these past few months. It was only about 4 weeks ago, that he and I sat down at his dinner table and he told me with almost teary eyes that he lost a great deal of money.I can only guess that means 100,000 or more. But he was too upset to talk about it. The tone of his voice was from someone who was wiped out, not the Harry I had known for 19 years. I have been out of work for a few months, and Harry paid me to work in his yard to clean up the debris left over by Hurricane Ike. It was a real mess and he really needed someone with big chainsaws and a bobcat with claws on the front of it.Anyways, I am thankful for him paying me, as it was a big help at this time. My daughter met Harry a few times.She temporarily had a pet turtle. We named it Harry. Harry always wanted to go to Houston Grotto meetings but it was a very difficult drive for him from Dickinson. For a while, another caver, Ray Hertel, was kind enough to bring him to the meetings. I guess it has been 5 years since he was able to attend one, so none of the new cavers know him. I think Harry spent most of his working life for a company called Monsato. He may have been a chemical engineer, but I don't remember. Again, I will let someone who knew more about him, tell Harry's story. David Locklear - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Harry Walker
I will let someone who knew Harry back in his heyday describe him. I met Harry in 1989 at a Houston Grotto Meeting. He appeared to be in his late sixties, but he showed slide shows of recent caving trips to the Sierra Madres. I was very impressed with his slideshows and his enthusiasm. He was always inviting me to go on his trips, and I always had to turn him down, because I couldn't get off school or work, or it conflicted with going to the NSS Convention. Harry and I did got to TCR a few times together, the last being the big flood at Chalk Bluff. And I tried my best to get him to go with me to the TCR, just a few weeks ago. In 1998, Harry invited me on what would be his last attempt to complete all the 14'ers in Colorado. But he planned the trip during the Tennessee NSS Convention, which I was greatly looking forward to. I had to make a tough call, as I knew Harry was 70 something, and I would never again get the privilege of climbing with him. We tried Mt. Anterra, Greys Peak and Torrey's Peak. Harry would have made it to the top had he been with an experienced person, but I had never been mountain climbing and I was way too out of shape. We later went rafting thru Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River near Salado, Colorado. http://www.atraft.com/8-8-03%2017%20C3_small2.jpg Harry was flipped out at Snider's Suckhole and we thought he may have drowned. It was a very tense moment waiting for someone to find him and pull him out of the eddy like water. Harry apparently started caving in the 1940's, back east somewhere. He had a low NSS number. I saw him climb rope at a vertical practice about 10 years ago, and he did fine. I think he has been into Purificacion. I know he climbed Pico Candela, and that inspired me to give it a try. Harry's claim to fame is that he taught his nephew how to cave. His nephew moved to Arizona, and went caving with some other guy and found a little hole that they kept secret for many years called "Kartchner Caverns."I recall Harry talking excited about it back around 1991 or so. He also showed me the recent book, before I had seen it at the NSS Convention. Harry became an important role model in my life and I looked to him for wisdom. He more than anybody else, was the caver that advised me to marry my current wife.Had he told me to run for the hills instead, I probably would have.And since I have an incredibly wonderful daughter, I can only tell Harry "thank you." Harry based this judgement on at least 2 road-trips from Houston with my then-girlfriend. One to Carta Valley to go in a cave, and the other to at least one TCR ( 2000 ? ) at Flat Creek Ranch. Hurricane Ike was a stressful event for the Walkers.I think it really took a toll on Harry. However, what really may have done him in was that he lost a whole lot of money in his retirement account these past few months. It was only about 4 weeks ago, that he and I sat down at his dinner table and he told me with almost teary eyes that he lost a great deal of money.I can only guess that means 100,000 or more. But he was too upset to talk about it. The tone of his voice was from someone who was wiped out, not the Harry I had known for 19 years. I have been out of work for a few months, and Harry paid me to work in his yard to clean up the debris left over by Hurricane Ike. It was a real mess and he really needed someone with big chainsaws and a bobcat with claws on the front of it.Anyways, I am thankful for him paying me, as it was a big help at this time. My daughter met Harry a few times.She temporarily had a pet turtle.We named it Harry. Harry always wanted to go to Houston Grotto meetings but it was a very difficult drive for him from Dickinson. For a while, another caver, Ray Hertel, was kind enough to bring him to the meetings. I guess it has been 5 years since he was able to attend one, so none of the new cavers know him. I think Harry spent most of his working life for a company called Monsato. He may have been a chemical engineer, but I don't remember. Again, I will let someone who knew more about him, tell Harry's story. David Locklear - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
