John Heim, Whitney Portman, and Casey Rust
Recorded
April 2, 2022
Archived
April 2, 2022
44:37 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
atl004612
Description
Sisters, Whitney Robertson Portman [no age given] and Casey Rust [no age given], have a conversation with their grandfather, John "Joe" Heim [no age given], about his life growing up in Delaware. Other topics include his military service, education and career.Subject Log / Time Code
Joe Heim [no age given] talks about growing up in a blue collar area of Delaware. He remembers people walking to work in the factories.
Joe says he loved his childhood so much he didn't want to grow up. He talks about the Great Depression affecting everyone.
Joe says he and his friends would make money by finding junk to sell to the junk dealer.
Joe remembers his original group of 6 friends from childhood.
Joe says he met his future wife, Gwennie, at a school dance in 11th grade. He says they lived in different neighborhoods.
Joe says he was 15 when he first told Gwennie he would marry her. He says Gwennie did date someone else while he was in the military.
Joe says in order to go to college he took additional high school classes as a veteran. He says he was dating a girl named Margaret.
Joe remembers getting back together with Gwennie.
Joe says he was a junior in college when he proposed to Gwennie. He remembers proposing in a field near her house.
Joe remembers enlisting in the Navy. He says he was sent to Sampson Naval Training Station in New York.
Joe talks about Gwennie dying young, when she was 62 years old. He says he never thought he'd date anyone else.
Joe remembers going to prom with Gwennie. He says he had 50 cents in his pocket, and she wanted an ice cream sundae which cost a quarter.
Joe talks about teaching school and becoming a parent.
Joe shares early memories of granddaughters Whitney Robertson Portman [no age given] and Casey Rust [no age given].
Joe says Casey was always kind; he could always count on her - she had his back. Joe says how much he loves Whitney and Casey. He says their feet smell and laughs. He says how proud he is of them.
Joe talks about the importance of being passionate about your work. He talks about his own passion for teaching.
Joe says his favorite subject to teach was child development. He says he taught at West Chester University.
Joe says other than his family, he is most proud of coaching undefeated teams in 2 sports in the same year. He says the sports were basketball and baseball, both of which he played in college.
Joe says he wants to be remembered as a good husband and father.
Joe says he is grateful for the GI Bill of Rights.
Joe talks about his experience with the Teacher's College at Columbia University. He says he was selling life insurance at the time and that he was not willing to live on campus.
Joe says he learned honesty from his parents, his father in particular.
Joe says he would tell his younger self to be prepared, be enthusiastic and know your field. He talks about out working everybody.
Joe says he regrets not moving to Florida earlier in life. He remembers commuting 100 miles a day for 20 years to work in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Joe remembers a friend who was in her 80s, whose family told him not to call her.
Joe says his motto is be good to yourself. He says this can be hard to do.
Joe says the greatest thing about having grandchildren is having them. He says he now has 3 great grandchildren.
Participants
- John Heim
- Whitney Portman
- Casey Rust