(04-29-2018 10:29 PM)THRILL Wrote:  I looked for him at today's game and was gonna inquire.

Prayers for Gerry and the family, he needs to get back to the game so he can give me grief
I know he keeps up with us on the Board.

Love ya Gerry, get well soon

(05-04-2018 12:24 PM)Steven Herce Wrote:  Gerry was my first boss. I worked for him for two summers in high school. We were the summer maintenance crew at our high school. He called us his "Yard Dogs". Every once in a while he would make a point of calling me a "Yard Dog" when I would see him at games or Rice functions.

Rest in peace Gerry.

(05-05-2018 09:31 AM)Minnewaska Owl Wrote:  Along with Thrill, I spent many days and nights visiting with Gerry in Section F during Rice baseball games. The think I loved about guys like Gerry, was getting to listen to their sports stories from past eras. A couple years back we lost one of our close Section F buddies, Howard Feldman. Howard was originally from Philadelphia, but like many Rice fans, adopted the Owls as his favorite team. Howard used to share stories from when he followed the Phillies as a kid, and got to see Jackie Robinson play. I thought that was pretty neat.

Besides being an usher at baseball games, Gerry attended just about every Rice sporting event - for the men and women. I often sat next to him during women's volleyball matches. Truly a fascinating guy. For a while his family lived in New York City in the 50's. He shared many stories about attending Yankee, Giant and Dodger baseball games - back when New York was the center of the baseball world.

One of the last times I visited with Gerry he reminisced about his days coaching at St. Thomas High School. Apparently back then (in the 70's), there was a lot of pressure on faculty to coach multiple sports teams (in reality, because they were short on coaches). As a result, for a while Gerry was the St. Thomas men's tennis coach. One year he only had one player. Gerry's job was to essentially drive the guy to the various tournaments. He shared that this particular player was actually quite good, and one time made it to the final 16 at Wimbledon. Well, now he had my interest, so I asked what his name was. It was Nduka Odizar (i.e. "The Duke"). Back when I attended Rice - in the late 70's/early 80's, "The Duke" was one of the best players in the SWC. He was UH's number 1 player, and was almost unbeatable. I still remember the day when Rocky Royer, Rice's #1 player and fellow Loveteer, upset The Duke in a dual match at Rice. In those days, that was a big deal.

We'll miss you Gerry. I loved visiting with you, and will miss your wonderful stories.

(05-05-2018 09:58 AM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  

(05-05-2018 09:31 AM)Minnewaska Owl Wrote:  Along with Thrill, I spent many days and nights visiting with Gerry in Section F during Rice baseball games. The think I loved about guys like Gerry, was getting to listen to their sports stories from past eras. A couple years back we lost one of our close Section F buddies, Howard Feldman. Howard was originally from Philadelphia, but like many Rice fans, adopted the Owls as his favorite team. Howard used to share stories from when he followed the Phillies as a kid, and got to see Jackie Robinson play. I thought that was pretty neat.

Besides being an usher at baseball games, Gerry attended just about every Rice sporting event - for the men and women. I often sat next to him during women's volleyball matches. Truly a fascinating guy. For a while his family lived in New York City in the 50's. He shared many stories about attending Yankee, Giant and Dodger baseball games - back when New York was the center of the baseball world.

One of the last times I visited with Gerry he reminisced about his days coaching at St. Thomas High School. Apparently back then (in the 70's), there was a lot of pressure on faculty to coach multiple sports teams (in reality, because they were short on coaches). As a result, for a while Gerry was the St. Thomas men's tennis coach. One year he only had one player. Gerry's job was to essentially drive the guy to the various tournaments. He shared that this particular player was actually quite good, and one time made it to the final 16 at Wimbledon. Well, now he had my interest, so I asked what his name was. It was Nduka Odizar (i.e. "The Duke"). Back when I attended Rice - in the late 70's/early 80's, "The Duke" was one of the best players in the SWC. He was UH's number 1 player, and was almost unbeatable. I still remember the day when Rocky Royer, Rice's #1 player and fellow Loveteer, upset The Duke in a dual match at Rice. In those days, that was a big deal.

We'll miss you Gerry. I loved visiting with you, and will miss your wonderful stories.

I won't hijack this thread, but someday we must have a thread dedicated to Rocky Royer stories.