Howard Roe
After graduation I attended Wichita State University on a football scholarship. I lettered three years in football and three years in baseball. I was fortunate to play for one of the finest baseball programs in the country with wonderful coaches in both football and baseball. Our team won the Missouri Valley Conference Football Championship my senior year and I was honored to be selected to the All-MVC Squad. I received my undergraduate degree in Secondary Education and my Master’s Degree in Personnel Management at the University. That is where I met my wife Joan and we just celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary this past June. She is a beautiful and talented person and we have two beautiful daughters ( Stephanie and Suzanne) who both live in Colorado with their husbands and children within 20 miles of each other. We have four grandchildren Eric, Blake , Jack and little “Libby” who was born on June 14 Flag Day a year ago. They are all a delight and each so different personality wise and we love being within easy driving distance from them. Joan is a concert pianist and was selected as Miss Nebraska in 1959 when at that time there was as much emphasis placed on talent as there was beauty.
My career commenced in Wichita where I taught, coached, counseled and was a school principal for a total of ten years. After that stint I joined the Farm Credit Banks in Wichita and served as their Director of Personnel for the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado. I relocated with their national organization to Denver and served as the National Personnel Service Director. After three years in that position and not wishing to transfer to the Washington D.C. area I wound up in the Oil and Gas Industry for ten years which was a wonderful opportunity to work in the financial district of Denver. My company at that time relocated to Houston; however I had no desire to leave Colorado. That is when I wound up my corporate career with Lockheed Martin Astronautics where I served as their Director of Staffing and College and Employee Relations Department Head. This was a fascinating area of employment for 12 years and I had opportunities to meet and get acquainted with many of our Astronauts… two of which we employed at Lockheed after completing their missions.
During my corporate career I also had a dual career during those years. I was a Referee in the Big Eight Football Conference for seven years prior to being recruited by the National Football League. I spent 14 seasons on the field as a Referee in the NFL and was fortunate to work every game possible including an NFC Championship Game, Two Pro Bowl Games, American Bowl in Tokyo, Hall of Fame game in Canton and 15 Monday Night Football Games. During that period of time on the field I was able to stay healthy; however was knocked on my posterior a few times. After retiring from the field I continue to serve as a National Football League Representative and Talent Scout. Joan and I built a new home in Castle Rock, Colorado two years ago and I was elected to serve on our HOA Board……which at times is like refereeing or playing peacemaker amongst residents. Overall our resident problems have been at a minimum. We have a beautiful view from our deck of the Rocky Mountains and have some gorgeous pine trees in our geographical area. A great deck to sip some fine wines and enjoy the sunsets. In fact the class of 1957 is invited to visit us in Colorado…….if you promise not to all come at the same time. Please give us some advance notice whereas I can be sure to have our wine cabinet stocked upon your arrival.
With that said the absolute joy of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me was to meet and marry Joan and have a wonderful and healthy family for which we are so blessed. I shall never forget the wonderful education, teachers and friends I developed in Enid. My parents were so supportive of all my endeavors and encouraged me to participate in a number of activities including speech classes, radio and television classes taught by Una Lee Voigt and to participate in school stage productions including our senior play. Mrs. Poindexter was so kind in working with my baseball coach John Provost that spring in order that I could do both that year. I would hope our grandchildren have as many enjoyable experiences as I had during my three years at Enid High School.
Joan and I look forward to seeing you in October for a great time re-living our high school years and sharing our wonderful lives today.
Howard Roe