Vic Corchero’s Bio . . . . .  December 15, 2010

In the beginning; I was born March 23, 1937, my older sister had been born in 1935.

Started 1st grade Sept. 1942, Elliot School --- Mrs. Nickols teacher--- where my 1st very large lesson was learned -- do not ever, I mean never do poop in my pants again, at least not in Mrs. Nickol’s class ever again. She did clean me up but I had a memorable speaking to. I also learned here that as bad as I could be, grown ups seemed to take a liking to me and would give second chances, Mrs. Nickols, a terrific teacher.

2nd grade, 1943; Mrs. Fogg, I liked her and knew the feeling was mutual. Nothing memorable except that at the end of 2nd grade I had caught up in grade level to Maxine my older sister. She had started school at 6 years old, her birthday was in August and she was also small for her age as she was a twin whose sister had died. Maybe wrongly, I never gave her any credit for smarts. Was it a sibling thing?

3rd grade 1944; It was about this time that My Mom ran away with us kids to San Jose. My younger sister Josephine had been born on November 22, 1939. Maxine and I entered a school in San Jose for the short time until My Dad found us and we continued life in Gilroy. I remember the now ancient 1924 Studebaker my Dad loved but neighbors all by now had more modern cars, my dad was into providing the farm with better equipment as a priority so my guess today would be a fight over money matters, isn’t it always? Very shortly we owned a 1937 Dodge sedan. Back in Gilroy Elliot School, very shortly I was transferred to Jordon School situated at the better side of town, Maxine stayed at Elliot. I was now at Jordon with Mrs. Vosti’s 3rd grade class. I was unaware at the time but here enrolled were the most academically inclined kids of the three 3rd grade classes in the Gilroy Unified School System. I also don’t know if this was an ongoing process or just an experiment starting but in my life it served to be totally positive. There was no doubt in me that I admired Mrs. Vosti and it was mutual. Memorable was my ability to mingle with other kids but I was never dependent on any one of them as I realized even then that we were all dumb kids here at school to learn. But most memorable was when I having no doubt of my innocence, though I had no witnesses, was accused by the tough guy Paul, (I still hate him). He accused me of throwing a rock as he was playing with others on a rock pile and hitting the poor SOB on the head. Well he went to Mrs. Vosti with the accusation. Remember it is 1944, discipline will be maintained, I bend over and grabbed ankles and she proceeded with the 2 ,3 ,or 4 paddles, I don’t remember but do remember that I was stating my case of innocence all the while. Not withstanding my slight course correction by Mrs. Vosti I absolutely have fond memories of her.

4th grade 1945; Still at Jordon school for the whole year with Mrs. Milne. The game changing event was as Paul continued his bulling we did come to blows. It ended in the typical tie as kids will, luckily with no management involvement. This was to be my lasting peace until another confrontation as a sophomore that had to be resolved. I have no doubt Mrs. Milne was a great teacher with the same group of kids where academics was important as we moved through 4th grade. At this point Maxine’s class from Elliot School spent the year at Jordon School, they tended to be older and I had no trouble relating to several of her classmates.

5th grade 1946; Now there was not far from Jordon School, an old building called Severance School built in 1878, on that date it had to have been the total of the whole Gilroy School system 1-8. Now here all the 6th and 7th graders would spend the year but there was still one empty class room which were then at a premium that year, Our 5th grade class, same group of kids with Mrs. Dolan teaching would manage easily being around these older more (knowing) kids.

Things went very well, so well so that at the end of the 5th grade 1946, Mrs. Dolan chose to follow our class to the 6th grade 1947. We had been on the 3rd floor, no elevators. Now for the 6th grade we came down to the 2nd floor. Mrs. Dolan I can now say was my best and most inspirational but maybe just another one of my great teachers and staying with the same group of kids was a blessing for me and the rest of us. We did a couple of plays at Wheeler Auditorium, Gilroy’s community center. It was here that my on stage career blossomed.

7th grade 1948; We are now locked in to the 2nd , main floor of old Severence school, our teacher is Mrs. Duden, who might have been right there for the ground breaking for Severance School, year 1878, don’t know. A no nonsense let’s do some learning type of teacher we respected, no doubt. Memorable was the building of a new school and it’s scheduled completion would allow us to spend our 8th grade there. A modern 1 floor, 2 large wings in the proximity of Jordan School. Vividly recall playing marbles was the recess rage all the while at Severance School. High life was a pocket full of marbles to go with the dirty kneed trousers.

8th grade 1949; We made it, Brownell School is completed. We now have Mrs. Fitsgerald as our teacher. Her reputation preceded her, she was tough no nonsense. She prepared us all well for High School. Remember Mrs. Duden, suspicion was that they both might have been at the Severance School ground breaking year 1878. We have a brand new School, a painted shuffle board court on the walkway just out side our class room which was at the west end of the north wing. We were quick to get our teams up and take on all comers. Playing until a loss, I teamed well with Harry and we stayed on the board court until months later when we dropped off from boredom. Same group of kids, we are all headed to High School!

High School, 9th grade 1950; The School system is in a painful expansion period. We have the original 4 story brick building, the shop. the gymnasium and a 6 room former 7th and 8th grade, Wheeler School now used for High School over flow. There are also several WWII barracks used for Agricultural classes and overflow.

Memorable was Mr. DuBoise, science, geometry and physics teacher who was key to my staying with serious academics. I entered High School looking for a reprieve from serious learning. As an elective I took agriculture of which I figured I knew a lot about. Until after Sophomore year, I then dropped out of agriculture to concentrate on my then thinking was serious academics and catch up on courses I had skipped. Junior year was also when our main building (brick veneer) was condemned as a earth quake hazard and temporary structures were thrown up. To meet demand for class room space a little chateau on the grounds of the adjacent I.O.O.F. orphan home where Mrs. Coleman held English classes, I did catch up work for the early years I had skipped English for electives at her chateau. I enjoyed the walk to the chateau as it was like being off campus.

June 1954, Graduated from Gilroy Union High School. I had joined the California National Guard in April of 1954 as soon as I was age qualified. Many guys in my class had been age qualified for several years already and had joined. There were many learning experiences pending in the National Guard and co-managing the farm with my Dad gave me a needed reprieve from academia that at the time seemed OK with me. My 3 years in the Guard was a very positive experience for me. My assignments were never menial and always challenging where by I always gained valuable experience and commendation.

A large part of my on-going education I must attribute to my Dad and every neighbor and relative that would seem to always stop and visit when passing the farm. My dad seemed to have the gift of gab, as so many of these old timers did also. Some of these would be Spanish speaking which allowed me to grow up some what bi-lingual. So many old refrains were thrown about that much common sense must be in-grained. Point of views of Italians, French, Portuguese, Germans, Mexicans and who else could be assimilated and that was an education by itself. Then I always appreciated the rest period these sessions provided. As you might imagine there were no scheduled break periods as industry now insists on. I must give credit also to my Mom for my Spanish language talent as she always intermixed languages. Me,   Josephine,   Mom,    Dad . . . . . . .................

La.familia, 1957 .

All was not always rosy growing up on the farm, beside the never ending work, maybe wrongly, I suspected my older sister was always there only for my aggravation. “I’m going to tell” seemed to be her only thought of each day. It became like water off of a ducks back. The one memorable moment was when, I don’t remember my age at the time, but I actually ran away from home once. Oh yes, some may dismiss it as lame. I gathered some essentials and trudged up to the lower vineyard area where just squatting would provide instant cover. Just minutes latter as I became missing the voice of Mom and all calling was heard. I didn’t respond as apparently I had run away. Now as it became evening and dark I trudged back hoping for forgiveness and a meal. I did receive forgivness but only after My Dad inflicted the proper strapping across the bottom. There were the usual reprimands one might expect growing up. Disappointments were normal as for any kid. Got a baseball glove and bat, but nobody to play with. Very early, I couldn’t even reach the peddles yet, I got my first used bicycle. Exercising my ingenuity even then, I strapped on a saddle (gunny sacks etc.) to the seat socket and used it probably until I was in High School. My only bicycle I used for all including herding the cows to and from the barn. A large disappointment was when a neighbor was selling a very nice filly, her name was Dixie, and my Dad would not even consider it. His reasons were many, we could buy another cow and raise even more veal calves, i.e. income enhancement. But Dads biggest objection was that after 40 years of dealing with horses in totally survival mode he had arrived so that affording and utilizing work saving equipment was exactly where he wanted to remain in life. We don’t need a horse just settled it.

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My Experience and respect for nature and the environment is rooted in the agriculture of my first 30 years. Utilizing that school bus to attend the Gilroy Unified School system and performing the inevitable chores back home, I now nostalgically pine for. Then graduating Gilroy Union High School in 1954, that is 57 years ago. After attending Community College night classes and 3 years duty in the California National Guard all the while farming full time, the opportunity to move on opened up for me as I now realized my limits were minimal.

Year 1957 I entered a 4 year active duty stint with the US Coast Guard. I graduated from USCG Electronics School, Groton Connecticut after being in the USCG only 9 months. Because of my previous 3 years in the California National Guard I never was below a grade of E3 in the USCG, this was a morale boost for me especially during those several desperate times in Boot Camp.

Above is my 1948 Ford business coupe I bought in 1955, my first non farm equipment car. Stick shift  with no radio or heater. After Jean and I were married in 1959 we drove it to Port Angeles Washington, no problems as I had jerry rigged the lack of radio and heater.

For trips back to visit the family we bought a 1959 Renault that served us well.

Stationed now on Yebra Buena Island in San Francisco Bay, I met Jean Estrada in 1957. A few months went by and I am now stationed for 1 year on Ulithi Atoll, in the South Pacific Ocean, 360 miles south west of Guam, a USCG LORAN station. Life here was idealic with just 14 0f us and a few hundred natives that were glad to see that we were not Japanese. During my time there I  advanced to grade E5, 2nd class electronic technician. I am back now, Jean and I are married on May 23 1959 and we travel up to Port Angeles Washington, my next duty station. April 1 1961, now as a grade E6, 1^st class electronic technician, I was discharged (honorably). Before exiting USCG I had a job with Philco Corp. and went to Philadelphia Pennsylvania for a month of school. Now Jean, Vicki, (born Feb 24 1960) Tammi, (born March 11 1961) travel to Denver Colorado to work a US Gov. Philco contract. As a family we were not suited for this unpredictable job. We had a little Renault car, so we bought for $150 a 1948 DeSoto and with a U-haul we brought our stuff back to San Franciso. My Mom and Dad had just bought a new Rambler so they drove back to Denver and we caravaned across country.  My Mom enjoyed and helped with the girls as they were still quite young.

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September 1 1961 I resigned and then we made the trip  back to San Francisco. I began looking for work immediately  and interviewed with Chuck Miles at 340 Market Street IBM Corporation Field Engineering Division. October 1 1961 I went to work for the IBM Corporation as a Customer Engineer. I commuted to SF from as far as Santa Clara where we bought our 1st home. We had 2 more children, Charles (July 3 1962) and Kristi (Jan. 29 1964) during these wild years, the 60’s. I was too busy with family to get into trouble and was enjoying the classes and challenges that my job provided.

In 1970 IBM transferred me to the San Jose computer data disk drive development laboratory doing engineering work. By 1969 the farm was sold and I had no more involvement there. My time now consumed by kids, little league, many San Jose Community College courses and IBM internal classes, field trips both domestic and foreign.

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Here in San Jose I had found my destiny. In 1971 we bought our second home and on June 21 1974 our son Anthony was born.   GOTO Vic's more info 1) click here

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Our home was situated about 4.5 miles from the IBM plant, my bike ride was via residential streets, I had a neat bicycle ride for my commute that I found healthy and invigorating. I did this for 20 years minus field trips and bad weather which hardly happens in San Jose. I received several patents on data file systems control and several awards dealing in computer data storage and retrieval.

Here we all are, 1985. oldest daughter Vicki at right and 2 grand children, Jessica and John/ 

My 31 years at IBM were challenging, rewarding and down right fun. It was here that I had time for some golf. Lunch times in my case was not for eating but playing Ping Pong.

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My major accomplishment was a trophy  won in a 1990 Ping Pong tournament, P.S. I did earn a good living to boot  ------                      

I retired July 1, 1992. Moved in to Shady Cove Oregon and served on the city council from 1994 to 1998. Ran for the Oregon State Legislature in 1998 house district 46, and lost. I have convinced myself it was respectable as I received the exact percentage as the previous Democratic candidates had received up in these here hills.

Me and my dog Toby in serious contimplation---------------------

 --

Governor Kitzhaber and I

    Continuing to being helpful to my Church and community and my goal in retirement is being met. My concerns since are with the environment and nature, my first loves. Improving my golf game and keeping my edge at Ping Pong are my present priorities.  

And then,  time out !! --------What happening? - - - - - - - -  could it be   AGE ?

Growing up on a farm and schooled in a farming community, as it was then was an ideal for me. As an only son, middle child, having just 2 sisters, put me in a position of responsibility at a very young age. The joy of being a farm kid with ample chores to be accomplished and both immediate positive and immediate negative feed back is what allows for an adolescent to thrive. I started the first grade at 5 years of age at my insistence but with my mothers concession, there was no kindergarten. I knew by then I was my Mom’s favorite kid, named after her dad, my Grandfather Vitoriano. I was a skinny little kid and being the youngest in the class I found my place not to be in athletics but in class work. Memorable was during the eighth grade and being graded on a track event. I remember being most likely near last but sprinted my hardest across the finish line. Coach, I don’t remember his name, complimented me for doing the absolute best I could. This was my life’s nature and his reinforcement I remember to this day. The scene now was the first day of my Junior year whereby I enjoyed the comments that by golly after that summer’s growth spurt I had become of normal size, maybe 5 ft 8 in and 135 lbs. This compares to my freshman year where I did play a little basketball, “D” division, 5 ft tall less than 75 lbs. Now in my last 2 years in high school I had adjusted so well to my individualistic nature that I continued to concentrate on academics, I was bothered by no one and also quite busy being a partner with Dad in farming.  

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At age 17, year 1954, I was ready for a reprieve from school and not ready for college though the economics were a factor. In the spring of 1954 I enlisted into the California National Guard. After the first summer camp my serious nature became apparent so that I was given better jobs with some responsibility. Back at the farm Dad and I took on projects that would allow him to continue in my absence. With a 3 year enlistment in the National Guard and my enjoying the farm it was only with the termination of the enlistment that a decision had to be made. It is now 1957, the farm is in a state whereby Dad will have no problem. I interviewed at each US Service Branch and for me the United States Coast Guard was most suited for me being most like a job with schooling opportunities. The recruiter described that doing well, immediately after Boot Camp I could soon be in Electronics School. As it did work out well I was enrolled in 12 weeks though there were a few hurdles and good fortune during that USCG Boot Camp.

Electronics School was my goal as I had dabbled in such classes after high school and even read a book on the subject.

Coincidence? Due to being around National Guard supply and office work, I did go to night typing classes during this off scholastic period. Now in the Coast Guard and later in the computer field where the capability of typing was an absolute requirement again I benefited from earlier decisions, perhaps with God’s guidance.