Arturo

 

I first started college at COCC back in the early 80's, expecting to major in accounting.  But, after seeing the computer program, I decided that both would be of importance since accounting would obviously be done on them in the future.

I took my first computer class and had trouble with the teacher.  He did not teach from the book that I was told to purchase.  In fact, some of his teaching went totally against the book.  So, when he had his weekly tests, I soon found myself not passing them. 

I stayed after class and confronted him, showing him how my answers were from the book.  “I am teaching this class!”, he contended.  “And you will listen to me and not that book or you will fail this class.”.

I went to my counselor and told him that I would have to back out of that class and obviously, that major.  My counselor introduced me to the new teacher who was to teach computer science there.  His name was Arturo (Art) Sanchez.  Art took me into his office and asked me if I truly wanted to learn about computers.  When I said yes, he said, ‘Then I will tutor you myself.  You will finish this class with me.”.  I would meet him in his office and he taught me one on one.  I aced the class.

Art became one of my favorite teachers and we became friends.  We both had young families and we often spoke of them.  We even visited each other’s house and met the families.  Because of him, I graduated college with two degrees….Accounting and Computer Science.

I continued working at Jake’s and offered to build the computer programs for his accounting department.  Jake allowed me to purchase one of the first personal computers from Oregon computers.  It was the one that they used to start their business that later turned to ORCOM.  I also purchased their large printer, and the hand built shelving unit lined with carpet to keep down the sound.

With that, I designed and developed the first accounting package at Jake’s.  When I ran into a problem, I called my friend, Art, and he would help me through it. 

COCC decided to start training on personal computers, but Art had no practice with them.  He came to me and asked me if he could practice on mine.  I was about to start on the hardest part of my accounting package, Payroll.  I made Art an offer.  We could work on the program together.  He agreed and we worked hard together throughout that summer.  I worked on the main part of the program and Art worked on the reports. 

He ended up combining some of the reports into a very nice end result.  When I took it to the office manager, he did not like it.  He was used to three separate reports, and he liked it that way.  I called Art to discuss it with him and he answered, “What do you mean, three reports?”. 

I reminded him of what he had taught me at school.  He taught me that we make programs for the end user and give them what they want.  He laughed and agreed to rewrite the program accordingly.

The program was a success, and Art was able to teach PC at the school with confidence.  He even took our program and went back to his alma mater and got his master’s degree using it. 

Our laugh from then on was always, “What do you mean, three reports?”.  To this day, when we saw one another or called, it was the first thing that either of us spoke. 

When the diner started in 87, it took up much of my life.  But Art and I would see each other from time to time and catch up on things. 

I always admired Art for his sharp business sense.  He invested wisely and I always felt that he would be very successful. 

And then, when I took over the diner, I saw even less of my good friend.  But my admiration of him never waned. 

I ran into him from time to time with always whoever saw the other first saying, “What do you mean, three reports?”.

On Monday as I worked to get the Band of Brothers meeting together, Casey stopped me to show me a text message from Art’s daughter, Natalie.

It read:

My dad passed away suddenly and unexpectantly on Christmas Eve morning.  It’s been an incredibly difficult last handful of days.  Worst pain that I have ever felt in my life to date.  We are trying to help my mom with everything as you can imagine.  She wanted Lyle to know as my dad always thought so highly of him. 

The last few days have been hard with many memories.

We all have people in our lives that make huge marks in who we are and what we become and Art was one of them in my life.  Without knowing me, he took me into his office and spent his own time teaching me.

And after I graduated, he was always there when I needed him. 

And, there is a side of me that is angry with myself.  I have no pictures of the two of us…only memories.   I should have reached out and just said hi.  Or, just called him and said, ‘What do you mean, three reports?”.

I will miss you my friend.  And will ever be grateful for your influence in my life and for being there for me so many years ago.