Walt Harrison

Name: Walt Harrison

Address: 3631 Greenbay Drive; Dayton, OH 45415

Occupation: Bus. Owner  /  Walter L. Harrison Insurance Agency.

E – Mail Address / Update:  Business: Walt@toinsure.net

                                           Personal: toinsure@aol.com

Family: Wife-Glenna;   Daughters:  Erica & Tiffany; Step children: Ron, Kay, Kim, & David: Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren; not enough space to list the entire tribe.

Pets: Four cats, a big dog, two geckos, and a bunch of nameless fish.  The snake and the turtle got lost in the back yard. The neighbor's lawnmower took care of the turtle. Still looking for the snake.

Active as one of the founders of the North Metro Toastmasters, and formerly president of Vandalia Toastmasters. Member of Dayton Masonic Lodge #147, Scottish Rite, and York Rite.  Served as local president of the Dayton chapter of the Ohio University Alumni Association, plus served as a member of the National Alumni Bd. of Dir. for OU. Granted ‘life membership' recognition for service by the Greater Dayton Jaycees.  Founding member, and president of the ‘Friends of the Soldiers Home'. Co-founder of the American Veterans Heritage Center .  Both 501(c)(3) organizations work together to recognize the massive contributions our veterans bestowed upon this nation, and assure our veterans that their efforts will never be taken in vain.

After graduating from CW in 1963, I worked my way through school at Ohio University in the GM sweat shops of Inland Manufacturing, painted houses, and did general carpentry. A strong love of photography drove me to a degree in photography with a minor in journalism from OU.  While in school, I was the Photo Editor for the Ohio University POST, Asst. Photo Editor for the OU Athena (yearbook) for 3 years. Professionally, I worked for the Wonderful World of Ohio magazine, did technical still and cinematography work for the Technical Photographic Division of Aeronautical Systems Command at WPAFB, worked as a staff photographer for the Dayton Journal Herald, and was a stringer for Associated Press and United Press International. A lot was jammed together in my early years.  While teaching art for two years between 1968 and 1970, I also took post graduate courses at UD and worked for Nick Brooks at the Golden Lion and the Lion's Den, taught adult education classes in photography, and worked nights at Moore Paper Box Company.

Big dreams and hard work, combined with driving ambition took its toll on my first marriage to Julianne graduate Renee' Hartings. We married in my senior year of college.  By 1974 that part of my life was history.

My 35 year pursuit of helping people reduce, or eliminate some of their financial fears may have come about as I worked to eliminate my own financial fears.  I am often asked, “Walt , what do you do for a living?”  My normal response is to say, “I sell money at a discount, then deliver it to my customers at times when they have a serious need for the money. In essence, I help the sick, the disabled, the widow and orphans. I replace wrecked autos, burned out homes, and destroyed businesses, and help others to rebuild their lives. If my first response to the question was, I am an insurance agent, the conversation would often be very brief.

My life's partner, and mother of our children is Glenna.  She has been able to be the rock and foundation of my life. We have danced and partied from coast to coast, border to border and beyond.  We have shared joys and sorrows, always with the desire to obtain more out of life than the clock, and sometimes our pocketbook allows. She is a great companion, cook and homemaker.  Glenna's profession started as a dental assistant, then a Burn Unit nurse at Children's Medical Center , followed by nearly 20 years as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Miami Valley Hospital .  When we were not having babies, Glenna has always been there to help others with their babies. Quite a lady.

Parents help to shape our values. We eventually determine our own direction with the unseen hand that guides us all. A lot can to be said for the concept of positioning as it pertains to the way we were raised, or the way we raise our young.  We could have been positioned in the middle of war torn sands, the low tidal areas of the United States costal areas, the shadow of Mt. Saint Helens , or a beautiful island nation near Thailand .  All things considered, growing up in Dayton View, and being positioned in Col. White High School's class of 1963 has made life thus far a pretty good adventure.  I simply hope the next 40 plus years can be at least as enjoyable for the Cougars of Colonel White.

Favorite memories of Col. White: Fine friends, fine teachers

Teacher(s): I don't even want to begin naming the fine teachers for concern some may be omitted.  You good teachers already know who thinks highly of you.  Those who did not use your own talents, and the talents of your students, likewise know who you are. Enough said.

For all who can remember the activities of the White Knights, the Col. White Gun Club, Choir, Glee Club, Barbershop Quartets, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Intramural Sports, Driving around with super special friends in a classic Packard, magnificent stage plays, and DeWeese Park activities, house parties, dances, roller skating, a long telephone chat with someone you cared for, or a passionate teenage kiss, enjoy the warm and pleasant thoughts. Wish some of the best thoughts forward for the next generation.

I think they will need all the love, guidance, and creative encouragement that many of us enjoyed, and then some to eventually be able to look back with fond thoughts as warm as those that glow inside my memory.