The Tropics Resident of The Month
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April 2003 |
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Reporter - Charlotte O’Donnell |
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TROPICS RESIDENT OF THE MONTH - AUDREY HACK When l began this interview with Audrey, I had no idea I would be receiving such interesting information. 11 will be difficult to keep this to a one page article. Audrey and Leroy Hack first moved to a home on Hawaii Circle in the early 70's Audrey now lives in another home on the same street In Sibley, Iowa, Audrey ran the Truck Stop Cafe. It was an ideal job for raising children, but lots of hard work. "me couple moved from Iowa to El Rancho Verde in South Hayward during the 60's when they saw hundreds of signs "Make Love • Not war With their car full of their teenagers they went to San Francisco and saw people making love in the trees. You can imagine the questions of their children. While at the Tropics Audrey learned that she could relax while doing ceramics, especially the painting. While she was doing a 22 mile commute every day and welcomed the change of pace. Audrey became acquainted with Geri Schevlin, who lived with her mother. Audrey taught other residents to do air brush painting. It soon became quite frustrating. She wanted more room so she could start a business of her own. Her family gave her a kiln for Christmas one year, adding more parts in Christmases to follow. Audrey and Leroy moved to a home on San Pedro in Union City. The property had a separate structure which was ideal for the pottery business Audrey and Geri established. Audrey loved doing the business, but had to give it up when Leroy's emphysema became too bad to tolerate the dust. He eventually died of Leukemia. Leroy was a survivor of being one of the first Marines to enter Nagasaki after the Atom bomb was dropped. During the Clinton Presidency Audrey attended hearings for survivors of such horrors. She describes this as an extremely emotional experience. Audrey and Leroy were many year members of First United Methodist Church of Fremont When it came time to sell the kiln and other equipment from her business twenty years ago, Audrey and Leroy prayed about what to do. A young man from Fred Finch Center in Oakland spoke at church about the lack of activities at the center. Audrey said to Leroy, "That is the answer we will donate the equipment to Fred Finch center." The man was a good instructor and there was some good activity for a few years. NOW Audrey is saddened that the equipment sits idle as the man left Fred Finch Center. The most interesting facts about Audrey's life came from the 22 years she worked for National Park Services in San Francisco. She was in charge of files and records. She speaks highly of her wonderful boss, Woodrow Peppers. This man taught her and others so much. but "never tooted his own horn." Audrey was in charge of the retirement celebration for Woodrow and discovered more than she dreamed about the man who made many years with the department so happy for her. One man spoke up too late for the book they produced and told Audrey that Woodrow was the only man in the department who didn't let a contract go wrong. Audrey admits she is an out spoken woman who was told by her boss and others that she might be in danger. The work at the department was very embroiled in politics. She dealt with the FBI and CIA. She was willing to do anything her boss asked her. She met people such as John Button and his brother. She knew Henry Kissingers secretary. There was quite a story involving the furniture from that office when Kissinger left office. Audrey was in the department during the Patty Hurst trial. She has stories about the building being bugged and her part in getting some important changes made. She loved her job and appreciated having the opportunity to work for the park department and getting to travel and meet many people from many places. Audrey is active at the Tropics, attending
the coffee club, the B-Bug club and Respectfully submitted, |