Howard and Me, Lunch with Howard Hughes.

One of the most memorable people I ever met (I wish). This is a true story and I've had a lot of fun with it. I even told it to the then President of Howard Hughes Corporation here in Las Vegas. He later told me that he had a lot of fun with it, too.

With the help of some friends, I had opened a gate operator distributorship across town from an existing one, where I had been the general manager at one time. In fact it was because of my getting cross ways with the owner that lead me to get some finance help and open up in competition with him. I know that when I opened up, I had no other intent than to earn a good living that prompted me go into that business. It was not intended to be revenge for my sudden departure. But, in all honesty, there was a certain sweetness when I heard the next summer that he would be closing his shop on July 1. I was proud of the fact that I never crossed the territorial boundary lines established by the manufacturer. I had worked with his customers but never solicited any of them. But when they found out we were in business, they came to us. So needless to say, the business was good. With all of the associated problems-people, accounts receivable collections, etc.

So there I was one day, not long before I wrote the article, “Why Gate Operators Don't Work”. Technical dilemmas in abundance. You finish one, hang up the phone and there comes another one. You go to a job site and hold a training session. Back to the office, work up a proposal for a new customer. On the phone again. This same cycle had gone on for days, for all of us, not just me. I was loaded to the brim. I was getting tired and hungry. I told my secretary that I was out to lunch. I jumped in my pickup truck and headed for Antone's Deli for a “Po Boy” sandwich. With that and some chips and milk, I headed for a quiet place to sit and eat. I turned into this parklike place on Houston's north side. I found a shady area with a marble ledge to sit on and got out of my truck.

A grounds keeper came by waved and mouthed “Good morning”. I waved back. I headed for the marble ledge, sat down and opened my sandwich, opened the chips and milk. I took a long drink of that ice cold milk and felt the refreshing tingle that only comes with that first drink. I took a bite of sandwich, tossed in a few chips and leaned back a bit chewing with the oncoming contentment. Wow, what a great place to sort out the problems, to prioritize and regather my thoughts. I wish there was someone to talk to. I wish I had a mentor to call on at that moment.

I turned around and there he was. Right there next to me. Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. Some thought he was a bit off the end. Others thought he was a genius. I was one of the latter. In the presence of such a powerful man. He was on speaking terms with paupers and princes. A visionary. A prophet. A giant. I asked him what he would do in my situation. I got no real guidance from him. Just what my own imagination could conjure up at that moment. What an inspiration it was. Even though I was simply talking to his headstone. But I went away inspired and even though a lot of people don't believe I was there, I know I was.

I had told my new wife about this occasion. With her, I later had the opportunity to revisit Howard.  I took a closeup of his headstone just so you would know that I was telling the truth when I said that I had lunch with Howard Hughes.