Joe Kasparek
After I graduated from Col-Hi I attended OU and received a B.S. in Mathematics in 1964. I continued on to Stanford University and in 1968 received an MBA and then a CPA in 1969. I married my wife, Ann, and we have 3 boys: Jon (41), Sam (37) and Ben (31). They are all married to wonderful girls and have given us 5 grandchildren: Chris (12), Catherine (9), Ryan (6), Noah (4) and Lucy (5 months). I worked at the State of Oklahoma World Fair from '65-'66. From '68-'77 I worked for Arthur Anderson & Co. as a consultant; moving on to Vetco Offshore as a CFO from "77-'84; then President of Gray Tool Company from any '84-'85; on to President of Vetco Gray from '85-'86; President of John Chance & Associates from '88-'93 and then worked for Fugro, Inc., COO North and South America ('94-'07). As you can see I kept busy.
My favorite teacher was: Miss Fender. My most feared teacher was: Ms. Corbin. Something I have done that no one would believe: Not sure what anyone expected!! Goal yet to be accomplished: Live for 20 more years without having a knee or hip replaced. Something I did in high school that I wouldn't want my parents to know: Cannot think of a thing. Tell a funny story about a classmate and yourself: Eddie Clark, Bob Cook and I were held at gun point by an Oklahoma hillbilly right out of "Deliverance" for trespassing. Luckily we escaped. Life's little twists: I ended the last 15 years of my career working for a Dutch company. It was quite interesting. Which classmates would you most like to see: All of them.
What funny story can you remember about one of your teachers: The only thing I remember that was "funny" was Dr. Newman. What things have you learned about life over the years: I feel lucky to have been raised in the 50's when I could roam the neighborhood and city while my parents' only concern was what damage I might do to myself; luck often plays a more major role in one's success and fortune than we would like to think; After 13, it is more important who your children's friends are than who you are; good health is more a matter of genes than physical exercise; summer weather in Colorado is much better than that in Texas or Oklahoma; marriage is easier and more fun if you share a common interest; friends are great to have but when real trouble arises, it is family that more often show up; and charity may begin at home but it is often needed more elsewhere.