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b. 16 Sept 1925 - Newport News, VA Newport News High School, Class of February 1943College of William and Mary, B. A. Mathematics, Algebra, Plane Geometry, Journalism, Physics,
Solid Geometry, |
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| Gene Edmunds (sic) and Mr. Huller look serious as they study Anchor pictures. | ||
| 1955 Anchor, p. 11 | 1957 Anchor, p. 53 | 1959 Anchor, p. 40 |
| 11/11/05 | 11/11/05 | 11/11/05 |
Here is an interesting tid-bit.
The June 6, 1957 edition of The Beacon featured an article entitled the "Roving
Reporter"
in which the reporter asked the following question: "What will you remember most
when you leave NNHS?"
Among those interviewed was Nancy Timberlake Spencer ('57) of VA who answered:
"Quarreling with Mr. Huller."
Now we know why Mr. Huller lost so much hair during the 1953-1957 period.
- Joe Madagan ('57) of Fl - 02/03/05
Thanks, Joe!
Dear Carol:
This is timeless and reflects the sentiments of most if not all TYPHOON that
read your Newsletters.
The Beacon NNHS, Newport News, VA, June 6, 1957 Vol. LXI No.11 Page 2”
(Reprinted without permission)
“Dear Jerry…
This farewell editorial is written in the form of a letter from Mr. Huller to
his son, Jerry.
I am taking a leaf from the pages of Drew Pearson in writing you this letter.
In fourteen years, which may seem a long time to you, but which will be a short
time to me,
you will be graduating from Newport News High School.
I want to tell you some of the things that you will encounter during your high
school days.
You will be given the rare privilege of association with some of the finest
adults and young
people you will meet in your lifetime. I am referring to the faculty and student
body
of Newport News High School. I speak from experience in telling you this,
because
I have had the pleasure and honor of being both a student and a teacher at NNHS.
Jerry, if you are fortunate enough to work with the young people that I have
worked with,
then your life will be a most happy one. I consider the six years that I taught
here
the six fullest years of my life. You will have the privilege, I hope, of going
to school under one
of the finest gentleman I know. You already know him and call him “Mr. Mac.”
Some
of the teachers whom I went to school under and whom I have taught will be
replaced
by others. But I am sure that these teachers will carry on the high standards
that
my teachers did. It is my sincere hope that you will have the privilege of
participating
in all the wonderful activities of NNHS. Anyone that you participate in will be
a good one,
but I am prejudiced. I hope that among your selections will be the Anchor and
Beacon, because I know
that I enjoyed every minute that I spent on them. By working on these
publications and participating
in these activities, you will come in contact with the finest young ladies and
young gentlemen
that you will meet anywhere.
Your high school days are the greatest, and I hope that you will enjoy each one
of them.
One of the greatest privileges that you can have is to say that you are a
graduate of NNHS.
As I said, this is fourteen years away, but those years will fly by. Make the
most of every moment.
Son, if you enjoy your days in NNHS as much as I have, you will be living a very
happy life.
Love, Daddy”
- Joe Madagan ('57) of Fl - 02/09/05
WOWZERS! Thanks, Joe!
Hello Carol,
My name is Dave Huller and I
am the youngest son of John A. “Scooter” Huller. I recently came across
several postings about my Dad and specifically those from Joe Madagan of the
Class of ’57. I shared these
with my Dad and he has been thrilled to walk down memory lane. He just turned
80 and to this day still considers
his time at NNHS to be the best spent on this earth. Please pass along to Joe
and anyone else who may
be interested his updated e-mail address as he would love to hear from former
students, colleagues,
etc. His address is
nnhs43@cfl.rr.com. And by the way, if anyone wants the real skinny on how
he got
his nickname, I can fill in the gaps. I heard the story from two guys who sat
in front of my brother and me
at a “This is Your Life” tribute to Ethel
Gildersleeve and later forced the details from my Dad.
Thank you for your time.
- Dave Huller
- 10/23/05
WOWZERONI!!!
Thanks so much, Dave! We are delighted to have this information!
Greetings to all my former students. I think of all of you often. NNHS was the best school in the nation at that time and had the best student body! It was most enjoyable for me and I loved every minute of it. I turned 80 in September 2005 and I am now considered an old geezer. I retired from Walt Disney World after 25 years of service. When I retired, I was General Manager of Special Events in all four parks. Some of the functions that came under my Department were Christmas, Easter, Candle Light Ceremony, Grad Night, and opening of all the parks including international openings (Tokyo, Euro-Disney). One of my biggest projects was preparing the Millennium Celebration including various locations in Florida and South Carolina.
My Department was responsible for building all the stages and props that were used by the entertainment division. In my job I met many celebrities including Tom Cruise, Kevin Costner, Carol Burnett, Dolly Parton, and Presidents Nixon, Bush (Sr.), and Reagan. But my favorite was Vanna White. We became very good friends and I consider her a very nice young lady. In regards to Evelyn Casey Sneed’s ('57 - of VA) question, I left NNHS in 1959, went to the Newport News Shipyard, and from there to Disney World, so I have had three great careers during my lifetime. Evelyn, Gene (Edmunds) and I picked the “dawn beauties” on the basis of character and looks. Journalistic abilities had nothing to do with it. And to Harry Covert ('57), I am glad you have done so well in the world of journalism.
I would be glad to hear from
any of you by phone or e-mail (nnhs43@cfl.rr.com).
If you are ever in Florida
come by and see me. I wish all of you’ll a Happy Thanksgiving and a great
holiday season.
Scooter
(You can now call me this)
- Mr. John
Huller of FL - 11/10/05
WOWZERONI-RINI!!! Thanks so much!
..... Well, I am thoroughly
discouraged. Mr. John A. Huller ('43) of FL has refused to reveal to me the
origin of his nickname "Scooter" after repeated request.
Some TYPHOON has to
know, and I hope they will let the cat out of the bag. (how is that for an old
southern saying?)
TYPHOON Regards,
- Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 08/24/07
Thanks, Joe!
http://www.nnhs65.com/07-31-09-NNHS-John-Huller.html
Carol:
Thank you. That is very nice. Mr. Huller was one of the finest people and one of
the finest teachers ever
in the Newport News public school system.
We were fortunate to have so many other outstanding teachers.
They set examples
that have stood each of us well. When I think of heroes I think of him.
-
Harry Covert
('57) of Northern VA - 08/05/09
Wow. Thanks, Harry!
Carol,
I don't know if you would be interested in adding this to Mr. Huller's page or
not. I received it from a classmate back in September 2009, which was a bit
after the fact. I thought it was such a detailed synopsis of his life as seen by
his sons and his very close friends. It's your decision.
- Pat Beck Letzinger ('57) of VA - 02/09/10
August 2, 2009
OrlandoSentinel.com - Deaths - John Alvin Huller
John Alvin Huller Lived His Disney
Dream
John Alvin “Scooter” Huller lived and breathed Disney. He left a job where he
built nuclear aircraft carriers in Virginia to joined Walt Disney World in 1979.
Huller of Orlando started in a gift shop at one of the resort’s hotels, making
less than $3 an hour. But he quickly worked his way up to special-events
manager, where he stayed for nearly two decades.
Huller died Wednesday at Florida Hospital. He was 83.
”He put in five years worth of overtime at Disney — he loved it so much. . .
.You could have paid him nothing. As long as he had a place to sleep and you fed
him, he'd work there for free,” said son Dave Huller, 50.
His father didn't retire until he was 74. Even after retirement, he returned to
the park regularly to meet with former co-workers and bring his grandchildren
for a visit.
Huller was born in Newport News, VA. He graduated from the College of William
and Mary and returned to his hometown to teach math and English at the local
high school. He taught for eight years before moving to the shipyard, where he
worked in the atomic-power division.
But he always dreamed of working for Disney. He let his family know every time
they spent their vacation at the theme park.
”I remember riding the monorail and dad saying ‘I love this place — I'm going to
get a job here some day,’ said Dave Huller of Rocky River, Ohio.
”It wasn't until 1979, seven years after his wife, Helen, died, that the senior
Huller decided to abandon the shipyard and live out his “second childhood.” He
quickly packed up his home and moved to the Sunshine State.
At Disney, Huller was the one that made the “magic” come alive. He was in charge
of setting up for events such as Grad Night and Good Morning America shows. He
also supervised installation of the Christmas decorations and lights.
”When it came to matters of Disney, he was a perfectionist. . . .The workers
might have perceived that as harsh. But in the end, they appreciated it,” said
son Jerry Huller, 55, of Centennial, Colorado.
Many people were intimidated by his gruff personality. He had high expectations
for people because he knew they could achieve the best, said his son Mark
Huller, 52, of Port Deposit, MD. That attitude may have come from serving in the
U.S. Army during World War II, for which he received a Purple Heart.
”He'd get people to live up to those expectations,” his son added. Disney wasn't
all work.
He posed for pictures with many celebrities, his favorite being Vanna White from
the game show, Wheel of Fortune. His walls at home were covered with autographed
photos.
”He reminded me of Forrest Gump — he was there for every special event. He
always had celebrities on his arms,” said friend Kitty Phillips, who worked
alongside Huller for 13 years. Huller would tell stories about meeting famous
people, such as Michael Jackson, said Phillips, who is the public-affairs
manager at Disney.
He also had pictures with his favorite Disney characters, including Mickey and
Minnie Mouse, which he named his cats after. Dave Huller said they recently took
down about 75 frames off the wall.
”In each of those, there was something related to Disney,” he said.
Survivors also include his sister, Mary Poe of Colonial Heights, VA., and seven
grandchildren.
Absolutely! Thanks so much, Pat!
Hi, Carol:
Mr. Huller always refused to divulge how he got tagged with the nickname
"Scooter" when he would travel with the Men's Basketball Teams and keep stats.
Even in my correspondence with him in the last few years, he denied my
request...as thought he was keeping it a secret.
Today, when Fred Hayman ('57) of VA met me in Lakeland, Florida to attend the
Fun N Sun Air Show we were joking around and recalling our days as TYPHOON back
in Newport News. During that conversation Mr. Huller came up and so I took the
opportunity to ask if anyone knew how Mr. Huller got the nickname "Scooter" and
Fred knew.
Fred's father worked in the Shipyard, and
before Mr. Huller became a teacher at NNHS, he work at
the shipyard as well. Mr. Huller's duties in the shipyard required him to visit
various sites in the shipyard in the course of the day.
In doing so, he was assigned a Cushman Motor Scooter. The yard workers tagged
him with the nickname by announcing his arrival at the various shops he would
visit, as sort of a "Heads Up" for the other workers.
The nickname stuck!!! Now we know the rest of the story.
TYPHOON Regards,
Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 03/31/11
AHA! Let's hear it for solved mysteries! Thank you so much, Joe - and Fred!
Animated Army Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03
Mr. John A.
"Scooter" Huller