My best memory of Andy was an arrangement we had during lunch time. I was a Co-Op student and was carless. Andy had a cool T-Bird convertible, but no Co-Op pass to get his vehicle out of the parking lot during lunch. So I would use my pass, get Andy's car, and meet him around the corner. We'd cruise over to McDonalds (.15 cent burgers & shakes, .10 cent fries) and eat, then Andy would drop me off at the Court Center Supermarket where I worked, then he sneaked his car back in.
One day I got called into the Goblin's office (Mr. Hartmann the Co-Op teacher) and was told that Andy got caught sneaking his car back in one day. It was discoverd that I was taking it out, and Hartmann wanted to hear my side of the story. Well, hell, there was no use in lying, so I said in my most innocent voice: "Why yes Mr. Hartmann, Andy would take me to McDonalds then give me a ride to work - did I do anything wrong?" Hartmann then told me he thought Andy was using me, and I avoided the beating my old man would have given me had I got into trouble at school.
When I attended the 25th reunion I noticed that Andy was listed among the deceased. I made several inquiries, then a fellow (I can't remember who) came up to me and asked if I were the one who had been inquiring about Andy. I told him I was and he said that Andy had become a hitman, and was killed in a State Police road block. I have no idea if that is true or not - Andy was kind of a wild loner - but it sure makes for one hell of a story.
Twenty some years ago I met Hartmann for lunch and we talked about the car incident, and about the time I was doing a product demonstration using an immersion heater (a coil of wire used to heat a cup of water for coffee) and the damn thing melted and cracked the glass on the showroom case in the class. I guess he had told students about my demonstration (here's what not to do) because I encountered a fellow a few years ago who had been a Co-Op student in the 70s and he said: "Oh my God, you're the one..."
Perhaps the the fellow was remembering the "Andy Mertz" he had read about in "Gunmen of the Desert Sands"... where "Andy Mertz" is gunned down in Chapter 25 page 279... ? ? ?
David Brown
My best memory of Andy was an arrangement we had during lunch time. I was a Co-Op student and was carless. Andy had a cool T-Bird convertible, but no Co-Op pass to get his vehicle out of the parking lot during lunch. So I would use my pass, get Andy's car, and meet him around the corner. We'd cruise over to McDonalds (.15 cent burgers & shakes, .10 cent fries) and eat, then Andy would drop me off at the Court Center Supermarket where I worked, then he sneaked his car back in.
One day I got called into the Goblin's office (Mr. Hartmann the Co-Op teacher) and was told that Andy got caught sneaking his car back in one day. It was discoverd that I was taking it out, and Hartmann wanted to hear my side of the story. Well, hell, there was no use in lying, so I said in my most innocent voice: "Why yes Mr. Hartmann, Andy would take me to McDonalds then give me a ride to work - did I do anything wrong?" Hartmann then told me he thought Andy was using me, and I avoided the beating my old man would have given me had I got into trouble at school.
When I attended the 25th reunion I noticed that Andy was listed among the deceased. I made several inquiries, then a fellow (I can't remember who) came up to me and asked if I were the one who had been inquiring about Andy. I told him I was and he said that Andy had become a hitman, and was killed in a State Police road block. I have no idea if that is true or not - Andy was kind of a wild loner - but it sure makes for one hell of a story.
Twenty some years ago I met Hartmann for lunch and we talked about the car incident, and about the time I was doing a product demonstration using an immersion heater (a coil of wire used to heat a cup of water for coffee) and the damn thing melted and cracked the glass on the showroom case in the class. I guess he had told students about my demonstration (here's what not to do) because I encountered a fellow a few years ago who had been a Co-Op student in the 70s and he said: "Oh my God, you're the one..."
If anyone can verify Andy's death, please contact me at davidjbrowncookeville@yahoo.com.
Marlene Melcher
Interesting story about Andy IF it is true.
Perhaps the the fellow was remembering the "Andy Mertz" he had read about in "Gunmen of the Desert Sands"... where "Andy Mertz" is gunned down in Chapter 25 page 279... ? ? ?
Marlene