Words and Numbers

Uncle Kenneth Rector Speas was my mother's oldest brother. Mom always told me that he was brilliant, and she was right. 

He believed that patterns of speech and the choice of words were important and formed impressions. Determined to sound sophisticated and never be detected as a "hick" from a small town in Idaho, Kenneth made a concerted effort to improve his vocabulary. In order to do so he read the dictionary, incorporating new words daily into his speech and writing. Grandma loved his letters, but often had to pull out a dictionary to read them. 

After a twenty year military career, Kenneth became a school teacher. I assumed that he taught English due to his love affair with words, but I was incorrect. Kenneth was an Algebra teacher at Servite High School in Anaheim, California. 

Servite is an all male, Roman Catholic preparatory high operated by the Order of the Friar Servants of Mary (the Servites). It was known for high academic standards and strict disciple; a perfect match for Kenneth's personality.

My interaction with my uncle was limited. I didn't know him in a familiar casual way; my relationship was one of admiration and veneration. (I admit I had to look up veneration in the dictionary, but saying that Uncle Kenneth was awesome didn't seem quite appropriate.)

These pictures from the Servite yearbooks of 1968 and 1969 show Kenneth in his classroom. He looks like a fun teacher to me.