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Merry Christmas from the Gentrys!
December 2002
Dear Loved Ones,
Rick and Bev would like to say it was "same ole, same ole" about 2002 - and in some ways it was. In other ways it was a year of excitement, extreme change and growth.
Bev is still with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) as an administrative analyst and campus Quality Improvement Facilitator. She is inching closer to completing her Master's Degree in Business Administration at CSUSB with dual emphases in Marketing and Corporate Management. Her classes are winding down and she will begin her thesis project in the spring. The plan now is for her to graduate in June. Hooray!! (Boy, is Rick relieved. Maybe now he'll get to see her more often.) The question remains - how long can she wait to begin her doctorate? (Just joking!)
It is said that most people have "15 minutes of fame" for their lifetime. For Bev, it has been 15 months of fame. After winning the Quality Improvement Facilitator of the Year award for the California State University system for 2001, she followed it up by being the CEO for the CSUSB team that won the 38th annual International Collegiate Business Strategy competition in San Diego in April. This team absolutely annihilated the competition! Then she was accepted into Beta Gamma Sigma, a prestigious international business fraternity, and topped all of this off by receiving the "President's Special Achievement Award" - one of the top four awards amongst over 1500 CSUSB employees. (You could say the writer- Rick- is pretty darn proud of his baby!!) Man, what a year for Beverly!
Rick has had a very interesting year. With the tragedy of 9/11, the aerospace industry has suffered greatly. This has put a serious strain on all aerospace machine shops - including Omnicut. This drastic slowdown in business forced the closure of Omnicut's Corona, CA, facility on March 1, with Rick getting laid off temporarily. The company retained their operation in Elgin, OR, and rehired Rick to continue as its account representative on April 15 and he has since been working out of the house. Business is still slow - for most everyone - but the company is growing slowly, but steadily, despite the bleak market.
Another big change for Rick occurred in June with the break-up of the Crownsmen. After 5 years and due to circumstances, it was time for a change. In March, he was asked to fill in for the Martinez Family - a group comprised of Preston Martinez and his sons Preston Jr., Jerry and Danny. Jerry had left the group and moved out of state and having a friendship with (and love and appreciation for) the guys, Rick agreed to fill in when he wasn't busy singing with the Crownsmen. This was something he didn't even need to think or pray about. In fact it was an answer to prayer - he had always wanted to sing more. The Martinez' have been very busy - usually singing 5-7 times per month - and Rick is in "hog heaven". He is technically singing baritone, but is asked to sing lead or even tenor when the need arises. The Martinez Family have a "Gaither Vocal Band" sound and have the favor of God and people. 2003 looks to be an exciting year for the group - its 10th anniversary. Check out our web page at www.martinez-family.com.
On the family front:
Mom Delker had a mastectomy on April 24 and has recovered miraculously well. Dad Delker has had some of the challenges of a 78-year old, but keeps going and going and going… We call them both the "Energizer Bunnies." Rick's Dad and step-Mom are still in Alabama and his Mom and step-Dad are in Oregon and are all in good health. Matthew, Rick's son and his longtime sweetie, Kristin will wed in May. Matthew has found a job he really likes. He is fabricating and installing granite counter tops and flooring and is considering it as a career. Kristin is a test away from her real estate license. She's a go-getter! As for those grandbabies - Devin is 3-1/2 and Alaina is a somewhat terrible 2 (but adorable). They sure do love their Grandma and Grandpa! And Grandma and Grandpa love them a little bit, too!
2002 has been a great year, one of growth in practically every area of our lives. 2003 will be more complete for us if we can get caught up with you, too. In the meantime, may all of you have a wonderful holiday season and a blessed and prosperous year!
Much love,
Rick and Bev Gentry
Click here to see Gentry family pictures
Click here to see the Martinez Family
