When Ken Cockrell was growing up in the 1950s, in what was then called the Westwood subdivision of Rockdale, he didn’t have Google.
But the 1968 Rockdale High School graduate had the World Book Encycloseda Vseflfifaooy the first volume, with “A” articles.
“That had airplanes in it,” Cockrell told a group of RHS students during a Friday morning brunch. “That was my resource.”
More than a half century later, Cockrell is a retired astronaut a veteran of fiye ssa e shuttoe ps - sions, three as commander who returned to Rockdale as one of the first fiye honored with the district’s new Distinguished Alumni award.
It’s for graduates of Rockdale and Aycock High Schools.
CER EM ONY—Cockrell, physician Dr. John M. Weed, educator Dr. Dennis Brooks, eye physician and inventor Dr. Art Perry and former state representative Dr. L. B. Kubiak had a full day of honors.
It began with a question and answer session with RHS students during a morning brunch and continued with a reception prior to the evening induction ceremony in the auditorium.
The honorees were introduced to the crowd at halftime during the Rockdale-Lago Vista homecoming football game at Tiger Stadium.
There was also a special treat for Cockrell as he met with about a dozen of his Class of 1968 classmates for a lively noon luncheon at the Rockdale Country Club.
TEACHER S—Several of the honorees referenced some beloved RHS teachers including j unior-high science teacher Billy Joe Hall, physics instructor Bob Martin and math teacher Ruth Kirk.
“I actually volunteered to take a math course during the summer, so one year at RHS I ended up taking an additional math class,” Dr. Weed said.
Former band leader Bill Grusendorf was also well-remembered. “I can close my eyes and see him playing his trumpet right here,” Cockrell said in the auditorium, the scene of many RHS band activities.
Dr. Kubiak, a veterinarian, mentioned longtime ag teacher Albert Timmerman Jr. as a mentor and also urged students to resist the temptation of drugs. “Don’t let someone trick you into doing that,” he said.
Dr. Perry said RHS counselor Joyce Bayless started him on the path to his career by urging him to apply for an honors program in San Diego, where he still resides.
‘M AYBER R Y’—Honorees expressed appreciation for their upbringing in Rockdale.
“It was the Mayberry of Central Texas,” Dr. Perry said. “Everyone looked out for each other.”
Dr. Brooks agreed. “Being brought up in Rockdale, we were expected to do the same things in the community as we did at home.”
He also remembered a beloved educator at Aycock High School, while reminiscing about the camaraderie with fellow AHS classmates during lunches.
“We would even have dances,” Dr. Brooks laughed. “And we would get back to school on time because we knew (Principal) Prof Wilhite was waiting for us.”
In the end it was all about community. Dr. Weed, who retired in 2018 after a 44-year career in medicine thanked Rockdale, saying “you gave me the opportunity to practice here.”
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