Lasting Impressions Lasting Impressions - Fluvanna Review

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BUCKINGHAM BEACON ✦ September 16 – October 13, 2011 �
T
COVER STORY
A half-century of helping Buckingham schools
o be faithful and dedicated
to one single
career for years is
somewhat of an abnormality
these days. That would not
be the case for Robert
Gregory, who was recently
recognized for working in the
Buckingham County Public
School system for 50 years.
Yes, that’s right, 50 years!
One of twelve children, Gregory and his
family moved to Buckingham when he was
nine years old. “I started out in a one room
school house on Gravel Hill Road,” he said.
While attending Carter G. Woodson High
School, Gregory started working part-time
for the school system, driving the school bus
and cooking in the cafeteria. “I worked to
get free lunch, but eventually they started
paying me,” he said. At the age of 18,
Gregory quit school to work full time (he
eventually earned his GED).
Gregory’s skill in the school cafeteria
quickly became evident. “Growing up, I
was a mama’s boy,” he said. “I used to
always be in the kitchen with her, so I
learned to cook.” And cook he did.
Gregory recalls the days when school lunches
were basically home made. “Cafeteria
food was almost all made from scratch in
those days,” he said. “Peeled potatoes,
fresh vegetables, freshly baked cakes and
cookies were the norm.”
Over the years, Gregory experienced
many changes in the state and federal regulations,
worked under a variety of principals,
and saw many different staff people
come and go. Eventually promoted to
cafeteria manager, Gregory was responsible
for managing the staff, adhering to ever
increasing state and federal regulations,
and keeping a balanced budget.
“One of the most difficult parts to the job
was training a good staff person, who
would often time move on to another job,”
he said. Gregory spoke proudly of being
able to keep a balanced budget. “We
would use leftover bread in the next day’s
meat loaf, vegetables for soup, or rice for rice
rolls. I was taught to be frugal and didn’t
believe in waste.”
While working in the cafeteria, Gregory continued to drive a school bus. “I
loved both jobs. I love people and children. That’s what many people say
has kept me young and active.” Whether it was the cafeteria or the bus,
Gregory has many memories that bring him satisfaction.
BY SUE A. MILES
CORRESPONDENT
Robert Gregory, age unknown, as cafeteria worker.
“Cafeteria food was almost all made
from scratch in those days. Peeled
potatoes, fresh vegetables, freshly
baked cakes and cookies were the
norm.” -- Robert Gregory
Over the past 50 years, Gregory literally
saw thousands of children come through
the lunch lines leaving him with fond memories.
“I used to give the children nicknames,”
he said. “Sallie, Sue, Lucy,
Bluebird, Tall Man; it made my day to interact
with all of them.” When sharing his
time as a bus driver, Gregory laughed.
“When I first started driving, if a student
was disruptive you could stop and put them
off the bus. Obviously that doesn’t happen
anymore.”
Recalling the time in the 1960’s when
Buckingham, like so many other Virginia
school divisions, when through the integration
process, Gregory spoke of situations
where the older students (both black and
white) tried to intimidate younger children
on his bus. “I immediately put a stop to that
with the support of the superintendent,” he
said.
The last part of Gregory’s employment
history involved working in the school’s bus
garage. “I’ve always been mechanical so it
was an easy fit,” he said. Gregory continued
to drive the bus when needed. “There
were many times that I would grab my
lunch box and fill in for a field trip or bus
route,” he said.
50 years of working in the same school
system results in Gregory recalling names
such as Driscoll, Kay, Gold, Coonan,
Massey; all superintendents that have come
and gone The list of principals that he’s
worked under could go on forever, which is
a true testament to his longevity.
The connection with the thousands of
students has left lasting impressions on
Gregory. “There have been many situations
where former students have done
something for me as the result of me
knowing them while they were in
school.” Gregory also notes that,
when out in the public, he is often
stopped by former students who
remember his impact on their
lives.
One such student is his wife,
Irma, who as a young girl rode
one of the school buses he drove.
Eight years his junior, she laughs
as she shares her impressions of
him as her bus driver. “He was so
mean,” she said. “I never in my
life imagined that I would end up
marrying him.” But marry she did for the past 41 years.
Now that he has retired, Gregory spends his time gardening, attending
church, and cattle farming. Obviously he made a lasting impression on thousands
of Buckingham citizens who either were fed or driven by this dedicated
man.