It’s funny how our memory works. One vague recollection leads to another, and before you know it, an avalanche of bits and pieces come tumbling out. Here are a few more about Brother Wilke.
During our senior year, Wilke, The Fox and I lived together in a new apartment complex about two miles from campus. We needed a fourth for the fall semester so a guy that none of us knew, applied to be our roommate. His name was Ash Hardy. We explained our agreement to “chip in” $10.00 a week for food, TP, and cleaning supplies. We built our budget around the $40.00 figure. Ash agreed, but explained he would seldom be around as he traveled back and forth to the suburbs of Detroit, I believe Grosse Pointe, all the time. He never spend more than one or two nights a week in the apartment. He had a single request. “Have plenty of cinnamon and sugar pop-tarts on hand. I love them.” We agreed. Wilke was our cook, but we shared shopping duties. We always had a menu and a list of things to purchase. If we stuck to the list, everything was fine. Ash’s absence, and dependency on pop-tarts, freed up a lot of money for the remaining three. We ate like kings that semester.
Wilke was always a hard worker. He was determined to become a dentist, but knew that dental school might be out of the question if his grades were not good enough. He spoke of optometry and ophthalmology as alternatives to dentistry.
During the same year we met Ash, we met three girls, Nina, Carole, and Linda, who lived down the hall. We hung out with them much of the time. I dated Nina a couple of times, The Fox took out Carole at least once, and Linda was interested in Wilke, but he was committed to his bride to be, Muxworthy (another person known best by her last name). Linda was a dental hygienist, and as luck would have it, her boss was a graduate of the University of Michigan Dental School and the past president of the Michigan Dental Association. It was the perfect storm for Wilke. Linda introduced Wilke to her boss stating, “He wants to go to Michigan.” By the time the year ended Dr. Short wrote a letter of recommendation on behalf of Wilke, and he was accepted. That move proved to be one of the greatest steps in helping him achieve his dream. He was accepted but still had to do the required work. He became a master of his craft and a financial success. Life might have turned out differently if it weren’t for the girls down the hall.
I believe Wilke married Muxworthy while still in dental school. I was one of the guys who stood up with him. The reception was held at the Bonnie Brook Country Club. We dressed for the wedding at Wilke’s parent’s home. We were a half dozen guys competing for space in a single room. I don’t know why I remember this, but I do. In any case, Wilke painted apartments on the week-ends and went to class during the week. His hard work schedule caused him to drop a few pounds. I was standing behind him as he pulled up his tux trousers. I noted that his tighty whities had been taken in so they would fit better. When I asked who had done the handiwork, he replied, “I did.” Looking back, I think he could have coughed up a dollar for a new pair of briefs on his wedding day, but things were tight in those days. (pun intended)