rdb3's grandfather on the left, in 1951, and his father at right, 1973
I believe that I was an "ooops" baby; when I was born, my parents already had six children, with the oldest being a freshman at Ohio State and the youngest in the second grade. However, I do think my Pop was happy that I came along AND that I was a boy because his name hadn't passed to my three brothers. I don't think there's any way in the world that I was "meant" to be. But, nevertheless, here I am! ;-)
rdb3 at two years, 1974
The youngest of seven, rd has always been extremely close to his parents. He was born and raised in East Cleveland, Ohio, but spent nearly every summer in Arkansas. His father owned a delicatessen, along with numerous coin-op businesses, such as laundromats and car washes. His mother worked in the Cleveland Public School System for over 30 years.
My father pitched briefly in the Negro Leagues for the Cleveland Buckeyes. By the time he got in, the color line had already been broken in the Majors, and since he was in Cleveland, he got to meet legendary Indians players like Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and my favorite: Satchel Paige. There's an 11" X 18" black and white picture of my father and Satchel Paige in their respective uniforms over the mantle at home. And he won't even let me scan the picture! One day it will be mine, but I can wait; Pop has to pass away first.
I was able to escape the Cleveland Public School System. I was in the 8th grade at the time. Father Juhas and another recruiter liked how I planted quaterbacks deep in the soil, never to be seen again until the next spring! Next thing I know, I'm at St. Joseph High. I received a tremendous education there. Also got to play football with Desmond Howard and Elvis Grbac, and Eric Riley in basketball. Clark Kellogg is also an alum. He is a commentator on CBS' NCAA broadcast for college basketball. Matter of fact, they retired his number at my school, but his number isn't in the rafters. They put his number on both sides of the half-court line on the court. Different, isn't it?
rd graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. (As a matter of record: six of the seven siblings hold degrees. Not too shabby, huh!) He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Information Technology/Systems. As he will tell you, "I'm a geek's geek. I'm elated to be back in the Information Technology field. My expertise is well-rounded (Linux, AIX, C/C++/C#, Java, Oracle, RHCE, among many, many others)."
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You can also find rd every week in our Military Monday threads - Vet Group 4. He served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne @ Ft. Bragg, NC, from 1990-1993. Thank you for serving, rd!
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For more on what makes rdb3 tick, about his politics and his Christian beliefs, he has this to say:
While I'm firmly planted on the political Right, I no longer consider myself a conservative because the definition of that term is murky. I'll admit that my political stance is hard to pin down, other than the fact that I'm a vociferous anti-Leftist. I also have no problem admitting that I detest Democrats and what they stand for on a level that would seem inhumane. However, I would be a political vagabond because I don't have a political home. Go figure. No matter how one looks at it, just know that I relish the autonomy gained by sprinting away from that God-forsaken plantation mentality. I take my faith in Christ seriously and without doubt (non-denominational/Calvinist).
Married for seven years, together for ten (with one stepson), rd says his pretty wife, pictured below, "still gives him butterflies!"
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There's way more to this guy! You could check his profile page and see much more than revealed here. He's been a FReeper since December 2, 2000; he flies three flags on his page - Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas:
  
He plays the bass guitar and the violin. His musical taste is very eclectic (just don't play country around him, he says!). He writes short stories and poetry and has an artistic side, as evidenced by the Dark Knight drawing below, which he did six and a half years ago in CIS229 class at SMU.
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And last, I love to cook. BBQ is almost religious to me (if you can pick up a brisket with a fork and remove it from the grill, then it is no good, or, if you need sauce with your BBQ, then it is no good).
That's about it. Nothing special. I'm a regular man.~ rdb3
A "Regular Man"...
...And Today's Finest!
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