I remember my fourth grade bus driver’s name clearly - Mr. Swarthout. It was 15 years after WW II and he was probably a vet. I was the victim of bullying on the bus, so he stops the bus and came right back to the rear of the bus. He didn’t like me for some reason and figured I was the instigator and lit into me verbally. So the bus drive took control of the situation, but came down on the innocent party - me!
We rode the school bus (rural kids) during the late ‘40’s and early ‘50’s and if the bus driver stopped the bus, got out of his seat and walked down the aisle, someone was in trouble. Nothing physical or bullying but usually for bad language.
I remember our lady bus driver around 1971,Mrs Milanasie.(SP) She was one tough cookie and always pulled the bus over to yell! No switching seats or doing homework allowed. If she was stopped with her red lights blinking and a car passed the bus she would give a dollar to whomever got the plate number.
Had the same bus driver through ElHi. His name was Bob, and nobody messed with him. WWII vet, 82nd Airborne. He’d pull over and shut the bus off. All of a sudden, dead silence. He had a look that could kill. He’d start walking up the aisle, we’d all breathe a sigh of relief when he passed by our row. He’d grab the perp, bring him to the front of the bus and sit on the heater for the rest of the way to school.