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"The first thing to remember when working with a radial sander . . . " -- Dean Rizor poses in his workshop |
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"All Hands On Deck!!"
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Thanks to all of you who sent emails in response to my post on Mr. Rizor. I know they meant so much to him. I wish all of you could have the pleasure I do of sitting with him and sharing his remembrances of teaching at Crawford. I have the distinct impression his time at Crawford was a highlight in his teaching career. His students were much of that highlight. Here are emails sent to me plus a response from Mr. Rizor. Mr. Rizor wanted to keep his privacy and asked that I not share his email or home address. These were the emails I received along with a reply from Mr. Rizor -- Don Rogers ‘69
I had Mr. Rizor for Woodshop in the 10th grade. During that semester, a certain young lady made a small, intricate black walnut corner shelf and painted it black. THAT was woodshop blasphemy.
Anyway, I was so inspired by Mr. Rizor’s class, and the possibility that I could make a living at something that I really had a passion for, that the next year I enrolled in the ROP (Regional Occupational Program) Mill/Cabinet class at City College. So for the 11th and 12th grade I took ROP Mill/Cabinet at City College for three hours in the morning and then took my HS credits at Crawford for the rest of the day. I graduated with the equivalent of an apprenticeship already completed and wound up becoming a Journeyman Mill/Cabinet Maker for the next 16 years. That career went by the wayside in 1991, but eventually led me to where I am today, and I owe it all to Mr. Rizor. My favorite Mr. Rizor story is about his instruction on taking care of your hand tools and using the right tool for the job. His lesson was his story regarding his father’s prized (railroad?) crescent wrench. The young Dean Rizor broke his Dad’s crescent wrench, as I remember, by putting a pipe extension on it to really get a pull on something. That is tool abuse, plain and simple. Woodshop Instructor Mr. Rizor related how the young Mr. Rizor really caught hell for his tool abuse, and it wasn’t pretty. So I have always remembered that story and taken care of my hand tools based on Mr. Rizor’s inspiration -- Tom West ‘75
Just read your post on John Fry's Crawford site. I was in Mr. Rizor's wood shop class all three years at Crawford. I don't know if Mr. Rizor will remember me. That was a long time ago. I was a water polo player and swimmer. Mr. Rizor was one of the best, if not the best, teacher I've ever had. I hope he is doing well. I still do some woodworking and constantly remember advice, tips and ideas he passed on to me. The Susan you're looking for might be Susan Cornelius ‘72. I don't remember her in any woodworking classes, but the name is close. Be sure to say hi to Mr. Rizor for me. Good luck in your quest -- Ken Burton ‘72
I had Mr. Rizor for wood shop. I think he was a great teacher and remember him fondly. Especially since he always encouraged me and never ridiculed my bumbling attempts and making things from wood. I would appreciate it if you would say hi for me, even though I doubt he will remember me -- Bill Hollister ‘71
I had Dean Rizor as my wood shop teacher in high school. Fact is he was my instructor in junior and senior high, summer school between the two, and even after I returned from Nam while in the Navy; he was my adult night school instructor. Dean also invited me to work with him on Saturday mornings during the school year; I was able to work on my projects while he worked on jobs that needed to be done for various teachers in school. I believe he was also working on a boat during that time. Dean Rizor was instrumental in my love in working in wood. I have my own little shop (Wooden Dreams) and make heirloom wooden toys for people that have kids and grand kids and remember toys don't need batteries to be fun to play with. He was an inspiration for me to continue what he taught in class. Every time I pick up a piece of wood, he is in my thoughts -- Jim “Gordy” Miller ’68
Mr. Rizor Writes: What a great response to the article that my neighbor Don Rogers put in the Crawford High web page. Thank you Don for forwarding the emails from past students, and also John for taking the time to obligate yourself to edit such a great web page. And thank you to all of my former students that responded with such kindness and memories to Don Rogers' post.
I was able to read the emails that each of you sent. They brought back fond memories of the best of my thirty-four years of teaching in the SDUSD. I do remember many of you, the good times, your projects (I still have pictures of some projects), and the showing of your projects at the Del Mar Fair. The judges presented twenty-one first place awards one year: possibly you still have your blue ribbon.
Upon retirement I kept the "clean-up whistle" as a reminder of how it called "all hands on deck" for the chore of cleaning the shop after an hour (plus or minus) of working. I remember well the best trick that was ever pulled off on Mr. Rizor when a summer student attached a string to the pull chain of the whistle, standing far away, and pulled the string causing the whistle to blow (as you remember that was my toy). Mr. R kept his cool; the students and I had a great laugh.
I trust that those of you, who are still working with wood, and the tasks associated, are continuing to work with safety as your major concern. I am fortunate that I still have all of my fingers and thumbs after so many years of working around tools and equipment.
Again thank you all for your concern and interest in your old woodshop teacher.
May God richly bless you as you seek His face -- Dean Rizor
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