Ralph Kennedy a Hero, Role Model

* Re “Rocket Engineer, Activist Publisher Kennedy Dies,” July 2:

When I volunteered to write and do page layout for Ralph Kennedy on the Fullerton Observer during the mid-1980s, I thought my pay was the sandwiches from Giovanni’s he and his wife, Natalie, would serve up at lunch or the occasional ad Ralph would run for my business at no charge.

As I get older, I realize the payoff was much better than that. Ralph taught me the lesson of pride in one’s community and the spirit and joy of volunteerism and activism. He was a role model I can strive to copy, but one I may never quite follow completely.

I remember so vividly the huge poster he had of Robert Kennedy hanging in his office at home. Robert Kennedy was Ralph’s hero. I’m thinking about having a photo of Ralph enlarged and hanging it in my office. Ralph was my hero. I want to be like him when I grow up.

Many people in Fullerton don’t know this yet, but they are going to miss his voice and pen tremendously. God bless him and his family and thanks for making our community a better place.

ALLEN BACON

Fullerton