Rufus Summers

Rufus Summers

6317 Elm Court

Bellaire Texas 77401

713-667-1789

rufus.summers@hccs.edu or rufus.summers@comcast.net

 

What happened after graduation?

In the Fall of 1958, Charles Faigle arranged a blind date for me to go to the Aldine homecoming game and dance (it was the first reunion for the class of 58). My date turned out to be Penny Quintero and we were married exactly one year later.  She was a Senior at St. Pius High School, President of the class of 59, Miss Panther, Cheer leader and many other recognitions (Now you know where I got motivated). We started night school at the University of Houston, but with a new addition to the family, it was impossible to continue. I joined the Houston Fire Department in February 1961 and found my life long career. During my employment with HFD, my wife finished college at the U of H and I started. I was promoted to the rank of Senior Captain and retired to take the position of Fire Chief with the City of Bellaire. I continued my education while Fire Chief and received a Master in Public Administration from U of H. Then retired for the second time in 2000. I began a new career (albeit the same field) with Houston Community College as a "Professor" over the Fire Program, teaching Fire Administration courses and managing Fire Academy classes, Industrial classes and dual credit High school classes.

 

My wife, Penny Quintero graduated from St. Pius High School in 1959.  We were married November 14, 1959.  She graduated from the University of Houston in 1966 with a teaching certificate in English and Spanish. Penny retired from HISD after 33 years as a bi-lingual second grade teacher.

 

Children and grandchildren

1. Natalie Baker graduate U of H with BA in accounting, Vice President Merrill Lynch, married to Ben Baker produced two grandchildren Matt and Emily.

2. Deborah Quintero graduate U of H Law school, Attorney, married Augie Quintero produced two grandchildren Jacob and Austin.

3. Pamela Summers graduate Houston community College works as a Title specialist for Chicago Title.

4. Michael Summers graduate of University of Texas in Economics, works for Baxter Medical, married Patty Salazar produced three grandchildren Sarah, Jack, and Sam.

5. George Summers graduate of Sam Houston BS in Communication, works for Constellation Energy, married Dr. Jennifer Wicksesberg and we are expecting his first child in February.

 

I never though I would...Be teaching Distance Education classes on-line and counseling students in their educational goals.

 

Rewarding events since 1958;

1977 Jones scholarship at U of H

1980 Bachelor of Science in Technical Education

1986 First Graduates from the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy Emmitsburg Maryland

1988 Graduate National Emergency Management Institute

1990 Master of Public Administration degree from University of Houston

1992 Served as representative of the Texas Fire Chief's on the Texas Municipal Board

1996 Graduate Lyndon Johnson School of Government University of Texas

2003 Recognized as "Supervisor of the Year" HCC Dean of Workforce

2007 National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development award from colleges across the nation.

 

Things I would do differently: As part of your experiences are your failures. I think it is what you do with your experiences that make your life better with no regrets.

 

Special interests and hobbies: History and American antiques, also golf, fishing and hunting. We love to travel as well.

 

Favorite vacation spot: My wife will say Paris or the south of France, but I liked St Andrews, Scotland, Wales or Ireland. It is a difficult question to answer, because each place we have been has been wonderful.