Lots of memories about Ed Carder, he was very quite and shy except on the football field. I remember setting in church with him for many of our Benson years. We would sit in the back row of the balcony so we could look out the window.
I remember being surprised to get a letter from Ed just as I was getting out of Marine Corps boot camp. I believe a Judge told him, “Son you can join the military or go to jail. It’s your choice.” He selected the Marines. Ed arrived in San Diego for the start of 90 days of fun and games just as I was finishing. We both ended up at Camp Pendleton Marine base in Calif. We spent a few weekends visiting each other. Ed was in the “grunts” and I lucked out being in a headquarters unit. Living conditions were night and day different.
Ed arrived in Vietnam , again about the time I was leaving. He earned a Bronze Star and received the Purple Heart as a platoon leader. This was not a good time for Ed. A few years after being discharged he lived with me and my family in Scottsbluff. I remember he arrived one day unannounced on an old Matchless motorcycle, straight pipes and he was wearing an old WWI leather helmet classic Ed Carder. I believe Fred Renstrom ended up paying for the bike and Bob Alf ended up completely restoring the bike after setting in Alf’s garage for nearly 30 years.
I have a lot of great memories of Chuck (Tomatoe Head). He and I used to walk home together after football practice and always stopped at Louis' and bought chocolate milk. Charlie was pretty quiet, but if you got him in the right mood he was very funny. I remember him always borrowing pennies from everyone in the morning and by lunch time would have enough pennies to buy lunch. Chuck always listened to his own drum, and I had a bunch of laughs with him. I didn't see much of him after graduation and the last time I saw him was at the 25th class reunion. He didn't look good and was very withdrawn. The Vietnam war was not kind to Chuck and he came back with problems he didn't have answers for. Chuck deserved much more than the hand he was dealt, and may he rest in peace. Chuck was my friend and I feel he considered me his.
Thanks for the kind words about Chuck. After nearly 40 years calling him Eddy or Ed the family decided to start calling him Chuck. Part of the reason he liked the name was it sounded much more masculine. Thanks to all of his friends who attended his funeral.
Chriss Lloyd
Lots of memories about Ed Carder, he was very quite and shy except on the football field. I remember setting in church with him for many of our Benson years. We would sit in the back row of the balcony so we could look out the window.
I remember being surprised to get a letter from Ed just as I was getting out of Marine Corps boot camp. I believe a Judge told him, “Son you can join the military or go to jail. It’s your choice.” He selected the Marines. Ed arrived in San Diego for the start of 90 days of fun and games just as I was finishing. We both ended up at Camp Pendleton Marine base in Calif. We spent a few weekends visiting each other. Ed was in the “grunts” and I lucked out being in a headquarters unit. Living conditions were night and day different.
Ed arrived in Vietnam , again about the time I was leaving. He earned a Bronze Star and received the Purple Heart as a platoon leader. This was not a good time for Ed. A few years after being discharged he lived with me and my family in Scottsbluff. I remember he arrived one day unannounced on an old Matchless motorcycle, straight pipes and he was wearing an old WWI leather helmet classic Ed Carder. I believe Fred Renstrom ended up paying for the bike and Bob Alf ended up completely restoring the bike after setting in Alf’s garage for nearly 30 years.
Bob Nebe
I have a lot of great memories of Chuck (Tomatoe Head). He and I used to walk home together after football practice and always stopped at Louis' and bought chocolate milk. Charlie was pretty quiet, but if you got him in the right mood he was very funny. I remember him always borrowing pennies from everyone in the morning and by lunch time would have enough pennies to buy lunch. Chuck always listened to his own drum, and I had a bunch of laughs with him. I didn't see much of him after graduation and the last time I saw him was at the 25th class reunion. He didn't look good and was very withdrawn. The Vietnam war was not kind to Chuck and he came back with problems he didn't have answers for. Chuck deserved much more than the hand he was dealt, and may he rest in peace. Chuck was my friend and I feel he considered me his.
Barbara Pratt (Alf)
A Message from Tom Carder
Thanks for the kind words about Chuck. After nearly 40 years calling him Eddy or Ed the family decided to start calling him Chuck. Part of the reason he liked the name was it sounded much more masculine. Thanks to all of his friends who attended his funeral.