Classmate Biography

Rio Linda Senior High School - Rio Linda, CA - Class of 1971

Houchin, Leonard

Email: houchin@zianet.com
Originally written March 8, 2000
Last updated July 3, 2001

1971	2000

Education

After high school I went to American River College for 1 year in pursuit of a career in auto body mechanics, after seeing no future in that area I went to work and began lifes education. It continues !!!

Love Life

In 1975, during my best friends wedding I found my bride to be, Rhonda. She was from the Foothill area, I had actually first met her about 7 years earlier but she had since grown up, YESSSS!!! We married on Nov., 29, 1975. On Jan.,13,1980 our first and only child James was born ( yes you can only have one ). It must be great or it wouldn't have lasted all these years. It continues !!!

Employment

1971 out of high school,while going to college,I worked as an auto mechanic. 1972 I went to work for Bendix Corp. in the mobile home manufacturing industry, after transfering and working in all areas of the plant they decided I must know all there was to know about what was being built and made me an inspector. 1977 I received an offer from my father to become a partner in his auto dismantling & used car business, and knowing there were no more advancment opportunities where I was, I accepted. 1985 seeing environmental intrusions into our industry looming we decided to make the best of what we had and get out so we started developing our vacant, surrounding property. We built, sold,& financed 6 homes and the business property and moved to Silver City, New Mexico,in 1988. Continuing the land development we are soon to complete the 7th house in N.M. along the way becoming a licensed electrician. 1991, to fill all my free time, I became licensed to drive school busses and started driving school activies, sports, field trips, etc. I have a great time with the kids, I think I do it to try and retain my youth. It continues !!!

Activities

My wife and I like to travel when we can, I have resently taken up golf and I suck but realy enjoy playing. I have always enjoyed camping and hunting, but when I was 13 years old I became a dirt bike maniac. At the age of 19 I began a long motorcycle, offroad racing career, motocross, hare scrambles, cross country, grand prix, & enduro. It has not all been a bowl of cherries. 1971, broken left arm. 1981, left & right broken clavicals, ruptured disc lower back. 1993, ruptered disc lower back. 1994, broken left clavical, concussion.2000, as I'm typing this, broken left clavical. I love it. Now my sons a moto head he started riding at 5 years old and began racing about 2 years ago and has his own list of injuries for his bio. It continues !!!

Accomplishments

In 1986 I received notice from the American Motorcycle Association that I was officially an expert of offroad motorcycling. I have built 13 quality homes, 3 single handedly. I am free of all debts. I somehow managed to loose all my hair. But most of all, raised a responsible, hard working son and kept my family intact. It continues !!!

Residence

1975 we lived in an apartment on Sunrise Ave. for 1 year, 1976 bought our first home on West 2nd St.in Rio Linda, 1988 moved to Silver City, New Mexico and built our 1st home here, 1995 I built our current home a 2 story 3200 sq. ft. home on 18 acres. Its in the mountains of South West New Mexico, at 6000 ft. elevation, on the Continental Divide. The climit is mild year round, Silver City still has a small town atmosphere. I hope it continues !!!

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Classmate Biography
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