--------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB October 03 1998 From: "Larry Smith" Subject: HSMB: I plan to give some insight into Kurt's early teen years. Hello: My name is Larry Smith. I am (was) Kurt's uncle by marriage. I posted on HSMB quite a while ago some memories that I had of Kurt. I have approached Onno about relating some more about Kurt. I feel that it is time to tell a little more about Kurt's early life. I don't really want to write a book at this time (I still have pangs of grief) and I feel that posting on this forum will be more fitting to what Kurt might have approved of: in essence, a smaller and more intimate group to talk to. It is hoped by me that this type of posting will preserve the dignity of Kurt, especially the Kurt that I knew for a few brief years. I think I can give you an honest rendition of how I perceived him - his ups and downs, his little mannerisms, his overall "comfortable" fit wherever he was. I think the best bet is to give you a chronological overview rather than skipping around in time. Also, it would help to receive questions from you folks, and I would try to answer them with honesty. Let me also tell you that I am not so self-important that I would think you have to believe that my descriptions of events and perceptions of Kurt's psyche are absolutely accurate or "the final word". I can only tell you that I will do the best I can. I am 50 years old in 2 days, and so it has been 20 years since Kurt moved in with my sister and Don in Montesano. It is, however, indelible in my mind as to the kind of person Kurt was as an 11 to 17 year old. A few words might help to describe him in general: Compassionate, Idealistic, Opinionated, Temper-Tantrum, Rude, Polite, Incredibly Happy, Incredibly Angry, Genius, Ethereal. This list could go on. But, you know what? It probably describes just about each and every one of us. I had a TON of respect for Kurt, as did my 70 year old grandfather at the time. And, in many ways, he was extraordinary. But, he was just as human as all of us, with human triumphs as well as human failings. I would like to tell you folks about my perceptions of those triumphs and failings by using my memory banks to relate them to you. Please go easy on me. I am NOT perfect in my memories. I am not doing this for any glory. If I wanted glory and money, I am sure I could just go ahead and write a book and smear all the photos I have of Kurt and my family all over the media. A book may be there someday, but that would only be with Frances' permission and with proceeds going toward her. So, I will wait until Frances is old enough to make up her own mind about that. As for the rest of the family (Courtney, Wendy, Don, etc.) I do not stay in contact with them, so I really don't want to give my opinions about them. Their names may come up in some of the things I relate, but only for emphasis of feelings that I think Kurt had about events in his life at the time. I have read a few of the postings today, and everyone sure has opinions, to say the least! Of course, that is wonderful. Also, Onno has been very supportive of me getting back into some postings. He was respectful enough to "lay back" on getting me on here when my wife had some medical problems. For that, I have great respect for Onno. It's gotta be a measure of his dedication that he spends much time just keeping this stuff flowing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB October 03 1998 From: Onno Subject: HSMB If you have any questions about the previous post, I suggest you post them here instead of mailing them personally. Larry has been generous enough to include his email address, and to give everyone a chance to talk to him if they want to, but that probably also means he'll get a lot of email in the next few days. Please, take it easy a bit, and post as much as you can here instead of mailing it directly, so he won't have to answer the same questions many times. To see his previous posts, check out Mexican Seafood: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/5890/ms/memories/larry3.htm Btw, I don't doubt for a second that this is in fact Larry Smith. Last time he posted, Curt had him checked out to verify his identity, and if anyone doubts this is really him, this is what Curt had to say about it: > he IS kurt's uncle. i guarantee this, i know him. just wanted > him to be credible if people say he's full of shit. he's not. Onno --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB October 13 1998 From: "Larry Smith" Subject: HSMB Well, I thought it was time to get off my butt (or should I say on my butt) and start writing a little. A little background here first: I was born in Aberdeen, Washington on October 4th, 1948. I lived in Montesano, Washington which is about 10 miles east of Aberdeen. I moved to Kitsap County (about 75 miles away) in 1986 to take a higher paying job working for the State of Washington. I retired last Friday. Hoop-Dee-Doo, I still have to work, because retirement isn't enough to get by on. Montesano was a microcosm of influences: logging was King until the Hollywood Actor and President of Our United States of America, Mr.Ronald Reagan, decided to allow the rednecks to cut every last scrap of remaining old growth lumber available. Basically, once the land was completely raped, things started to change a bit culturally around Montesano and Grays Harbor. The old ethic still remains, but just not quite as stinkingly obvious. There are still many people who wear hickory shirts and red suspenders with "LOGGER'S" embossed on the left suspender and "PLAYDAY" embossed on the right. Aberdeen was the "place to go" when I grew up, especially if you wanted to "cruise for chicks". The place has not changed much, except to possibly become drearier at times. Once the logging pissed out, the place became more of a transient haven, and there are many, many drug-rattled, hollow-eyed dudes around. Suicide is still rampant, and it is still not considered all that bad to slug your "woman" in the face if she "back talks". One only has to "cruise" through Aberdeen and Hoquiam now, and it is guaranteed that you will see at least a few turbo-liquored slimeballs lurching around the streets in a constant state of disheveled stupor. When I went to High School in the '60's, the best way to be "the man" was to have a 4 wheel drive with a gunrack, and a baseball cap that had a logo such as "Stihl" or "Kenworth" or "Milwaukee Tools". That had not changed, even when Kurt was around. The whole "ethic" of the logging/redneck community had a large influence on Kurt (at least in my opinion). Kurt was like an agate in a field of stones. He stood out like a sore thumb because of his singular and unique self-preservation tactics. This got him into much trouble during his teenage years. He was obviously disdained (and feared) by the "redneck elite". Okay, I am going to stop here, because I need some encouragement. It is not like I am always going to stop and ask for encouragement or direction, but I need to know if I am just being too freaking weird here. In other words, am I doing this right? Should I be giving background, or just diving into who I think Kurt was? Do you folks want detail, or should I just make a few posts and get the heck outta here? I guess my biggest worry is coming off as a "know it all" when it comes to Kurt. This is rather difficult, because my emotions are still strong. Just give me a few opinions, that's all. Nothing huge, then I can either whine about it or just stumble on. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB September 30 1999 From: "Laurence" Subject: HSMB Well, went up to Mount Hoquiam in the Olympic Mountains today, and it brought back the day with Gramps and Kurt. I will write about Kurt and his little escapades in the next few days, okay? By the way, the bears were everywhere up in those meadows today, eating blueberries. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB November 22 1999 From: "Laurence" Subject: HSMB I read about Kurt's white teeth with interest. One thing that Kurt had as a young teenager was WHITE teeth! Actually, they were unusually white. My grandfather told me one day: "Have you noticed how 'shiny' Kurt's teeth are?" I remember watching for Kurt's teeth a few times after that, and they certainly were! One time when Kurt was doing his 'upside down doorway show' for my daughter Kendra, I remember seeing those flashing teeth as he was grinning at her. Lit up the whole room. I don't know about whether or not he lost his teeth due to the heroin use. Not much of a 'tidbit' about Kurt, but I certainly have that vision of those white teeth in my mind. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HSMB November 24 1999 From: "Laurence" Subject: HSMB Subject: HSMB >Larry: first so this doesnt get taken the wrong way, i really do beleive >ist (i wasnt around then) how did you convince everyone you were you? >i find it hard to beleive that the people on this list would just take your >word for it. I guess the best I can tell you is to go to the Mexican Seafood page via this link: http://www.geocities.com/~dperle/ms/memories/mem3.htm . Then, go to the "background info" link on the page. Curt Page, who used to post regularly on HSMB, used to hang around Aberdeen and Montesano, which is where I am from, so he knew the places that I talked about. All I can actually tell you is that he had my veracity confirmed by talking to the Aberdeen Police Department. My former brother-in-law retired from the department. He was married to my sister before she married Kurt's father. My former brother-in-law confirmed to Curt that I was who I said I was. And, I certainly don't blame you for being careful. Perhaps this disclaimer should be inserted into the HSMB periodically. I guess I don't write about Kurt often enough to catch up with newer people on the list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------