No, this is not an obituary. Ted is quite alive and still going strong at the age of 81. As many of you will remember, Ted celebrated his 81^st birthday this year at the last Rendezvous in Borrego Springs. Ted is a rather quiet fellow, so you might never know what an amazing life he has had – so far.

Sue, his lovely wife of 30 years, says she figures he stands about 5ft. 4 in. tall (she being an inch or so taller than he). Although he’s not a physical giant, he is an athlete in every sense of the word. Sue mentioned Ted’s love of the water. Would you believe he has been a surfer up until about 15 years ago? Back in his younger days, Ted worked as a life guard in the summer and on ski patrol in winter. He’s done a lot of water skiing, scuba diving and sailing too. He once sailed from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Newport, California – as a crew member for Frank Morgan, who, as some of us over-the-hill folks will remember, was the wizard in the Wizard of Oz movie. Sue says that once when he broke his leg snow skiing, he wrapped his cast-encased broken leg in plastic so he could go water skiing!

Landside, Ted counts racquetball, tennis and bicycling among his many athletic talents. Ted has had a motorcycle since he was 18, but has recently forsaken his dirt bike and is now into "quading"; he enjoys ATV jamborees in northern California and Utah. Ted got his first Jeep in 1951 - a little four-banger pick-up that he drove up and down the beach looking for the perfect surfing spot. In the winter he used it to play in the snow and to go skiing. Today, he drives a Jeep Liberty and a Jeep Wrangler. In addition to the Jeeps and quad, other current toys include a 36 ft. motorhome (his), a 21 ft. motorhome (hers), a 35 ft. 5^th wheel "patio hauler" a pick-up w/camper, and a small (towed by a motorcycle) camping trailer. It’s a good thing they have 2 and 1/2 acres for their menagerie.

Ted and Sue moved to Apple Valley about 18 years ago. It’s a bit far from the ocean, and although he still enjoys the water, Sue believes Ted has now added the desert and the mountains to his list of loves. Not only is he a Desert Explorer trip leader, he also serves as the Adopt-A-Trail program coordinator for the San Bernardino National Forest.

Sue says Ted has grown to love dogs too - which are her "hobby." They foster pooches in need of a temporary home, but frequently adopt them themselves and presently have five.

Ted hails from Brooklyn, NY (no detectable accent) which he left at the age of 14. He and his family bounced around the east coast for a short while and eventually came west to Long Beach after the War. Ted attended the Naval Academy, but had to drop out when he became ill. He also attended USC and Cal Poly, but never did graduate. The lack of a diploma, however, didn’t seem to hinder Ted’s career as a banker. He became a Crocker Bank (now Wells Fargo) branch manager and then the Southern California Senior Loan Supervisor. He married twice and divorced twice before meeting Sue who was working as a teller in the Santa Ana Branch.

Ted is the father of four children (two boys and two girls), grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of three.

Despite being a soft-spoken fellow, Ted was a Toastmaster when he and Sue lived in Costa Mesa. And another feather that can be added to his cap was his tenure as president of his Toastmaster’s chapter.

Ted’s all-time favorite vacation was when he and Sue took a two month caravan trip to Alaska with their fifth wheel. He enjoyed that trip so much, he wants to go again. Another memorable group trip was floating down the Mississippi with their rigs on three barges.

Ted’s favorite food is Lebanese, which is not so surprising when you learn that his last name, "Kalil" is Lebanese; and was once spelled, "Khalil." His grandfather immigrated from Lebanon, and was processed through Ellis Island. His mom’s half added Scotch-Irish to his heritage. It’s obvious Ted inherited some outstanding genes from those predecessors. Or is it just luck? Maybe a little of both? Whichever, Ted is just thankful to still be active. Sue says he is always doing something or going somewhere. Not many 81 year olds can claim as many accomplishments as he can, or be as active as he is.

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