Richard Grant writes: “The journey through life has been interesting. Had to pay for most of my college tuition by working at the St. Lawrence Seaway summers and the John Hay Library. Studying art and performing in studio art under the tutelage of Walter Feldman set a course for the rest of my life. Upon graduation I was hired as a management trainee at the book cloth mill, Arkwright Interlaken. My boss asked me what I wanted to do. My goal of being a national sales agent was curtailed by the sales force being full so he asked me to go to the Brown Library and think of something I would like to do. When he asked me what I came up with, I told him I wanted to be art director of the company. He asked what my plan was and due to not having an answer, I went back to the John Hay. I created the Interlaken Art Program. I would purchase the rights to print book designer’s artwork on the book cloth and send it out to the publishing companies. I also conducted luncheons and conventions nationwide. As the years passed, the art program grew in importance. I continued managing the art program as a consultant because I had purchased a partnership in the cardboard frame producer, the Cambridge Paper Box Company. My responsibility was to create a new market, and selling to elementary school publishers was a natural. I became a leading sales person nationally in the creation of elementary school kits. Circumstance led to my forming R. B. Grant & Associates, representing 10 factories, each manufacturing boxes of a different material. A two-story office was added to our home on the URI campus. As the successful years passed, I eventually joined my son’s company, New Territories, selling complete kits, including the books, educational products, and mailing services. I was awarded top salesman at a San Diego sales meeting. Today, retired, I spend my time as president of Narrow River Preservation Association. I hope that this long monologue stimulates other grads to write a sketch of their life’s journey. In old age there is not much new to write about.” Contact Richard at [email protected].
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Class of 1961