[Milsurplus] Guidance for Younger Generation

[Steve Hilsz]

I too listened raptly to my high school counselor, who had me take College Prep courses even though I loved Electric Shop, Auto Shop, etc. I never found college to be as exciting as working for Abe Kranow at Standard Surplus on Market Street in San Francisco. I went to night school to learn electronics, then was employed by General Electric in the good old days of vacuum-tube and discreet-component Consumer Electronics. But I couldn't get the damned volatiles from moisture-fungus proofed military surplus out of my blood. So I eventually ended up saying "F--- It!" and now I work on rotary-dial telephones, field phones, and precious metals recovery from scrap electronics and I wish I had done this 40 years ago. My advice to youngsters is, do what your heart tells you. Your counselor (if they even have such animals) was stamped out of a mold, as are many college grads. No free thought. If I had to choose a mentor for my "golden years" (age 80 to 100), I'd copy Murray Anker (Anker Electronics), who was 92 when he tried to retire. After one month, Murray told me, "Either I shoot my wife, or she shoots me." Murray would go to his shop at 10:30 A.M. and religiously leave at 2:30 P.M. Now, all the World War II "surpies" are gone, but boy the memories are great.

Steve Hilsz