When gasoline was 20 cents a gallon and a postage stamp cost 3 cents, Robert "Bud" Roberds was graduating from San Jacinto High School with the Class of 1938. While FDR ran the White House, Roberds focused his attention on music and prepared for a career as an educator.
On May 6 he was honored as the 2010 distinguished alumni by the San Jacinto Education Foundation during its annual recognition reception.
Roberds joined his family's orchestra at age 9, and the group was well-known throughout the San Jacinto Valley playing for various lodges' installation dances and other events. His parents and siblings formed The Roberds Family Orchestra, and Bud's brothers also became music teachers.
"I was in a little band in high school, too," said Roberds. "We had noon dances -- I think they were monthly -- and I can still see Beryl Andrews out there dancing."
Calling themselves "School Kids," Roberds' younger brother came over from the grammar school to play drums for the band.
"In those days I played the trumpet, guitar and accompanied others on piano," said Roberds.
Roberds met his wife, Jewell Tripp, when they were eighth-graders at San Jacinto Elementary, and they started "going together" during their junior year of high school. Both have historic ties to the valley.
Roberds is the great-grandson of Jose Maria de Necochea, who settled in the area with the Estudillo family in the 1860s. Jewell is the granddaughter of Judge S.V. Tripp, who was part of another prominent pioneer family. The couple married in 1941 and had two children, Bill and Lorraine.
Jewell was valedictorian of their class of 24 graduates and because both of them were firm believers in the value of education, they continued on to college; Bud attended Long Beach Junior College and then transferred to UCLA.
They became the second couple to wed in San Jacinto's new St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Roberds continued his education until he was drafted for a three-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army. Even though he had earned his teaching credential before he was drafted, he started his career at San Jacinto Unified School District as a school bus driver.
Soon he was teaching music at his alma mater and stayed there for nine years before he was offered a position in Fallbrook. Roberds retired in 1979.
Jewell finally kept the promise the couple made to themselves and returned to San Diego State to finish her education. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree and then earned her teaching credential in 1966.
The San Jacinto Education Foundation was founded in 2001 to enhance the educational experiences of students through funding and programs.
Information, 951-929-7700 ext. 4530.
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