The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-03-14
STUMPY PIT. MAN
FEATURED IN
COLLEGE PAPER
r. w. Wechter, Who In Mid
die Life, Pursues His COL
lege Studies Win
ming Fame


from the East Carolina College
paper will be of interest to the
people of the Coastland who well
know doc" Wechter as he is af-
fectionately calle d by his
friends.)
(By Janice HardisOn in TecO EchO)
Robert Wechter
With years of rich and enlighten-
ing experience behind him, doc"
Wechter entered college a mature
man dubious as whether l could
carry the work load of students
and whether / would fit in with
people so much younger than l
am"
When Robert Wechter came to
East Carolina, he had visited four
continents, had brief career in
politics and had been retired from
active military duty after having
spent the major part of his life in
the Navy and Coast Guard.
Career In Navy
Born in Wisconsin, Wechter saw
South America, Africa and Europe
while serving in the United States
Navy. During the early war
months, he was stationed on Cape
Hatteras as medical officer with
the Coast Guard. Eighteen months
later he toured the North Atlantic
on an ex-presidential yacht, the
Mayflower, which had been con-
verified by the government into a
radar training ship. Following duty
in Miami, he was retired from act
i've service in March, 1916, and for
the next three years took an active
part in community affairs in Dare
county. He ran for the state legis-
lature during that time but was
defeated.
doc" realized he had missed
out on something as youngster,
so he abandoned his extensive ca4
reer and came to college. Inciden-
tally, he is a Carolinian by adop-
ton. II think North Carolina is
the best state in the union, and /
enjoy living here, = he says. Though
he now resides in Greenville with
his family, the Wechter home is at
Stumpy Point in Dare county. Mrs.
Wechter has been teacher in that
vicinity for 16 years. They have
one daughter, Marsha, aged 8.
A hobby "Doc" has pursued
Ysince 1929 determined his major
for him. He has been building boat
models and the like in his wood
work shop for. so long that is was
natural that he major in industrial
arts. To choose minor was not so
easy, but his excellent grades in
English helped him to decide in
favor of it. And speaking of ex-
cellent grades, his average is bet
ter than a two at present.
Wechter has been a very active
student, having joined the English
club and the Industrial Arts club
Chs is now president), the Vet
Grams club, the YDC and the Jarvis
Forensic. He is an ex-president of
the Men. Day students and has been
member of the SGA for two
years. He is now it's historian and
member Of the Budget commit
!, tee. He was an associate editor of
the TECO ECHO in the summer of
1850, and in the fall became a
trainer for the football team. THE
schedule of travel was too much of
a strain" he says, "and l hail to
give that up" Bob Wechter is still
an ardent sports fan, and has been
present at almost every athletic
event on campus since he came.
It's no wonder this East Carolina
senior is listed among who's Who
in American Colleges and Univer-
sites" this year.
Practice Teaching
This quarter doc" is doing his
practice teaching in Tarboro and
in May will receive his BIS. de-
gree, only two and one-half years
after his arrival. During that time
he has been employed at Pitt Me-
mortal hospital as storekeeper and
has enjoyed a good bit Of social
life. Incidentally, he is now secre-
tary of the Pitt county Shrine
club.
The greying doc" seldom ever
seen without his cigar, is not
through with college by any means
He hopes to get into Duke Univer-
sity where he can do graduate
, work in hospital administration
The class enrolls only eight stu
dents for the two year course, and
two are graduated each six months
He has been interviewed and is
now in the finals. In the event that
he is selected, he will make a ca
reer of hospital administration, the
position feel am best qualified
to fill" he says.
HIn case that plan doesn't par
out, / have made application to
State college to continue work In
~