Richard L. Mangum

Shortly after graduating from PHS, I served my LDS Mission in Argentina from Feb. '61 to Aug. '63. Upon returning, I became part owner of a local (Provo) Telephone Answering Service being managed by one of my friends from St. George. With a timeout for marriage in the Sale Lake Temple in early 1965, I returned to BYU then later became sole owner of Valley Telephone Answering Service. I finally finished my BYU Undergraduate studies in the late '60s, sold my business and joined Kmart's management team in the early '70s and was transferred to Vallejo, California... working my way back to Utah via stores in California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado where I became disenchanted with the constant transfers and moved to Nebraska and worked at a regional Department Store chain (Richman-Gordman) as Merchandise Supervisor, Footwear Controller, and finally a computer programmer developing various programs for the store's buyers to assist in their merchandise accounting, balancing of stock, and to streamline their report writing for management.

When that company folded in the late '80s, I became an Assistant Manager at a local telemarketing firm and a sales account representative at KHUB, a local radio station. After a few years, I moved up to The Furst Group, a new, larger telemarketing operation with 200 sales positions, and eventually a 24/7 operation with over 500 employees. As General Manager, I was kept enjoyably busy until retirement.

Now, for the most part, I "run" Grandpa's Daycare for some of my local grandchildren... and that's the best job of all! My dear wife, Joyce, still works at a local Grocery Store chain (HyVee) as Catering Coordinator and Assistant Kitchen Manager. She loves it but can't wait until it's her turn for retirement, she says! Maybe that's a hint for me to go back to work then.

That hint became reality in 2015 when I began working for the Fremont Public Schools Transportation Department as a school bus Aide for Hispanic riders and Pre-School riders. Of course there's many English riders included but sometimes I need to "give directions" in Spanish to get the students attention! It's a rewarding opportunity. I'm also an Interpreter and Translation Assistant when called to do so by the School System, mostly for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

My school memories are a little fuzzy after all these years... but I'll keep wracking my brain. I do remember I liked band (Clarinet) and the musical opportunities. I worked a lot of hours at KIXX and KOVO Radio back in those days. Memories.... Oh so foggy after all these years. I only was at PHS for my Senior year. So much fun and so many great people. I wish I had been in Provo more years.