Bob Chase Sr. and Bob Chase Jr.

Bob Chase Sr. and Bob Chase Jr.

Interview transcript

Bob Chase Jr., 60, interviews his father, Bob Sr., 85.
8/13/07, 11:30 Cleveland, OH
TRT: 1:45

Bob Chase, Jr. interviews his father, Bob Sr.

BCJ: When you think about your kids, what makes you happy? What makes you sad?

BCS: Well, I can tell you. One of the greatest failings in my life involved you. Constantly in my mind is the fact that I mistreated you over a very stupid incident that occurred when you were young. We lived in Levittown and I’m sure you know the incident of your not wearing a raincoat to going to a guitar lesson. And, uh, I was for some reason incensed and I beat you. And, uh, that um incident has stayed with me for the rest of my life.

BCJ: You know that of course I remember that incident. But I wish you wouldn’t think of that constantly. Because when I think of all the good that you did for me, that just so pales in terms of everything else.

BCS: I know it happened 50 years ago but – the memory – I can’t erase it. It’s still there, still present in my mind.

BCJ: I’ve said – and maybe I’ve never said it to you – but I’ve said this to many people: If I am good in what I do, no one in the world deserves more credit than you.

BCS: That means – that means a great deal. And I know that – I really do. I understand that.

BCJ: I’m glad you do. Because it’s true.

Cleveland, Ohio, OH, Midwesterners, Long Island, New York, Levittown, fathers, sons, children, parents, parenting, childhood memories, fatherhood, regrets, mistakes, 1950s, abuse, violence