Byron Huntsberger
also written Byron in the book
Biography
Kelly’s best friend during elementary school; two years older but five inches shorter than Kelly. His unnamed mother was a designer who made elaborate Halloween costumes for both children. Introduced himself as being from Dearborn, Michigan. Befriended Bernie during a drawing class, offered him a cigarette, and invited him to lunch at Charmettes. Encouraged Bernie about finding work. Expressed a wish that Learner were gay. Occupation also recorded as “Worked in the art department at Dr. Scholl’s” (Bernie's Chapter). Education also recorded as “Attended Ray Vogue during a two-year period with the narrator.” (Bernie's Chapter). From a large Catholic farm family of thirteen. Close friend of the narrator; taught him to cook and organized art parties. His roommate was Jim. The narrator describes a false move with Byron to a too-fancy apartment he could not afford.
Timeline
Kelly’s elementary school days
Bicycles and roller skates
The children rode bicycles while wearing roller skates and crashed; Kelly came inside bleeding and crying, followed by a frightened Byron.
Diana's ChapterOne Halloween during childhood
The Halloween pea costume
Byron’s mother designed costumes for Byron as The Jolly Green Giant and Kelly as his little Green Pea. Kelly cried in pain when fitted with the chicken-wire pea frame.
Diana's ChapterA Monday morning in July
First day of figure drawing at Ray Vogue
Learner directed one-minute sketches of a nude model. Bernie struggled with anxiety but ultimately discovered that his drawing compared favorably with his classmates' work.
Bernie's ChapterBernie's first day at art school
Bernie and Byron become friends
Byron invited Bernie into the hall for a cigarette, introduced himself, discussed Learner, offered encouragement about finding work, and invited Bernie to lunch at Charmettes.
Bernie's ChapterBefore attending Ray Vogue
Byron's Army service before art school
Byron had completed a full hitch in the Army and was studying on the GI Bill, described as fresh out of Korea.
Bernie's ChapterBefore the narrator found work at Winsberg’s
Byron gets an art-department job
Byron had gotten a job in the art department.
Bernie's ChapterTheir two-year hitch at Ray Vogue
Two years of art school and friendship
The narrator found artistic direction and an accepting peer group. Byron organized large art parties, renting halls, hiring bands, and selling tickets to cover costs.
Bernie's ChapterShortly before moving in with Rick in 1957
An unaffordable apartment with Byron
The narrator calls this a false move to a too-fancy apartment he could not afford.
Bernie's Chapter
Stories mentioning Byron
- Daredevil Friends, Favorite Foods, and Cards with GrandmaKelly and Byron Huntsberger shared bicycle mishaps, neighborhood pranks, and elaborate Halloween costumes, including a painful pea costume Kelly rejected. Kelly celebrated her love for her father with a nursery-school card declaring she loved him more than macaroni and cheese. Family traditions included fishing trips and games of 500, with Kelly and her grandmother always partners.
- A First Friend and a Little Hope at Art SchoolOn a hot July Monday, Bernie begins figure-drawing classes at Ray Vogue in Chicago. Overwhelmed by the nude model and anxious about fitting in, he meets Byron, an Army veteran studying on the GI Bill. During a cigarette break, Byron's openness and encouragement leave Bernie both unsettled and smitten. With tuition paid but only a week of rent money remaining, Bernie needs a part-time job. By day's end, a new friendship and the discovery that he can draw as well as his classmates give him hope.
- A Streetcar Search and a Fifty-Dollar LifelineWith rent due and only five dollars left, Bernie searched Chicago retail stores by riding different streetcar lines. A trip along Clark Street to Granville Avenue brought him a shoe-selling job at Winsberg’s with hours that fit his classes. After he sold a customer five pairs of shoes on his first day, Mr. Winsberg advanced him fifty dollars.
- Finding Belonging in Art and Returning HomeBernie enjoyed movies, galleries, beach outings, and cooking lessons with Byron while returning home whenever possible on the Rock Island Rocket and later in his Vauxhall. Art school, Art Institute visits, and parties organized by Byron brought him an accepting circle of friends. Their open conversations and diverse community helped him shed feelings of inferiority and embrace liberal ideas. He also credited his family’s love and closeness with his enduring sense of protection.
- A New Home and a Life of Art with RickBernard recalls meeting Rick at Kitty Sheon’s in Chicago, moving into his apartment, and later sharing a home on Surf Street. Following a farewell party, Bernard flew alone to San Francisco on New Year’s Day, stated as 1960 under a 1961 heading, and was astonished by snow. Rick followed a day later and found a new apartment with a bay view. Bernard bought a white 1961 Volkswagen convertible and received an alarming hill-driving lesson. Their shared enjoyment of travel, theatre, and fine arts enriched Bernard’s advertising work.
Referenced in
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