South County Profile: Rex Moravec

Rex Moravec’s older brother, Francis William, better known to most people in Happy Valley as “Bud,” became a father figure to the Moravec family when their dad was killed in a car crash in Klamath Falls, Ore.

While Rex was in the fourth grade, he met Millie Eberhardt. They shared their first kiss “across a barbwire fence” when they were both in the seventh grade.

Rex Moravec said he grew restless at age 15 and tried to get a job helping to build Shasta Dam. The man who did the hiring told him to come back when he was 16. Moravec did return and “worked in the mud” with a concrete vibrator. He made $1.10 an hour compared to the 83.5 cents an hour paid to common laborers.

After Shasta Dam was completed, Rex went on to help build Keswick Dam, with an increase of pay to $1.50 an hour. He was a “water boy,” or one who would keep the concrete wet so it could cure properly.

After his work ended at Keswick Dam, Rex joined the U.S. Army and spent a year and a half in Greenland. When he returned to the U.S., he decided to join the U.S. Merchant Marine. He also proposed to Millie. His next three years were spent in Alaska. When he returned to the area, he and Millie were married.

Art and the art of creating have always fascinated Rex, so with the GI Bill to pay for his education, he went to the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

After completing a college degree at age 29, Rex once again returned to the South County area and hired on with the Shasta Union High School District as an art instructor at Enterprise High School in Redding.

Twenty-nine years later he retired.

During his teaching career, Rex and Millie operated a 40-acre cattle ranch in Ono. They sold the ranch four years ago.

Now, still having that creative spirit, Rex volunteers at the Anderson Historical Society and Museum where he continues to create by making steps and railings at the old schoolhouse and doing other improvements at the museum.

“There is no end to the work here,” said Rex, “but I love doing it.”

Name: Rex Moravec

Born where and when: Portland, Ore., 1925

Occupation: Retired art teacher, Enterprise high School 25 years.

Marital Status: Married.

Family: Three boys. Married to same dream girl – 57 years.

Pets: None.

My worst job: I have appreciated every job I ever had.

My first job: Concrete work, Shasta Dam, 1941.

In my spare time I: remain active.

My favorite book: “Moby Dick.”

My favorite movie: “African Queen.”

My favorite recording artist: No favorite.

My dream car: 1928 Chevrolet.

My friends like me because: Who knows?

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Good weather.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: Always be truthful.

The best advice my parents gave me: Follow and respect your conscience.

My most embarrassing moment was: We all have them, I choose to forget.

My most irrational act: Ditto – see above.

My most valued material possession: Our home of 56 hears that wife Millie and I built and raised our three boys in.

What I like best about the North State: The area is close to solitude in three directions.

My hero is: My wife Millie who has raised three fine boys and has decorated my life for 57 years.

My pet peeve is: Lazy people.

My fantasy is: Fifty-seven more years of decorated life.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: So many!

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: Control the speed and growth.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Being able to live free and enjoy what we have achieved.