Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 85

Where were you when your father had left the position at Brookfield Zoo?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 84

Ya know, I don’t know that I was ever that enthralled with it or thought that much about it. It was a job, and it was a hard job sometimes, but I enjoyed the people associated with the field and traveling for zoo conferences and whatnot. It was always great… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 80

Who was involved in the bringing of it here?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 81

I’m not sure who. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 82

Did you realize, at some time, that you were part, for good or bad, but that you were part of a very famous family that had generation after generation of people associated with the zoo field?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 78

Or do you remember any of that?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 79

You know, I’m not sure, ’cause that was about…… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 76

Ralph Small. (laughs) Did your father work hard to get this panda?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 75

Wasn’t anything hidden. I know there’s a fella that was the gatekeeper at the south gate who’s only has two arms, ’cause the panda had bit one of his (chuckles) arms off. That was Ralph Small. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 77

Did it just come to him?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 72

Did your uncle George or did your father tell you stories about the panda when it came?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 74

Everybody knew what the deal was, you know?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 73

Musta been a big deal. Oh yeah, it was a big deal, but that was a big deal and written up. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 70

Or when they went to Milwaukee. Yeah, I’m assuming. Yeah, because I know… Well, I’ll say yes, far as I know. I don’t know all the facts. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 69

Were they married when he was at Brookfield?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 71

Did you hear stories about the panda when that was a big deal, when it came to Brookfield Zoo?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 67

Okay, and then, he started as a keeper at Brookfield Zoo?… Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 66

Your sister married a gentleman named George Speidel. George Speidel. But he wasn’t a zoo guy at the time she married him. No, he was a guard at this Brookfield Zoo, security or whatever. And then, later, he decided he liked animals. He wanted to be a keeper. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 68

Right. And then, ultimately, your aunt and he got married. Read More

Interview 25868 – Caption Index: 64

No, not really. He didn’t. Probably heard more of my father and whatnot through his sister, Sister Mary, who was the wife of the director of Milwaukee at the time. Read More