Keiser, Augustus Charles, 2003 November 06

This is a Living History interview with Gus Keiser, Class of 1932, conducted by Marilyn Somers on November 6, 2003 at his home in Marble Falls, Texas. The subject is Mr. Keiser’s life and experiences at Georgia Tech.

Mr. Keiser was born in Atlanta on January 20, 1910. His father worked for Georgia New Company and his mother was a homemaker. Mr. Keiser had one brother three years younger than he. He attended Atlanta Public Schools all the way through high school at Tech High. Atlanta was growing quickly during this time. Mr. Keiser’s father attended Night School at Tech, which helped spark his interest in it. Mr. Keiser’s father did not have to fight in World War I, but he does remember seeing soldiers parading down Ponce de Leon Avenue. Mr. Keiser has vivid memories of the Great Atlanta Fire. He saw his house go up in flames. Instead of sports, Mr. Keiser played clarinet in the band during high school and college. He decided on a Mechanical Engineering major at Tech because Chemical Engineering had too many afternoon labs. He lived at home and commuted to school. He got a car his junior year. Mr. Keiser remembers the 1928 football team going to the Rose Bowl. The band did not get to go, but everyone listened to the game on the radio. Mr. Keiser had shop classes with Uncle Heinie and Uncle Billy Van Houten. He remembers some of the projects he was required to do. He also recalls D.M. Smith and Floyd Field. Mr. Keiser ate at the Varsity and met Frank Gordy there. He was very active in campus activities, including ROTC. He wore his Rat Cap as a freshman and remembers dances at the Fox Theatre. After graduation, he got a scholarship to Harvard and earned a Masters of Mechanical Engineering. He worked at Coca-Cola for a year in Boston before returning to Atlanta. He taught at Tech High while earning a degree from night school at Georgia State. It was there that he met his wife, Merle. They married and both got jobs with Texaco. Mr. Keiser was transferred a few times before moving to New York. Mrs. Keiser got a job at Norwalk College, in nearby Connecticut. Mr. Keiser retired when he was sixty-five and worked at Bridgeport University until his wife retired as well. They moved down to Texas to be near their son, Kevin. Mr. Keiser worked in Kevin’s real estate business until he lost his drivers license. The Keisers also have a daughter, Karen, who lives in Louisiana. Mr. Keiser has five grandchildren and almost six great-grandchildren. Mr. Keiser plays Scrabble and takes classes at Texas Tech to keep his mind busy. His wife passed away last year. Mr. Keiser recently came back to Tech for a visit. He likes the “new Tech,” but it is much different than when he was there. He enjoyed his interview a lot and likes to see old friends.