16 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER November 2022
SpringRidge at Charbonneau
By KERRY PHILLIPS
Navy veteran makes old and new connections
Lieutenant Commander ( ret .) Howard “ Hod ” Wells ’ life of service to the nation has taken him from the passageways of a Navy destroyer in Pearl Harbor to rebuilding naval facilities in Guam following the devastation of Typhoon Karen .
“ I graduated from high school in Beaverton and enrolled in Oregon State University ,” explained Hod . “ I ’ d also applied to the Naval Academy and was accepted in 1955 so I headed to Annapolis , Maryland .”
Among the highlights of his time at the Academy was discovering lacrosse . By the time he graduated , Hod was playing at the varsity level and received All-American Honorable Mention recognition . Hod says this was a significant accomplishment because he ’ d “ never even seen a lacrosse stick ” before joining the team .
In addition to lacrosse , he played with “ The Eastern 150-pound Football League ,” now known as “ The Collegiate Sprint Football League .” He was part of the inaugural Little Army vs . Navy game in 1957 attended by President Dwight Eisenhower .
Twenty hours after graduating from the Academy , he married the love of his life , Peggy , and the newlyweds drove cross-country , settling in Pearl Harbor . When they discovered Hod would be deployed to the Far East for two years , Peggy ’ s sense of adventure kicked in ! She and a friend decided to follow the ship around using military transport .
COURTESY PHOTO
Howard Wells served in the Navy for 20 years , and at SpringRidge he recently reconnected with a veteran he knew from his time in the service .
Even after her friend canceled , Peggy moved forward with her plans . Her travels included hitching a ride on an old steam train and climbing aboard a freighter carrying nails to get to Bangkok to await Hod ’ s ship .
Hod was deployed to other international locations , such as the Philippines , Guam and Vietnam . It was in Guam that he met fellow sailor Bob Armsby . The two shared a genuine connection , with Hod attending Bob ’ s wedding just before being given his orders to deploy to the Defense Atomic Support Agency in Albuquerque .
“ We lost contact after I left Guam ,” said Hod . “ Decades later , when Peggy and I moved to Charbonneau to be closer to our children , I picked up a copy of the Charbonneau Villager , and an article about veterans living at Spring-
Ridge caught my eye . I saw Bob ’ s picture and then his name and said , ‘ I know him !’”
The two have reconnected at the active retirement community and often reflect on their time spent in Guam . Hod and Peggy moved to SpringRidge about four months ago , and Bob has been a resident for six years .
“ It ’ s been an awful lot of fun catching up ,” he said . “ I like being with other veterans . The talk around breakfast can be pretty revealing . It ’ s nice to exchange military stories .”
SpringRidge is home to many resident-veterans who have served in all branches of the military . A permanent display , the “ Wall of Honor ,” pays tribute to these brave men and women , and new inductees are added each Veterans Day . An annual “ Where Were You ?” luncheon also invites veterans to share their experiences with others who have served our country .
Hod also looks forward to meeting new veterans . He and Peggy were recently in the community ’ s elevator when they observed a group of adult children helping their parents move to SpringRidge . Hod couldn ’ t help but notice the naval officer ’ s cap atop their moving cart . He inquired about their parents , and not long after , he and Peggy introduced themselves to the couple .
“ We ’ ve gotten to know them and enjoy their company very much ,” said Hod , who served in the Navy for 20 years , retiring in 1979 .
His civilian life included working for Oregon State University and serving as director of construction management in Pennsylvania , guiding university plant directors in using contracts .
Though he ’ s settled into a more relaxed lifestyle at SpringRidge , he continues to be active with his pickleball team , playing 3-4 times per week . He and Peggy also take advantage of the complimentary Charbonneau Golf Club social membership included in Spring- Ridge ’ s monthly fee .
“ SpringRidge ’ s maintenance-free lifestyle allows us to have more free time to spend with family and friends and do the things that are important to us ,” said Hod . “ My neighbors keep inviting me to take up Mahjongg . I don ’ t know if I ever will , but it ’ s nice knowing I now have the time to discover a new hobby or interest .”
The SpringRidge at Charbonneau campus offers a comprehensive menu of lifestyle options , including CARF-accredited assisted living and memory care services at SpringRidge Court . For more information or to schedule a personal tour , please call 503-446-6250 or visit SpringRidgeatCharbonneau . com .
Salute to Veterans
Don ’ t miss the Pamplin Media Group ’ s annual Salute to Veterans special section publishing on Nov . 10th in the Wilsonville Spokesman