He once could make a sailor squirm without saying a word. This grumpy guy can make or break you. Would I go to his house for a cup of sugar? Probably not.
OK, so KENNETH TYLER was only scary in his master chief’s uniform. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1989 after serving for 26 years. His last command was VA-145, the Swordsmen, at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
His wife STELLA, who recently retired from teaching math at Oak Harbor High School, gently suggested he get out of the house and find something to do. He went to school at Skagit Valley College to become a truck driver, drove big rigs, stopping for Little League baseball season to umpire, for about 10 years and for the last eight years has been driving tour groups to Seattle, Vancouver and all around the region for MWR.
Let’s go back to 1978 when their son KEVIN TYLER started playing ball with the North Whidbey Little League Cap league for kids 8 and 9 years old. “I started umpiring and have been doing it ever since. I was chief umpire for the league for about 15 years until I decided it was time for people with children in the program to take the lead,” Ken said.
“I actually promised I’d keep umpiring for the same length of time I had been in the Navy — 26 years — and at 28 years of umpiring now, I’ve exceed even my expectations.”
He has been the president of North Whidbey’s Little League for the past four years and on the district staff as assistant district administrator and umpire in chief for the past 10 years. He has earned his reward and this summer will umpire in the Little League Baseball World Series for 11- and 12-year-olds in Williamsport, Penn.
Only two applicants are chosen each year from the 11 state Western Region. Ken said, “There are so many good umpires, I didn’t think I had a prayer, but I submitted my application (to Western Region in San Bernardino, Calif.) anyway. I had done my qualifying regional tournament in 1998.” It took him about nine years to be picked up.
He readily admitted, “I love umpiring. It’s necessary for the game and it gets me around young people. I enjoy doing things with kids — most of the time.” Just then a little smile lit up his face. “Kids have changed a little over the years, but they’re still kids. If only the parents would just let them play.”
Tyler has few nights to himself during Little League season. “I’ve umped five nights a week where games can go 2 to 2 ½ hours and there are Saturday double-headers,” he said. About 13 hours a week is a lot of volunteer work.
While a withering look from him can make kids stand at attention, he really is a regular guy. The air of superiority and dour expression get put away with the umpire’s uniform when he gets home. He is a man who has given a good part of himself to Little League umpiring, and deserves to be remembered as one of the best.
His art is exciting
You wouldn’t call him a beginner. Maybe just underexposed.
Art is everything to RANDY EMMONS, a former award-winning Navy photographer. How is he as an artist? Judge for yourself by visiting Coupeville’s Penn Cove Gallery on Front Street where six of his works will be shown through mid-July. If they go fast, he can bring more.
“I love the exposure,” he said. “It’s a big step for me because I work really hard.”
He paints two or three watercolors a week to build his skills. “They are mostly Whidbey images people can relate to and they are all worth something.”
His day job is providing marketing and administrative support to the Coupeville Arts Center on the north side of the overpass. More of his work hangs there.
Call 678-3396 and enjoy!
It’s almost here…
Is it the world’s largest garage sale? Well, it’s definitely one of the best.
Check it out for yourself on Saturday, June 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, July 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Coupeville Lions Club garage sale takes place in the Coupeville Elementary Multipurpose Room. It’s an important fund raiser for the Lions and allows them to support many community service projects.
If you just can’t wait, come to the sneak preview on Friday, June 29, and be ready for the start promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday. They are still accepting donations; so call 678-0382 or 679-2735 to have someone pick up your items.
They make a difference
The Republican Women’s Club of North Whidbey invites all women to come to a membership event at Angelo’s Caffe from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29.
“We are giving several women leadership awards,” said LINDA HADDON, the group’s president. “This is a good opportunity to find out what we do and make some new friends.”
Call Haddon at 360-929-0704.
Give me a call at 675-6611 or write to lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com. See you next week!
