My Life and Times
by: David (Poncho) Canndy '51

Like most guys of my time I went into the service, Air Force, about one year after high school. And, like most guys, I imagine, I dreaded boot camp. The thought of kitchen (KP) detail didn’t thrill me. But as it turned out, boot camp was the structure I really needed. Because up to this point there had been zero discipline in my life. Thus, four years of service was a good thing for me. In fact, the job skills that I learned provided the skills I needed for employment with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA hired me almost immediately after discharge from the Air Force and sent me to their school in Oklahoma to become an Air Traffic Controller. I entered on duty in St. Louis and after about five years was relocated to Kansas City where I retired after 35 years of service at age 55. Along the way I married and raised three children.

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During my 35 years of FAA service I was an active controller for 20 years, a member of the area "Go Team" which investigated near misses and system deficiencies and an operational supervisor. I should add at this point, as a controller, I was very much an activist and was one of the organizers of the now infamous sick out in 1968. I spent 7 weeks sequestered on the 17 floor of the Federal Office Building for my involvement.

After my FAA career, I studied exercise physiology, sold fitness equipment and eventually became a personal trainer specializing in sports conditioning.

During the mid seventies I became interested in amateur boxing and helped teach boxing at various intercity clubs. I learned some rudimentary skills while in the service. I did this for about 15 years and then met a young man named Bob Thurman. (known as Bob "Thunder" Thurman). Bob developed into a top notch amateur boxer and eventually turned pro as a kickboxer, the forerunner of todays mixed martial arts. He has been featured on CBS Wide World of Sports and many ESPN shows. Bob became a World Champion in his respected weight. Today he runs a very successful security company.

For several years I dabbled in pro boxing as a trainer, cut man and conditioning consultant. In more recent times I had the good fortune to help the gal who the movie "Million Dollar Baby" was based on. Her name is Sumya Anni who was the best of the best until she recently retired.

Today I have very little interest in pro boxing. Although, if you run into a 6 foot 5 inch 230 pound 18 year kid who may have that look in his eye, please let me know.

Until that time - keep your left hand up and chin down. I‘ll see you at ringside.

Dave "Poncho" Cannady

Class 51