Project of the Skyline College/North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library
Student project for LSCI 110 – Digital Oral Research Project, Skyline College

An Interview with my Father
Dave Figueroa

 The Roots of my Apple Tree”, by Sara Figueroa

Click on the links below to hear audio segments from an April 2005 interview by Sara Figueroa with Dave Figueroa  who is a Union Business Representative for San Franciscos Local Union #12  Northern Californias District Council 16 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades

 

Table of Contents:
1. An Introduction to Childhood
2. High School Years

3. In the Marine Corps

4. Civil Rights, Race Wars

5. Insane Moments

6. Through the Union Doors

7. Concerts

8. The Last of the Four

9. Drugs

10. Overcoming Drugs

11. Father Relationship

12. Inner Strength

13. Unions & Politics

14. George “Dubya” and the Have Mores

15. Close out Comments

 

Segment 1
An Introduction to Childhood
My father’s basic information, along with information on his early years; being born in San Francisco, living part time in Mexico, and his return to the Bay.

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 2
High School Years
This is a brief description of my dad’s four years in high school.

 


right before he enlisted in the

U.S. Marine Corp

 

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 3
In the Marine Corps
My father talks about his experience in the Marine’s. He remembers the time he spent in Okinawa and Saigon. 

 


    

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 4
Civil Rights, Race Wars
Here, he talks about the events leading up to and surrounding the 60’s and 70’s movement. 

 

 

 



 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Chato” in his early twenties

Segment 5
Insane Moments

In this segment, my dad starts to talk about the beginning of his downward spiral.

                                          

 

 



 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 6
Through the Union Doors
After serving his time in the military, my dad became involved in the union.

 

 

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 7
Concerts
Here he describes the wonder of music in the streets of San Francisco.  

 



 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 8
The Last of the Four
Here, my dad recalls Peter Frampton’s concert at Winterland, and the friends he lost afterwards.

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 9
Drugs
This segment seems a little self-explanatory. It describes my father’s relationship with addiction.

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

Segment 10

Overcoming Drugs 

It seemed to take years of  going through it”, but my dad talks about his repent to recovery.

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

Segment 11

Father Relationship

My dad’s father abandoned the family after my grandparents’ divorce. But here my dad talks about his current relationship with his father.

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

Segment 12

Inner Strength

Alcoholics & Narcotics Anonymous (AA/NA) have been fundamental to my dad’s sobriety. Here, he talks about the impact that these groups have brought him.

 

                  

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

Segment 13

Unions & Politics 

My father is a left-wing union activist. And here he talks about some of his beliefs.

 

my dad and Clinton, one of his favorite politicians

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

Segment 14

George “Dubya” & the Have Mores

My father discusses his disappointment in the current leadership of both our country and state.

 

 

           

                                  georgedubya” bush                                              the governator

                                                                            

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

Segment 15

His Close out Comments

His final comments.

 

                                         

                                this is a picture of me and                                                                                  taken at a time in my life when, as my father

                                                                   my dad on my 1st x-mas                                                                                             tells me, I’d never let him put me down

 

 

Back to Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

*These audio files may be played with Windows Media Player or Real Player.
To download a free copy of Windows Media Player, click here.
To download a free copy of Real Player, click here.


last revised: 9-26-05
by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA
These materials may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: North San Mateo County Oral History Archives, Skyline College Library. All commercial rights are reserved. To contact the author, or send comments or suggestions, email: Eric Brenner at: brenner@smccd.net