Redmond P. "Red" Hidding

I too knew Redly for about 50 years filled with so many laughs and fun times, and most often with our wonderful wives later in life. My parents and Redly's parents, Mary & Ed had been friends fir years and I began to hang out with Redly and Mike Hidding during my summers back in Crystal Lake during college and ever since both back in CL and many times out here in California,  I moved here in January 1975 after spending 2 years in Albuquerque on my way out west)

I hosted several golf tournaments out here I dubbed the Occasional Hunt Invitationals (OCI), I think about 10 of them and I think both Mike and Red Hidding attended all of them. My first Invitational was held up in Lake Tahoe at Edgewood, a beautiful course and fine test of golf. After the tournament we went gambling and I had been at a blackjack table for 3 hours and was basically back to even. Redly was standing behind me and it was about time we left for home which was my then apartment in Mountain View, CA so I decided to go all in in a last bet, won and doubled my money. As I happily got up to leave Redly yells out "NOT NOW YOU'RE JUST GETTIN HOT!!! Yeah sure, Redly I replied as we left with me being the only winner.

in susequent OCI tournaments we played at Spyglass Hill in Monterey and Pajaro Valley here near us and stayed in rental houses on the beach where we surfed, swam and just had so many blasts we could have been a band, well, we were!

Just one more. On my birthday back in 76 or 77 I was back home to see family and friends when Redly calls me up to tell me we're going to Arlington Park because he's GOT THE DOUBLE!! What I ask Redly and he tells me he's GOT THE DAILY DOUBLE! So we grab my sister Martha and her car and drive to Arlington Park. Redly wouldn't say what the daily double winning numbers until we got out of the car in the track's parking lot when Redly says "ok the double is 5 and 2 but we will box it (meaning we would bet 2 and 5 as well just in case). Well  we put our betting tickets all in Martha's pocket for good luck and sure enough #5 wins the first race and then #2 with a female jockey on board, which was very unusual at the time (and now) wins the second race!! We were as my now wife Cher would say "Bucks up!" Redly never gave up his source but what a day at the track. I still bet today and how easy it is by just reaching in my pocket for my iPhone! Later that night Mike also had the double for us but I ain't goin any further on that.

The fun we had could fill a book with Redly, Mike myself and our wives again spanning decades. They all came out here when Cher and I were married now 43 yrs ago next  month.

May you rest in peace old Buddy when you aren't working to help others or when teeing it up at a great golf links in Heaven

God Bless,

Jim Hunt