BVA Connection
My good friends Jim and Pam Hogan alerted me to Larry Bustetter and then my pal, Max Morgan introduced me to him.

Jim and Larry are fellow blind veterans and members of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA).

Several months ago, Pam asked me if I knew any bicycling veterans because Larry needed a partner. I reached out to Max Morgan, a U.S. Navy Seal Vietnam Veteran, and he immediately contacted Larry.

Strong Work Ethic
Dr. Larry Alan Bustetter was born August 22, 1946 in Yakima, Washington, where he grew up graduating from A.C. Davis High School on June 19, 1964.

In high school, Bustetter juggled school and track as he worked in the cherry picking industry, delivered newspapers, and as a bottle boy in a grocery store that his dad managed.

While pursuing his education, Bustetter also learned a strong work ethic, which served him very well going forward.

Coincidentally, his track coach, Glenn “Gabby” Moore, was rather infamous due to his unlawful misdeeds documented in the book, “Fever in the Heart”.

Biology Degree
Following high school, Bustetter attended West Texas’ Abilene Christian College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in science biology in June 1968.

While attending college, he worked as an embryology lab instructor, cafeteria dishwasher, part time gardener, and room monitor of his 300 student dormitory.

With a 10 p.m. curfew, he became incredibly unpopular while attempting to silence the rowdies.

Late one evening, Bustetter found it necessary to shut down loud behavior by turning off a circuit breaker causing an immediate blackout.

Moments later, to his great dismay, he received an uninvited visit and retaliation from several very large West Texas cowboys.

As a result, they threw him fully clothed into a nearby lake, which prompted him to prudently idle down his room monitoring gig.

After earning his degree, he returned to the great northwest and attended Washington State University to pursue his Master’s degree in micro biology.

Scorching Hot
Under threat of Uncle Sam’s draft board, Bustetter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 24, 1969, and was sent to the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Larry A. Bustetter Medical Service

Growing up with a mild climate in the great northwest, he was not prepared for South Texas’ incredible scorching heat and humidity.

With six weeks of basic training under his belt, Bustetter was sent to Sheppard Air Force Base near Wichita Falls, Texas, where he attended the School of Healthcare Sciences since he was on track to become a medic.

However, his head officer, Colonel Jack Bashaw, determined that college graduates with teaching experience were needed to become medic instructors.

Of approximately 1,000 airmen, Bustetter was one of 30 selected, resulting in a major career change from being a medic overseas, most likely in Vietnam.

Bustetter ultimately served his entire Air Force service training medics at Sheppard.

Red Measles Epidemic
“It may sound peculiar, but throughout my entire Air Force service I never once flew on a military aircraft,” said Bustetter. “But more importantly, we were churning out approximately 5,000 medics annually.”

In the early 1970’s, at Sheppard Air Force Base, a horrific Red Measles outbreak occurred and perplexingly, vaccinations to ward off this dreadful virus were not given.

Before the outbreak was known, a stricken airman with a serious rash all over his body came in contact with Bustetter and two weeks later, he became ill.

For the next several weeks Bustetter was out of commission fighting high fevers until he finally recovered.

He continued training medics and on his off-time he pursued his Master’s degree in biology at nearby Midwestern State University, graduating in May 1973.

Honorable Discharge

Larry A. Bustetter Air Force Commendation Certificate

On June 22, 1973, Bustetter received his honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant E-5 at Sheppard Air Force Base after four years of service to the U.S. Air Force.

He soon returned home to Yakima, Washington determined to put his education to good use by landing a respectable job.

One month later, via a telephone interview with the Sepulveda Veterans Administration, Bustetter was automatically hired. He packed his belongings and drove to the San Fernando Valley.

After living temporarily with an aunt, he moved into a rented studio apartment and joined Lassen Street Church of Christ.

It just so happened that a young beautiful woman named Kay Erickson and her family attended this same church.

When the Erickson’s spotted young, tall and handsome Larry Bustetter, they intuitively went into cupid mode.

Love Story
In late August 1973, Kay’s sister Susan arranged a “set-up.” She invited Bustetter to a small party to introduce him to Kay.

Larry A. Bustetter & Kay Wedding Day

When Bustetter, unaware of the set-up, said he would bring a lady friend, Susan said absolutely not.

After the party, Susan, sensing Bustetter was oblivious to her covert plot, phoned him and yelled, “Hello!”

She then invited him to a family dinner and that was the beginning of their budding romance. It turns out that both Bustetter and Kay were born on August 22^nd.

His first date with Kay was to Ming’s Chinese Restaurant in Bellflower as they continued dating for the next six months.

In October 1973, he bought Kay a beautiful necklace in Long Beach, and while in his car at a parking lot, Larry eagerly asked, “Would you marry me?”

Kay said yes and they were married April 5, 1974, at the Church of Christ in Long Beach. They have one beautiful daughter, Emily, and 4 outstanding grandchildren.

Veterans Administration

Larry A. Bustetter & Jim Hogan – Two Blind Veterans

Bustetter continued his 34-year career with the VA, but unbeknownst to him until the late 1970’s, that Red Measles virus from years earlier had settled in both eyes.

He began noticing night vision and double vision issues.

Even as that despicable virus slowly devastated the retina in both eyes, Bustetter earned his 2^ndMaster’s degree via the G.I. Bill in 1980.

In December 1989, his ophthalmologist sadly advised him to stop driving. Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, which destroyed the VA’s laboratories, and with his vision eroding, Bustetter’s responsibilities fully shifted from lab work to class room and administrative.

Dr. Larry A. Bustetter retired from the VA in 2008 as chief learning officer and chief of workforce development in the greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

“The VA was really good for me and I’m very proud to have been part of a major effort improving the VA’s effectiveness,” said Bustetter. “Our VA’s vision care is second to none.”

Invaluable Lifeline
Bustetter proudly demonstrated his remarkable computer video vision magnifiers provided by the VA that enable him to read, which has been an invaluable lifeline to his work and his quality of life.

Larry A. Bustetter Family

In 2002, he and Kay moved to Valencia near their daughter and grandchildren where he also pursued his Doctoral degree through Nova Southeastern University classes held at Newhall’s Masters University.

While with the VA, Bustetter tirelessly worked part time for Nova. He currently serves as president of the Blinded Veterans Association.

A Great American
Larry, it was a sincere pleasure meeting you and your lovely wife Kay. I admire your positive outlook on life, your energy, your service to our country, and especially your outstanding support to our veterans.  You are truly a great American!

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