Memories of the Detroit Athletic Club
5 Comments Published by Dr. Beyster August 16th, 2012 in Uncategorized.I have recently been thinking about some of my early adventures in Detroit during what must have been the 1930s. My uncle Bill Beyster was a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, which was a big deal at the time.
The club was established in 1887, and I believe most of Detroit’s automotive pioneers and top executives were members at one time or another. Occasionally my uncle would let us use his membership to have dinner. The club had one of Detroit’s most outstanding restaurants, and we would drive in from the suburbs and really enjoy ourselves.
When Betty and I were married, that was my uncle’s gift to us — he took us to dinner at the Athletic Club. I never worked out at the club, but I can remember having many good meals there.
– Bob
Dr. B -
I enjoyed this story. I have good memories of my dad taking us as kids to the Los Angeles Athletic Club in the 1960′s for swimming lessons and dinners. I remember being amazed at the swimming pools on the 6th floor, if i remember. I believe that club was also founded in the 1880′s.
Congratulations on receiving the UCSD Chancellor’s Medal. Your and SAIC’s support of the University have been simply wonderful. I assume you were able to meet the new Chancellor.
Best wishes,
Bill
Hi Dr. Beyster. I’m not sure we ever met but my mother was Joyce Beyster, your cousin, and my grandfather was the Bill Beyster you mention in the Detroit Athletic Club comments above. I too, remember going to the DAC on Sundays for brunch and the great spread they had. I always loved hanging around my grand parents, Bill and Marion Beyster, and miss them to this day. My best to you and glad you’re doing well.
Michael Dustin.
Bill: Thank you for your post about your memories of the Los Angeles Athletic Club. They sound much the same as my own memories of the Detroit Athletic Club, although I skipped the swimming lessons. I have not met the new Chancellor yet, but I hope to soon. — Bob
Michael: Thank you for your post. I don’t recall if we met, but if you’re still in the Detroit area, I hope we’ll have the opportunity to do so when I next visit the area again. I’m hoping to visit Ann Arbor and Grosse Ile next month for the University of Michigan homecoming game. Your grandfather and grandmother Bill and Marion Beyster were fine people, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to spend time with them as I was growing up. — Bob
Dr. Besyter, I left HUntsville in 1986 and followed the footsteps of my her the Hon Gerald R. Ford. As a student-atlete I patterned my self after that hero whom was a lettermen, scholar and gentleman. I do hope that, you enjoy homecoming. Yet, I do hope that my life at Michigan Student-Athlete has been more than entertainment for you and others of great success. I ended my career with an injury, but spent considerable time in or near the school of Engineering after my career closed. I also worked with President Ford in the years before he passed, to ensue that the Michigan family support each other in business endeavors.
I have worked in Huntsville with the Rocket City Space Pioneers, program developed to win the Google X Prize race to the moon and release telematiic rovers, to regain Americas’ toehold in Space Discovery, and to inspire a new generation of kids whom would pursue engineering and science as career choices. Today, I do desire to work on exciting projects wth SAIC, and hope that a UM Alum could help open the doors. All the best and go blue!!