Thirty-eight years ago today my Dad, Alvin Wisenberg, died. He was a great Dad who left his children many memories to cherish throughout the years. One of the greatest memories for me was attending “The Game Of The Century” in the Astrodome on January 20, 1968, between UCLA and the University of Houston. Each team was undefeated at the time. UCLA, featuring Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), was ranked Number One in the nation. The University of Houston, featuring Elvin “The Big E” Hayes, was ranked Number Two. UCLA had a 47 game winning streak going into the game.
One of my father’s clients gave him four mid-court tickets to the contest. The game was already being hyped as “The Game Of The Century.” I’ll never forget walking into the Dome with my Dad. He stopped me while we were still outside, put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Son, you may not want to get too excited about this. Most of these things that are billed as ‘The Game Of The Century’ turn out to be pretty one-sided.” Then we went into the Dome and watched the most exciting live sporting event I have ever witnessed. The mighty Houston Cougars beat the UCLA Bruins 71-69. It was the second biggest crowd in basketball history and the first nationally televised college basketball game. I remember quite a few things about that game. Halftime entertainment was provided by Jay & The Techniques, singing their hit “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” and their follow-up “Keep The Ball Rolling.”
Two other adults attended the game with us; my Uncle Avrohm Wisenberg and his best friend Harold Raizes. I don’t think I had met Harold Raizes before, but he instantly struck me as kind and distinguished.
I would come to know Harold Raizes fairly well over the ensuing years. I became friends with his daughter Francine and would visit her home on Valkeith Drive. At that house I was invariably given a warm welcome by Harold and his wife Sonia, and had many pleasant conversations with both of them. Harold and I often talked about politics, and these sessions typically ended with Harold patiently and genially explaining to me why I didn’t know what I was talking about.
As I grew older I also learned that Harold Raizes had an impeccable reputation in Houston as a successfull and honorable businessman. And it wasn’t hard to see why. If memory serves me correctly, he owned President’s First Lady Health Spas and MacGregor Bowling Lanes, among other enterprises. He treated friends, customers, business associates, and strangers with respect and fair dealing. He was an object lesson in what it means to be an ethical businessman. As Francine’s husband, Daniel Karchem, once said: “My father-in-law Harold Raizes is my hero for being an honorable man. Dad is representative of the many decent people who show up every day and do a good job and the right thing, because they care.”
Over the years I would see him less and less. On those rare occasions when we did see each other we would usually get around to discussing the magnificent game of the century. Word reached me last week of Harold Raizes’s death, which was unfortunately preceded by a long illness. My Uncle Avrohm died almost 20 years ago, and, as noted, my father died 38 years ago today. Now all of the men, the adults, who witnessed that memorable game with me are gone. The memories they made and the legacies passed on to their children remain. Our hearts go out to Harold’s wife Sonia, to his daughters Carolyn, Sherry, and Francine, and to all of the son-in-laws and grandchildren.
The Houston Chronicle obituary can be found here. As Harold’s wife Sonia told the Chronicle: “Kindness permeated his entire being.”