By Kourtney Pollard
The Scene staff
Richard Athens was 15 years old when he bought his first car for $45 in 1973.
It was a yellow, green and gray 1956 Chevy. A customer at his father’s service station sold it to him after determining he couldn’t afford the repairs.
“It was the first in a long line of cars,” Athens said. “I remember blowing the transmission drag racing on Grand.”
Athens, 54, has been teaching in the automotive studies department at Forest Park for 25 years. He recently was promoted to department chair.
“I’m the last dinosaur left,” he joked. “Everyone else has retired.”
Automotive technology major Alex Peimamm, 20, enjoys studying under Athens. He has had him for several classes, including an automatic transmission class, air conditioning class and service management class.
“I’ve learned almost everything I know about cars from Mr. Athens,” Peimamm said. “He is fun, and not like your normal instructor. I’ve never had a person be so visual and hands-on. Overall, he’s a great guy and everybody loves him.”
Assistant professor Josh Walker also enjoys working with Athens. He describes him as a caring teacher who runs a smooth operation and makes sure students have everything they need.
Walker, 29, believes their styles of teaching are complementary.
“There have been times when we have taught and lectured together,” Walker said. “The students have an opportunity to hear and see a new and old perspective.”
Athens has been working on cars for as long as he can remember. His learned from his father, Bill Athens, who owned K and S service station at Kingshighway and Southwest.
“The most important thing my dad taught me was hard work,” Richard Athens said. “You can have anything if you’re willing to work for it.”
Athens attended Forest Park from 1976 to 1979, earning a degree in automotive technology.
After graduation, he got a job running the Ford Asset Program for Ford Motor Co. It’s a training program for people who work on Ford and Lincoln products.
“Unfortunately, due to the economic situation, the business slowed down in dealerships,” he said. “But business in independent repair shops picked up.”
Athens continued to work with Ford until he returned to Forest Park to teach automotive studies in 1988. He remembers being nervous in his first class.
“I had to give a lecture, and I didn’t know how I would do,” he said. “When I finished, all of the students stood up and clapped, so I guess I did all right.”
Athens quickly discovered that he enjoyed investing in the lives of students.
“Being able to provide students with a lifelong skill and means to provide for their families is rewarding,” he said.
Over the years, Athens has repaired hundreds of cars. Some jobs were more challenging than others.
“I once worked on a Porsche,” Athens said. “I remember putting the timing belt on backwards and starting it up. I broke all the valves and had to do it all over again for free.”
2013 has been a big year for Athens. Beyond his promotion, he celebrated his 25th anniversary with his wife, Pat, a bank auditor.
The couple have two daughters. One is married and works as a special education teacher. The other is a sophomore at University of Missouri-Columbia.
Athens’ favorite part of the job at Forest Park is getting the opportunity to be a lifelong learner.
“Even after 25 years, I’m still learning something new every day,” he said. “Whether it’s from the students or the automotive industry, I’m still learning.”