80-year-old receives high school diploma in special ceremony

MILWAUKEE -- At 80 years old, Bob Mayer can finally call himself a high school graduate! Mayer earned his GED decades ago, while serving in the military, but never got around to getting his diploma until now.

It was his allegiance to our country that prompted Mayer to drop out of West Bend High School after his junior year, and enlist in the Army. After 62 years, the 80-year-old walked across the stage in front of the West Bend School Board, the VFW and three generations of his family.

Mayer earned his GED while serving in the 82nd Airborne. Nine years ago, he was looking for his paperwork to become a member of the American Legion, and that's when he rediscovered his GED papers.

"I procrastinated a little bit. A lot, maybe," Mayer said.

Mayer thought after decades, it would be useless to have his diploma in hand, but something changed his mind.

"It just bothered me that I didn't have it," Mayer said.

Mayer made a call to the West Bend School District to ask for his diploma. The school district granted Mayer's request, and on Monday, May 21st, Mayor had his own graduation ceremony.

Mayer says part of the credit goes to his wife of 57 years, Dorothy, who inspired him and reminded him of the importance of education. "I'm really proud of my family and my husband," Dorothy said.

The school district asked Mayer if he'd like to walk across the stage with the rest of the graduates in 2012 and he said 'no - let them have their fun. I've already had my moment in the sun.'