Eric & Phyllis are blessed with 2 daughters, Mandy & Heidi, and 5 grandchildren
2011 BIO Update: I'll mainly give an update on the past ten years, as my earlier update in 2001 said a bit. I am now officially retired from Vought Aircaft Industries in Dallas (having gone there as a newly minted civilian after a good tour in the Air Force). After moving to the Hill Country, I became an operations assistant at the Joint Base SA Rec Center at Canyon Lake (I still work there in the summer). After becoming a father and working with kids, others encouraged me to think about teaching. In 2001, I started going to UTSA part time in between working to become certified. There were some rough patches along the way, but in Dec. 2005 at age 52, I was welcomed into the profession at a ceremony at the school. In fact, I just renewed my certificate. I am certified in Special education (EC-12) and History. Right now I'm working as a substitute in several districts (I have spent a lot of time at MacArthur). With the budget crunches, it has been hard to get a full time position now; but, I have still had some very rewarding times. For example, one day I worked in a Chinese class and the following day in an auto shop class. Variety is the spice of life. I love telling kids that critics don't count and to never let anyone steal their dreams. I still love aviation and airshows (plus digital photography) and had the pleasure of "flying" in an FA18 Hornet simulator at the now closed NAS Dallas a few years ago. After actually flying in an F4 Phantom back in 1977, that simulator felt as real as the actual flight!
In 2003, Phyllis and I (for our 25th Anniversary) plus daughters Mandy and Heidi took a cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas. Nassau is a pretty neat town, needless to say. Then we drove to Universal Studios there and I can tell you that Jimmy Buffet's restaurant there is worth checking out. We are now grandparents to two girls and one boy. We have had some fun times there. It's been a hoot introducing them to the 3 Stooges, Wilie E. Coyote (while he's not very smart, you have to admire his tenacity trying to get that road runner), Foghorn Leghorn and other favorites. Don't worry, I tell them to never, ever try that stuff on TV at home! But very seriously folks, while fun is good, I really want to help our grandkids to grow up to appreciate God and His Son, Jesus Christ, their parents, and this great state and nation.
We still want to travel and see other places such as a return to Champaign, IL (where we met). I still remember the Red Lion Inn and seeing Devo and the Ramones. Garcia's Pizza is a good place to return to also. New England, Canada and back to Florida also beckon. In the meantime, we have found a great church in Spring Branch where John 3:16 is emphasized. We are also in the local Hermann Sons Lodge plus I'm still with the Civil Air Patrol and San Antonio Fiesta Commission. Still love to take drives with talk radio, or listening to Michael W. Smith, ZZ Top, Credence and Alice Cooper. Also taking baby steps getting involved with local Stephen F. Austin and fraternity alumni chapters. It has been good to know many others in our class are doing well and have overcome obstacles. It's a blessing to stay in touch.
2001 BIO:
Spare time - I love air shows! Seeing an F16 turn on a dime while in afterburner gets the excitement factor going! I also love aviation photography and am now getting some work published. Enjoy traveling and exploring new sites. So much of Texas and America to see!
What is important? I'm not a very good preacher, I try to live what I believe in (John 3:16) and also know that I am still very human. I converted after other imperfect people showed what true friendship is.
How do I wish to be remembered? See above. Also as a good worker, husband, father and friend. Someone who has bulldog tenacity.
Advice to kids - never let anyone say you can't do anything! Critics are folks just waiting to be proven wrong! I served in the US Air Force from July 75 to Jun 79. It was a very growing experience - learned good organizational skill plus travels around the US were a priceless adventure.
A highlight of these times was flying supersonic in the back seat of an F4 Phantom (the hottest jet fighter around during our Heights days and thru the late 70's, it was also called the Rhino.) while I was stationed at Rantoul, Illinois. I not only rode a Rhino, but met my wife Phyllis shortly after that.
My best accomplishment - but still an ongoing process, was going from crowded but interesting Dallas to the great Texas Hill Country!
Days off - I enjoy going to bookstores, libraries and airfields. I'm trying by example to get my kids to love reading. Also enjoy day trips to explore new areas. I confess to loving the Three Stooges and roadrunner cartoons! Also enjoy listening to talk radio and classic rock while driving. I'm a member of the Civil Air Patrol (Randolph Squadron Historian), San Antonio Fiesta Commission, Air Force Association - SA Alamo Chapter, and Hermann Sons.
Profession - Operations Assistant at the Fort Sam Houston Canyon Lake Recreation Center. It's fun work and am lucky to work with excellent folks. I am taking education courses at UTSA with the long term goal of teacher certification.
Eric and Phyllis, March 2016
Grandchildren Emma, Cadence & Mav with Reba the kitty
2011 ~ Eric's ride with the Blue Angels during their visit to Randoph AFB
2005 ~ Phyllis and her two daughters in Austin area, with Toni
1991 ~ Air Show with Amanda in front of Gordon's North American AT-6
below: Phyllis took these pictures in 1979 after I had been promoted to sergeant (E-4), while I was stationed at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois.
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Eric is very proud of his father, Ed Renth, and we can see where Eric gets his passion for military aviation.
Edward J. Renth, Jr. was born in Chicago (1920) and graduated from West Point in the class of June 1943. He was assigned to the 669th Bomb Squadron of the 416th Bomb Group in September 1943 and was one of sixteen West Point pilots to ship out for the ETO in January 1944 as an A-20 and A-26 pilot. After the war, Ed stayed on active duty with the U.S. Air Force and logged time in an experimental modified A-26 with a jet engine mounted in the aft fuselage. He later flew the F-80 Shooting Star and the F-86 Sabre Jet fighters as well as B-36 and B-52 Bombers.
During the Vietnam War he commanded the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970 as a Lieutenant Colonel and died at San Antonio, Texas on January 2, 2008.
Alamo Heights Class of 1971 
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