Grandfather and Grandson Complete GEDs Together

Bob Speed and his grandson Danny Johnson just completed their GED programs together.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on May 31 2011

It’s never too late to learn: Bob Speed, 70, is living proof of that. The high-school dropout from Waterloo, Iowa has just become the proud recipient of a GED diploma.

Back in Speed’s day, it wasn’t so difficult to make a living without a degree: He became a successful businessman, as the owner of a concrete contracting company that eventually grew to 65 employees. He didn’t let his lack of education slow him down. “Whenever I wrote a letter for my business, I always had the secretary check it over to make sure the spelling was right,” he told the WCF Courier.

Speed retired in 2007, but when his grandson, 21-year-old Danny Johnson, decided to earn his own GED, Speed was inspired to join him. They worked together every day to study for the rigorous test, giving one another regular quizzes. “I was the math teacher, he was the English teacher,” said Speed.

The pair’s hard work paid off: They both passed the test with flying colors. Johnson, who has spent the last few years working odd jobs, knows that his new degree will open doors to career and further educational opportunities that were never an option before. And though Speed has no plans to seek employment, he feels gratified that he can now be considered a high school graduate after all these years—and he’s proud to have his grandson standing by his side.

Filed under: General Interest,

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