There is so much great history to discover here on the island. I got to tap in again on my friend, Walt Puffer, who just turned 96 years young a few weeks ago! This waterman, still swims daily, and is a legend to Catalina history. Walt has been on the island for 54 years, and I am amazed at the stories he has to share. One story goes like this.
Walt’s mother owned a hair parlor in Beverly Hills, on Rodeo Drive, named “Cassie’s.” She worked on many famous heads of hair back in the day. One day, while in the parlor, a friend of Hoagy Carmichael, a famous songwriter whose credit includes: Star Dust and Georgia on My Mind, plus 48 more that went top 50 and achieved hit record status, came in. Hoagy was also an actor and lawyer, and a father with two boys. His friend was trying to find a “lifeguard babysitter” for the two boys for a week on Catalina Island. Walt’s mother stepped up right away and said she knew the perfect person for this job, Walt! He has just completed his first season as a lifeguard at the age of 17 ½ (he was supposed to be 18).
Imagine the surprise, when a limousine, came to the house to pick up Walt in El Segundo with 4 boys (two were sons of Roger Converse-another famous actor). Next step for this local teenager, was hopping into a United DC3 from the mainland to Catalina airport in the sky. Walt had never been in a plane. The group then ventured down to Toyon Bay, which was a resort leased by Charlie Farrell, and known as the Toyon Bay Club. He was known for being a great tennis player there. He was also a silent film actor, and at one time the mayor of Palm Springs. The club was available until jets came into the scene and then the stars flew to Hawaii.
One day, Walt was in about 4-5 feet of water and brought a few abalone to the chef. The chef did not know what to do with them, so Walt showed him how to pound the abalone and prepared a wonderful meal at dinnertime. At dinner, guests arrived dressed in coats. The menus were all in French, and Walt had to ask the kids what it said. Everyone loved the abalone and everyone (including Robert Stack-another famous actor) were soon asking Walt how this abalone process went. He would explain how the abalone grew 1 inch every year and after a 6-year period, the pink and greens were legal to take and consume.
During this same week, Humphrey Bogart (famous actor) was moored in Toyon on his yacht, the Santana. (named after Santa Ana winds) He got off the yacht one day and invited Walt to Lauren Bacall’s (famous actress) birthday party. There were only about a dozen people on land and he invited them all to “Baby’s party.” Walt felt very shy and out of place, and told Humphrey he was just a babysitter, but did go out to show face for a short time (about 15 minutes). What a week!
Fast forward to 1972, Walt was asked by Baywatch lifeguard’s county director to come and work on the island. He told him he picked him because he was a dive instructor and reported it would be a tough assignment because there had been many diving accidents. Walt’s parents had honeymooned at St. Catherine’s and the family had visited the island many times as Walt was growing up. Walt and his wife Delores had a mooring in Emerald Bay and spend lots of good times there. He accepted the job and has been here ever since. By then, his three children were young adults, so the two came to Avalon together and lived on their Tollycraft, diesel boat until 1986 with no generator, just a propane tank. Walt worked for Baywatch for 42 years and was awarded the prestigious, Bronze Savage award upon retirement. Walt proudly has 8 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Avalon is truly lucky to have a resident like Walt Puffer!
Keep swimming Walt.
Sea you at the stairs …
Tina Kennedy has resided in Avalon for more than 40 years, and manages Catalina Divers Supply. She loves swimming, diving, snorkeling, and paddling in the island’s waters. Contact her at info@catalinadiverssupply.com.
