Hometown: Highland Park, Texas

Military Branch: National Guard

Years Served: -

Rank: Captain

Honors: UTA Distinguished Alumni Award, UTA Military Science Hall of Honor

Conflicts: Vietnam War

UTA Affiliation: UTA Graduate

Biography:

Allan Garonzik was in the first graduating class of The University of Texas at Arlington in 1967 following its name change from Arlington State College. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration. As a cadet in college, he was a member of the Sam Houston Rifles drill team, a cadet captain and battalion staff member, and was also a staff member on The Shorthorn newspaper and Reveille yearbook. Garonzik served as a captain in the military police of the Texas Guard and was recruited by LTV, where he purchased classified military parts for Navy fighters and bombers.

In 1970 he opened Ready Print, a small printing and graphic arts company. During the next 10 years, he opened six additional print shops. In addition to the print shops, he invented and manufactured a piece of printing equipment, selling more than 1,000 units throughout the United States. While maintaining these businesses, he started a Penske truck rental agency, managed a nightclub on weekends, became a partner in a real estate company and was operations director for the Grand Prix of Dallas for nine years.

He currently is a handgun instructor for the Texas Department of Public Safety and part owner of Red's Patio & Grill Restaurant. A licensed pilot since 1967, Garonzik is a certified scuba diver and certified SCCA racecar driver, and is certified as a Wood Badge Boy Scout adult leadership trainer. He helped form and served as president of the Sam Houston Rifles Alumni Association and is a member of the board of directors of the Cadet Corps Alumni Council.

Interview Clips

Interview Date: December 18, 2013

Summary:

Allan “Bunky” Garoznik recounts his time at Arlington State College, the ROTC, working while in school and highlights of his career in the military.