The Day I Met Katherine Hepburn

My friend, Dr. Warren Bowen, often writes about famous people he’s known. I can’t compete, but I am able to come up with a few meetings of famous people, one of whom was Katherine Hepburn.

It was a chance meeting in Westwood at a 76 Union Oil gas station. She had just pulled into the drive as I walked by. Ms. Hepburn drove a fine Chrysler Imperial, about a 1963 sedan, as I recall. On an impulse, I went to her driver’s side window and asked if I might be of service.

She smiled and asked me to fill her car up with Ethyl. Having lots of experience in service stations, I gave it my best shot and began filling her tank with Ethyl. When filled, I put the nozzle back and recapped her tank. Then, I washed her windshield and offered to check under the hood. She politely said that wasn’t necessary, which disappointed me. I thought she’d be impressed with my professional style and grace, checking the water first and then the battery electrolyte level before checking the oil. My Richfield boss trained me that way, so the customer realized I was giving them all the free services before trying to sell them a quart of oil.

As I approached to tell her the cost, the hired, uniformed attendant officiously intercepted me and took the money. She thanked him and again smiled at me. What more could anyone want? That smile from Katherine Hepburn is a memory I cherish. This all took place about 1970, just a few minutes in 1970, but many of our memories are timeless. Don’t you agree, Dr. Bowen?