Richard Hughes von Hurst was born into fabulous family in Hollywood California. A family that journed from the St Louis Missouri area to Los Angeles. Frederick and Lillian Whalen were my grandparents and Lillian (Bobbie) Whalen was my mother.

I grew up in the Whalen and Wunderlich Clan. I experienced, saw and heard exciting stories from my grandparents, parents and Jack. From spending time at my uncle Jack’s house were I learned how to swim, load film in a projector and watch the films my uncle brought from the studios and talked to the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Jack and my grandfather’s connections in the film industry gave my older brother and sister and I, the opportunity to go to the studios, studio classrooms and be on location, to be in films and series.

I have been writing and researching this book for a  very long time. Being with my uncle Jack at our home, his home, Disneyland, Pacific Ocean Park, Santa Catalina Island, Griffith Park and football games. It was all about family and fun.

I wrote this book to set the record straight, that my uncle Jack was a war hero, protector of family, a great father, and always fought for what was right.