Actor Richard Boone stopped for a photo-op

Last year I met—and fell in love with—Sandy Berry. Sandy grew up in Tucson. Sandy’s uncle was a guy who almost everybody knew and loved: Jack Sheaffer.

One day Sandy and I were going through boxes of vintage black and white photos that had been in her family for years—pictures that Jack had taken. And there it was: a couple of kids from Tucson High School—with me in the shot!

I was out for dinner with my girlfriend from high school and we ran into Richard Boone. Mr. Boone—who had been shooting a picture out at Old Tucson—was having dinner at the same restaurant that my date, Patti Papousek-Ciasca, and I were at.

My Dad, Bernie Levitt, worked for TNI during that timeframe. He worked in the composing room in the 1960’s. When the newspaper was published the old fashioned way … with linotype.

So, not wanting to miss a photo-op (even at 17 years old), I called my Dad … told him where I was … and that the star of “Have Gun, Will Travel” was at the next table.

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Sheaffer photo courtesy Greg Shannon-Levitt

Greg Shannon-Levitt, left, Patti Papousek-Ciasca and Richard Boone in 1966.

Dad called Jack Sheaffer who jumped into his Chrysler 300 and showed up minutes later, camera in hand. Chewing on his cigar.

Thanks for sharing the story, Greg.

P.S. From the Morgue: Richard Boone filmed several movies and episodes of “Have Gun, Will Travel” in Tucson. In 1966 when this photo was taken, he was here for the filming of “Hombre.” Paul Newman and Fredric March were also in the movie.

If you have a tale from Tucson’s past that you would like to share, please send an email to morguetales@azstarnet.com