KCEN (WHITNEY) - It's a story of friendship, and how somethings are never lost forever. In January the grandchildren of Rudy and Linda Matthaei were walking on the beach near their house on Lake Whitney. That's when one of the children found a real treasure. It's a story 46 years in the making, and a special ring is helping old Texas A&M friends come full circle.
In a house near the shores of Lake Whitney, it's Mahjong day for eight ladies. It's been that way for years. But today, if the ladies take a break, talk to Linda Matthaei, because she's got a story to tell.
"No you can't believe it, I mean it's hard to believe," said Linda.
For 50 years husband Rudy Mathaei has walked the beach outside his home on lake Whitney. Lots of memories here, like the summer of 1966. Rudy and 3 of his buddies drove up to Rudy's parent's lake house their senior year at Texas A and M. Everything was great, until Bill Aiken dropped something.
"All of a sudden he realized, 'Hey my ring is gone,'" said Rudy.
They looked, but it was gone.
"Finally gave up and said there's no way to find it," said Rudy, " just gave it up as lost."
Marriage, kids and 46 years went by. Then the lake made a play of its own.
Last month Linda and 7-year-old grandson Kai were walking along the beach.
"Kai looked down and said, 'Look what I found," said Linda.
Linda knew it was an Aggie Ring and brought it to Rudy.
"Boy, memories just started coming back you know," said Rudy.
The guys hadn't spoken in 40 years.
To get ahold of Bill, Rudy had to go through old year books, student databases and Internet searches. He finally did find him in Houston through Bill's company web site, much to Bill's amazement.
"What are the chances of finding the ring, and then what are the chances of the ring being found by the grandson of somebody with me. It's just phenomenal," said Aiken.
No one knows how or why it happened.
"It's really good because they've reconnected with some of those guys," said Linda.
"I know it meant a lot to Rudy so," said friend Pat Summey.
"It's by the Grace of God, it really is," said Rudy.
Reporter/Photographer: Joshua Skurnik
