Why did Tom Bower leave the Waltons?

I left, because i asked for a raise, and the producers sent me to Pearl Harbor. Bob Donner used to prompt me to answer this question every time we'd be playing Golf and a group of people would be around. The late, great, Donner, used to crack up laughing every time he heard the story.

Then, i was offered a show where Curtis Williard was found alive after being washed up on a beach. I asked for the same raise, so, they re-cast the part with Scott Hyland. I once confronted Merv Addelson, who, along with Lee Rich, was Lorimar, and the producer of The Waltons; and told him the story.

Addelson, just laughed, and said:" That's what we did with everyone who asked for a raise, We just killed them off".

But i liked Merv, Lee, and everyone connected to the show. No hard feelings, I've returned to all the reunions, going on the Walton's Aprreciation Cruise, this coming October; and truth be known; my career has been better for leaving the series when i did.

Peace!

Tom Bower