We buried my Dad yesterday. He was 87 years old. Husband, Dad, Grandfather, educator. He was all of these things. He was a World War II veteran and member in good standing of the depression generation. But this isn't a eulogy. It's about the discovery we made even after all these years. See more below the serpentine thing.
We were all familiar with the letter seen below. He was proud of it and had it framed and hanging on the wall for many years. It is a response to his letter to Governor Adlai Stevenson, dated 1952. Stevenson had just lost the presidential election. My Dad had written to him and received this warm hand written response. Imagine such a thing today.
The discovery we made is that the Stevenson letter was just the tip of the iceberg. My Dad had apparently been quite the letter writer. He had never spoken of it. In fact there were a number of other letters, mostly from prominent individuals. Unfortunately, we discovered these in my Dad's declining days when his memory was only a shadow of its former self. Still, it gave us an interesting insight into him and the time in which he wrote. I have two of these below.
Below is a letter from Senator Hubert Humphrey, dated 1952, who would subsequently begin his own quest to be president. Again, a hand written letter, personally signed according to someone familiar with the Senator's signature.
Below is a letter from Senator Everett Dirksen, dated 1954, Senate minority leader for a decade. Yes, I know, a Republican but still fascinating. This one is more than just a thank you note.
We're glad to have discovered these letters even if came very late in my Dad's life. We will treasure them always. I hope that you have enjoyed seeing them.
Farewell, Dad.