DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Correspondence concerning the commemoration of Nile Kinnick, 1941-1997

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Correspondence concerning the commemoration of Nile Kinnick, 1941-1997

1943-06-05: Page 01

THE   STATE
University of Iowa
IOWA CITY
June 5, 1943
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kinnick:
I was in Des Moines yesterday when the news was
flashed through that Nile was missing in action. It was my
misfortune that I knew Nile only by reputation during his
football years, but I count it my good fortune that I became
well acquainted with him after I came to the University in
November, 1940. So much has been written about him that
there is nothing new which I can hope to add, but I do wish
to pay tribute to the qualities which made him not only an
outstanding athlete but a remarkable student and gentleman
as well. It would have been very easy for a young man of
his years to be affected by the great praise which was
heaped upon him, but never by word or act was there a false
note in his conduct.
His life until June 2 was as near perfection as
anything I expect to see in my time here. The inspiration
of his example has affected and will continue to affect his
college generation. The tragedy of his death is that the
qualities and abilities which he possessed will be so much
needed in the years after the war. I wrote of him in that
connection when he left for service, and I enclose copies
of a letter that I wrote him at that time and his reply.
The whole university community is saddened
by the news of Nile's death. Mrs. Hancher and I send our
sincere sympathy.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil M. Hancher
Mr. and Mrs, Nile C. Kinnick
Omaha, Nebraska
H:b

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THE STATE University of Iowa IOWA CITY June 5, 1943 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kinnick: I was in Des Moines yesterday when the news was flashed through that Nile was missing in action. It was my misfortune that I knew Nile only by reputation during his football years, but I count it my good fortune that I became well acquainted with him after I came to the University in November, 1940. So much has been written about him that there is nothing new which I can hope to add, but I do wish to pay tribute to the qualities which made him not only an outstanding athlete but a remarkable student and gentleman as well. It would have been very easy for a young man of his years to be affected by the great praise which was heaped upon him, but never by word or act was there a false note in his conduct. His life until June 2 was as near perfection as anything I expect to see in my time here. The inspiration of his example has affected and will continue to affect his college generation. The tragedy of his death is that the qualities and abilities which he possessed will be so much needed in the years after the war. I wrote of him in that connection when he left for service, and I enclose copies of a letter that I wrote him at that time and his reply. The whole university community is saddened by the news of Nile's death. Mrs. Hancher and I send our sincere sympathy. Sincerely yours, Virgil M. Hancher Mr. and Mrs, Nile C. Kinnick Omaha, Nebraska H:b