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

1992-02-01: Page 03

Sorry you have to report Florence's 'plight and passing'.  We all know that time is coming for us all.  Meanwhile I too play golf as much as possible.  Have enjoyed best health till now by my game has not improved with practice.  Am fully retired so I don't go to an office.  I do work for my son, part time and unpaid.  His business is growing so it takes a little more time each month.  Our Iowa roots are pretty much gone.  The Theodora you met married an Iowa state guy, had four kids, and after her husband died some ten or so years ago found her way to Tucson for winters and Aspen in Summer.  After I got Coupee's book on '39 team I wrote to Prasse to wish him well and note his selection to Iowa Hall of Fame and other things.  He returned a long unexpected letter from Naperville.  (If I can find it here I'll include a copy.  I will speak to Bob Rogan and show him this letter.  He'll be delighted to have an update on you, Jim.  He was in Navy and met a Seattle girl while on duty there.  They returned to Iowa and he was with Iowa State Alum organization till retirement.  His wife's roots brot them back here but he now likes it and is almost a Husty rooter - except against Iowa.  Will have lunch with Homer Harris in week or so.  He too will be glad we've written.  He recalls his Iowa days - not always fondly as you would know, due to mores of those times, discrimination, etc.  But the guys he likes to remember.  They had a fiftieth a few years back. Some 12 showed up.  Guess the '39 team has thinned it ranks a lot.  especially like the history of your outfit included.  You must remember with some fondness the guys you led.  Even tho you were CO and the 'old man" I'm sure they remember you fondly and nothing would show that more than a 'roasting".  Nile would surely endorse this exchange of letters and be warmed to know our lives have unfolded as they have.  My two sons cary middle names of Nile and Ben (Nile's brother,) who was a Marine lost in a B-25 over New Guinea in 1944.  Was sorry when got word Ken P. had died.  Saw him often in training.  Nice guy, but weren't they all nice guys?  Heros all, in my book.
Bob  
Regards, 
Phone number (unlisted) should you get this way.  (206) 747 7755.  P.S. Glad you held back the letters Nile asked be kept private.  I did too.  The material Baender used was mostly given to Iowa by Nile's parents.  Hogan too did not respond to request for his letters.  Guess we all felt too close to Nile, and protective, to reveal personal things which might not be understood by others or misused.  But Baender did, I think, a good job - fair and kind.

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Sorry you have to report Florence's 'plight and passing'. We all know that time is coming for us all. Meanwhile I too play golf as much as possible. Have enjoyed best health till now by my game has not improved with practice. Am fully retired so I don't go to an office. I do work for my son, part time and unpaid. His business is growing so it takes a little more time each month. Our Iowa roots are pretty much gone. The Theodora you met married an Iowa state guy, had four kids, and after her husband died some ten or so years ago found her way to Tucson for winters and Aspen in Summer. After I got Coupee's book on '39 team I wrote to Prasse to wish him well and note his selection to Iowa Hall of Fame and other things. He returned a long unexpected letter from Naperville. (If I can find it here I'll include a copy. I will speak to Bob Rogan and show him this letter. He'll be delighted to have an update on you, Jim. He was in Navy and met a Seattle girl while on duty there. They returned to Iowa and he was with Iowa State Alum organization till retirement. His wife's roots brot them back here but he now likes it and is almost a Husty rooter - except against Iowa. Will have lunch with Homer Harris in week or so. He too will be glad we've written. He recalls his Iowa days - not always fondly as you would know, due to mores of those times, discrimination, etc. But the guys he likes to remember. They had a fiftieth a few years back. Some 12 showed up. Guess the '39 team has thinned it ranks a lot. especially like the history of your outfit included. You must remember with some fondness the guys you led. Even tho you were CO and the 'old man" I'm sure they remember you fondly and nothing would show that more than a 'roasting". Nile would surely endorse this exchange of letters and be warmed to know our lives have unfolded as they have. My two sons cary middle names of Nile and Ben (Nile's brother,) who was a Marine lost in a B-25 over New Guinea in 1944. Was sorry when got word Ken P. had died. Saw him often in training. Nice guy, but weren't they all nice guys? Heros all, in my book. Bob Regards, Phone number (unlisted) should you get this way. (206) 747 7755. P.S. Glad you held back the letters Nile asked be kept private. I did too. The material Baender used was mostly given to Iowa by Nile's parents. Hogan too did not respond to request for his letters. Guess we all felt too close to Nile, and protective, to reveal personal things which might not be understood by others or misused. But Baender did, I think, a good job - fair and kind.