Category: letter

July 31, 1952 Herman Shepard to Parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

 

Columbus Ohio
July 31, 1952

Dear Dick & Dad:-

While Ruth is busy preparing a few frys (9) for the freezer I thought it would be a good idea for me to write you a line or two. As you already know we arrived home O.K. but tired. My back was giving me some trouble, but it was not caused from building the dock or anything like that. I believe I must have wrenched it while I was loading our bags and etc. the Saturday we went out as I didn’t notice any pain befor that time. Well enough for that. What I would like to know, is the dock still standing? I hope so. Ruth O’Farrell called after she got home and told us what a wonderful time they had and how much fun you all had playing cards. I’m glad they cut you some wood and left you the “snake bite” We went up to Harbor View the week end following out trip from Canada and found every thing OK. except the grass and weeds about knee high. I had to use the sickle first and the lawn mower next to get it cut. While I was in the act of cutting the stuff who should drive in but Lydia [Dick’s sister?] & Charlie – so Charlie jumped in and helped me do the job or it

[page2]
would have taken me all day to finish the job. I took them for a nice boat ride befor they went home. Charlie starts his vacation Aug. 10 and they have an apt. rented at Bay Bridge for a week so we are going to have them over to the cottage for that week end. I think the fishing bug has taken hold of them as they said they hadn’t been to church for 5 Sundays. Boy that fishing bug is the cause of a lot of peoples down fall also the down fall of your pocket book. We could buy fish a durn sight cheaper Ha Ha But who wants to buy fish when its so much fun to catch them. Charlie Hoff & June also came up to Harbor View the same week end and I finaly got Charlie & June in the boat and now he is crazy about it. We are planning on having them for the Labor Day week end which should be a lot of fun providing the weather stays O.K. Speaking of week ends they are getting scarce. There just are not enough of them in a summer, this coming week end we a having Johnie & Juanita Gatea and the 3rd Sunday of Aug we want to have Ralph, Lou and the kids, so that don’t leave to many.

[page3]
You should hear Ralph & Johnie talk about that trip, you wouldn’t think there was anywhere else in the world like Cummins Lake and Johnie said boy that good bread he hasn’t forgotten that yet. He was telling me just today that he sure would like to be back there right now also he liked the little sand beach. I talked to Unk & Elzie and they said if there house is finished in time that they would like to go up for awhile they will let you know if they can make it. Aunt Doshie called today and says she is getting along OK I think moving & etc. must have caused her trouble. They were down to visit Brooks one night last week so if she can get out a little I believe that she is getting better. Burch seems to be getting along OK at work. I hope he likes it this time as I think he can do as well there as any place. Now is our slack season as far as grease work is concerned it will probably stay about the same till Oct. when we start to sell winter change over service, then he should really make some nice wages.

Bess brought Eddie down last Monday a week ago and he stayed till Friday. Ruth took him down town and I guess he

[page 4]
had a great time riding the escalator at Lazaruse and Morehouse – also he and I worked in the dark room one night. Vaughn & Lela are home now and are supposed to start back tomorrow they are all OK and look the same only Sandy is getting a little lanky as kids do at that age. I told them of your intentions of going to the coast this fall and they want you to be sure and look them up.

Its a good thing that I didn’t know Mr. Sherron was a hardware man or I would have talked a leg off him, maybe I’ll have to look him up yet. The store I was interersted in was sold just the other day maybe its for the best according to Mr Sherron. I was trying to get a loan on our house for additional money and while the Westerville Saving & Loan was making up there minds what to do the place sold. So now I’m watching for another deal. You know me Andrew H. Brown always got a “big deal on”. I got the color pictures back and every one turned out good. (lucky me) I haven’t printed the black & whites as yet. Hope to do it soon.

[page 5]
Doc & Sue we down from Pittsburg last Sat & Sun although we didn’t get to see them Doshie says the are OK and that Doc’s bald head shines like a beacon in the night.

Well the Conventions are both over and now all we have to do is listen to all the Bull slinging for the next few months I think I’ll still for “Taft” HaHa. may the best man win.

They had a bad storm at Harbor View it must have been the same day you had yours only the wind there was out of the West. there was quite a bit of damage to boats & etc. Andy Parker had 5 to get away from his dock. I don’t know wheather it damaged any of his or not. Mine came through O.K. although I did have to reset my stakes & etc. as it bent the stake at the front of the boat. Well I think Ive about hit all the high spots so will sign off for this time.

H.O. & Ruth

P.S. Take good care of your selfs

May 13, 1952 Herman (& Ruth) to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

Columbus Ohio
May 13, 1952

Dick & Dad:-

How did you find everything up in the North country? Has the lake frozen over again? It has been cold and damp ever since you left. We didn’t go to Harbor View last week end as the weather was to bad. We went to church and while in Westerville stopped in at 22 W. Park and found everything O.K. also stole a quart of milk we found in the refrigerator. I finaly finished painting the basement floor so that it is one of my projects completed. Just like Ruth says I start to many different projects before I finish one. I think I’ll try finishing up a few before I start any new ones for a change.

I am having the cover for your boat repaired and reshaped so it will fit the boat also I’m having a hood made at the rear end of it so the motor will be covered as well as the boat all in one cover. Bessie the woman that makes our seat covers at the shop is doing the job.

[page 2]
We received your cards and was glad to hear about the motor. I tried different plugs in the motor but that didn’t help any Im glad you still have the extra oil in that case, and hope we never need it. How is everyone the Beckers & Forders tell them we said Hello.

I am trying to arrange a week of my vacation for the week end of July 4th and the following week which would give me about 10 days. We thought that would be about the time you folks would be going back up, you could start a few days ahead of us and take the boat with you then we could start after work on July 3 and drive straight through. The only catch I can think of right now is that I might get into a jam at the Straite waiting to cross. As soon as I get the details worked out and decide on that date I’ll get in touch with Edw. Ralph Kring has his vacation the first 2 weeks of July so maybe we can work out something with him. I’ll need some one to help drive if we go straight through. That’s about all the news for now so till I hear from you. So long.

With Love Ruth & Herm

Letter August 23, 1951 William Shepard to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

23 August 51

Dear Dick & Dad,

I am planning on coming home about October 1st. Will get a week’s leave and can drive you back to California.

Was going to buy a new car, either in Detroit or Columbus. The deal I had to get a plymouth in Detroit fell through and I am afraid to wait until October to buy a car at Rodenfels as they may either go up in price or not be available.

So we bought a new chevrolet station wagon here. Tell Ed it broke my heart to give up those goodyear tires. Dammit!

If you have any suggestions to offer please write so we can get every thing straightened out.

Dad, if you feel lke it, there is a plane ticket waiting for you to fly out.

[page 2]
It will only take about 12 hours and we can meet you in Los Angeles. You could come out before I go back to drive Dick out. Just write & let me know if you would like to fly and Ill make the arrangements and send the ticket.

Have a good end to your vacation. I eat a couple of lake trout for me.

Love
Bill

Letter June 25, 1951 William Shepard to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

 

June 25, 1951

Dear Dad,

Better late than never. Happy “Fathers Day” I was going to get a present but didnt find anything suitable, so perhaps you can get what you need with the check.

Dick has written that you are recovering very well from your sickness. We are happy for that. She also mentioned you would be going to Canada for the summer. Be sure to take it easy and dont try any work. I know you will enjoy being up there and wish my family could go too.

Kenny and Sue are having a good time on their vacation. It would be better if we lived more in town as they dont have many other children to play with, but I do like living in the country.

David has grown a lot since you last

[page 2]
saw him. He is going to be the largest one of my boys. Starting to talk now. Alan is coming out of it now, and is about average for his age. That is remarkable considering the slow start that he had. He is a very good baby, doesnt cry much or isnt much bother.

We have a new addition to the family now. Just bought a female collie pup. She is black, white and a little tan. Very quiet and intelligent. She should be fairly large by the time you folks come out for the winter.

We are planning on you and Dick spending the winter with us. I think you both would enjoy this country. When it gets time for you to come out, perhaps I can come back to help drive. Well thats about all except Happy Fathers Day again

Your Son Bill

May 25, 1951 Lois via Ken to in-laws

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

 

May 25, 1951
Lois Shepard
march A.F.B. Calif.

Dear Dick

I am writing [son Kenneth]  for mother because she has a sore arm. She has been in bed almost a week. Daddy, Sue and I have to do the work. She may have an operation. It is a sac of calsium on the shoulder bone pressing against the bone. It has been pretty painful for her.

We went swimming last Saterday.

[page 2]
David went in  for his first time. He just loved it.

School will be out on the first of June. And if mothers feeling better we’ll have alot of fun swimming and going on picnics.

Alan is eating fine and is a good baby. David is talking a lot now and is just as ornery as ever.

Daddy says he’ll make some woman a good wife.

[page 3]
We are glad you got our flowers and that you enjoyed them.

Love Lois

P.S. Just time for a word, Dick. Lois’s arm is better. I took her to the hospital thursday and they tapped the shoulder socket, drawing off puss & calcium water. She is feeling much better today. The irritation was pressing the nere and was almost unbearable. I expect her to be OK in several weeks. Will write when I have more time. Love to all.
Bill

Early 1951 William Shepard to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

 

Electronics Station
Headquarters 15th Air Force
March Air Force Base, Cal

Dear Dick & Dad:

Here is my quarterly letter. Everyone here is fine Alan is gaining weight and very soon will be 4#. He reminds us so much of you Dad. He has the same configuration. Dave is growing so fast now. He is talking a little and runs us all ragged. I believe that he has almost doubled his weight in the last five months. Sue us doing very well in school and is also growing up. She and Kenny do the evening dishes all the time now. Kenny is the same as usual. His latest obsession is to be tied up with a rope and then to see how quick he can get loose. I cant tie him up any more, he seems to wiggle out every time.

Lois recuperated quickly from having Alan. I guess he was so small that it wasnt so complicated as usual, although Margaret Johnston,

[page 2]
says that Lois had a serious trouble & we are sure lucky to have Alan.

I have been traveling quite a bit lately, but hope to start staying at home next month. In spare time I work with the radio station, ride with the kids, and shoot a little.

The weather has been fine so I wont bore you with details. I think that you would be much better off here in the south west Dad. It never gets cold and is dry all the time.

I hope that we can stay here long enough for you to visit us. As soon as you can travel let us know and we can have everything ready. I expect to stay here for a while. We have some new pricutes to send you in a few days.

Goodby for now.

You Son
Bill.

November 27, 1950 Lois Shepard to in-laws

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

Nov. 27, 1950

Dear Dick & Dad,

Hope you aren’t snowed under but by all reports I guess you are. Eve called Bob last nite & it was pretty bad in Dayton. She left this morning. Sorta hated to see her go. One reason I haven’t written is that we’ve been busy & pretty much on the go as we wanted her to see a little before she left. Our furniture arrived Monday, almost a week after we arrived. Everything OK, but our big mahogeney coffee table & our magazine rack. The coffee table has a crack across one corner & the magazine rack was cracked on the side. Maybe we can collect Both can be fixed I guess.

The weather here is beautiful. Except for the 1st weekend & it dripped continuously then. Not exactly a rain but awful thick fog. And that’s when we drove

[page 2]
into Los Angeles & Hollywood. We did get to see a little tho. Then Thanksgiving day we drove down to San Juan Capistrano It is beautiful country down there. Saw the Pacific ocean. Tho the Caribbean is prettier.

Bill took the kids horseback riding yesterday. They enjoyed it but Bill is a little sore today. He’s Staff Duty Officer today & won’t be home tonite.

We do like one house very much but I’ve still a lot to do. I’ve got a woman coming tomorrow to clean 75¢ an hour she charges. I guess I’ll have her one day a week & then she baby sits too. She lives almost across the street so it’s handy.

We had her Sat. nite & went to a dinner dance at the Club. Haven’t seen any of the folks that

[page 3]
we knew at Ramey yet. The Schwaderers live in San Bernardino & it’s quite a ways. It certainly is handy to the field here. Almost as close as living on it would be

I feel sort of let down today. Partly cause Evelyn left & partly cause I cut Davids hair. Poor little stinker. He isn’t the same boy. He didn’t mind a bit & sure looks like Bill now. It was so cute when it curled but now it won’t. He looks cute but it’s such a change.

Evelyn gave me another Toni [perm] Friday. Looks pretty good this time. I still could get into my pink formal & that’s what I wore Sat. nite but I won’t be able to wear it again till after Minnie arrives.

Kenny & Sue seem to like their school They have a cafeteria & eat there lunch there  20¢ a day same as Minerva.

[page 4]
They’ve learned to cross the street here OK & can go to the grocery for me. I hope to get started on my Xmas shopping this week or next but it just doesn’t seem like it’s that time of year yet.

I haven’t done much today & should get busy. We just stuffed things away to get them out of the road & now I have to get them arranged. I’m to get my stove put in this weekend. Be glad to have it to use again. I’ll write again.

Love
Lois

October 1, 1950 William Shepard to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

1 October 1950

Dear Mother, Herman, Ruth & Ed:

Did I include everyone? well I promised to write so here goes. In case you havent heard, I will give you all the news I know.

Arrived here early Wednesday morning after a fine trip. I just received my assignment as Wire Officer for the 15th Air Force. The 15th has the Strategic Air Command fields in the western U. S. Pacific, Japan etc., also some in England. It looks as if I will be traveling some but not too much as my job is a staff job. General “Rosy” McDonnel is my commanding general. By the way please do not at any time release any information of my duties etc, to any newspaper as SAC is very strict about it.

The base is situated very much like Tuscon, desert with mountains around it. The Sierra’s are in the back yard here. The climate is warm by day cold by night. It hasnt rained for some time here,

[page 2]
and as I understand it, it does not rain too often. Irrigation seems to supply water and when you buy property you get so many water shares with it.

I am going to have Lois try to sell our house and move out in about a month. In case we have to loose too much on the place we will keep it and rent it.

Housing seems to be plentiful here. About a hundred homes for rent in areas near March field. We wont have any trouble finding a home.

It is hard to say how permanent my job will be, but it looks as steady as any in the Air Force today so I guess the family will be better off out here.

How about some news from Canada?

Bill

August 7, 1949 William Shepard to parents

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

 

Aug 7, 1949

Hello Dick & Dad

Lois is busy filling out birth announcements & feeding the baby.

He was born tuesday afternoon at 2:15PM, while I was flying from St Lucia to Ramey. We named him David Mont. Weighed 7# 8 oz.

Lois stayed in the hospital four days. You know they have a new system now. The mother gets up right away.

[page 2]
Lois had less trouble with David than either K W or Sue. She is feeling fine now, and Dave is getting along OK too.

Kenny & Sue both have a little touch of fever, nothing serious. They are better this evening.

We are all settled down in our new quarters now. We have four bedrooms & three baths. For once we can all sit in the mornings.

[page 3]
Not much news other than the baby. It has been raining quite a lot here lately.

Kenny & Sue received their $5 and want me to thank Dad. It made them happiest because it came from home.

K W has been getting a little work in the evenings baby sitting, and you know what a miser he is. It tickles him to pieces to earn money. He spends

[page 4]
half his time at the swimming pool now and swims like a fish. He plays on the high diving board & swims in the deep end of the pool all of the time. Don’t worry about him as it is a small pool & has two guards. I wouldn’t worry about him anyhow, because he can take care of himself. You almost have to see it to believe it. Sue is swimming a little now too.

[page 5]
Dont plan on it too much but I just might get a trip home in about a month. Just overnight but that wold be nice.

Well Ill write again, perhaps sooner than the last time.

Your son
Bill.

June 30, 1949 Lois Shepard to in-laws

On By jenbumannIn letter, ShepardLeave a comment

June 30, 1949

Dear Dick-

Bill is off again this morning for Vernom[?] Field. He’ll stay two weeks this time unless I call him home. I rather doubt it tho cause most everyone down here goes overdue. Just 4 wks to go so it isn’t too long. I’ve a few things to get yet & a couple more things to make.

Sue is still asleep & Kenny had dinner over at Eric’s & spent the nite. The new swimming pool is open now & it is really wonderful. Kenny has been every day & I took Sue Mon. & Tues. Mrs. Crocker (Kenny’s teacher) had a party for them all again

[page 2]
yesterday at the Pool. It is really beautiful & the Club really will be nice when they finish. They are redecorating it entirely.

Dick-I’m enclosing $2 & want you to get me a few things & send me. I want 4-4 inch zippers in white for neck openings. Not like a dress placket. The kind that open at the top. And I want 5 nice glass buttons as big around as a penny. And a couple of cards of little white flat peach buttons for Susies dress. About this size [circle drawn on page]. A little bigger than shirt buttons also a couple of yards of white

[page 3]
feather boning. If $2.00 isn’t enough let me know. I don’t get into Aqualilla now & they don’t have the buttons I want anyway I need the zippers for some shorts I’m going to make. They open down each side.

Went to O.B. yesterday* & I haven’t gained a lb. in 3 wks & only 2# the last two months so I guess I’m not doing too bad & I don’t stick to my diet religiously either. I’ve gained 15# altogether. I have to go to O.B. every week now.

Well thats about all for now.

Love
Lois

*NOTE: Lois is pregnant with their third child.