In memory of Edward F. Trumbule - born Nov. 13, 1913

Edward F. Trumbule at 18

My nephew, Steve, pointed out that today was the 100th anniversary of my father's birth in Pittsburg, Kansas. 

In the 1930s, Kansas was in the dust bowl and the country was in the Great Depression. One of "Eddie's" early ventures was with the Civilian Conservation Corp. He was sent by train to Camp 787 in Schley, Minnesota in 1933 to plant trees. I remember two stories he told of those times. 

- The temperature got down to -55F and it was so cold you had to hold your breath when running between buildings.

- They lived in barracks, military style, and ate at the mess hall. Once, at dinner time, they were served a goulash that no one wanted to eat. They were told they had to eat it all. When no one was looking, Eddie dumped the pot under the table. Upon being discovered and asked his name, Eddie replied "Patrick Henry" and, much to the delight of his fellows, the Sgt. wrote it down. He never did take to authority very well.

More photos from that era:

Back in Pittsburg, the only work available was at a local truck farm for $1 per day. There he met my mother, Adele Folle, and they married in 1936.

On a whim, and at the urging of a friend, he took the Government Civil Service exam, and was surprised with an offer to move to Washington, D.C. to train as a sheet-metal worker. He worked for The Bureau of Engraving and Printing for the next 38 years.

I am forever grateful that he was adventurous enough to make that move in a time of hardship and uncertainty, for it surely changed my destiny in a very positive way.