Traditions

Thank you for the article in your Fall 2015 issue about Stevens Hall and their tea cups. I lived there from 1968–1972. It was a great place to live and an interesting time of old traditions (passing an engagement ring around a circle of residents until it stopped at the engaged) to moving on to more modern ones (like allowing men to visit up on the floors and rooms). Through it all were the beautiful teacups and wonderful friends, some of which I still keep in touch with after 43 years!

Gayle Hunt ’72

 

Serving with distinction

As a WSU alumnus, I enjoyed the reference to the Foley Institute titled “The Lasting Impact of Tom Foley” in the Winter 15 Edition. Sen. Mark Schoesler and I spoke to WSU students at the Institute in connection with the Washington Policy Center Young Professionals event held there on November 17, 2015. Former Speaker Foley was a fine man who served Eastern Washington with distinction. He leaves a lasting legacy through the Institute that WSU students will enjoy for many years.

George R. Nethercutt, Jr ’67
Chairman, the George Nethercutt Foundation

 

Thank you, thank you

Thank you for the article “Still Searching for Amelia.” It was very special for me and my family, as we lived in Pearl City next to Ford Island. Father worked as an airplane mechanic on Luke Field starting in 1931. He helped service Amelia’s plane on Luke Field and after her crash [on the first circumnavigation attempt], he was charged with the packing and crating of the plane. He received a thank you letter from Amelia on April 28, 1937, for his work.

I believe your account is the truly correct adventure of her. Mili Atoll and captivity with the Japanese military was sad! I do remember that possible ending suggested years ago but without any facts like you have printed.

Bob Snider ’56, ’63 MA
Spokane

Stanley Snider (middle), airplane mechanic foreman at Hawaii’s Luke Field in 1937, worked on Earhart’s plane. Courtesy Bob Snider.
Stanley Snider (middle), airplane mechanic foreman at Hawaii’s Luke Field in 1937, worked on Earhart’s plane. (Courtesy Bob Snider)

 

“No tea with Jackie” continued

In your last issue Owen Johnson wrote about his father meeting JFK at the [Pullman-Moscow] airport. I would like to continue the story.

My mother, Kathleen Irwin, picked up JFK and Pierre Salinger at Bryan Hall to drive them back to the airport. My father was scheduled to drive but was called to be in court that day. JFK offered her a tour of the airplane. There is a picture of her Cadillac with Kennedy in the Pullman online archives.

Kathleen will be 101 in January. She is doing well at the Rockwood Retirement Home in Spokane.

Kay Irwin Rowley
daughter of Claude & Kathleen Irwin

 

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