Roger’s Remembrances

My own family has been a source of joy and happy times. There have been some not-so-good times too, but ‘way less than my “share” of the world’s sorrows. All I shall say about them is that they convinced me more than ever that the Lord knows what He is doing — even when I don’t.

Wife
As mentioned in an earlier chapter, Mary Emily Campbell was the best thing that happened to me in Chicago. She has been a steady influence, good mother to our children, and a Christian woman. She has that sort of reputation in her circle of friends, too. I have been proud of the honors she has won in the Quilting world. It’s fun to be married to a famous person! If I were doing it again (and she would have me while knowing my many faults), I’d do it again.

Children
It is surprising how five kids with the same mother and father can be so different in so many ways. Some were easier on the nerves than others, but we loved (still do) them all. Rather than brag about their many talents and accomplishments (or ponder over their few short comings), I shall just mention a memory associated with each.

Margaret Marie (Peggy) — at a few years old you would look at the lighted signs as we drove down Lincoln’s “O” street and say, “What spells c-a-f-e?”. A smart kid!

Phyllis Jean — the good time Mary and I had with you driving that Dodge Dart on the way back to Alaska. You didn’t mind the nicked windshield, ’cause now your car would look like a native’s.

Marilyn Ethel — the way you set new speed records at Prescott grade school. You could sure run. And how you “organize” family events.

Keith Raymond — at a Lincoln High swim meet I realized you were not only ahead but were staying ahead and would win that event. You got your swimming ability from your mother, not me.

Martha Nell — camping beside the noisy Poudre river in Colorado and at bedtime you asked if that river was going to run all night. And what a capable mother you have become.

In-laws
I have had the best set of in-laws ever. There’s not a stinker in the bunch. Mary’s folks and siblings, Bob’s wife, and the spouses of each of my kids — all are good folks. Mom and Dad Campbell are both gone now, but we had lots of good moments with them.

Grandkids
As Dad Campbell used to say, “If there were any thing wrong with them, I’d be the first to admit it!” Isn’t this a fine bunch –

Peggy and Cary Mcallaster – Janet; Laura
Phyllis and David Hill – Brooke (David’s); Alaina
Marilyn and David Bruce — Sarah; Daniel; Jessica; Micah
Keith and Jana Ghormley – Bess; Sam; Kate; Anne; Joe
Martha and Tom Sharp – Marla; Tara; Karen; Valerie; Kyler

Vacations
While my Mom and Dad were still alive, my own family’s summer vacation usually involved a visit to Hutchinson. Dad liked to take the kids for a ride on his bicycle. He fixed up a hammock swing in the back yard at 506. We would go to Cary’s Park and ride the rides. There was usually a side trip to Bob and Olives on the farm east of Anthony. It was good to get the cousins together –R.C., Mike, and Curtis were good hosts. Those three boys were a joy to Bob.

After Hutch we would drive in the HEAT on down to wherever Margaret (Mary’s sister) and Ellsworth(1) were living. This included Pittsburg and Ottawa in Kansas and Dallas later on. (The photo to the left is of a visit they made while Mary and I were still in Chicago at 219 East Superior)
. . . . . 1 Ellsworth was a Presbyterian minister, which moved them around a bit.

While Marg and Ells were in Ottawa, on a couple of summers we would meet half way and trade a kid or two for a week. We enjoyed the cousins. Ellsworth died several years ago. Today (1992) Peggy and Cary are in the Dallas area and get together with Margaret and Ferne and her family. .

After Mom and Dad were gone, we went to Colorado a few times. We were not proficient campers, but got along quite well. As I used to say, “I can break camp in two hours flat!”. We were fortunate in never being rained out, with a single exception. That was on the way home when we camped on Lake Swanson the last night. It really rained and blew hard. In the morning we were all soaked. Mary nearly decked me when I asked what she was cooking for breakfast! (Just kiddin’, Mary.) We packed up and had a delightful dry breakfast in nearby Trenton.

Two (or three) times in Colorado we camped in the little park on the south side of the Poudre river at about 7000′ elevation. Cool enough for comfort but not so cold as to spoil things. On several occasions we would stay in the little cabin of Ruth and John Allen in Nederland. Ruth would tell us to get the key from the man at the filling station. Lots of good times in Colorado.

Then there was the trip in the early ’60s to New York/Washington/Ithaca when Martha had the measles. This was the most ambitious trip we ever took. It was a combination business/pleasure trip, since I was headed eventually for an engineering committee on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, N.Y. We did sight seeing in Washington and visited the Keith Sehnerts one evening.

As we drove into New York City, Martha was sick in the car. When we reached the hotel, I was pretty flustered. I’ll always remember that kind door man in the street in front of the hotel who helped me get the baggage off the top of the station wagon and calmed me down. Mary and I took turns staying with Martha while the other did very limited sight seeing with the other kids. We didn’t know what sort of bug Martha had picked up.

By the time we got to Ithaca, Martha had broken out in spots. We took her to the infirmary, and they confirmed that she had a case of the measles and would be ok if she stayed in her room. Fortunately, we were scheduled to stay at Ithaca for a few days. Martha stayed in the room, and we brought her food from the cafeteria.

It was an eventful trip. I was glad to get back to Lincoln.

About the next year or so after Dad Campbell died, Mom Campbell rented a cottage for Tim Jr.’s family and our family at Clear Lake in north central Iowa. It was a grand time. The cousins got acquainted, and we had fun boating, swimming, and eating. Someone (Marilyn?) made a chart as to who was to help doing what when. A good performer got a gold star.

Besides the time at Clear Lake, we have had many good visits to Tim Jr. and Nettie in Newton, Iowa. Mary and I still enjoy stopping to see them on our way to and from trips to the east.

Mary and I have had some delicious trips to New England, Ohio, Indiana, which are some of our favorite areas. We have enjoyed taking the “Country Inns and Backroads” approach to things. We have had no desire to visit foreign places. There are still some spots in the U.S.A. we’ve not seen — and may never.

Neighbors
Some of my fondest memories of neighbors in Lincoln are of those who were nearby when we lived at 720. Bob and Mary Durrie lived just two houses north, Pat and Anne Dougherty right across the street, and Carl and Dot Schneider next door to the north. Our kids played with the Schneider’s two boys, Cal and Johnny.

Carl and Dot were lots of fun. Often in the evening (after the kids were presumably all bedded down) Dot would call and say to get out the bridge cards, she was bringing over the coffee, and let’s play just one rubber of bridge — boys against the girls. Which we would do. Carl and Dot were considerably above-average bridge players, but were very patient and kind to the modest bridge expertise of Mary and me.

I think it was on one of these occasions when Carl made the statement I have since sometimes quoted, “I’ve just GOT to get the bid — I don’t want to lay this hand down where my partner can see what I’ve been bidding on!!!”

In recent years Mary and I have had pleasant moments and remembrances with Carl and Dot where they live in Connecticut. On one such trip Carl recounted the story of the time when they were still our neighbors on 33rd street. This is the way he told the story —
. . . . . Their front porch had been newly painted, and a ladder was lying on its side to guard the wet paint. Our Marilyn carefully crawled over the ladder, walked in the fresh paint, and into their living room. Carl, who had just come into the living room, picked up Marilyn and said, “Little girl, you really should not do that.”
. . . . .Whereupon, Dot who was also listening to the story said, “Carl, that is NOT what you said!”

What delightful people.

AND THAT IS ALL — Word Perfect says this is Page 100. That should be plenty. Mary says I will keep remembering things I should have put in. In ten years perhaps I’ll do a sequel and add them — but don’t hold your breath. Thanks for listening. LOTSA LUV to a fine buncha folks!

(End of MY OWN FAMILY and
END of these REMEMBRANCES)