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From Ruth, 1943 - 1945

 File — Box: 01, Folder: 3
Identifier: MSA 394, Series 1, File 3

Scope and Contents

This file includes letters written to Elmer Jr from his older sister, Ruth Catherine Kern. She graduated from Proviso High School in 1937 and went into the work force. She wrote letters to him while he was at Purdue, at liaison flying school in Kansas, at Fort Sill, at Camp Cooke, and overseas. There are letters in nine envelopes and one v-mail letter included in this subseries.

Dates

  • Creation: 1943 - 1945

Creator

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Biographical

Ruth was born June 23, 1919 in Denver, Colorado and is the older sister of Elmer F Kern Jr. She graduated from Proviso High School in 1937 and attended Dodd College for a few years. She moved with her family when they moved from Maywood, Illinois to Van Nuys, California. After Elmer's death, they moved to the San Diego area. She never married or had children, but instead worked her entire life and saved money in honor of her brother. Found in her obituary, she started her career with Pacific Bell in 1946 and retired in 1979. After retirement, she owned and operated a store in College Grove Shopping center and devoted her free time to raising money for scholarships. She was president of the San Diego County Citizens' Scholarship Foundation, the found of Dollars for Scholars, the Mesa College Foundation and National Business and Professional Women's Club, a member of the Angels of Aseltine, supported Aseltine School for childen with disabilites, and served as the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce's first female president. Upon her death on June 10, 2010, she bequeathed half of 2 million dollars to Purdue's Mechanical Engineering Department in honor of Elmer F. Kern Jr's sacrifice, thus beginning the Elmer F. Kern Jr. BSME 1943 Memorial Scholarship.

Extent

From the Series: 0.727 Cubic Feet (2 letter-size full-width manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Arrangement

Materials in this folder are arranged chronologically, with one undated letter last.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

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