Epilogue 1959-1962
Buss wrote this letter to his nephew, Stephen "Skip" Gerdes, in early May 1961. Skip was finishing his junior year in high school at this time. Buss does not mention this, but Ruth is due to have a baby, their unexpected third child, in about a month. Ruth goes into early labor and delivers their daughter, Deborah Ann, three weeks early on May 22, 1961. It is not known exactly when, but the stress of having a new baby takes its toll on Ruth, and she experiences, what it was known as at the time, a 'nervous breakdown'. She is admitted to a psychiatric hospital in National City for an extended period of time to recover. In July of 1962, Buss' father, Martin Gerdes, suffers a fatal heart attack while doing work in his back yard. By this time, Buss has secured a position at the Fleet Issue Pool at the Naval Supply Center, San Diego.
More to Come.
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| Clipping from a local Minonk, IL paper - Nov. 1959 |
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| Receipt for heating system in their home. Notice it was paid with cash for a | 2% discount. |
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| Similar photos of boys with their bikes: Tim (1962) Buss (1929) |
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| The family-May 1962. |
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| Buss' business card-early 1960s. |
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| Martin Gerdes' obituary |
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| Debbie Ann-circa 1962 |
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