Born: October 31, 1919 (Muir, PA) - First of triplets to be born. The second one lived approximately one day and the third one was still-born. My father was in the process of butchering (a cow and pigs) the day we were born.
Married: The Sweetest Girl in the world - Katherine Bondeena Graham on January 16, 1949 in Washington DC
Education: High School
Residences: Lived in Muir, Washington DC, Alexandria, VA and Falls Church, VA.
Occupation: Financial Manager; Director, Office of Budget and Finance, Federal Maritime Commission.
Hobbies: Photography, Painting, Music, Girls!
Veteran - World War II (1942-1946), stationed in Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Germany. Was on British ship “Empire Javelin”, which was sunk in the English Channel while crossing during the Battle of the Bulge (not determined for sure whether torpedoed or hit a mine).
Interesting fact: Had a premonition to go home to Pennsylvania just prior to my mother’s death. Was working in Washington (half day Saturday). Something told me I should go home after work. I called Mrs. Jacobs where I was rooming and told her I decided to drive up to Pennsylvania from work. Got to Pennsylvania after dark Saturday evening and learned that my mother was seriously ill with pneumonia and had been asking for me. Learned too that my family had sent a telegram saying to come home and to notify Charlie, who was stationed at Ft. Meade in Maryland in the Army. Mrs. Jacobs saw the three stars on the telegram which signified an emergency and opened it and contacted Charlie at Ft. Meade. I got home in time to speak to my mother briefly. She died shortly thereafter that Saturday night, July 12, 1942. In September of 1942 I was drafted into the Army, having been deferred as providing her support. I’ll never forget that moment in my life.
In my earlier days I played a guitar and sang with my brother Charlie and later (approximately 10-11 years of age) played with an orchestra Charlie organized - on a religious radio program which was broadcast every Sunday afternoon from WCOD in Harrisburg, PA. Also did frequent traveling with the group in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Painted stage scenery for a play on the Swiss Alps during my junior year in high school. Sang in a quartet for my senior year graduation program. Title of song was “Those Pals of Ours”.
Was president of youth group (Christian Endeavor) in Muir Evangelical Church where I grew up. Also later was appointed Sunday School Superintendent.
Served on the Board of Deacons and Session of Falls Church Presbyterian Church.
Was Chairman of Budget Committee at Marshall High School PTA.
Attended numerous seminars and workshops associated with my budget and accounting activities in the federal government.
I don’t know very much about the triplet brothers of mine other than is mentioned previously. My little sister was also still-born and I believe would have been about two years younger than I. They are all buried in the old church cemetery in Muir, PA with my grandfather and grandmother Drum.
I know very little about my grandparents since they had all passed away prior to my birth except for my grandmother Drum, who had a candy store in Muir, PA, close to where I lived. She gave me penny chocolate bars when I visited her, but I don’t really remember her since I was very young when she died.
My grandfather Solomon Updegrove fought in the Civil War, although I don’t know any more about him than that.