He only lived long enough to know one grandchild; he died at age 65. His father never lived long enough to see his children grow up: he died at age 42. They are my father and my grandfather.
Frank George Newhouse was born on October 3, 1906, in Pine Island, Minnesota, to Dr. Fritz and Elizabeth Newhouse, and died on April 10, 1972. Fritz Valentine Newhouse was born on February 14, 1880, in Pine Island, Minnesota, to George and Miriam Newhouse, and died on February 13, 1923.
They both went to college: Frank was an attorney; Fritz was a dentist. Neither lived long enough to see their children graduate from college and/or graduate school.
One registered for the WWI Draft; the other served during WWII.
They both loved baseball. Fritz played on the Pine Island baseball team. Frank watched baseball on television and attended the Minnesota Twins baseball games as often as he could. Frank’s passion was most likely instilled by his father as seen by the below photo, taken when Frank was barely a year old.
Though celebrated locally, Father’s Day did not become a national day of recognition until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed a congressional resolution to honor fathers on the third day in June. Neither my father nor my grandfather lived long enough to be honored on Father’s Day.
I can only assume that my grandfather had the same traits as my father: kind, generous, a good sense of humor, one to turn to in times of trouble. So today, for Father’s Day weekend, I honor both my father and the grandfather.
Newhouse Family Portrait, 1909
Elizabeth holding Frederick, Frank, and Fritz
Newhouse Family Portrait, about 1952
Florence and Frank, Douglas and Linda
What a beautiful tribute...lovely.
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