Robert Merle Gimbel - Letters home starting 1-4-1951 to 11-15-1952

My brother Bob was drafted into the army in 1951. These are the letters he wrote home to our parents, Orpha Fouts Gimbel and Claude "Bud" Gimbel.



I was born in 1949, so my first memories of Bob were of him on leave, the beautiful oil painting proudly displayed in our living room that his friend painted and of course, after his return, his bright tropical patterned shirts from the Phillipines.



I love you Bob, and I miss you. Mom treasured these letters and now I am sharing them with the world.



World....I hope you enjoy reading them!

Friday, August 13, 2010

December 3, 1951 Letter from Rosa Fouts to Gimbel Family

Orby Fouts
Mesa Arizona

(This letter was with the letters that Bob wrote home. I am including it because it helps fill in the time gap when Bob got to come home to Michigan on furlough 1951. Some of you will recognise Rosa Dell Hann Fouts from my first Blog.)

Dear Orpha, Bud, Bob, Claudia and Rosemary,

I hope this reaches you before Bob leaves. I sure would of loved to have seen him, in fact I think I am a little home sick.
I love the weather here but don't like it as it is so far from all you children.
We are about as usual.
Wish it was so you could come here while we are here.
We was to Glady's last Sunday. Willards was with us, we had a very nice visit. She wanted to get us some dinner but there were 7 of us but she made coffee and we had cake. Swell coffee to as yo know I broke my stem in mine (coffee percolator) before we left and have not bought any, so we make instant coffee, but I like perked the best.
If nothing happens we are leaving Saturday the 8th of December for California.
So if you answer right back return mail, I may not get it but air mail is I think just 1 day ahead of other mail.
You did not say when Bob was leaving for California, we are going to be around San Bernadino, that's where Uncle Henry Bowman lives.
Tell Bud, wages here are not so high but one don't use much fuel and no heavy clothes.
Did Rosemary know Bob?
Oh Orpha, I have very little paper. I forgot to get a tablet and my, I sure write a lot.
Yes, Orpha, I will be praying and praying and please, Orpha, you and bud don't get sick over Bob leaving. I feel he will be safe. I have faith and faith is what counts. The Lord can take care of us better than we can, so we must trust in him.
I too,m saw where they are talking peace, I believe we will have it as I think the Russians are beginning to think if they don't do something pretty soon, we will be obliged to use the atom bob and they don't want their soil all blowed up.
What is Claudia doing? Is she getting ready for Christmas entertainment at school?
You know I told you we went to Gladis and Willard went a long, well we got us a few small cactus and we was not supposed to get them. Then we did not hardily know how to get rid of them but we did. You are not supposed to get them. They are government property but we did not see where it was posted. Well, we have learned better. Gladys told us.
Well Orpha, I want to say so much that probably I won't say anything.
I got a letter from Mrs. Hardy and they are planning on going to Florida.
Dad likes it here a lot better than I do or at least he says so.
I wrote Merle and Joyce both a letter, I hope they have it now.
My it seems months since I saw you children.
We are on a very busy road, if I wasn't I would die from lonely.
Well, I'll be good but if I get too lonely, I will come home, cold, snow, rain or shine. It won't make any difference.
Take good care of yourselves and don't worry too much about bob and us. We will all be fine and all be home safe and sound someday.
Lots of love to Orpha, bud and the Sweet Children.
Kisses to all and take care of yourselves.
Mother and Dad.
(Note from me, Rosemary: Rosa was quite a woman, wasn't she? When she wrote this she was 70.) If you are interested to hear more from Rosa, check out http://pocofish.blogspot.com/

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