School and Church Obligations

My father liked to tell stories. I don’t remember any of these stories specifically but I do remember feeling vaguely ill at ease while he was recounting one of his stock of stories in a public situation. Probably during his Tobin College days he received instruction in public speaking. At any rate within the church membership he was called on from time to time to address a church function in some way, for example a “toast” to the sons at the annual father-son banquet. His training appeared to be mainly elocution — characteristically he had to wrote out his material carefully and he spoke from notes he probably had pretty well memorized what he intended to say. As a consequence his delivery was somewhat stilted. Characteristically for a child I usually felt a vague unease when my father was delivering one of his public speeches.

During my childhood — certainly while we were living in the little brown house and quite likely after we moved to the farm — my father was the Sunday school superintendent. In this function he presided at the opening part of the Sunday school session, at which all of the children were assembled together. At least I think all, it may have been that the very young children were not included, particularly after the new church was constructed in the early ’30s. I believe that the oldest children, those of confirmation age, were present in this general assembly. During this session there was some singing and scripture reading but beyond that I have no recollection. I recall one my father was ill or otherwise involved and my uncle Carl acted as the presiding individual. My impression of my uncle in this role was of a stern, implacable mentor, quite devoid of any sense of understanding or warmth.

My father was also involved from time to time on the boards of deacons or trustees. The former related to matter of the church services, teaching, ministry, etc.; the trustees served on matters of the church finances. He was also a member of the men’s group known as the Lutheran Brotherhood. They had monthly (evening) meetings and I seem to recall him going to these at least before the move to the farm. I think his attendance dwindled or ceased after that. It was in connection with this group that the annual father-son banquet was held. The cooking for this event was of course done by the ladies of the church. I don’t recall these from the old church building, only after the new structure was built.

As to my father’s service on the school board I don’t remember much except his going off to attend the meetings. Occasionally when new teachers were being hired they would come around to our house to introduce themselves to the school board members, trying to influence them to vote for them in the selection process. My most vivid recollection in this regard was one Archie Gerber who became the athletic coach during my high school days. He also taught algebra and geometry — not very well. I remember him coming into the classroom and opening up the test as if to familiarize himself with what needed to be covered that day. This was during the Depression and teaching positions were hard to come by, so potential hirees tried to make use of every avenue of influence they could. When Gerber came to call on my father he had gotten stuck somewhere in his car, and my father joked afterward about his muddy shoes and pant legs. It is strange that these little almost forgotten snippets of memory keep coming back to me as I write on.