Star Eagle office

Fourth Root brother Eugene

Details

Created: 26 May 2023

Hits: 975

By COLBY ROOT

Contributing writer

Introduction

Between January 1942 and December 1972, the Hound Street family of Burchard Bailey Root, (born 1889) and Esther (Gehring) Root (born 1900) was greatly affected by WWII and the conflicts which followed. Of the couple’s seven sons, five served in the US military. Of the two who did not, one had died shortly after birth; the other sacrificed his wishes of fighting in Korea to the responsibility of maintaining the home farm during a time of family crisis. In order of age, the brothers are: Vern Russell Root born in 1921, US Navy WWII; Marvin “Hans” “Tiger” Curtis Root, born 1923, US Navy, WWII, Korea, Vietnam; William “Bill” Burchard Root, born 1927, US Navy WWII, US Army Occupation of Germany and Vietnam War; Donald Jack Root, born and died 1928; Orville “Buck” Keith Root, 1931 farmer; Gene “Buzz” Harlan Root born 1933, US Marines, Korean Conflict; and David Wayne Root born 1938, US Navy 1956 to 1959.

Third Root brother, William Burchard

Details

Created: 26 May 2023

Hits: 878

By COLBY ROOT

Contributing writer

Introduction

Between January 1942 and December 1972, five of Burchard Bailey Root, born 1889 and Esther (Gehring) Root, born 1900, five of seven sons served in the US military. Of the two who didn’t serve, one died shortly after birth and the other sacrificed his wishes of fighting in Korea to the responsibility of maintaining the home farm during a time of family crisis. In order of age, the brothers are: Vern Russell Root born in 1921, US Navy WWII; Marvin “Hans” “Tiger” Curtis Root, born 1923, US Navy, WWII, Korea, Vietnam; William “Bill” Burchard Root, born 1927, US Navy WWII, US Army Occupation of Germany and Vietnam War; Donald Jack Root, born and died 1928; Orville “Buck” Keith Root, 1931 farmer; Gene “Buzz” Harlan Root born 1933, US Marines, Korean Conflict; and David Wayne Root born 1938, US Navy 1956 to 1959.

William Burchard Root

The third son of Hound Street residents Esther and Burchard Root to sign up for the Navy during WWII was William “Bill” Burchard Root, who  turned 18 on February 26, 1945. He signed up just in time to chase his brothers into the Pacific arena and be part of the action. After boot camp, Bill was assigned to serve on the USS Gordonia, a stores ship in the Gulf of Mexico. In June of 1945, it left Mobile Alabama with frozen stores for the fleet in the Pacific. After passing through the Panama Canal, it crossed the Pacific and arrived in Oahu on July 1, 1945.

Introducing Marvin Root

Details

Created: 26 May 2023

Hits: 873

Part 2 of 5, family historyBy COLBY ROOT

Contributing writer

On July 17, 1944, Torpedoman Third Class Marvin “Hans” Root walked up the driveway to the Root farm off of Hound Street north of New Richland. Dressed in his Navy whites, he surprised his mom and dad, Esther and Burchard Root, along with his eight brothers and sisters still on the home farm. No one there had heard from him for almost two years; all had begun to wonder what had happened. Had his ship been destroyed by a Japanese torpedo? Had it run into a sea mine and gone down in some far-flung reaches of the Pacific? His rare letters home had stopped coming since before he had even been assigned a ship. Was he dead? The family had even placed inquiries about him with the Red Cross.

Schultz notches WIN 300 !!

Details

Created: 11 May 2023

Hits: 703

By ELI LUTGENS

Publisher/Editor

NRHEG High School softball coach Wendy Schultz unknowingly notched her 300th career victory Thursday night in New Richland when the Panthers defeated JWP 14-4 in six innings. Waiting to celebrate the milestone with her were former players, alumni, friends, family, players and fans. 

“It's super special,” Schultz said. “I can't say thank you enough. It's so special that so many people come back to show their support. We have such a wonderful community and wonderful kids.”

Schultz, of course, had no idea she was about to earn her 300th victory.