UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMUNICATION

October 29, 1942

Dear Dr. Beck,

We have been trying to come to Bloomington on a weekend for some time, but for one reason or another have never quite made it. But I want you to know that I would not have failed to call on you if we had. The gasoline-rationing might delay our visit further, and so I think I better let you know by mail how I am getting along.

I remember when I saw you last I was just in the middle of final examinations, and as worried about them as usual. Well, I passed them all, as you know, and had a grand graduation day. Shortly after graduation, Hugh accepted a position down here, in Louisville, as an attorney for Seagrams. It is a very good job, and very good experience for future practice of law. It probably won’t last much longer though, since he will go to the army before long. We like Louisville very much and have already made many friends here. During the summer I was just staying home, keeping house, going swimming, etc. which I enjoyed for a while, especially since we have a very nice apartment in a brand-new house, in one of Louisvi1le’s most beautiful residential districts. Since I was not quite satisfied with staying home all the time, however, I decided to get a job. I really had first planned on doing something in connection with the war-effort. But I was not able to find the right thing. Most of the jobs in war plants, even office jobs, are shift-work, and I could not have done that and kept house too. So, I finally ended up with the job I am having now. I work at the University of Louisville, in the office of the dean of the college of liberal arts, which job I got on basis of a competitive examination. I feel all at home here – as you know I have always been crazy about university-atmosphere, etc.

Unfortunately, and partly through my own fault, I have lost contact with many of my friends from I.U. I have just been too busy to write letters, but I have been reading the Alumni Magazine and it keeps me informed about the whereabouts of many people I know, and they certainly are scattered all over the globe. As you probably know, John Visher is in officer’s training school at Ft. Knox. Rosemary came to see him once in summer, and also stopped by our house.  It was grand to see her. John came for a Sunday’s visit not so long ago, and will come again soon. Lucy Phillip works at the O.P.A. in Washington, and seems to be very satisfied with her job. There are several IU graduates working at Seagrams with whom we are visiting back and forth.

I would be very interested to know how the refugee-project on the campus is coming along this year. Is Max Meier’s sister still in school? If and when you see her, would you tell her that I would love to hear from her? Do you ever hear from Max or Rudi Gruenfeld? They are both in the army, I know. I wonder whether they have been sent to Europe. It should be a special pleasure for them to fight the Nazis. I imagine the campus this year looks very different; there must be quite a nautical atmosphere, with all those yeomen and WAVES around.

Hoping that I have not taken too much of your time (I still remember how busy you are).

Respectfully yours,

Lotte Freeland