Collection of Nineteen Letters to Thomas A. Rommel from Family, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, and Fellow Students at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Washington State College, 1938-1942, Pullman, Washington and Other Places

Collection of 19 letters addressed to Thomas A. Rommel (c. 1917-1982), an engineering student at Washington State College (WSC), which was renamed as Washington State University (WSU) in 1959 and is still open to this day. 1938-1942. 3 1/4" x 5" to 8 1/2" x 11." 40 pages from seven correspondents. Most of the letters have original envelopes. Each of the letters is clean and intact overall except for a few wrinkles. Each letter and entire collection are Near Fine. Summary follows. George Ogawa, Bob McClure, and Roy Nesbitt are Rommel's friends and fellow students. George Ogawa has written him eight letters which are dated August 4, 1939 (1 p.), August 11, 1939 (1 p.), February 7, 1941 (1 p.), February 19, 1941 (3 p.), March 3, 1941 (2 p.), July 16, 1941 (4 p.), September 2, 1941 (postmarked date; 2 p.), and September 23, 1941 (1 p.) The letters from Ogawa cover a diverse range of topics including summer work in Sumner, WA, the college's sports teams, and classes he is taking and teaching. In Fall 1941, Ogawa is taking, among other classes, "Methoden der Mathematischen Physik" (Math 230) because German is still the language of science. He teaches Math 1 and Math 08 and comments on how poorly the "frosh engineers" have done on the Stanford Engineering Aptitude Test. Ogawa also mentions Rommel's job at Boeing. Bob McClure ("Foggy"), has written him three letters which are dated February 24, 1941 (2 p.), November 14, 1941 (3 p.), and January 20, 1942 (misdated as 1941; 5 p.). McClure addresses Rommel as Tom OM. In his February letter, McClure talks about social life and everyday events. In the next letter, McClure writes about social life, football games, and events in the Department. He says that Dean Carpenter is very ill and that a major fire broke out in the "MA" (Mechanical Arts?) Building due to a furnace accidentally being left on. In his 1942 letter, McClure writes of his frustrations with work and school, such as having to write many reports and teaching classes while taking 15 hours of coursework. He also writes of cold weather and a "practice blackout" in the city because of World War II. McClure then says that Professor Sloan has replaced Dean Carpenter (recently deceased) as the head of the College of Mechanic Arts and Engineering. Roy Nesbitt ("Flashgun"), has written two letters. In one letter (August 20, 1939; 4 p.), Nesbitt writes about what he has been doing such as working temporary jobs, spending time with his partner Vivian, and his photography hobby. Nesbitt's other letter is written on a small notecard (undated, 1 p.). In this letter, Nesbitt asks Rommel for his address and phone number and tells him he is going to work for Boeing just like him. In his letter (February 27, 1941; 1 p.), Professor R. D. Sloan writes about Rommel's job at Boeing and says he hopes Rommel will "get busy over there turning out some planes turning out planes" because "either the U.S. or England is going to need them pretty soon." There are family letters too. Three letters (2 p. each) appear to be from Rommel's mother. They are postmarked June 8, 1938, May 31, 1939, and August 13, 1941. In the 1938 letter, she has included two endearing cartoons, hand-drawn by her, of a Pontiac parked outside of Ferry Jail (on letter) and of a man fleeing the "Gloom" of Ferry Jail into the sunshine (separate paper). She mentions someone by the name of Bickers (?), who may be Rommel's brother. She also writes words of encouragement for Rommel about his schooling and tells him not to worry about his grades as he has tried his best. In his letter (May 29, 1939; 2 p.), Bickers writes about college and his social life. He refers to his father as "Dad" which may indicate he is Rommel's brother. The final letter (December 14, 1940; 1 p.) is from M. V. Mattson of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation who writes that while there are currently no employment openings for Rommel, the company has held onto his job application should any future positions be available.…