RICHARD EDWARD COLWELL

Richard E. Colwell was born in Deshler, Ohio, on October 16, 1916, to Richard D. and Carrie M. Colwell. He attended school in Deshler and graduated in 1934. In 1938 he graduated from the University of Michigan, College of Engineering with a B.S. degree in engineering physics. In 1942 he studied at Rutgers University and at Dartmouth College.

Star Theater in Deshler about 1910. Left to right: Wava Colwell, Bud Colwell, Carrie Colwell, unknown.

He has been a licensed amatuer radio operator since 1933 and still holds his original call WSJGZ.

On September 6, 1938, he married Margaret Lou Parker of Milan, Michigan, the daughter of Durwood and Eva Parker. They had one child, a son, Richard Durwood Colwell, born on February 14, 1949, in McComb, Ohio.

Margaret (Parker) Colwell died on August 21, 1950.

Richard Durwood Colwell graduated from Deshler High School in 1967. He worked with his grandfather, R. D. Colwell, and attended Penta County Technical School until enlisting in the Air Force in May, 1968. After serving five and a half years, he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1973.

He spent three and a half years at the Udorn Royal Thai AFB at Udorn, Thailand. While on active duty in Thailand, he married Pradit Saenwang of Kumpawpe, Thailand. They now reside at 238 South Washington Street, Deshler, Ohio.

On December 31, 1951, Richard E. Colwell married Joyce Ann Snyder, daughter of Donald 0. and Mildred C. Snyder of Holgate, Ohio.

They had a daughter, Christy Cae, who was born July 7, 1953, in Toledo, Ohio. After her graduation from Patrick Henry High School in 1971, Christy married Dennis D. Myers, son of Dallas D. and Mary Lou (Buchenberg) Myers of Hamler, Ohio, on June 5, 1971. Christy and Dennis have one son, Damian Dennis. They presently reside in Deshler, Ohio.

Submitted by Richard Colwell

These men are cutting timber near Deshler about 1874.