My Dad

It is not easy to get my father to talk about himself. It is special when he does.

I sat down with him and mom and asked about his childhood. While he had a career in business, government, academia and politics, I was interested in his youth.

Papa – you had an unusual youth. Please tell me about it.

We moved to Lansing when I was seven, when my dad was first elected Governor. At first, kids were very mean to me – to the point of beating me up. It got so bad that my dad had his state troopers drive me to school. This made it worse in some ways, although it was the beginning of wonderful relationships for me with the troopers. Sam, George and Wayne were the three that I remember the most – and they became like older brothers to me. Grandpa was Governor from when I was 7 to when I was 19, so these men were significant parts of my life as I grew up.

As I aged, people began to know me and like me for who I was.

We very much had a home life. Grandpa wanted to be able to walk to work, so we lived downtown. Mother insisted that we all ate dinner together, every night that they were in town. As we grew older and more independent, they traveled more.

My memories of growing up are very happy. My parents were constantly campaigning (there were two year terms then and my grandfather was elected six times), but my life did not suffer because of it. I was a voracious reader, and was always able to watch the Lions on Sunday on the lone tv, since that was a big campaign day.

I know that you admire Harry Truman. Tell me about your time with him.

Grandpa and I were in Detroit in 1948. Truman was running for reelection and Grandpa took me to the President’s suite at a hotel in downtown Detroit. I was seven years old.

When we arrived, Grandpa said to Truman, “please tell my son about your decision to drop the atomic bomb in Japan. Tell him about firing MacArthur.”

I don’t remember exactly what his answers were, but I remember being in awe of this man who had these huge decisions to make. He was in the midst of the campaign of his life, and yet he was taking the time to educate a seven year old on history. Later in life I was the campaign manager for Michigan for Hubert Humphrey and reached out to President Truman to ask for his support. I received a letter back from him that made me feel like he remembered me. He impressed me with his intellect and yet also his kindness and personalism.

The night of the 1948 election, the papers incorrectly reported both Truman and Grandpa as losing their respective campaigns. The resulting cartoon is one of my favorites.

Papa, tell me about meeting the Kennedys.

I was with John F. Kennedy twice – once in Hyannisport and once in Lansing. JFK needed support outside of the Northeast, so he was solicitous of Grandpa. He invited Grandpa to Hyannisport. Grandpa took me with him. I was 19 years old. Part of that trip was spent on their yacht, the Honeyfitz. Jackie served us lunch. It included jellied consume with an egg in it. She spilled some in the process of serving; the egg fell onto the deck. Jackie told Jack that she couldn’t clean up the soup as it made her sick. As it turns out, she was pregnant at the time, but no one knew – this was with the son, Patrick, that they lost.

My mother interjects with her favorite part of the story: On their way home to Michigan, Grandpa asked your dad what he thought about the Kennedys and, specifically, Jackie. Your dad’s response was that he preferred a much more functional woman.”

The other interaction my father had with JFK was when the then Senator was campaigning on a train and stopped in Lansing. My mom was present for this event and describes it below.

It was the 1960 campaign. Papa and I were invited to ride the train from Ann Arbor to Lansing with the Senator and staff and your grandparents. Kennedy had just given his Peace Corps proposal speech from the Union steps. Your grandfather stood with him. When your father and I got on the train, Pierre Salinger was having lunch and invited us to join him. He and papa chatted. I said, “the Senator looks very young.” Pierre slammed his beer bottle down and roared, “do not say that ever!” I contemplated jumping from the moving train. He said they were creating an image of a seasoned statesman.

We disembarked the train to go to grandpa’s office in Lansing. They positioned us for pictures with the charismatic Senator. Your dad and I sat at the desk with the Senator. A reporter yelled “watch out for her; she is a Republican.” My parents were. Kennedy turned to me and asked if that was true. It was all I could do to get “no” out.

After this visit, my grandfather declared for Kennedy and was the first Midwestern governor to do so. Kennedy visited my grandfather at Mackinac Island to announce the endorsement.

You and mama started dating at 14. What did mama bring to your life?

My family loved each other, but we did not communicate it. We didn’t say I love you, we didn’t hold hands or kiss each other in public.

Your mom taught me how to love deeply and openly.

She was the motivation for me to succeed in life – to get my doctorate. She has always been my biggest supporter.

Your mother has been my life.