| Title: | Pingry and the papers |
| Author: | Ruth W. Sutro ... RuthWSutro@Juno.com |
| The three brothers Sutro had the privilege of attending a fine private day school in New Jersey named the Pingry School. In fact the family moved from Basking Ridge to Elizabeth specifically so the boys could attend it. [Ironically, the school has since made two moves westward ending up near Basking Ridge at Mantiloking, but too late for the boys to attend it there!] Our family has heard much of the small classes at the school, meaning that the students were apt to have to recite daily. Also, daily participation in sports was required of all, regardless of skill. The Sutro brothers kept up their athletic activities until late in life. One requirement floored some of the students: Each older boy in the school had to give a chapel talk either once or twice a year. Louis alone exulted in the exercise. "You really enjoy doing this, don't you?" commented the headmaster.
In adult life, Louis's love of public speaking continued. When professional mailings would arrive announcing calls for papers for upcomiong conferences, his eyes would get a far-away look and he'd reach for a pad of white paper with blue lines and begin to write down ideas. Even on automobile trips, the pad would accompany us and often I'd be asked to drive so that he could carry on with his writing. If dusk and darkness arrived, out would come a flashlight so the work could continue! Many of his submissions were accepted, so he had wide audiences. Since his passing I have had condolence letters from listeners as far away as Spain. |
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