“Did You Know?”…Manchester High School Alumni Update: Howard Parr, Class of 1937
Howard Parr, accepting a volunteer recognition award in 2014.
submitted by Susan Fielder, Manchester High School Alumni Association
I had an opportunity to interview Manchester Alumni, Howard Parr. Howard graduated in 1937, having attended classes in the post-Civil War era building located on the corner of Wolverine and City Streets. Howard commented that students from kindergarten through High School attended classes in the three-story building. He remembers walking home with his three brothers and sister at the end of the six-hour school day. The family home, located on M11 Road, (Austin Road), was 1.8 miles away. They were transported to classes in the morning, as Howard called “a compensation for completing the required morning chores.” After school, evening chores were also expected, and competed only with the time needed to complete assigned homework.
Following graduation, Howard attended the University of Michigan, Literary College. He worked though the summers and saved money for room rent. Howard also worked three hours every day at the “Liberty Inn” German restaurant located in the old “Mack” Building on the corner of Main and Liberty Streets in Ann Arbor. He graduated four years later (1941) as a certified educator. Howard spoke of the 1940 Peace Time draft (lottery draft), but he wasn’t drafted into military service. He didn’t qualify, because of the effects of a childhood injury.
By December 1941, Howard was teaching school in South Lyon. He recalls correcting school papers on the morning of Sunday, December 7th, when Japanese planes began attacking the American fleet in Pearl Harbor. Following the “day that will live in infamy,” physical requirements for military service were lowered, and Howard joined other members of the greatest generation in 1942 – drafted for “the duration of the emergency plus 6 months.”
Howard started basic training with Camp Roberts in California. Early screening tests recognized potential radio operator skills (associated with his early musical/rhythmic training). In addition to learning Morse code, the 17-week basic training regimen included studies in field radio operations. Howard continued his training at the Radio Operations School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then joined the 76th Infantry Division, 304th regiment at Fort Meade. He attended Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He completed training in July 1944 and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the signal corps.
Howard and his unit spent one-month following the Pacific Ocean trek to his first overseas station, arriving in New Guinea on Christmas Eve, 1944. He was transferred to Leyte Island in the Philippines in July 1945. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Howard’s unit had been preparing for a Japanese invasion. Quoting Howard, as awful the atom bomb was, “it cost fewer lives than an invasion. It may well have saved my life.”
The war ended quickly, but the Army system of evacuation didn’t. Howard’s unit in Leyte disbanded in 1946. Another trans Pacific Ocean trek resulted with landing in Los Angeles with a much-appreciated “Welcome Home” reception. Howard then joined thousands on the “Troop Trains East.”
“Our four-year mailbox courtship ended when Lenora and I married the week I got home,” he recalls. Lenora Haab, a former MHS classmate, had been teaching school in Manchester while Howard was serving his country. After their wedding, Howard completed graduate studies, receiving a Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration at the University of Minnesota, before returning to Michigan. He taught school in South Lyon from 1947 – 1950.
As part of his OCS training, Howard had signed up for a ten-year term of duty with the Ann Arbor reserve unit (the 321st signal battalion core). He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. On September 11, 1950, the 321st battalion and Ann Arbor reserve unit were among those recalled for 21 months of active duty for the Korean War. Quoting Howard’s book, “The first I heard of my recall was on the WJR evening news.” Ultimately, the Ann Arbor Reserve unit was sent to Stuttgart, Germany to provide field communication for the occupational forces. Howard’s military career finally ended in August of 1952, after which he focused on his family and his education profession.
The Parrs were blessed with 5 children: four daughters and one son. His only wish now is to have been able to spend more time with his wife and his children as they were growing up. Professional responsibilities required long hours and many evening meetings. He and Lenora celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary before she passed in 2009. He is proud of all of his children’s accomplishments and especially enjoys the annual family vacations in Ludington, most recently attended by 62 family members.
Currently, Howard lives at the Chelsea Retirement Community. His daughter-in-law is the Chaplain at the CRC. He has written four books, two of which are titled Farm Stories From Manchester Michigan – Life on our Farm 1915–1995 and My Army Years 1942–1952, from which comments in this article were augmented. Both of these books are available at the Manchester Library and the Manchester Area Historical Society. Howard is working on a fifth book, Music in My Life. He especially enjoys the symphony and pipe/theatre organ music. He reminisced about playing the organ for the Methodist Church (formerly located on the corner of Main and Washington Streets in Manchester), when he was 12 years old.
I asked him if he had advice for this year’s MHS graduates. (Paraphrasing his comments): “The opportunities are limitless; the challenge is convincing young men and women to recognize the possibilities. Current grads are likely to have 3 to 4 vocations, not just jobs, but vocations. Some will pursue college degrees, but success is also available to those seeking needed vocational careers. Everyone is important and talented at something. You just need to join in and become part of the process.”
I enjoyed continuing conversations with Howard. We discussed social issues, suggested improvements for the educational system, and even the tragic student deaths in Florida. But space is limited in this article. I invite others to visit Howard at CRC. He’s an inspiration and shares interesting stories. You can contact him at haabparr@gmail.com to schedule a visit.
The Manchester Alumni Banquet is scheduled for June 16th. Please consider a financial donation to the scholarship fund. As Howard’s life experiences inspire future graduates, your financial support will help them achieve their goals. Checks can be sent to MHS AA, PO Box 254.
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