Howard Hobson Letter

May 24, 1970

Mr. William Hargiss
c/o Fran Welch
1714 Rural Street
Emporia, Kansas

Dear Bill:

Lee Benton told me yesterday of the testimonial dinner to be held in your honor at Emporia May 28th. I send along my heartiest congratulations to you and wish you many more years of good health and happiness.

Our experiences together in Italy in 1945 as sports consultants for the Army are among the top highlights of my life. Many years earlier, I remember you as football coach at Oregon State. Many of my friends played on your teams there and I have followed your illustrious career ever since. That was more than fifty years ago.

Bill, I have a very warm spot in my heart for the State of Kansas in general and for Emporia in particular. Fran Welch, our companion in Italy, has always been a fine friend and Dr. Harry Scott was my excellent professor and advisor at both Oregon and Columbia. Dean Nesmith was one of my roommates in Italy.  Phog Allen has been my friend for many years and worked with me on the Olympic basketball program for the games at Helsinki. Incidentally, his championship team in 1952 played three exhibition games for us in Hutchinson and raised $35,000 for the Olympic fund; in mid summer with the temperature close to 100 degrees. Two more Kansas friends, Dutch Lonborg and Wendell Holmes did the organizing. Please remember me to any of these men that may be present.

If the above isn't enough, I could add that my mother was born in Scandia, Kansas and was one of the early graduates of Baker Institute. My wife was born in Humbolt. My high school football coach, Harry Campbell, was a Kansas man. He sent Dave Wright and John Wulf to Kansas and I almost came with them.

So, here is to Kansas and to you, Bill; one of HER GREATEST SONS.

Sincerely your friend,

Howard Hobson
Editorial Policy Board, Retired
Residence:275 S. W. Birdshill Road
Portland, Oregon 97219