Mark
Alan Lobsinger Experiences...
Life As A Galley Slave Aboard An Ancient Greek Warship
In
427 B.C. Mytilene, a city on the Greek island of Lesbos had been
recaptured by their Athenian overlords after a brief revolt. So
outraged were the Athenian legislators that they ordered the destruction
of Mytilene and dispatched one of their Greek Oaring Ships (known
as a trireme) to accomplish the slaughter.
The
swift vessels carried a crew of 170 galley oarmen and 30 soldiers
and their supplies. It was a day and a half on its journey when
the Athenian legislature had a change of heart and decided to
spare the wayward city of Mytilene. Immediately, they dispatched
a second trireme, promising the oarsmen extra provisions and a
bonus if they could overtake the first ship and prevent the destruction.
Mytilenaean envoys provided wine and barley for the crew and promised
a large reward if they should arrive in time.
The
oarsmen ate their barley-cakes, kneaded with wine and oil, and
took turns at sleeping and rowing. And they overtook the first
ship, and Mytilene was saved. Or so says Thucydides in his History
of the Peloponnesian War.
Zeus
had blessed the mission. Poseidon had smoothed the sea and made
the waters safe for the hearty oarsmen. And for that, all of them,
including Oarsman First Class Mark Alan Lobsinger were grateful.
Mark
Alan who???
Mark
Alan Lobsinger is the only known Lobsinger who has served as a
galley oarsman on an ancient Greek Trireme. That's who.
But
much as we'd like to tell you he was on the warship to Mytilene
in 427 B.C., he wasn't. Still... what an adventure!
Mark
is in Greece this summer, part of an international rowing crew
of 170 persons taking part in the third annual Trireme Trust Sea
Trials scheduled from July 18 to August 5. The trials will include
a 235 kilometer row from the Greek island of Poros to Navplion.
Mark is one of 40 Americans in the crew.
They
will man the oars on the reconstructed Greek Trireme Warship "Olympias.",
built by the Greek Navy to specifications gleaned from archaeological
studies. The purpose of the sea trials is to scientifically determine
how it was possible for such lightly constructed ships to reach
the incredible speeds ancient writings boast about. After 200
years of high-brow scientific argument, the Trireme Trust was
formed to build one of the ancient ships and settle the debate
once and for all.
Mark
Alan Lobsinger is a member of the House of George. He is a self
employed commercial artist living in Omaha, NE. Mark is the son
of William George (Bill) Lobsinger, Jr. and Joyce Elkins who now
live in Lindon, Utah. His grandparents were William George (Joey)
Lobsinger and Irene Mabel Walker. Great grand-parents were Joseph
G. Lobsinger and Mary Diemert. Great-great grandparents were Mary
Uberschlag and George William Lobsinger , founder of the House
of George, and one of the sons of Count Joseph who started the
Canadian branch of the new world Lobsinger families.
Drylanders,
all. And so what would entice a plainsman from Nebraska to sign
up as a galley slave on a Greek warship? Sorry - he didn't really
say. The challenge, we suppose. The adventure. The chance to travel.
Mark
applied for the job after reading about the adventure in Archaeology
magazine last year, but was too late for last year's trials. This
year, after convincing the people in charge that he was capable
of running five miles in thirty-five minutes, and doing one hundred
and fifty, fifty pound lat pulls in six minutes, among other feats
designed to generate sweat on the brow of a Greek god, he was
accepted.
All
they want is someone capable of rowing 6 hours a day for 5 days
a week. A small task compared with the feats of Greek mythological
heros, but a rather mean one for a Nebraska commercial artist.
Mark says his best running time was 47 minutes, but he convinced
them with his time and stamina on the fixed seat rowing machine.
And
so, Mark Alan Lobsinger will be racing across Aegean waters in
a 120 foot reconstruction of an ancient Greek warship this summer,
while the rest of us go about our everyday chores. It's nice to
know the spirit of adventure is still alive in the Lobsinger line.
We'll be looking forward to a report on his trip, and some sketches
for the next newsletter.
Sister
Anne Lobsinger Follows The Lord
To The Slums Of Los Angeles
A
graduate of St. Eugene's School and Bishop Ryan High School, Sister
Anne Lobsinger, daughter of Elmer and Maureen Lobsinger of Hamilton,
ON., is now a social worker in poor areas of Los Angeles.
She
recently took her final vows in the Sisters of St. Joseph Cluny,
becoming the first Canadian to do so.
"I
had planned to get married, move to a farm and raise a family
and take care of horses and dogs."
Instead,
she is now doing full-time social work in downtown Los Angeles
and is also engaged in volunteer catechism instruction in a poor
area of nearby Wilmington.
The
areas where Sister Anne works cover a broad spectrum of life.
There
are rich neighborhoods. There are also ghettos with their youth
gangs, violence and poverty in the streets.
Sister
Anne grew up in a working section of east Hamilton and her parents
were part of a tightly-knit community which built St. Eugene's
parish in the late 1950s.
After
graduating from high school in 1977, she worked at the Chancery
in Hamilton for three years. In 1979, she began to ponder whether
she was hearing the call of God to religious life.
She
served as a postulant at St. Patrick's parish in Hamilton, working
with youth, senior citizens and as a teaching assistant.
"The
experiences at St. Patrick's helped confirm my vocation,"
she recalls. Next came studies and a degree in social work followed
by the move to L.A. to begin her ministry with the poor.
At
first, she says, she felt culture shock at downtown L.A. and its
wide gaps between rich and poor, violent and sedate lifestyles.
Now,
when she is away, she misses the people and her work. "The
challenge of Christianity is to take it out to the streets, to
share it everywhere, to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless
and teach those versed in violence to turn to Christ's love."
That's
exactly what she and 100 deeply-committed volunteers from the
lay community do. "The volunteers are tremendous," says
Sister Anne. "They really verify St. Paul's statement, 'Though
we are many, we are one.'" (House of Louis)
Nadine
& Nicolas Wed In Classic French Ceremony
From
France comes the following wedding invitation, sent to us by our
French cousin Giles Pfrunner concerning the marriage of his sister
Nadine. To prevent our ignorance from showing too badly, we'll
copy the original, and you can find your own translator...
Madame
Marcel Pfrunner, Monsieur et Madame Rene' Pfrunner, Madame Bernard
Dunoyer de Segonzac, Monsieur et Madame Cyril Kressmann sont heureux
de vous faire part du mariage de leurs petits-enfants et enfants
Nadine et Nicolas et vous prient d' assister ou de vous unir d'
intention a' la messe de mariage celebree le Samedi 2 Juin 1990,
a' 15 h., en l Eglise St. Leger de Guebrviller.
9,
Rue de Picardie, 67380 Lingolsheim. 4, Square du Chateau, 67300
Schiltigheim. 12, Rue du Luspel, 68500 Guebrviller.
Congratulations
and best wishes to Nadine and Nicolas from all the American families!
Even if our command of the French language is not very astonishing.
(House of Pierre)
State
Legislature Commends Newkirk Herald Publishers
Newkirk
(OK.) Herald Journal publishers Bob and Sue Lobsinger, with State
Representative Jim Reese in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives,
where they received a Joint Legislative Commendation for reporting
on the connections between a supposed drug rehabilitation program
known as Narconon, and Scientology, a notorious quasi-religious
cult.
Bob
Lobsinger, owner of the Newkirk Herald Journal was recently honored
by the Oklahoma Legislature with a commendation for his "quiet,
indepth search for facts uncovering startling information concerning
Narconon, a supposed drug rehabilitation center, and the Church
of Scientology..."
Lobsinger
and his wife, Sue, were honored in presentation ceremonies conducted
in the chambers of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Representative
Jim Reese (R-Deer Creek) served as the Lobsingers' personal host.
The commendation was concurrently passed by the Oklahoma Senate.
Following
the award of a state health commission certificate of need authorizing
Narconon International to begin development of the old Chilocco
Indian School facility for a prospective drug rehabilitation center,
Lobsinger undertook to investigate the background and ties of
the organization that billed itself as an international non-profit
organization dedicated to rehabilitating substance addicts and
abusers and fighting the war on drugs. In his investigation, Lobsinger
uncovered links to the Church of Scientology, an organization
billing itself as a religion that was founded in the early 1950s
by now-deceased science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.
Using
the Newkirk Herald as a vehicle, Lobsinger undertook what amounted
to a one-man campaign that eventually led to an investigative
television series and a corresponding investigation by the Associated
Press. In the meantime, roles played in securing the Narconon
certificate of need in early 1989 by persons inside state agencies
were called into question and numerous questions concerning Narconon's
legitimacy and the legitimacy of its treatment program, which
allegedly incorporates Hubbard technology, were addressed by a
variety of the state's university and private professional experts,
as well as by the Oklahoma Legislature and state agencies that
have yet to grant operating licensing.
In
addition to recognizing Lobsinger's effort, the legislature passed
House Bill 2252, setting out new guidelines for licensing rehabilitation
programs. The new law requires certification of proposed new programs
by one of two nationally recognized accrediting agencies, and
/ or program verification and approval by the Oklahoma Department
of Health, which has adopted the certification criteria set out
by the two national accrediting organizations.
Narconon,
in the meantime, must have its drug rehabilitation program certified
and licensed through the Department of Mental Health and the facility
certified and licensed through the Department of Health by June
30 (1990 - which they failed to do), or the certificate of need
issued last year will lapse and the organization would have to
start all over in order to operate a licensed program.
Narconon
could conceivably operate its facility on the Chilocco land with
or without state licensing so long as the Chilocco Development
Authority, comprised of five participating area tribes, with the
approval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, chooses to honor the
lease agreement. Without a state license, Narconon would not be
eligible to participate in state contracting and very probably
would not qualify as an insurance-approved provider for many companies.
The program would have to operate primarily with private-pay clients
and patients.
Lobsinger
has asserted, "Narconon is not and has never been accredited
by anyone, anywhere, except other Scientology organizations."
Lobsinger
has also has been recognized by the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce
as the Newkirk Citizen of the Year.
(Reprinted
from the Ponca City News, Wednesday, May 30, 1990) (House of Peter)
Paul
Lobsinger Migrated From Ontario To Oklahoma
Mr.
and Mrs. Paul Wise of Stillwater, OK., sent us the following story
of their branch of the Lobsinger family - they are descendents
of Paul, the son of Count Joseph. Mrs. Wise relates the story
as it was told to her by Paul's mother the late Matilda Margaret
Lobsinger Wise.
Paul
Lobsinger was the son of Joseph Lobsinger of New Hamburg, Ontario,
Canada, where he was well-to-do and in the lumber business.
Joseph
Lobsinger was married to Marie Weber, and both were from the French
Alsace Lorraine area. The Lobsingers were Catholics and had a
priest in the family. (Who was this, anyone know?)
Paul
Lobsinger met a Mennonite girl he wanted to marry, by the name
of Cathrina Otto. Joseph Lobsinger disinherited Paul and he was
ex-communicated from the Catholic Church when he married Cathrina.
So Paul Lobsinger and his bride Cathrina migrated to St. Louis,
Mo., where Matilda Margaret Lobsinger (Wise) was born. Later,
they lived in Bloomington, Ill., and then came to Braman, Ok.
(Paul and Cathrina also had several other children, but only one
son who reportedly died young and the Lobsinger name consequently
became extinct in this branch of the family.)
While
they were living in St. Louis, Matilda contracted polio at the
age of two years, and was left with a crippled left foot which
she had as long as she lived. Matilda died at age 87.
It
was at Braman that Matilda met and married James Leonard Wise,
who was from Waterville, Kansas, and who was playing an instrument
with a band in that area. They married at Braman and lived there
the rest of their lives.
Matilda
and James Wise had four children: Paul Conrad, born April 15,
1905; Nancy Katharyn, born July 17, 1907; Pauline Adalee, born
March 4, 1912; and James Lyman, born June 17, 1914. Both Nancy
Kathryn (Westphal) and Pauline Adalee (Pugh) are deceased.
Mrs.
Wise is an accomplished free lance writer and artist well known
in Oklahoma, who has been a member of the Stillwater Writer's
Club for over 50 years, serving as its president several times.
She has also had her art works featured in many juried exhibitions
across the southwest.
Mr.
Wise is a successful businessman and well known banker in Oklahoma.
He was the subject of a "Profile" article in the April
issue of Oklahoma Banker magazine, and we have reprinted that
article elsewhere in this issue.
(House
of Paul)
This
Year's College and High School Graduating Seniors
Peter
Harold Goetz, son of Jim and Christine Goetz of Mildmay,
ON., graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University on May 27, 1990
with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography.
Peter
has accepted a position with Grand River Conservation Authority,
Cambridge, Ontario.
Following
the Convocation at the K-W Auditorium, a dinner party was held
at the Black Forest Inn, Conestoga. Those attending from Mildmay
were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Goetz, Jim Goetz, Jr., Mrs. Ellen Lobsinger,
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. Al Dosman, Mr. and Mrs.
Allan Goetz, Luanne and Vincent. (House of Peter)
Michael
Robert Lobsinger, son of Robert W. and Susan M. Lobsinger
of Newkirk, OK., graduated from The University of Oklahoma College
of Engineering on May 12, 1990, with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Aerospace Engineering.
A
week earlier his brother, Steven Richard Lobsinger
graduated from Newkirk High School with a college prep diploma.
Steven
will be entering the University of Oklahoma College of Electrical
Engineering in the fall, and will move into the room at the "Kids
Apartment" being vacated by older brother Michael, who is
currently job hunting in the aerospace field. Steve will be joining
his sister Judy Sue Lobsinger and another brother, John Allan
Lobsinger, who are also both OU students. John is a Civil Engineering
student, and Judy is a Bio-Chemistry major.
Dad
took what money he had left and treated the entire family and
a few stray boy and girl-friends to dinner at Steak and Ale in
Oklahoma City to celebrate the graduations. (House of Peter)
Deaths
and Funerals
Lloyd
Albert Lobsinger
Lobsinger,
Albert Lloyd - At K-W Hospital, on Monday, April 2, 1990, age
59 years, of 11 Vicmount Drive, Kitchener, On. Canada.
Mr.
Lobsinger had been employed at Uniroyal Goodrich for 25 years.
Beloved
husband of Lorraine; dear son of Philomena and Edwin Lobsinger
of Hamilton and step-father of Sharron Schultz and her husband
David of Hawksebury and Sharryl Kay and her husband George of
Heidelberg. He is also remembered by one step-granddaughter, Loryanne
Schultz; one brother, Clem of Hamilton and two sisters, Irene
Hamilton of Hamilton and Edna Schaefer of Kitchener.
Mr.
Lobsinger's family will receive friends at the Edward R. Good
Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm today
(Tuesday). The funeral service will be held in the chapel of the
funeral home on Wednesday at 11 am., with Rev. Olaf Poulsen officiating.
Interment to follow in Memory Gardens, Breslau.
Donations
to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions
of sympathy.
Friends
and relatives are invited to the Reception Room of the funeral
home, following the committal service at Memory Gardens. (House
of Louis)
New
Branches On The Family Tree
Clint
Adam Lobsinger
Clint
Adam Lobsinger was born March 13, 1990 to Bruce and Julie Lobsinger
of Snyder, New York. He weighed 8 lbs, 4 oz and was 21 1/2 inches
long, and joins brother Luke age 5, and sister Jenny age 12. (House
of Peter)
Michael
Patrick Douglas Walsh
Michael
Patrick Douglas Walsh arrived May 17, 1990 and weighed in at 6
lbs, 12 ozs. His parents are Patrick and Cheryl Walsh of Alberta,
SK, and his grand parents are Leonard and Teresa (Lobsinger) Walsh
of Brantford, ON.. Great grandparents were Reuben and Leone Lobsinger.
(House of Louis)
Snooker
Suprise!
Remember Barney Lobsinger
the professional wrestler who was featured a few issues back?
Well,
Barney can't get the spirit of competition out of his system.
He's taken up shooting pool. Snooker, particularly. His local
paper had this to say on May 24, 1990:
Youth
had to take a back seat to age Thursday in the billiards (snooker)
event of the Ontario Senior Games.
Barney
Lobsinger and Mike Meloche, both of Windsor and the oldest team
in the competition held at Branch 12 Canadian Legion, were declared
winners.
Lobsinger,
76, and Meloche, 78, were well over the age limit of 55 but that
didn't stop them from winning four straight games against all
younger players in the double-knockout event. He won the same
tournament in his "younger days," back in 1985. And
in addition, he has won several other local tournaments in the
last few years.
Marion
and Barney Lobsinger at Gatorland in Orlando Florida on Vacation.
The
Lobsinger Memorial Cross In Langatte, Fr.
Mme Odette Meyer of Langatte,
France, a descendant of patriarch Nicolas Lobsinger (ca 1678-07April
1732), sent the accompanying photograph of the Lobsinger Memorial
Cross in rural Langatte, France, to Charles E. Rinck of Collinsville,
Il., who sent it on to our newsletter.
The
inscription on the base is badly eroded by the weather, but Mme
Meyer visited the "croix" four times in one day at different
hours to gain better visibility of the inscription by using the
varying directions of the sun and associated shadows to enable
enhanced interpretation of its legibility.
Mme
Meyer is positive that the actual inscription reads,
"Dieses
Kreutz Ist Gerichtet Durch Elisabeth Lobsinger Zur Ehre Gottes
Im Jahr 1839"
--
This cross is erected by Elisabeth Lobsinger paying homage to
God in 1839.--
The
inscription does not mention anything of birth or death, but was
probably erected as it states, paying homage to God. Odette is
now also sure that the year is 1839, not 1859 as thought previously.
Charles
Rinck says there is a possibility the monument was erected by
one of his ancestors, Marie Elisabeth Lobsinger (17 Sep. 1777
- 09/10 Nov. 1857). If she was the builder, she may have simply
financed it by sending money home to Langatte, as she would have
been 62 years old at the time, and had emigrated to the USA in
1832 with her husband Hyacinthe Germain and their children. The
Germain family settled in French Village, IL.
But,
adds Rinck, this is pure supposition, as there are 4 other Elisabeth
Lobsingers of that era, and the builder could have been any one
of them.
Our
thanks to Charles for making the photo available to us, and to
Odette for taking the trouble to photograph it for us in the first
place.
From
The Mail Bag
From
researcher Charles Rinck comes the following translation of the
handwritten baptismal certificate we printed in the last newsletter.
For the web, we've moved the original to here so it would be with
the translation:
"129
Today,
27th of the month of March 1731 is Baptized by me Henri Arnouldt,
Pastor in Vingersheim, Joseph Lobsinger, son (of) Joseph Lobsinger,
(a) vagabond and begging pilgrim, and (of) Anna Maria Bolier,
his legitimate wife, having (her) origin in Dossenheim, near Haville.
(His)
Godfather was (the) honest adolescent Joseph Reinbolt from Vingersheim,
and (the) Godmother was Barbara Kremerine, free, from Schapthausen,
who all signed as one with me, or made note (mark).
(sig.)
Joseph Reinbolt
Mark
+ (of the) Godmother
Mark
a (of the) parent
(sig.)
H. Arnouldt, Pastor (of this) place."
Rinck
says the year is definitely 1731. A French immigrant told me it
was 1431 because of the form of the 7 or 4. No matter, it's still
a pretty old and very interesting document. Rinck says it is written
entirely in Latin, and since my Latin is limited to two of the
three parts Gallia est divisa into, I'll take his word for it.
He
says records at "Dossenheim-Kochersberg" need to be
researched for a marriage record of the parents. So, all of you
wanderers, check that out when you next roam the French countryside.
Charles
also sent us a slide of the Langatte, France monument built by
one of the early French Lobsingers from whom we descended. Photo
of the monument is in this issue somewhere.
Dorothy
(Lobsinger) Scott of Waterloo, ON, sent a nice letter asking for
more information on her branch of the family. She is a daughter
of Herbert Paul Lobsinger who was a son of George C. Lobsinger
the son of Anthony Jacob Lobsinger, son of Count Joseph Lobsinger.
Sent her some charts showing how she fits into the family tree.
This branch of the family is one of the smallest, and one about
which we know very little. (House of Anthony Jacob)
Richard
J Lobsinger of Warren MI dropped us a note and says he's glad
the newsletter is back. Richard is son of Raymond Henry Lobsinger,
son of Joseph L, son of Peter. He and wife Geraldine (Schnurr)
are parents of 4 children, Laurie E. Cross, Denise Alexander,
Terry R Lobsinger and William Henry Lobsinger. Denise has recently
moved to Wheaton, IL., and we changed her address on the mailing
list. (House of Peter)
Lloyd
Lobsinger of Kitchener wrote to tell us how much he has enjoyed
the newsletter. Only a few days later, we received a letter from
Clement Lobsinger notifying us that his brother Lloyd had passed
on. His obituary notice is reprinted in this issue.
We
also received a letter on Lloyd's death from George R. Kay, who
is a son-in-law of Lloyd's wife Lorraine. He sent us copies of
Lloyd's birth, baptismal and marriage certificates. (House of
Louis)
Received
news of a new baby from Patrick and Cheryl Walsh of Alberta, and
a note from Patrick's parents, Len and Teresa (Lobsinger) Walsh
of Brantford, ON., about Easter time.
Ann
Wickie of Waterloo, ON., sent us a postage donation and wants
to join the club. She is a daughter of Giles Lobsinger and says
a personal interview with her Dad would be very interesting. Since
we are too far away for that, how about you talking with your
dad and sending us the stories, Ann? We'd love it. (House of Louis)
Anna
Heaney, of Hanover, ON.,sent us a couple of notes and a few bucks
for the subscription fund. She is doing well and is expecting
a couple of her grand children to announce wedding plans before
long. (House of Louis)
Paul
Wise - Bringing Traditionalism
To The 1990s Banking Arena...
The
Grandson Of A Transplanted Canadian Horse Trader Finds His Career
On The Plains Of Oklahoma
Left: Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Wise
By
Laura Cupp
The
office, located next to the front door of the bank, accurately
reflects the personality of its occupant. Pictures of business
gatherings and family members hang on the wall, along with a trophy
fish caught off the coast of Alaska. A manual typewriter sits
on the desk. Books reflecting their frequent use are arranged
neatly on a bookshelf.
Paul
Wise, executive vice president and cashier of Stillwater National
Bank & Trust Co., (Oklahoma) looks quite at home behind his
desk. And he should, after spending more than 70 years in the
banking industry.
"He
gives our bank a sense of continuity... a sense of tradition...
integrity and leadership," said Stan White, executive vice
president and senior trust officer. "He brings all the things
that have made him successful to the institution and the people
here."
Paul
is known for his good business decisions and his innovative ideas.
And at the age of 85 with a flair for tradition, he continues
to work at the bank from five to seven days a week, eight hours
a day.
"When
there's work to be done, I do it," Paul said. "That
is one thing I learned as I grew up on a farm in Braman."
He
takes that lesson to heart for when he is not at the bank, he
is working as corporate secretary and director of Stillwater Milling
Co., positions he has held since 1937.
He
has worked hard to achieve his status at Stillwater National,
always learning all he could about banking. However, banking technology
has changed drastically since he entered the banking arena in
1920 at the age of 15 as bookkeeper of First National Bank in
Braman. He said some of what he has learned over the years is
obsolete because of new technology, so he has to rely on younger
bank officers for computer applications and similar technological
procedures.
His
co-workers said he has adjusted will to the rapidly changing banking
industry.
"He
is a remarkable person," Stan said. "He has adjusted
to change in terms of deregulation, customers' needs, and products
and services."
Bob
McCormick Jr., president and chief executive officer, said Paul
is a wonderful support and resource to him and other bank employees.
"He
is wise, astute and a wonderful role model," he said. "He
continues to be future oriented and a man of goodwill. Wonderful
lessons can be learned from him."
Letting
younger officers play a part in running the bank is one area in
which Paul believes strongly.
Paul
demonstrated this deeply imbedded belief in an assertive, business-like
matter at an Oklahoma Bankers Association Public Speaking Contest
in 1928. Not surprisingly, the title of his presentation was "Give
Us a Chance." That day, as he stood in front of many prestigious
bankers from across the state, he discussed how these bankers
could help the younger generation learn, work and grow in the
banking profession. He won the contest.
However,
he also was recognized in a different way. After listening to
his presentation, Jim Berry, who later became Oklahoma Lieutenant
Governor, asked him to join Stillwater National Bank. So Paul
left Braman National Bank to take advantage of the opportunities
Berry offered him -- to work full-time, attend Oklahoma A&M
and participate in the U.S. National Guard.
Since
joining the bank Sept. 1, 1928, he has demonstrated his patience
and hard-working attitude repeatedly. While working full-time
at the bank, he attended Oklahoma State University and graduated
second in his class within three years. With a natural assertiveness,
he also climbed from bookkeeper to executive vice president.
During
his tenure in the banking industry, Paul experienced the trials
and tribulations of the banking industry during the Great Depression,
served as a national bank examiner for two years and graduated
from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin.
He also has designed some unique customer service programs.
For
instance, Paul organized the first bank installment loan department
in Oklahoma in 1931. The loan department primarily financed automobiles.
"When
I first thought of the possibilities this department could offer
the bank, most board members were against it. But I kept thinking
that instead of having dealers provide loans to car buyers, we
could make the loan to them," Paul said.
"So
I prepared material to present to the board," he added. Most
board members did not want to listen to my presentation, but someone
said, 'Let's hear him out.' Well, they decided to give me $25,000
to loan out. Talk about making sure the loans were good! It worked
out and the board agreed to let me have $50,000. That worked out,
too.
"So
we began an advertising campaign comparing our rates to GMAC rates.
Eventually, we had accounts with most of Stillwater's automobile
dealers."
In
addition, Paul was one of the first bankers to develop a drive-in
window in Oklahoma for Stillwater National.
Reflecting
on his career, Paul said he is satisfied because he feels he has
accomplished his goals -- to acquire a substantial interest in
the bank and be a good banker.
When
asked to describe a good banker, Paul thoughtfully replied: "A
good banker knows the bank's customers and their needs and works
to supply those needs, taking into mind those needs should be
sorted between real needs and wants.
"The
good banker thinks in terms of what is best for the customer because
what is best for the customer is also best for the bank,"
he added. "When making a loan, a good banker thinks in terms
of ability to repay the loan and not the security."
And
he has instilled those concepts in the bank executives following
him up the corporate ladder. So he has done what he set out to
do -- help build Stillwater National Bank, provide opportunities
to young banking professionals, and learn and teach good banking
practices to others.
(Reprinted
with permission from the Oklahoma Banker, April 1990) (House of
Paul)
Reuben's
Three Daughters All Graduates Of St. Joseph's School Of Nursing
In Hamilton, Ontario
Reuben
Lobsinger, a son of Johannes Francis Xavier Lobsinger, grandson
of Louis Lobsinger, and great grandson of Count Joseph Lobsinger
married Leone Russell in 1923 in Ayton, Ontario. They had 4 children,
3 girls and a boy - Teresa, Joan, Tom, and Anne.
Their
story is a remarkable history of service to mankind that spans
many decades. The three girls are all in the health care field,
and Tom grew up to be Bishop of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Prior
to his appointment as bishop, he spent 33 years as a missionary
of Mary Immaculate in British Columbia. His appointment as Bishop
of Whitehorse was the lead story on our very first newsletter
back in 1987.
In
1932, Reuben, Leone and family moved to Brantford, Ontario, which
became the family's "hometown."
Teresa
Lobsinger Walsh graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing
in Hamilton in 1945. Since that time she has nursed at St. Joseph,
Brantford, the Brantford General Hospital and prior to her retirement
in 1987, she worked as head nurse at the Brantford Clinic. She
has been married to Leonard Walsh for 40 years and they have 4
children and 9 grandchildren.
Joan
Lobsinger Luciani also graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing
in Hamilton in 1947 and until her retirement in 1986, she worked
on the maternity ward of the Brantford General Hospital specializing
in premature and constant care nursing. She has been married to
Bill Luciani for 40 years and they have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.
Their 2 girls are also in the professional field, - one as a registered
nurse, and the other a registered laboratory technician.
Anne
Lobsinger Smith Margrett, was the third and last of Reuben's girls
to graduate from St. Joseph's School of Nursing. She completed
her schooling in 1951, and soon after married Delbert Smith, M.D.,
and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Following the sudden death of Dr.
Smith, Anne remained in Cleveland and later married John Margrett,
M.D. She continued nursing at the Cleveland Clinic, and later
in a dermatological office.
Since
Ruben and Leone have passed away, Anne decided to return to Brantford
and now lives in their homestead on Pearle Street. Currently,
she is pursuing another of her talents... that of weaving. She
is gaining wide recognition for her work both here and in the
states, and is presently creating vestures for the church.
In
addition to her three daughters, Leone's sister also became a
nurse. She is Sister Camilla Russell of the Sisters of St. Joseph,
now 84 years young and residing in St. Joseph's Villa, Dundas.
Sr.
Camilla graduated as a nurse at St. Joseph's in 1926 and worked
there until 1930 when she professed her vows as a nun. For more
than 50 years she has served at the St. Joseph's Hospital and
orphanage in Hamilton, St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener, and at
the Indian Reserve at Cape Croker, On.
Together,
Sr. Camilla and her three nieces have been engaged in nursing
and helping mankind for close to 180 years - quite a record for
one family.
(House
of Louis)
Harold
and Allean Lobsinger Spend Summer
On The Road Exploring the West
Our
old buddy Harold Lobsinger and his wife Allean have been wandering
all over the wild west this summer.
He
reports that while in Dallas they got trapped for a few days by
all the flooding and were afraid they would have to trade their
van in on a boat to get back home to Denver.
In
June, they were in Nevada, Mo. to help some friends celebrate
their 50th Anniversary, and on August 24th, they will be heading
for a little town called Minnesota Lake to help some more friends
celebrate. Then, they'll be heading back to Longmont, Co., where
Harold's grandson is getting married at a Dude Ranch.
"This
should be quite an affair, (as) Brian has been a professional
Rodeo Rider for a number of years, so the joint should be full
of high heels and 10 gallon hats!"
Shortly
after the wedding celebration, Harold and Allean will be packing
up to head back to Arizona, where they will again spend the winter.
Harold
is the son of Elmo Anthon Lobsinger, grandson of Louis Jacque
Lobsinger, and great grandson of Antoine Jean Louis Lobsinger,
a brother of Count Joseph Lobsinger who settled in the St. Louis,
Mo., area. (House of Antoine)
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