Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
12 January 1963
I really am very busy lately. I've been putting in a lot of overtime and can see no relief. We have finals this coming week, too. That reminds me I have to save $9 for registration in German 4. They caught up with me now, and it's getting tough.
This good bier and food is sure ruining me. Size 34 pants are awfully tight. I'm comfortable in 35's but I could wear 36's. It's getting bad. We're starting our physical fitness plan here just like the rest of the Navy; and it sure can't hurt me - although it might kill me.
25 January 1963
I'm proud of Bobby for being so brave in the face of unknown and imaginable danger at the hospital. It sure sounds like everybody is always sick or in bad health. Hope that straightens out soon.
The other week I helped Gretchen and the family bake fashnachts kuechelchens (fasnachts or donuts). They tasted just like you and grandma make. Gretchen and I had a little argument, but everything is OK now. I really appreciate that girl, and don't know what I'd do without her. If she'd want to get hitched when I leave, it would be damn hard to say no. She can cook like a champ, and is good with a needle and thread, too.
I have some bad news, too. The Navy ran out of funds, so if I want U of Md courses I'll have to pay the entire amount. I got an A in German 2, and even though I missed half the German 3 classes, I got a "B."
I got up to see John ["Toby" Tobias] several days ago. He was in the library and I walked up and said hello. Boy was he surprised. He took me along to his Verbindung Haus (fraternity house) and all was conducted in Deutsch. I got along pretty well there. They might have thought I was another exchange student because one guy asked me if I had a preference in fraternities. I sure wish I could have joined. [Young Fehr was introduced to the new mode of German fraternity "duelling "- bier mugs instead of rapiers. No more fashionable facial scars in modern German frats! They would place a full mug or stein of bier on the floor, then raise it to the testicles, thence to the beak, and then ex-prost or chug-a-lug. "Von dem Boden, auf dem Hoden, zu dem Schnable, Ex!" To his credit Swabby Steve much preferred to sip and taste the nectar of the gods rather than inhale it.] If I increase my vocabulary I'll have a chance of being able to study there. John says you can get two years worth of college for the price on one back home. I'd just love to study here. I'll be visiting him again in another week; it's 165 miles away.
I'm also in love with my new VW. It's grey with whitewalls and I ordered red padded leatherette seat covers with a grey trim, and full-length red floor mats. All that runs about $30. I'd like to get a radio, but I can't afford it. [Not everything was better back in the good olde days where the steering wheel was about the only thing that did not cost extra; all accessories were extra and individually purchased, i.e., no "packaged sets" or groups of accoutrements.] I only start my payments in March when I'm 21. They (the finance company) was surprised to find an NCO [non-commissioned officer] under 21. However, because I'm an NCO and will be of age shortly, (and they want the money) they paid for the car.
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18 March 1963
I saw some small kuckoo [cuckoo] clocks lately. I almost bought a small one for you, but it didn't make much of a kuckoo. So, I just added a couple more bucks and got a bigger more livelier one. I guess you'll get it about the latter part of April. I hope you like it. If the noise won't let you sleep, I think you can put up (lift up) one of the chains so the bird won't kuckoo.
25 April 1963 [Postcard]
This big wine barrel has 2 stories and a balcony, and is located in a famous wine fest town. I was there Sunday. Yes, Brig leaves here in October.
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02 February 1963
I got a letter from London on Monday granting me my tuition aid. But I'm doubtful about any more aid for the next few terms. I'm on German 4 now, and it's really a little rougher. I'm going to do a little extra work on it and should really be building up some proficiency. I'm going to see John this Sunday and stay for two days. That will probably be the last visit until just before he leaves.