Getting to Know Us
This is the beginning of a series to introduce our members to each
other. We meet and greet at worship, but often we do not get to know
the unique history
and gifts that our members bring to our community. We begin with our two oldest
members, both 96 -- Roland Anderson and Bill Reid. Roland sits near the
front of the sanctuary, a few rows from the pulpit near the first pillar. Bill
sits on the pulpit side, on the aisle, several rows from the baptismal font.
Roland Anderson: Born September 24, 1907
What brought you to Augustana?
I came to Washington in 1941 for a
two week stint in the Navy, which turned out to be a longer tour of
duty,
and I’ve been here ever since. My father was a pastor in the
Augustana Lutheran Church and so I naturally turned to Augustana.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, and
lived in Texas and New York.
What kind of work did you do?
I’m a lawyer. During the Navy and
afterwards, I worked for the Atomic Energy Commission, Manhattan District.
I retired as Chief Counsel for Patents with the US Energy Department.
What have you enjoyed about Augustana over these years?
I enjoyed
teaching Sunday School. I appreciate the Swedish cultural heritage
that is part
of Augustana and is carried on even as we became more culturally
diverse.
Your family?
My wife is a member of the Church of Christ on 16th
street and as my vision has deteriorated in recent years, she drives
me to
church and picks me up afterwards. My daughter lives in Malvern,
PA. My dad lived to 101 and my mother died at 89, so I come from
a line
of people who live a long time.
What would you like others to know about you? I am interested in
individuals and what they have accomplished.
Mr. Anderson recently was hospitalized due to breathing difficulties,
but he hopes to return to worship soon,
William “Bill” Reid: Born October 25, 1907
What brought you to Augustana?
The nearness to my home on V Street.
I visited a number of churches and liked how close Augustana is and
the welcome I received from Pastor Lundeen and others. I don’t
remember the exact date I became a member, but it was in the 60s.
Have you lived in DC all your life?
No, I was born in Norfolk, VA,
but my parents brought me here when I was five.
What kind of work did you do?
I was the first superintendent if the
newly integrated Industrial Home and School for Delinquent Children,
which was then near Blue Plains. (Younger Washingtonins may know this
residential care facility as “Oak Hill.”) I supervised
a staff of 60. I have enjoyed working with homeless and delinquent
youth. I was superintendent for 20 years.
What have you enjoyed about Augustana over the years?
I served on the
Evangelism Committee. I like that Augustana’s nearness and the
worship service.
Your family?
I have a son who lives in Washington. And Marvin (who
at times can be seen walking with Bill to and from church) is my
helper. He takes good care of me.
What would you like others to know about you?
My personality is to
get along with everyone. I believe you should be agreeable and
help in any way you can, in your professional as well as your social
life.
I enjoy visiting museums and attending plays. I like go sightseeing
and to travel and have been to Europe.
Mr. Reid has survived three heart attacks, the most recent one
about a year ago. Because is vision is poor, he can no longer
read the
hymnal, but he sings many of the hymns from memory. He is often
the first in
line to receive Communion.
-- written by Barbara E. Solt Next
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