The Battle of the Bulge

25 January 2018

My father shipped out in the last 6 weeks of the war, just in time to see active combat in the ferocious Battle of the Bulge. Similarly to most veterans, he never talked about it much --- and if asked, he might offer a one-word or one-sentence reply.

He saw a lot of death and injuries, lost two of his best friends, fought in foxholes, did reconnaissance behind German lines, and led his platoon over at least one minefield. He came out of it a Captain, and didn't return home for two years. He supervised German POWs in Antwerp for most of that period, and also began his lifelong career as a part-time teacher, eventually specializing in history, political science and law (he wrote a textbook along the way).

One thing he never mentioned was the snow in Belgium. Obviously no one had heard of global warming at the time these photos were taken. I'm sure if I could ask him now, it would still be another very brief answer. But I'd like to know about the snow.
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Ralph Hunt's 92nd Birthday

13 January 2015

Today is my father's 92nd birthday. He was not religious, so I will extend to him retrospective thanks and deeply respectful memories. 

Ralph Edwin Hunt was a reserved man who spoke when he knew he had well-formed thoughts to share. On that count, I don't believe he ever failed. I remember only wisdom, and it was not infrequent. 

I don't remember him ever saying anything that was even slightly wrong.

(The charcoal drawing is by Tammy Zebruck, set in the Springfield, Missouri Council Chambers)

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The Darkroom

9 February 2012

My father's darkroom was in the basement of my Grandparents' house. It was always a special trip to go there and watch him develop film, especially when he switched over from black and white to colour. It was really exciting to watch the colour photos develop! We had never seen anything like it....
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11/11/11

2 November 2011

Remembrance Day (Memorial Day in the US) is near.

I have been thinking about my father.

My recent post (spontaneous and unedited):

This is my father with one of his several aircraft over the years. I think this is a Cessna, and there are those who know (not I). I am on the left and my brother Ross on the right.

My father, Ralph Edwin Hunt, certainly my great life hero. Veteran of WWII, Captain, US Infantry, 70th Division, Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, University of Michigan, lawyer in independent practice, professor of history and political science, physics aficionado, community development advocate, pilot (of course), European car enthusiast, photographer (operated his own darkroom/lab), speaker of French, Latin and English, collector of art, writer, Unitarian lay reader, gardener, technology innovator, designer of a passive solar home in 1950, former regional president of the United Cerebral Palsy Association, turned down a posting with the US Supreme Court to come home to Missouri, friend to many, generous and unassuming to a fault... my father.

I cannot imitate him, only admire him....

Painting by Tammy Zebruck, of Kenora.
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Ralph Edwin Hunt: Two Commissioned Portraits

8 August 2011

I am pleased to announce that portraits of my father are now available online.

Tammy Zebruck completed an acrylic painting of a Springfield Airport scene in the mid-1950s, where my father was photographed with my brother, Ross Hunt, and me.



She also carried out a conte crayon portrait of him in the Springfield, Missouri council chambers.

Please click on the links provided to see the images online.

There is a purchase option, which starts at a reasonable $15.

Laurence Hunt
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A Quiet Hero: Remembering Ralph Edwin Hunt

27 January 2008

My father, Ralph Edwin Hunt, lived from January 13, 1923 through May 24, 1995.

He was a modest, often shy and at all times unassuming man of short physical stature who nonetheless towered above the landscape in all fields in which he practiced, both vocationally and avocationally.

This is an experimental post. More later!