Tuesday, January 3, 2017
When my Christmas card this year was returned I feared that Paul was no longer with us. I am sorry not to have communicated with him more regularly these past years. The last time I was in touch with him was in 2012 when we were going to celebrate my husband's 90th birthday. Paul planned to come, brought to Turlock by a son. Sadly, at the last minute he did not feel well enough to come. He did send my husband (J. W. Smurr) a wonderful horse statuette that Bill kept on his desk for the next five months until his death in late October. Paul was very kind at that time, and called me, as he said, to let me know that there were people in Arizona thinking of me with sympathy and affection.
Paul was a bachelor when he joined the University of Montana History department staff in the late 50's. He and Bill became friends easily as both liked to hike and talk and write. We included Paul in family meals if it happened to be convenient and always in our event dinners such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. He was an 'uncle' in all ways to our small boys and a great friend to Bill and me.
My deepest sympathy to you four children and to all his family. He loved you and was very proud of all of you. The world is not as good as it was with him here.
