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Memories of RSW by Arnold Purinton



Robert Strong Woodward in front seat of the Packard Phaeton
Robert Strong Woodward in front seat of the Packard Phaeton
It was some time in the 1940s and I was probably 6 or 7 years old. I had put together with a couple chunks of wood, a board connecting the two together with a head on one end and tail on the other, supposing to be a saddle horse.

Dressed up in a Roy Rogers cowboy outfit
Dressed up in a Roy Rogers cowboy outfit
I ran to the kitchen door and announced to my mother that "Ole Man Woodard" had just been driven in the yard by my older brother Mark driving the big old gray Packard ----"Mr. Woodard" in the passenger seat. My voice was within easy hearing distance of him and when brother Mark went by me, if looks could kill, I would have been dead a long time ago. Needless to say Mom heard me also, and after they left I got a real scolding, and that evening another from my Dad. I believe I learned my first lesson in respect that day.

As the story continues, a few hours later the big old gray Packard was back in our driveway and Mr. W. called me over to the car. I am not sure, but I believe I apologized to him for what I had called him.

To my surprise he handed me a box and when I opened it, inside was a Roy Rogers cowboy outfit complete with cowboy hat, chaps, shirt and 2 cap pistols with holsters.

I believe that when I called him "Ole Man Woodard" that I had hurt his feelings and he wanted me to like him. Believe me, after that gift I loved him.

I had a paper route a few years later and every Christmas his nurse whose name I believe was Miss Phipps, through Mr. W. would tip me 50 cents--big money in those days.

The three Purinton brothers on a New Year's eve in the RSW studio
The three Purinton brothers on a New Year's eve in the RSW studio.
Arnold seated in RSW's wheel chair - Toasting RSW
Up until recent years, brother Mark and wife Barbara, brother Josh and wife Betty and my wife Judy celebrated New Years Eve in Mr. Woodward's studio, the old fireplace sparkling and the white candles glowing. I always sat in Mr. Woodward's wheelchair and my very favorite photo is of Mark on one side, Josh on the other, with me in the wheelchair. And I believe we were toasting ROBERT STRONG WOODWARD who had long since passed on.

Father Time and Baby New Year, 1989 - 1990
Father Time and Baby New Year, 1989 - 1990
Arnold C. Purinton
2010