SYA586 AB342 A CLA108 DH=CLERMONT FLO DEC 2003= WESTERN UNION ALUMNI=           EVERYWHERE USA= The 'infamous' 60 Hudson Street. Please have your Western Union Identification ready for inspection by the guard. Welcome... to our web site -- WESTERN UNION ALUMNI.COM This web site is updated frequently.  Check carefully to see what new material has been posted since your last visit. We appreciate your interest and  participation.  This website is an attempt at something new and different.  We will be attempting to make it something of value to all ex Western Union employees, along with historians and others  who may wish to learn about the history and accomplishments of this great company. First time visitor to this site?  Please tell us who you are by telling us something about yourself and your WU career.   for the information form. We are trying to make this a fun website with articles, jokes, timely events, pictures, connecting links, and an address book...  When possible we will work closely with the RWUEA and Autodin websites.   Please advise any ex-WU employees of the new website.  This website is open to existing employees as well.  Join us and keep us and yourself informed of the latest happenings.   If you would like us to publish anything, please contact us.  Addresses are provided at the end of the newsletter.  We need input from readers on your opinion of trying to put together some sort of museum where WU artifacts could be stored and displayed.  A lot of you are reluctant to give up these articles without some sort of remuneration, but consider the alternative.  Members of your family may not have the same feelings about your objects and in many cases they would end up in the trash can and be lost forever.  At least your name would be on the donated item and you could use it as a tax write off.  Wouldn't you rather see people see these articles and realize WU was far ahead of its time on some things.  ie digital (Mux), fax (Deskfax, Fax concentrators), cellfones (Airfone), the first commercial satellite to mention just a few of our accomplishments. The nations airlines instituted their "Hub and Spoke" concept in 1987.  Western Union had the first "Hub and Spoke" system in place in the early 1950s when the 15 office reperforator system was made completely operational. Shown below is the national state routing system from the 15 switching offices.  Initially, a 16th office, Denver was to be included to handle the states of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.  The switching center proposed for Denver was never installed.  Instead, the states of Wyoming and Colorado were switched from Kansas City.  Utah and New Mexico were switched from Los Angeles. Dallas Kansas City Detroit Atlanta Syracuse Boston            St.Louis  Cincinnati  Oakland  Portland  Philadelphia                Richmond  Minneapolis  New Orleans  Los Angeles Richmond photo courtesy Richmond History Center. to view the main switching aisle at the Richmond office. to view the main switching aisle at the St.Louis office. to view the main switching aisle at the Philadephia office. to view a switching aisle at the Portland office. to view LA Office photos furnished us by the Los Angeles Public Library. Millions of telegrams continue to be sent daily.  The transmission method is somewhat different.  Telegrams have received a new name -- email.  Just think about it. Our idea is to poll the members and see if they have any contacts or businesses that would be willing to donate a building or space to store and display these items.  Of course if any member owns property of this type and would be willing to donate it so much the better.  Along with this we would be looking for volunteers to act as curators and help with the setting up of displays.  The building doesn't have to be in any particular city, only somplace that is easily accessible as far as traveling to or staying near.  Once our plans are in place and the museum starts to become a reality, we could apply to become a 'not for profit' organization and apply for a 'tax exempt status'.  Our planning may not be perfect, but with your input we feel we can accomplish this and make it a part of our history.  We can be contacted by email at the following addresses:  Richard Utz    harold@comcenter.net Bernie Glazier    bglazier@odyssey.net F A C E B O O K There is no "blog" on this site.  However, a WU Alumni page now appears on Facebook.  To go there, sign on Facebook.  Enter Western Union Alumni on their search line.  Along with messages and comments you will discover listings of the various Dates To Remember RWUEA events around the nation.  The page is open for all to use. B U L L E T I N Western Union Alumni Website Founder Dies Richard C. Utz, 82, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.  He was born May 1, 1927 in Avon, NY, to Charles and Emily Utz.  He retired from Western Union as a microwave installer/maintainer.  Richard is survived by his wife Joyce, son David (Bond Koga), daughter Deborah (Gary Smith), and two grandchildren, Taylor and Christopher. A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Baldwin-Fairchild Chapel 428 E. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL, 34787.  In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made in Richard's name to the South Lake Animal League, Clermont, FL www.slal.org.  Online condolences may be made at www.baldwinfairchild.com. Published in Orlando Sentinel on October 10, 2009 Recent retiree deaths for a list of April 2012 deaths as reported by Western Union. for a list of March 2012 deaths as reported by Western Union. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Second Quarter 2012 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 226. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the First Quarter 2012 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 225. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Fourth Quarter 2011 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 224. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Third Quarter 2011 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 223. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Second Quarter 2011 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 222. Hugh D. Garrett, 94 of Austell, GA  January 18, 2012.  Hugh was a building supervisor at WU for 55 years. Stanley W. Thoe, 84 of Chippewa Falls. WI  January 4, 2012.  Stan worked at several locations throughout Wisconsin for over 30 years. Charles "Chuck" Ryan, 76 of East Haven, CT. October 29, 2011.  Chuck was a long time member of RWUEA  He was a technician for WU and was a past president of a UTW union local. Pauline Gilmore, 76 of Dallas, TX  October 4, 2011.  Pauline worked for Western Union for 35 years.  She retired in 1989. Leo F. Whelan, 79 of Garland, TX  October 25, 2011.  Leo was an accountant at Western Union.  He retired in 1984. Frank E. Lambertson, 79 of Council Bluffs, IA  October 4, 2011.  Frank retired from Western Union as an electrical engineer. Eugene J. Pfankuch, 84 of Hayward, WI  August 3, 2011.  Gene was an operator and relief manager for the Minneapolis District of Western Union. Gordon (Earl) Long, Jr., 77 of Boston, VA  June 11, 2011.  Earl worked for Western Union for 32 years. John William Bellinghausen, 74 of Blue Springs, MO  April 5, 2011.  John worked for Western Union for 33 years.  He was a W&R Technician in Kansas City, MO. Guelda Rose Rice, 89 of Macon, GA  March 31, 2011.  She worked for Western Union Louisville, KY as Administrative Clerk.  She retired in 1982. Richard Altini, 78 of Staten Island, NY  April 2011.  He worked for Western Union in Manhattan as a Communications Manager. Patrick M. (Pat) Casper, 66 of Oak Creek, WI  December 14, 2010.  Pat worked for Western Union in a variety of positions starting out as a messenger in the delivery departmentand went on to the sales department. Margaret "Maggie" (Mckee) Brock, 85 of Minneapolis, MN  November 14, 2010.  Maggie worked for Western Union for many years.   Charles "Chuck" Gerrish, 83 of Franklin Lakes, NJ  October 4, 2010.  Chuck worked for Western Union and several other companies during his 46 year career, retiring in 1998. Webmaster note:  When we discover or receive photos of deceased alumni, brief announcements will be made here.  Complete monthly and quarterly death notices appear elsewhere on the alumni web site. to read of Jerry Horowitz passing. to view a slide show of the New York City area 2009 reunion. Lets have lunch some day soon at a lunch counter near your former office. for their menu. ADDRESSES FOR WESTERN UNION PENSION AND BENEFIT PLANS Pension Benefits Western Union Pension Service Center Box 114 1001 16th St., B-180 Denver, CO 80265 Phone: 1-800-811-0684, Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time E-mail: westernunionpension@ehr.com Fax: 1-720-904-3602 Health Benefit (Life) Plans Western Union Benefits Call Center Phone: 1-866-651-1484, Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Time E-mail: westernunion@employease.com B U L L E T I N Western Union Pensioners will be receiving a letter informing them that the Western Union Financial Services, Inc Pension Plan will merge with the Western Union Pension Plan at the end of 2010.  This change will not have any effect on the amount or timing of the benefit you are receiving.  The letter provides a number for you to call if you have any questions. Those either still actively employed by Western Union or no longer working for Western Union but who are vested and entitled to a pension (either now or at a later date) will receive the letter and their annual pension plan statement for 2010.  The planned merger will have no effect on their pension entitlement. If you feel that you are entitled to a Western Union pension and do not receive a letter in the next week or so, you should contact the Western Union Retirement Service Center at 800-811-0684.  You will need to provide your social security number, date of birth and zip code in order for the Service Center to assist you.  Be prepared to furnish details about your Western Union employment - locations, dates, etc. A subsequent letter with additional information about the merge will be sent to all active/former employees, either in payment status or entitled to a future benefit, as the planned merger date gets nearer. Western Union is responsible for the management and funding of both plans. From time to time we receive inquiries concerning email messages received from Western Union requesting personal information, user names and passwords.  This is called "phishing."  Western Union will never send such a request message.  Such messages should be consigned to your computer trash bin.  Should you wish to talk with a consumer protection operator at Western Union, call 800-448-1492.  You can also forward any suspicious emails to spoof@westernunion.com. Inquiries are also received concerning work history of retired or deceased W.U. employees.  W.U. does not permit access to any W.U. personnel records.  Whatever we may know about those people is published on this site. W.U. Mill High mileage. Not for sale. Photo provided by "Mac" McHenry of KSC W.U. - A Public Company again Western Union is now a public company known as "The Western Union Company," trading once again on the New York Stock Exchange with the symbol WU.  Today's Western Union is a global money transfer business with annual revenues now exceeding $4 Billion - Net income approaching $1 Billion and Cash Flows from operations of approximately $1 Billion.  The principal operating entity of "The Western Union Company" is "Western Union Financial Services, Inc."  The international business now is the driver of money transfer growth, accounting for over 60% of revenues.   This business growth is fueled by a continuing expansion of the worldwide agent network that now numbers over 285,000 agents throughout the world in over 200 countries and territories.  You can learn more about Western Union by visiting their web site http://www.westernunion.com (Western Union, which was bought by First Data Corporation in 1995, once again became a separate company on September 29, 2006 when First Data Corporation spun-off the company by distributing all its interest in Western Union to its stockholders.)" The information above is courtesy of the Retired Western Union Employees Association. With much less fanfare, it was announced that telegram service is no longer available.  Until their demise, telegrams were submitted to Western Union via telephone or via computer and the internet.  Western Union would print the messages then hand the hard copy to DHL courier service for physical delivery.  At best the service emulated the former Mailgram service which was provided by Western Union and the U.S. Postal Service.  The photo above is now only a memory. -- 30 -- to read Western Union official press releases. to read press releases, investor news and also learn more about some of the great work done by the Western Union Foundation. Your help is needed. STATUS REPORT - July 15, 2010 Western Union published several newsletters, The Journal of the Telegraph, followed by Western Union News  and Dots and Dashes, then by FactoGram, and then the monthly magazine Telegraph News and finally Western Union News  again. Telegraph News  scanning is completed for the volumes we have on hand, 114 of 137 issues.  23 editions are missing. The results have been copied to DVDs for everyone to enjoy. PLEASE SEARCH YOUR ATTIC OR STORAGE LOCATIONS FOR THE MISSING VOLUMES OF TELEGRAPH NEWS LISTED BELOW. Our Telegraph News collection is incomplete.  Missing are volumes 1, 2, 3, 5 through 24, 79, and 84.  Should you have any of these available, we need to borrow for scanning.  Please mail or ship to the WU Alumni webmaster, Harold Smith, 153 Mason Ave., Rochester, NY 14626.  Your copy(s) will be promptly returned. Update July 15, 2010 Scanning of Western Union News continues.  Although our collection is incomplete we have 254 of 342 issues scanned to two DVD's.  The following issues are missing: Volume 1 Numbers 1 through 15 Volume 3 Number 3 Volume 5 Number 16 Volume 15 Number 1 through 3 and Number 5 through 10 Volume 16 Numbers 1 through 9 Volume 17 Numbers 1 through 4 and Number 8 Volume 20 Numbers 2 and 3 Should you have any of these issues, please mail or ship to Harold at the address above.  Your copies will be scanneed and returned promptly. There is much Western Union history recorded on those newsletter pages.  Please contact our webmaster if you desire DVDs with copies of the material archived thus far.  Cost is only $5 per disk to cover the cost of media and postage. to read the history of the Western Union house publications. Posted July 15, 2010. MOVIE AVAILABLE Western Union produced a 22 minute movie in 1951 titled "Telegram for America."   The movie has been transferred from the original 16mm film to a CD (MPEG-1 format) that can be played on most DVD players and many computers.  The film shows many scenes of working offices as they existed, complete with the staff, real WU people.  There are also actors who will be obvious to WU alumni. To get your copy of this movie, send a check for $5 to webmaster Harold Smith at 153 Mason Ave., Rochester, NY 14626-3327.  The cost covers a CD blank, a mailing envelope and postage.  Allow time for the CD to be made and mailed.  This is not a commercial "in stock" product.  Each CD is a copy made from the "master". The telegram masthead above is from an actual message dated May 6, 1949. to view an actual telegram from 1962 with description of the contents and handling. to view an actual telegram from 1857 submitted by Ed Brown of Richmond, VA. R E M I N D E R - Click the refresh button on your browser occasionally.  The content of this page changes frequently.  You may be missing valuable information if you are viewing an older page. A N N O U N C I N G We are pleased to announce the RWUEA (Retired Western Union Employees Association) has a new web site in place.  It is named www.westernunionretirees.com.   to go to the new site.  If you are not a member of the RWUEA, you should be.  Sign up with the RWUEA on their site today.   to bring up a RWUEA membership application form.   to read a very interesting item appearing in a recent edition of the RWUEA quarterly newsletter.  See what you are missing.  RWUEA membership costs only $10 a year or three years for $25.  Honorary (free) Membership status is granted if you are 85 or older. to view the RWUEA First Quarter 2012 Newsletter. to go to a site created by Bob Pollard.  Bob is in the process of developing a Data Comm History web site that includes Western Union information and also AUTODIN information from Don Holtzclaw's original web site.  Bob worked with Don during the development of the AUTODIN site and he archived a lot of the information at that time.  The link goes to the AUTODIN pages.  While it is still under development information is added almost daily. There is still another new alumni web site in place.  It is named www.ftccalumni.com.  Your WU Alumni webmaster worked for FTCC after leaving WU and is also webmaster of the new site.   to go to the FTCC site. F A C E B O O K An alumni web page now appears on Facebook.  To go there, sign on to Facebook.  Enter Western Union Alumni on a Facebook search line.  You will discover listings of the various 2011 Dates To Remember RWUEA events around the nation.  This page is open for all to use. If you have not already done so, to submit your name and address information to the WU Alumni site.  Let us know who you are.  There is no charge to be listed on the alumni web site.  The alumni web site works with RWUEA but is not a part of that organization.  To view the list of alumni who have registered, to learn and add office calls around the nation.  Do you have a set of route charts from your office squirreled away?  If so, consider loaning them to the webmaster so office calls can be extracted and listed here. Send an email to harold@comcenter.net to tell us what you might have available. to learn or recall W.U. Official Approved State, Province and City Abbrevations. to view the former addresses of Western Union offices in several cities.  If your city is not listed, send the address to our webmaster. harold@comcenter.net NEW - Oct. 11. 2009 to view a page from the RWUEA website covering dedication of a plaque at the 60 Hudson St. New York City Western Union Building. to read about the Western Union Headquarters offices. to view current photos from Ted Scott of the Upper Saddle River, NJ complex as it exists today. to view photos and comments submitted by Lee Stephens. to read about the Decline and Fall of the Reperforator. to read the "The Girl on Wheels" story about the WU Route Aides. to to read about the Kansas City TCC (Technical Control Center) cutover. to read the "End of the Line" story about the WU Camp Car Outfits. to view current photos from Ben Fleming of the Berwick, KS beam site as it exists in 2007. to view photos of the McGraw Microwave site as it existed in 1970. to view photos of the McGraw Microwave site as it exists today in 2007. Morse vs text messaging contest on Jay Leno show.  See the video on this link. for a link to the Florida Chapter of the Morse Telegraph Club. to read Ben Bowlen's W.U. service story. For a stroll down memory lane - in photos! via Frank Weibel and Jerry Marshall More photo memories View two photo albums from the folks at Rochester, NY.   Your photos can be shared with everyone and posted here as well.  Email digital copies -- or mail your regular prints to us.  After scanning, your prints will be posted and the original prints returned to you promptly. here to view photos from John Kinane 1961 NYK 14th floor 60 Hudson Street. here to view an album of photos from Rochester, NY furnished by Louise Rossi. here to view an album of photos from Rochester, NY furnished by Harold Smith here to view an album of photos from Rochester, NY furnished by Linda O'Brien Yaw. We need updated information from the following people.  If your name is on this list, and complete a new registration form as soon as possible.  We want to keep our records updated. Kenneth E. Anderson, Albert Atwell, William W. Callison, Stanley Clark, J. M. Gray, Nell Green, Bob Hammel, Mrs. Ronald House, James Jordan, John Martin, Renee K. Pickard, Max Wood, Roger Zeller. If your Western Union group has an upcoming event, we will be happy to publish the information in this spot.  This service is FREE.  Forward the information to be published via email to: harold@comcenter.net. To read an item from Jack Durkin about a PBS documentary titled Money and Medicine. for the list of 2011 Dates To Remember -- Gatherings -- as furnished by the RWUEA. N E W    F E A T U R E to learn what former Western Union buildings and offices are being reused for.  Some are terminal offices, others former reperf offices.  Check back regularly.  This list continues to grow.  Tell us about your office.  Send the webmaster an email message with information about your city and former office. for photos and brief descriptions of WU offices located in other cities, some small, some large. for next page. to read of Western Union's San Francisco recovery from the 1906 earthquake. for a link to MIT for the complete set of WU Technical Review publications. to view the complete index of items in the WU Technical Review.  A CD with the entire set of Technical Review publications is now available.  For a copy send a check for $5 to webmaster Harold Smith at 153 Mason Ave., Rochester, NY 14626-3327.  The cost covers a blank CD, a mailing envelope and postage.  The material was downloaded from the MIT website.  You must have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to view the files.  Allow time for the CD to be made and mailed.  This is not a commercial "in stock" product.  Each CD is a copy made from the "master". to view a photo album of museums in Morehead City, NC, at the former Kansas City reperf office and at Belmont, NC.  The photos were submitted by Carlos Van Orden. to view a photo album of W.U. Office Modernization.  This album will grow as we discover more photos. to view a photo album from the 1940s sent to us by Jim Haynes of Fayetteville, AR. to read about the famous RN office on Staten Island to view a photo album. to view a photo album of the McGraw, N.Y. site submited by Gene Palmer. to read a message and view photos taken May 2007 of the Princeton microwave site. to view a photo album of the July 28, 2008 Ohio Reunion. to view a photo album of the recent 4th Annual Long Island Reunion. to view photos taken at the Monsey, NY experimental microwave antenna site.  The photos were taken by R.E. Greenquist and submitted by A.J. Orlando. ALL former operators should click this link. ALL former W&R, T&R, Automatic, Plant and Microwave Technicians should click on this link for important information. ALL former T&R, Automatic, and Plant Technicians click this link.  Tell us how many of these you worked on. If you have photos you would like posted, please send a digital copy via email to harold@comcenter.net.  If you only have original photos, mail them to Harold Smith, 153 Mason Ave., Rochester, NY 14626.  Photos will be returned on request after they are copied for the web site. for pictures received via email. for the history of Western Union -- or the Road To Corporate Oblivion. to read about Western Union's GiftAmerica -- its rise and fall. to download a three page .pdf file from March-April 1965 Telegraph News about the Dollygram. to read about Western Union's WESTAR satellites. to download an 830K .pdf file - Western Union Museum - an item which appeared in Vol. 19 No. 4 Technical Review, October 1965. to read early history of Western Union.  The material was furnished by Lea Kemp, Librarian/Archivist, Collections of The Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607.  For those who know or remember, Western Union was founded in Rochester, NY. to see "Western Union celebrates Centennial", an item appearing in the May 1956 issue of Telegraph News. to visit requests for help or information from WU Alumni readers. to view First Data Corp. financial information. to view a few union contract pages.  The pages tell what some of us did and what we were paid in 1982 through 1984. Preservation of Western Union's Washington DC Tenley Tower for a 470K .pdf file about Tenley Tower. for a filing before the FCC concerning preservation of communications towers. MESSENGER STAFF for a photo and story of the Milwaukee messenger staff - 1891 and now. From: Amy.Fischer@firstdatacorp.com Subject: Fw: Singing Telegrams Story Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 16:34:16 -0600 Subject: Singing Telegrams Story Hi Team, Last week a reporter with Voice of America, an international radio station, called regarding a story he was doing on singing telegrams.  Amy Fischer and I worked with him on the facts and details of the story, and one of our customer service reps in Bridgeton sang him a telegram personalized for the segment. The piece will run tomorrow in several countries around the world.  It also will be posted at http://voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2005-07-27-voa24.cfm along with photos from the Western Union archives.  Take a listen by opening the attachment below. Danielle Danielle Pereira Director, External Communications Western Union Office:  303-967-6062 to hear the VOA report and the singing telegram. This is a long audio file. It will take a while to load for those using regular dial-up connections. to read the story of the Singing Telegram by George P. Oslin as published in his book The Story of Telecommunications. PEOPLE SEARCH Tell Us Who You Are to submit your name and address information and register with this site.  Your name and address will be published on this site only if you permit us to do so. for address information and personal web sites of your long lost friend(s) or co-worker(s).  This list is composed of those who have registered since this site was started in December 2003. S I L E N T     K E Y     L I S T S for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Third Quarter 2010 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 219. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the Second Quarter 2010 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 218. for a list of "silent keys" to be published in the First Quarter 2010 edition of the Retired Western Union Employees Assn. Newsletter No. 217. Roger Flaten, 73 of Falcon Heights, MN  August 9, 2010.   Roger worked for Western Union for many years as a Plant Technician in Minneapolis.  Roger was an industrious fellow who enjoyed his family, travel and spending time in his garage with his car and building bird houses.  Preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, he is survived by 2 daughters, 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.   Claire King, 90 of Wyckoff, NJ  July 16, 2010.  Claire who was an Honorary Member of RWUEA, worked as an Executive Secretary for Al Purviance and others in the headquarters Sales Department at Upper Saddle River.  She was known as a "very nice lady", both quite competent in her work and pleasant to be around.  She was also a frequent attendee at the monthly "The Golden Girls" Breakfasts in Ramsey.  Predeceased by her husband, John King, she is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and four great-granchildren.   Harry Naon, 77 of Kent, WA  June 14, 2010.  Harry started as a part time messenger in Seattle in 1951.  After a stint in the U.S. Navy, Harry returned to civilian life and found no openings at Western Union.  In 1957 Harry was recalled as a W.U. motor messenger and worked at three locations in Seattle until 1985 when he was furloughed and retired from W.U. Linda O'Brien Yaw, 66 of Newark, NY  July 25, 2010.  Linda worked at the Rochester, NY office at various jobs from May 1965 thru January 1971.   Roy Gorman, 75 of Jonesboro, GA  June 27, 2010.  Roy worked for Western Union for 35 years.     Sidney Gibson, 71 of Villa Rica, GA  June 16, 2010.   Edith (Edie) K. Johnston, 84 of Boynton Beach, FL June 14, 2010.  Edie passed away peacefully in her sleep 3 years after a massive, crippling stroke.  Her infectious laugh, bright smile and love of life will be missed by all who knew her. Edie first worked at Western Union as a messenger, eventually retiring as a supervisor.  She worked in various WU offices in Philadelphia, Camden and Moorestown, NJ.  Edie was very active in the union, as shop steward and in other roles.  She met and married the love of her life at Western Union; Curtis Johnston.  Married in 1964 they have been inseparable for over 46 years, until now. Walter (Wally) D. May , 80 of Barnegat, NJ  March 23, 2010.  Wally passed away peacefully at home.  Wally was a long time member of RWUEA amd, for several yars, was a member of its Board of Directors and V.P. Regional Affairs for the organization. Wally was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up living the rugged life in Beaverhead County, Montana.  He was known for his entertaining stories, many stemming from his childhood experiences on the "Highland Ranch near Moose Creek in the Big Hole".  He graduated in 1948 from Beaverhead High School in Dillon, Montana. Wally met and married Grace Felts at the Western Union school in California in 1949.  They had five children together and lived in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, California, Utah, Massachusetts and New Jersey.  Wally enjoyed a long career of 30+ years with Western Union.  He began as a Telegraph Operator and, following successive promotions, ultimately became Assistant VP of Sales at the WU corporate headquarters in Upper Saddle River, NJ where he met his second wife, Gloria. After retiring from WU, Wally, an avid reader, lover of nature and art and a life-long sketcher and doodler, began creating portraits and, with dedicated practice, proudly achieved the art of creating likenesses.  He loved playing golf, volunteering at his church thrift store and spending time with friends and family.  He subscribed to his old home town paper - The Dillon Tribune - and was able to attend his 60th High School reunion in 2008 renewing friendships and family ties from his past. Preceded in death by his wife Gloria in 2003, and his oldest son, Scott in 1998, Wally is survived by two sons, Pat (CA) and Tim (OR), two daughters, Betsy and Nancy (OR), three stepchildren, one sister, 7 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  He will be sorely missed by all.  May he rest in peace. Wallace "Chappy" Youdin, 87, February 27, 2010.  A long time member of RWUEA.  He was born on Nov. 25, 1922 in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.  His family moved to Brooklyn when his father, who worked for Western Union, was transferred to New York City.  Chappy attended new Utrecht High School and Pratt Institute where he obtained an engineering degree.  He served in the US Army during World War II.  After graduating from Pratt Institute in 1946, he was employed by Western Union in New York City and stayed with WU until 1964 when he took a job with the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.  He retired from the government in 1986 and remained in the Northern Virginia area.  Chappy is survived by his wife, Mutsuko, a daughter, Carolyn, and a niece, Lisa. Michael Protin, 73, March 20, 2010 of Wyckoff, NJ.  A long time member of RWUEA.  He was an eletrical engineer and worked for Western Union from 1970 until 1986 at Mahwah, NJ and Upper Saddle River, NJ.  He was involved in the EasyLink (US/UK) projects.  He later was employed in the communcations field in England.  He is survived by his wife, Jeannick, and son, Armaud. Alice Curley, 91, April 1, 2010.  She was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert S. Curley, also a former Western Union employee. Alice served in the WAVES during World War II before starting her career with Western Union.  Alice started at a small office in the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City in the mid 1940's.  She later worked as clerk/operator nights in Hempstead, NY.  She finished her WU career at Long Beach, NY in the early 1950's. Alice is survived by her daughter, Constance, and husband Patrick. Roberta Campbell Mabry, February 10, 2010 of Hurst, TX by Bruce Campbell (her brother) In February 1942, at the age of 15, my sister Roberta Campbell left our home in Houston, TX to try out for a job with Western Union (WU) in Los Angeles, CA. She was a very fast roller skater and could stop on a dime.   She was recognized by a Western Union employee (scout) at a local roller rink in Houston, TX.  Roberta was working for the railroad in Houston at the time as a messenger on roller skates and would often go to the local roller rink to practice.  After a meeting with Roberta, her parents approval was given to send Roberta to Los Angeles California to try out for the skating job delivering telegrams and messages. She was short, thin, and fast on skates so this seemed to be a good job for her but she had to prove herself.  She was hired on her first day of try out.  She lived in a large home with fellow skaters.   Western Union was great providing her with all of her needs and training her. After about 6 months working as a skater she started talking to the telegraph operators she served.  On her off time she would use a practice telegraph machine to learn the job of telegraph operator.  Roberta spent every minute she could learning to type fast and accurate without looking at the keyboard. After a few months of this overworking herself her boss called her in to have a talk with her about overworking herself.  She explained to him that she wanted very much to be a telegraph operator because the money was much more and she loved the job.  Her boss explained that she was simply too young for this type of work. Roberta was really disappointed with what her boss said after all and those months of work on her off time so she proposed a deal with him.  She said if I work as a trainee for a month and can’t do the job you don’t have to pay me anything.  If I can prove to you that I can do a good job will you hire me? He agreed reluctantly to give her a chance. After a month passed her error rate was way down and her speed improved tremendously.  She became the second fastest and most accurate operator in the building.  Her boss was very proud of what Roberta had accomplished and hired her as a full time Telegraph Operator. She worked for WU for about a year and she fell in love with a Naval Officer by the name of Dale F. Mabry.  He was a carrier pilot and met her in Los Angeles while on leave.  She left her job with WU and married Dale.  After their marriage they lived in San Diego, CA. for about a year and then moved back to Hurst, TX. Roberta became a mother and housewife with her first child.  Dale went to work for American Airlines as a pilot.  They had 3 children and lived in Hurst, TX.  Dale retired from American in 1985 and died in 2005.  My sister Roberta Mabry died on February 10, 2010 in Hurst, TX. She told this story over and over to her family and friends throughout her life.  She was very proud to be an employee of Western Union and was proud of the work they did at a time of need during the war.  This story along with others will be in place for all to see at her Memorial on February 25, 2010 in Hurst, TX. Thank you for the opportunity to share this story with others who worked or work for Western Union. Bruce Campbell (Brother) San Antonio, TX. webmaster note: To learn about the WU skating route aides to read the story of Western Union's Girl on Wheels. William G. "Bill" Leiter, 71, of Fraser, MI, on April 18, 2010.  Bill was a member of the Detroit Retired Western Union Employees.  He worked for Western Union for 33 years, retiring in 1989.   Angelina Freund, 101, of El Monte, CA  February 26, 2010. Angelina retired from Western Union in New York in 1962 when she moved to California with her husband Bill.  She started at 60 Hudson Street after high school making $12 a week. Marvin "Marv" Williams of Tallahassee, FL  January 29, 2010. Marv joined Western Union in 1957 as a Student Operator/Switching Clerk in St.Louis, MO.  After stints in Dallas, Houston, Bridgeton, Seattle and Oakland, Marv returned to Bridgeton heading up the Agent Business Center until he retired after 38 years of WU service. Lyndell "Ray" Winstead of Roseville, MI  January 29, 2010.  Ray was Vice President of the Detroit Retired Western Union Employees Assn.  Visitation 4-9 pm February 1 at Coles Funeral Home, St. Claire Shores, MI.  Services at the funeral home February 2, 11 am. Aline "Bibby" McNabb-Barrett of Port Charlotte, FL, December 18, 2009.  She was administrative clerk to the district sales managers at the Oak Park, MI of the Detroit district sales office.  After leaving Western Union she married her friend of a long time, Paul Barrett and lived in Lakeland, FL.  Paul passed away several years ago.  For the last few years, Bibby had been in an assisted living apartment in Port Charlotte. Juanita Lawrence of Livonia, MI  December 1, 2009 at age 81.  Juanita was employee of Western Union for many years until her retirement in 1981.  She held many positions at W.U.  Burial was in her home town of Murray, KY. Grant Smallwood of Las Vegas, NV  November 30, 2009.  Grant worked for many years in the Plan 55 at Dayton, OH followed by other maintenance and sales activities with Western Union.  He retired to Las Vegas.  He is survived by his wife, Aura, two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren. James C. Moore of Grosse Point Park, MI  November 29, 2009 at age 71.  James was a wire chief at "ZQ" Detroit and a devoted employee of Western Union for 25 years until his retirement in 1990.  Donations may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind or the Humane Society. Ora Kober of Fairport, NY October 27, 2009 at age 97.  Ora was employed by Western Union in Rochester, NY for many years.  Private memorial services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.  Donations may be made to the Fairport Baptist Homes or a charity of your choice. for an archive of the silent key lists. M E M O R I E S Subject: Funny WU Stories Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:37:10 -0500 From: "Lattanzi, Mike" <MLattanzi@gainsystems.com> To: <harold@comcenter.net>   The truth be known the motor messengers had many more "stories" than I did as a bike messenger but I had a few.   Whenever we had a delivery to a hotel we always tried to get the room number so we got the tip instead of the bellhop.  Once I remember at the Benson Hotel in Portland, OR I got the room number and knocked on the door.  A very pretty women opened the door wearing only a bra and panties.  I told her I had a telegram for (forget the name) and she invited me into the room.  There were two other very pretty women in the room one naked on the bed, another barely dressed.  I asked for the girls name and she said thanks.  She asked me if I expected a tip and I said no thanks, a picture is worth a thousand words.  I was 16, turns out they were models and used to being casual in their dress code.   I also had a telegram delivery for a first name, no last name, in an apartment building near Portland State University.  As we always tried to deliver I looked at the listing on the outside door - if you remember they had buttons listed next to names (first initial and last name) and you would press it and they would answer through a speaker.  I only found one with the first initial S so I said I was Western Union and I had a telegram for Susie could this be her.  She laughed and said come on up Bill.  Then she buzzed me through, so I went up.  She threw open the door completely naked - looked at me with a surprised look and said "your not Bill are you".   There are several others stories like this.  Man that was the best job a 16 year old boy ever had, fresh air, exercise, and an occasional glance.   Mike Lattanzi Hello, I joined The Western Union Telegraph Company in Denver, Colorado on Sept. 11, 1963 as a bicycle messenger.  I was assigned to their branch office at 13th & Broadway Monday thru Friday, and at their branch located at 16th & Glenarm on Saturdays.  I frequently went to Denver's Main Office at 917 (later 915) 17th St. to deliver and pickup interoffice communications. I was paid at the rate of $1.25 per hour, with three cents added for tire repair etc.  If I recall correctly, there were three bicycle messengers assigned to the Broadway office.  The Main office employed automobile messengers in addition to bicycle, plus one walking messenger for close by deliveries.  I believe Denver's branch offices closed at 5:00p.m. while the main office closed at midnight. Excellent protection against rain was provided to messengers in the form of black plastic raincoats with hood, covering you head to foot.  Western Union Messenger Uniforms first worn in 1911, were long past when I was hired.  I was identified by a yellow 'Western Union' badge attached to my lapel or shirt pocket. After 145 years, Western Union delivered its last telegram January 27, 2006.  When I was hired, we were given a Messenger Handbook full of advice and instructions.  We were advised that we would be tired at day's end, but that it would be a restful tiredness that would enable us to get a good night's sleep for our next day of work.  We were also strongly advised, that when delivering a 'bad news' telegram, we should make certain that the receiptant in question would be looked after by someone to share their grief with, or that they would definitely be strong enough to handle the 'news' before we left.  Our handbook also advised us to always be courteous to our public, and to be especially careful around entrance and doorways.  On a particular winter day, I slowly pushed open an apartment door to the street, to immediately discover a frail elderly woman about to enter, the woman was standing on an ice covered walkway.  A hastily opened door could have been a disaster. My daily bicycle delivery mileage averaged forty miles per day.  I worked a six day week.  When winter snow came up to my knees I 'pushed' my bicycle to and from all day.  I rarely missed work, rain or shine.  I was in excellent condition, lots of exercise.  In between snow day deliveries, we thawed out our feet on the office radiator across from our bench in front of the delivery counter.  Often, one delivery run included over 100 stops.  I repacked my coaster brake every six months, and wore out the tread on my bike's tires. After 18 months on my bicycle, I successfully passed a required typing test and began delivering in my VW Bug, averaging 150 miles per day with a salary of $3.50 per hour.  I was assigned to NW Station (in northwest Denver) from 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. and then I worked out of the main office from 6:00p.m. until midnight.  On especially busy holidays I started my shift at noon, and worked until midnight, delivering mostly Candy and Dollygrams.  In addition to NW Station, there was E (east Denver) Station, and SW (southwest Denver) Station.  These 'stations' consisted of a single room, or one corner of a building with a Teleprinter connected to the Main Denver Office.  The station messenger received telegrams and money orders over the printer and placed the message, or the money order draft (which we prepared) in the appropriate envelope and delivered same. A little more than two months into my employment as a messenger on Nov. 22, 1963 President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, resulting in the delivery of many telegrams.  On Sept. 18, 1970, I delivered a telegram to a young woman, who tearfully passed on to me the news that she had just received over the radio, Jimi Hendrix the musician had just been found dead.  The total length of my Western Union employment was nine years. I am proud to have been able to work alongside with but a small few of the many, men and women who throughout its history, were employed by The Western Union Telegraph Company. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share my memories, its been quite a trip. If I may be allowed to share one anadote.  During my time as an auto messenger I spent one vacation driving from Denver to Redwood City, California to visit friends.  My Mother was apprehensive, for I had never driven this far alone before.  I reassured Mom, everything would be fine.  "It will be just like one of my telegram deliveries, only just a long time in between start and finish." Thanks again, Ken Stevens   Pa2nvfd@aol.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles T. To: richardutz@netpass.com Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:48 PM Subject: Western Union (memories) submission Richard: This submission is intended to be a humorous anecdotal one, rather than a historical survey. I have always wanted to self-publish some of my W.U. 'career' highlights, to go on the shelf beside my baseball book, but I am uncertain whether I ever will do so.   So, if it would be of interest to our fellow telegraphers, please feel free to use.   Charles Therminy (retired, Los Angeles 1986)   Skipping ahead from the particulars as to how I came to work at the Hollywood California Western Union, initially on New Year’s day, 1971– as we were designated in those days –a telegraph operator; I would like to share some of my reminiscences.   Hollywood was definitely different. At the beginning of the seventies, the area surrounding 1636 N. Wilcox, just off Hollywood Boulevard was still in a shabby decline.   A block to the south, on Selma Ave., there were For Hire hustlers while further south on Santa Monica Blvd.,  the belles of the night sauntered.   (I don’t ever recall a lady dressed in seven veils,  gracing my Western Union office in my hometown in Western Pennsylvania.)   But my first day of the year of 1971, in Hollywood was a tip-off of the uniqueness of what hitherto had been an imaginary location. (As a warm-up, I had worked as an usher at the local movie theaters in high school; committing each movie to memory after fourteen viewings!)   One of my first memories that New Year's day was a young lady calling to ask the standard inquiry:   ‘My name is - -. Do you have a money order for me?’   ‘Yes, I do’, I replied.   ‘WELL THANK GOD! SOME OLD DRUNK CALLED ME LAST NIGHT TO TELL ME I DID HAVE ONE; BUT FOR GOD’S SAKE, DON’T COME DOWN HERE TONIGHT!’   Yes, you – the reader – might be correct in assuming the employee had a drinking problem. I was later told that on another occasion in the process of closing-up - whereby you leave the bullet barrier (plexiglass and wire) inside gate and lock the front door, one night he passed out on the lobby floor, between the two. Probably discovered early in the morning by the messenger from the main office, L.A., dropping off the days’ business.   Speaking of drinking, a night manager in Hollywood, told me the time a man entered the office and threw down a bag of money – about $200 – and told her to:   ‘Wire this to the poor sons-of-bitches in Viet Nam! And then departed.   She kept the bag in a safe compartment for a suitable length of time – weeks – expecting the ‘customer’ to sober up and claim it. He never did.   So in his honor, she and another employee after closing up, took the bag across the street to the bar and polished-off the contents in liquid.   Or the 'customer' who inquired: 'Pardon me, but do your wire flowers?' 'Yes, we do."   'Well, I'm a pansy! Wire me to Cincinnati!'   Or I was told the time a lady brought in her parakeet (in a cage) and demanded it be 'wired' to someplace or other. Could not be convinced that our technology didn't cover bird transport.   Finally our very dry, wry, (rimless glasses) Manager Ollie, instructed the clerk to bring the bird and cage, inside. Whereby Ollie opened the reperforator cover from the top and then opened the small cage opening. All the time striking the side of the cage with his ball point pen and saying: 'Come on, birdie! Let's go!'   When the bird refused his summons, Ollie told the 'customer':   'Sorry, lady, the bird doesn't want to go!'   Oh, later on that New Year’s day. I was waiting on this couple at the front counter (she had received a money order). I recall that her companion was busy trying to straighten out the contents of several bottles of pills on the counter.   He must have felt threatened by my good looks; as I was holding my head down while writing the identification info, I felt a breeze over my head. It seemed Pillsy had managed to take a punch at me through the narrow opening in the screen.   I will close now on just the anecdotes related to New Years’ Day in 1971, to see if this submission is accepted. H E L P    N E E D E D email received Jan. 13, 2010 From: Audrey Watson < nannyaudwat@live.com > Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:33:51 -0500 I am searching for information on my mother, who worked at Western Union in Brooklyn, or NYC in the 1940's.  Her name was Marion Rice.  :If anyone can direct me to finding this information, it would be great, as I need it to prove my own citizenship. Thanks, Audrey Watson email received Dec. 4, 2009 I am a former Western Union employee, having been employed in the early 1960's as an operator at the Atlanta, Ga. reperf center. On another forum, we are trying to collect pictures that were generated and transmitted via teletype. During my time at Western Union, there must have been thousands of these type pictures, particularly during the holiday season. Sadly, I did not have the foresight to save any of the ones that I saw, but perhaps some of you did. If anyone happened to save any of these and would like to share them, please send them to me at the following email address: guhor@charter.net They would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, James C. Boone Email received June 4, 2009 I'm trying to find information on my paternal grandmother, Fleta (Beck) England, who worked for Western Union in the Detroit area sometime during the 1940s or 1950s.  Do you have any employee records going back that far? I think your website looks very cool, and hope you find a location for a museum. Take care Cheryl Harrison cardiffmom@gmail.com Webmaster note: The WU Alumni web site does not have any employee records.  We have only what you tell us when you register with this site. I am still looking for a G F Kennedy use to be a plant maintainer or plant tech.  He worked at Colorado Springs then Texarkana. Can u be of any help on this retired plant tech. Herman Murrell e-mail telegrapher1@suddenlink.net   X-Original-To: richardutz@netpass.com From: JGLRR@aol.com Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 23:38:34 EDT Subject: Western Union Office - New Orleans To: richardutz@netpass.com Richard, I just discovered your site, and as I have been researching L&N RR history on the "south end" of the railroad, I would like to communicate with a retired WU person who is familiar with the old office in New Orleans.  I'm a retired L&N [now CSXT] telegrapher and train dispatcher. Back in the 1950's and probably long before, the various stations along the line summoned the WU operator in New Orleans with a desk-mounted magneto.  The WU operator obviously utilized a Western Electric 60-System ringing key to raise stations, and at some point in time there must have been telegraphy involved between the L&N and WU operators. J. G. Lachaussee ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Sheely To: richardutz@netpass.com Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 2:49 PM Subject: My time with Western Union Greetings from Florida:     Back in 1940-41, teenage boys, like myself, that lived in and around Albany, New York, were always looking for, or working at, after-school jobs.     I became a Postal Telegraph Messenger but whenever we were sent out with a delivery, we had to walk either up or down that very steep "State Street hill". Occasionally we'd be sent along either North or South Pearl St. that went along the "lee of the hill" but that was a rarity. After several deliveries up or down State St. hill, the fun went out of it, even though it was great exercise.     A classmate told me he was leaving Western Union and I'd like becoming his replacement because it was running the WU desk in New York Central's Union Station down at the foot of State St. on Broadway near the Hudson River.     The switch was quickly achieved and my uniform went from Postal Telegraph blue to Western Union olive green. I was given the keys to the depot office and told that when my shift ended to send the receipts up the main office on State Street via the vacuum tube. That was the extent of my training except told that my job consisted of 3 functions:     (1) Work the desk in the station when there were no NYC passenger trains in the station.     (2) When the train announcer boomed out the imminent arrival of a passenger train, done without a PA system, we were to take note and attend the arrival. The announcer would also post the arrival time, the train name, its number and which of the 4 depot tracks it would arrive on, but I soon knew all that  by heart.     We'd take any messages that had arrived from the main office, addressed to a passenger on the arriving train . If we had such a delivery to make, we'd get on the forward car and run through each car loudly calling the name of the intended recipient, hoping to find that person, or the final car whichever came first, before the 20 minute layover expired. An 11 car train required a lot of yelling and running to get through the 22 doors, each slowed by a powerful hydraulic restraining device. Going through such a train was worse than climbing State Street hill just once.     (3) If there were no messages to be delivered to that train, you would still go through the same routine except you would shout "Western Union" and take messages and make change from any one that called out "Here, boy". An imperfect chart was all I had to determine the rates accurately to various cities.     The trick was to complete all transactions before departure time and get off before the car you were on was pulled past the end of the walkway platform. Sometimes, it was already going too fast to jump off and then we'd have to stay on until the next stop which was sometimes as far away as either Harmon, just north of NYC, or Syracuse, west of Albany, both 100+ miles away and then dead-head back.     They finally added a girl on the desk so we wouldn't have to shut down so much of the time. One day, when I came back from working a train, she announced excitedly that she had a telegram for the famous bandleader, Kay Kyser, who was scheduled to go through Albany on the 20th Century Limited. She asked if she could take it to the train and deliver it herself and receive the anticipated huge tip. I agreed and when it arrived for its usual brief stop, she followed me to the train. I quickly found his compartment number from the porter and when we got to it, she pounded on the door. Mr. Kyser opened it and received the "wire" from the smiling young lady. His hand went to his pocket and out came his handkerchief and he started to blow his nose as he turned and shut the door. I felt sorry for her but couldn't help but laugh all the way back to the office.     Many events that took place in that huge domed waiting room are still with me. It was the time of the first WWII military draft and many men passed through that train depot on their way to training camp and possibly future combat. After one group of draftees went through the doors to their train, a young lady left standing there in tears screamed out, "They're going to kill him!" Maybe they did.     Without any training in pricing telegrams and only that imperfect chart to work from, I felt I wasn't doing my job well at all and in our family that was imperitive. Therefore, after a year of guessing at proper charges, I'd had enough and announced my departure. In a few days, the boss arrived at my home to retrieve my uniform and told my Mother that he thought I was doing a great job and didn't know why I quit but that was still the end of my career with Western Union.     I've been unsuccessfully searching the Internet for one of those keystone shaped cap devices with the words "Western Union" cast into it so I can put it in a framed picture with the most famous NYC "Hudson 4-6-4 Passenger Locomotive" to memorialize my association with both Western Union and The New York Central passenger service. I have a photo to add of the Albany Depot and if you can suggest where I might find one of those cap devices, I'd be most grateful. I did find a Coca-Cola poster containing a nice big color sketch of a red-cheeked W.U. messenger wearing his green cap and W.U. device but so far I've been unable to find "The Real Thing".      For an 80+ year old, those days in a self-taught position in the Albany Depot - long ago torn down, are treasured memories and Western Union has my Thanx for the privilege.       Sincerely,       Lawrence D. Sheely     36838 Tara Ave.     Zephyrhills, Florida     33543-1978 to read "help needed" items previously submitted. The cartoon below was submitted by Jim Komro.  It was cut out of the San Mateo Times newspaper sometime in the early '70's. TELL US YOUR STORY Tell your story.  While you are still able, why not write your own story about your W.U. experiences and history.  Tell us when you started with the company, the jobs you held, cities worked, etc.  Your story will be published on this site for all to read. Most of us went to work each day, did our job and came home.  However, there were also exciting days as well.  Tell us about a promotion, a transfer, meeting a celebrity, working with a new person, or with new equipment.  These are but a few suggestions.  Compose an email today and send it to harold@comcenter.net.  Don't be concerned about the length of your item. Please contact our webmaster with questions or comments. © 2003 westernunionalumni.com. All rights reserved. This site has been viewed times. Site host is Netpass, Inc.