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At random: John Philip Holland built several submarines before the USS Holland, which became the first undersea craft commissioned by the U.S. Navy. The Holland was purchased on April 11, 1900 for a price of $150,000. It was commissioned into the US Navy on October 12, 1900.

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Pig

Posted 2023-05-31 3:06 PM (#103632)

Plankowner

Posts: 5024

Location: Gulfport, MS

Subject: Wednesday Obits

SPRENG, Jarvis Lowell, 96, of Grand Rapids Township, went to be with the Lord on May 29, 2023. He was born the son of Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Spreng and Martha Hake Spreng, in Kuling, Kiangsi, China on September 16, 1926. His parents were missionaries in China at the time of his birth. Jarvis attended high school in Alexis, Carbondale, and Dwight, Illinois. After service in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946 in Submarine Division 281 Relief Crew (Redfish) and then aboard the Submarine Tender USS Apollo (AS-25), he attended North Central College, Naperville, Illinois, graduating in 1950. It was at North Central that he met Mary Katherine Lutz, whom he would marry on October 14, 1950. After graduating with a business degree, Jarvis joined the staff of Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, rising during his 38-year career to vice president and administrator of the Indenture Trust Division. While at the bank, he served as a board member of the Midwest Securities Transfer Association, a member of the national corporate trustee committee of the American Bankers Association, and member of The Metropolitan Club in Chicago. Jarvis and Mary lived in Naperville IL, from 1946 to 2000, and Grand Rapids, MI, where they became residents of Cook Valley Estates retirement community in 2000. In 2017, he became a resident at Porter Hills Village, also in Grand Rapids. In Naperville, Jarv and Mary raised four children and participated in many civic and church-related activities, including serving on the school board, the Economic Development Commission, and the Electric Advisory Board in Naperville. Jarvis and Mary were members of Community United Methodist Church in Naperville for 50 years, which his grandfather had attended back in 1862 while a student at North Central. He served his church locally and nationally in several capacities, including the boards of the United Methodist Northern Illinois Conference Foundation, Naper Valley Retirement Community, and the investment committees of the United Methodist World Division and General Board on Finance and Administration. In Grand Rapids, he served on the resident council of Cook Valley Estates, represented Cook Valley on the governing board of Porter Hills, and was active in senior activities at his church, Thornapple Covenant. For many years, he and his wife enjoyed extensive travel opportunities in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. Jarvis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary in 2018, his daughter Marilyn Spreng Szejda (James) in 2010, his parents Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Spreng and Martha Hake Spreng, and his sister, Margaret Ann Spreng. He is survived by his son Dr. Richard Alan Spreng of Okemos, MI, and daughters Anne Elizabeth Spreng and Judith Kay Spreng, both of Bellingham, WA. He has seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Monday June 5th at Thornapple Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Visitation will be from 10-11am Monday at The Meeting House at Porter Hills and again from 12-12:45pm at Thornapple Covenant Church before the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Grand Rapids Community Foundation or Porter Hills Foundation. Published by Grand Rapids Press Jun. 1, 2023.

KNAPP, Harold Mason, 96, died at Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by loving family following a period of recent decline on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Harold was born the only son of the late Harold and Kenneith (Pratt) Knapp in Cortland, NY on May 13, 1926. He was raised in Springfield, MA and joined the US Navy during WWII on May 19, 1943, at 17 years old. Harold was proud of his military service and often spoke of his time on the submarines. He was honorably discharged on May 4, 1946, with the rank of Electricians Mate, Third Class. He served on the USS Cobia (SS-245) and earned the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, and the S/M Combat insignia. Harold married the former Maureen Fradet at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, MA on May 2, 1951. They celebrated 65 beautiful years of marriage together before her passing on November 6, 2016. Harold truly adored his wife and was heartbroken after her passing. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he earned his GED and started college under the GI Bill at University of Vermont, where he also played hockey. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Western New England and worked for GE in Holyoke until 1962. He and his family moved as his career advanced, and they lived in Ohio, North Carolina and Pittsfield. Harold retired in the late 1980s after 30 years of service. He was then hired back as a consultant until he was in his mid-80s. He was one of the only local electrical engineers remaining who had specific knowledge of power reactor design. Mr. Knapp enjoyed golden age musicals and was part of the book club and many other activities at the Senior Center. He was a man of great faith and was a lector at St. Mary’s church until their closure, after which he joined Sacred Heart. He loved golf and had been an active member of the GEAA since the 70s. He also enjoyed many trips to Florida and Cape Cod. Above all else, Harold was a family man. He was kind, generous and thoughtful, and anyone who met him shared in an instant connection and friendship. Up until Maureen’s passing, the two would open their home every Wednesday night for family pizza night. Their children, grandchildren and later great-grandchildren all remember those Wednesday nights fondly. Harold is survived by three children, Joseph Knapp (Sarah Pines) of Columbus, OH, Kathleen Huska (Steven) and Thomas Knapp, and his son-in-law Dave Harte, all of Pittsfield. He leaves 8 beloved grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Additionally, Harold is survived by his sister Judy Boyce and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Maureen, Harold was predeceased by his beloved, first born daughter Sherry Harte on May 16, 2018. Although their passing greatly impacted his final years, his family takes comfort in knowing that they are now reunited. He was also predeceased by an infant daughter, Susie Knapp, and two sisters, Honey Savoit and her husband.

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