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Kenneth kayser uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, February 4, 2024
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GM Chevrolet's New Dealer Training Manager Warren S. Hosmer (standing 2nd from left) relocated from Detroit to Bartow FL in 1926 to takeover a failing Chevrolet Dealership and owned a succession of dealerships until the 1970s.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor Warren was hired by the GM Overseas Division located in the New York City GM Building to teach U.S. Navy Mechanics about critically important GM Electro-Motive Diesel-Generator repairs and overhauls performed at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. According to GM's “Log Book” entries the project was some sort of Public Relations for Chevrolet (& possibly GM) advertising for its supplier role to U.S. War Dept.
Warren received the photo print and asked the six U.S. Navy Ensigns present to sign it on the back. Warren mailed it home to his wife Ruth and daughter Fay who had temporarily relocated from Bartow FL to Detroit during Warren’s absence. Fay put it in her scrapbook.
The was an ink stamp on the back that I recognized as GM Photographic with a file number. The 8" x 10" photo was registered as Negative No. 67480 taken by Erlander; per Requisition A25275; issued by Chevrolet Parts Warehouse; on October 20, 1943, with the erroneous name “Army men” (clearly dressed in Navy uniforms). Chevrolet Motor Division was issued the A25000 Requisition series. General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan was issued the AA8000 Requisition series and it appears from the GM Photographic “Log book” that operators; Erlander, Farynk, Ecola and Dawson were collaborating on a joint assignment between Chevrolet and the GM Institute advertising to hire talented mechanics to support the war effort.
Fay's grandson Jay Robinson brought the photo to the unveiling of my 1966 Buick Gran Sport "Flint Flyer" at Kelly Buick in Bartow on March 27, 2021. Kelly was the 7th owner of the Hosmer Buick store where Warren's son Bill Hosmer sold the new Flint Flyer" to his service manager Bob Altman in 1966. Bob's wife Betty Altman was my Guest of Honor at Kelly Buick.
Unknown to everyone, I also invited my long time 65 year friend and 1960-70s Chevrolet Tonawanda acquaintance Walt Whitholz to the Buick Unveiling. Walter arrived early in his US Navy "Dress Whites" with his wife Audrey. When I saw Walters signature on the back of Warren's photo I was dumbfounded because I had discussed Warren with Walter several times previously who claimed they had never met!
When I showed Walter the photo he didn't even recognize himself sitting in front of Warren until I showed his his signature on back. We were all amazed about this infinitely impossible set of crazy circumstances 70 years later. Then we found out that Fays husband Ralph Robinson Jr. was on Wittholz fleet of LST's that landed at Iwo Jima. Ralph took a bullet and was one of the survivors! Walter accurately reminded everyone it is normal to not recall details of many incidental contacts throughout life.
You just cannot make this stuff up... it was, is, and will always be truly Divine Intervention at work.
I miss the great discussions Walt and I had. I only wish we had more! Walter had an outstanding collection of personal memorabilia that I hope found caring homes for preservation.
My last photo captured Betty Altman, Admiral Walter Wittholz and the Flint Flyer.
Rest in Peace my friend!
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Kenneth W. kayser uploaded photo(s)
Monday, March 6, 2023
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I have known Walt since I was five years old in 1955. Walt and my dad were both in the U.S. Navy during WWII and ten years later they were a pinsetter duo in the old basement two bowling lanes of Parkside Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Ten years after that they coincidentally both worked at the Chevrolet Tonawanda Engine Plant in the 1960-70s. I was a General Motors Institute engineering student at Tonawanda and met Walt again in 1968 when he was Chevrolet Engineering's Resident Engineer and oversaw the Dynamometer Lab.
I lost contact with Walt shortly after he moved from Buffalo to Texas after the Arab Oil Embargo crippled the US economy but was astounded to find Walt and Audrey again retired in Auburndale, Florida in 2019. We enjoyed several afternoons talking and reminiscing about Buffalo, Boy Scouts, Masons, WWII, his LST fleet and experiences, the GM Clarence Zone Training Center where he restored two 1954 Corvettes, taught mechanics about the '55 Chevy V-8 engine and the 1957 Fuel Injection class, Chevrolet Tonawanda and it's famous Big Block 396/427/454 engines, and much, much more!
Walt is written up in several of my GM history books that he contributed information and factual material for.
I thank God and cherish the good fortune to have been reacquainted with Walt and share in his memories. Rest in Peace my Friend!
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Stan Standard posted a condolence
Saturday, May 21, 2022
I met Admiral Wittholz while doing minor repairs on his home after Hurricain Irma. On his roof accessing the damage...look around...he is on the roof as well. 90+ and on the roof. Had the honor to talk with this man about his extraordinary life and career. His mind was sharp. His details were rivoting. A Gentleman. A True American Hero. My condolences to his family. Stan Standard. Texas.
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Florence George posted a condolence
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Oh how we enjoyed sitting with the Admiral & Audrey at the Auburndale Coffee Club Friday mornings and then our phone chats when the Club stopped meeting. Such a sweet couple and I just loved his stories and sense of humor He always talked so fondly of his family as well. We send our condolenses and prayers for Audrey in days ahead. God Bless
Florence and Bobby George
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Florence George lit a candle
Saturday, November 6, 2021
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Tribute Store
Friday, November 5, 2021
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Mark and family, We are thinking of you. the teams at Waldorf Dodge Ram, Prince Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and Kody Holdings.
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Debbie posted a condolence
Thursday, November 4, 2021
The Admiral. So saddened to see he has passed. Shared a few meals with him and the Mrs. over ribs with my family. Peace and Prayers to the family and friends. He's a special man
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The family of Walter Otto Wittholz uploaded a photo
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
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