Eldon Dale Gladow: Portrait

To His Memory

Born September 20, 1920, Eldon Dale Gladow was a wonderful man, son, sibling, husband, father and, to me, grandfather.

At his memorial service there were many great photos of Eldon on display, some of which I'd seen before but many of which I had not, and was glad had surfaced. Pouring over them, I've found, has given me a broader view of who Eldon was throughout the entirety of his life, though, ultimately, reaffirming that Eldon was a loyal, loving, hard-working, intelligent gentleman.

I've posted the photos on this website so that immediate family, friends and loved ones all have a place to come and remember Eldon and who he was throughout the 90 years of his wonderful life. So please enjoy the photos, post comments, add context, share memories...

And please use the site to remember this man who we all loved and who I admired so much. Thanks!

-John Newkirk
Son of Mary (Gladow) Newkirk, Grandson of Eldon

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Eldon & Irene Portraits

Found some great couples' portraits of Eldon and Irene here. Not sure if any couples do this anymore but I'm thinking we should because I love looking at them. There's something about the style of photography, hair, makeup and fashion that, being trapped in time in one of these photos, becomes so fascinating to review decades later.

Christmas 1985

1995

No date on this one but I'd love
for someone to venture a guess.
I'd says late 1960's???

No portrait on this one, either. Thinking '79
or '80's. No family made it through
the '80's without an Olan Mills portrait.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Portraits

These photos show that Eldon was, indeed, a handsome man when he put on his finest and faced the camera.

On the back of this photo is text from two stamps:
JUL 3 1972
UNDERWOOD STUDIOS
901 McGEE STREET
KANSAS CITY, MO. 64106
(That's downtown Kansas City, but the studio is no
longer there.)

That's a good looking baby boy. Notice how the penciled-in handwriting
has his name spelled Elden instead of Eldon. I wonder who wrote it.
Also interesting is that this is actually a post card. On the back is a place for
a stamp and the same text is penciled in: Elden. Dale. age 7. months,
Born Sep 20th 1920.
Oddly, there are 3 of this print and one of the others has his first name
spelled correctly, with 1921 written on it.

Maybe his best photo. And look at the waves in his hair!
On the back it looks like 6/63 is written but I have a hard time believing that is
indicative of the date this was taken. He would have been 43 in '63 and I think
he looks younger than that in this picture.

There are several of these prints, which are from his church confirmation. On the back
of the biggest print is written:
Alma Skyline
Eldon Gladow
Confirmation
Alma Lutheran

As you can tell, this portrait is mounted in an

olive green cardboard case with protective flaps

that fold out vertically, revealing this portrait inside.

There are several of this print, too, but I found one with
handwriting on it (above).

Here's the back. I can clearly read:
mail to Mrs. Eldon Gladow
6841 Portland
Minneapolis,
Minn.
(line)
...and then I can't read the rest. Can you?