Launch

Don Robert Underwood (aka Don R, Joe Rangus, Bob and various other names), lived until April 19 2005. That was more than seven years ago as I launch this site, but it seems like just a few months ago. 

Several of us -- his six children -- referred to him simply as "DRU," and I've adopted that for my purposes here.

DRU Postcard to MAU (1994)

A devotee of casual correspondence, DRU wrote to all his children, as well as to grandchildren and spouses. His concerns varied, as did the quality of his expressions, but the breadth of them, and especially his devotion to the medium seemed to make this a worthwhile endeavor. He understood that quantity was as important as quality in such matters -- as a way of maintaining contact. In later years, he did phone at times, though he ignored inbound calls with ease. 

His parenting style in his years as a young parent was traditional, which meant that it could veer on the severe at the extremes. Later he recalled this pattern with regret, and the correspondence was at times apologetic, emotional and supportive -- in ways he must have once felt difficult.