I'm always on the lookout for stories by kindred spirits - those family members, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and such who may not have known an uncle, grandfather, father, grandmother, aunt or whatever - those who take up telling their stories due to a sense of honor, love and the challenge of researching someone who served in the various wars. So when I saw this post on Facebook on the site for Kim Lengling and her podcast Let Fear Bounce, I just had to listen to parts 1 and 2 of this interview with Dr. Phil Rosencrantz. Phil is a Professor Emeritus at California Polytechnic in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department (Howard Walowitz would identify, Sheldon Cooper would scoff). When he learned over his life of his Uncle Dave and began to research his life, reading the multitude of letters he wrote home, it sparked something in him to learn more. In addition, Dave's remains were never located and this caused his grieving grandmother untold pain. He decided that finding his remains was to become a life goal and started on the path to do just that.
Phil's family lost his uncle David Rosencrantz in WW2. David Rosencrantz was born in Los Angeles, California on October 31, 1915. He joined the Army in WW2 and was part of the 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry, 3rd Battalion, H Company. He was lost over Holland on September 28th, 1944 and not recovered - until Phil went to work making the necessary connections over the years that changed the story forever. I saw that Phil and I had so many parallels in our journeys in the ways we went about finding information, meeting family members, attending reunions, contacting agencies such as NPRC (National Personnel Records Center) and NARA (National Archives) and more. His story is worth listening to and inspiring, so please follow the links below and have a listen.
Let Fear Bounce: Phil Rosencrantz Part 1
Let Fear Bounce: Phil Rosencrantz Part 2
Phil and I have emailed a couple of times and he's a personable and interesting guy. You can find his book on Kindle Unlimited if you have a subscription, or on Amazon.com. I have it downloaded on my Kindle and am in the process of reading through the letters and stories of Uncle Dave and his life in the Army as a paratrooper. Do check out the podcast and enjoy the listen!
Tammi
Phil's Uncle Dave website: Uncle Dave
Phil's family lost his uncle David Rosencrantz in WW2. David Rosencrantz was born in Los Angeles, California on October 31, 1915. He joined the Army in WW2 and was part of the 82nd Airborne Division, 504th Parachute Infantry, 3rd Battalion, H Company. He was lost over Holland on September 28th, 1944 and not recovered - until Phil went to work making the necessary connections over the years that changed the story forever. I saw that Phil and I had so many parallels in our journeys in the ways we went about finding information, meeting family members, attending reunions, contacting agencies such as NPRC (National Personnel Records Center) and NARA (National Archives) and more. His story is worth listening to and inspiring, so please follow the links below and have a listen.
Let Fear Bounce: Phil Rosencrantz Part 1
Let Fear Bounce: Phil Rosencrantz Part 2
Phil and I have emailed a couple of times and he's a personable and interesting guy. You can find his book on Kindle Unlimited if you have a subscription, or on Amazon.com. I have it downloaded on my Kindle and am in the process of reading through the letters and stories of Uncle Dave and his life in the Army as a paratrooper. Do check out the podcast and enjoy the listen!
Tammi
Phil's Uncle Dave website: Uncle Dave
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