WR Lynch WW II Diary

     Sometime near the end of World War II, Will Lynch was able to come back home to America.  He had a surprise for us.  The confirmed bachelor announced that he was being married, and we all wondered who could "tame" this adventurer.  The family lore was that he had been engaged to a young woman after college, but that when he decided to go to the Philippine Islands to teach school, she refused to go.  He was unhappy, but at that time the Philippines were newly opened to the world and it was like going to the moon. 
     Christi Campbell was a good match, retired from teaching and happily living in California with a busy life and many friends.  They may have met just before the war when she was on a tour of China with a group of retired teachers.  I assume the American Consulate had some kind of event for them in Shanghai, and they met there.  He did mention in his diary, shortly after the war began, wondering what the "California teacher was thinking".  They had apparently argued about the intentions of the Japanese and she seemed sure the Japanese would not attack.
     The whole family liked this very independent spirited outspoken lively retired teacher who was the perfect match for Will Lynch.  She could match wits with him and even beat him at some of the games they played.  They had similar cultural interests, both enjoying classical music, ballet, etc.  I am not surprised that he was drawn to this woman, who was not the least intimidated by him.  My parents visited them at their home in Long Beach, California, several times.
    

Letter from Will Lynch to his sister (My Mother) Hazel Lynch Skonberg