Downer, aka Pop (age 2)
Claude Downer Renshaw was born in Roundup, Montana, on September 6, 1916. 90 years ago, today. His parents were Claude Arthur Renshaw (CAR) and Zoe Parkinson Renshaw. At the time, CAR was a surveyor, headquartered in Roundup. He was surveying Musselshell County. CAR was later elected Mayor of Roundup, a position he would parlay into his career as City Manager of Miami Beach.
Post card from Roundup Montana, 1925.
Not much has changed. the population in 2003 was a little over 1,900. Only Renny has made it to Roundup for a visit. We used to threaten to have family reunions there.
When he was 3, Sean Thopsey was pointing out different states on a map to Tia when he shouted: "Montana! That's where Pop was Round up!"
Downer's family moved to Miami Beach in 1925 when CAR accepted the job as City Manager of Miami Beach.
High school graduation, 1933. (age 17)
According to the Miami Beach News, 6/17/1933: "Downer Renshaw...left last week for Gainesville where he will enter the University of Florida. He is remembered for his athletic achievements in High School wehre he was captain of the football team." Must have been a slow news day.
Lieutenant, Army Air Corps, 1939. (age 23)
After being appointed as a flying cadet in 1939, he spent two months at Langley field, Virginia and was then transferred to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico (1940). At this time, Pan Am started flying transport for the defense department so Downer became an employee of Pan Am, stationed in Miami. It was at that time that he met and married Mary Kay Heffernan.
Downer(24), Zoe, Claude, and Roberta Renshaw, Miami Beach, 1940.
"Head shots" for modeling, c. 1950. (age 34)
Who knew he was a professional model? This must be how he learned to never look at the camera for a photo. Ain't he a handsome guy? And doesn't Ryan look like him?
The Downer Renshaw family, Paris, 1958. (Downer, age 41).
Downer and Zoe Renshaw, 1963. (Downer, age 47)
Downer, 1986 (age 70).
Infectious laughter (ageless)
Happy birthday, Pop.
P.S. Don't tell him that I almost got in trouble in rural Texas for going about 80mph! :-)
Posted by: Ally | September 18, 2006 at 10:30 AM
When Pop moved out to AZ, Mark, my dad and I drove his Lincoln Continenal from West Palm Beach to Tempe. I think I was 15 and didn't quite have my license yet (probably had my permit), so we all wondered if Pop would mind if I drove part of the way as well in his giant, expensive car. I asked him...and his response was "What do I care? As long as you stay on the damn roads!"
Posted by: Ally | September 18, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Dad was a visionary man way ahead of his time in almost everything he did. From one of the pioneers in commercial aviation to real estate development, he was on the leading edge (how many people do you know who built a home with an indoor swimming pool!). Dad did just that on Lamplight Lane in Westport in the early 1970’s!. World travel was very important for him and he found many ways to share the experience with his young and growing family.
Posted by: Tia | September 13, 2006 at 09:08 AM
how come there are no pictures of pop trying to poke us all in the stomach?
Posted by: Ryan | September 06, 2006 at 05:25 PM