| Summary: | Concordian, April 29, 1985 Page 5 - Russian native Concordia landlord by Dave Carlson and Steve Stromberg death in 1982. After 33 years of being rented by Concor-dia College students, the house one block north of President Dovre, 603 South * Eighth Street, is beinq torn down at the - close of this academic year. The house, which contains five separate apartments and currently houses 12 college students, has been used for such events as Homecoming Parade gatherings to Viet-nam sit-ins during the late sixties and ear-ly seventies. Along with the house, the * community will also lose long-time resident Jaan Uritam. Uritarru the owner ol the house, moved to -* Moorhead in 1949 from his birthplace, Estonia. Jaan, who recently turned 91, was born March 25. 1894, the son of a farmer and church organist. After his high *school graduation, Jaan went to mis-sionary seminary in Lepzig, Germany, where he studied for three semesters. At the outset of World War I, Jaan was -deported to Russia where he was quickly enlisted into the Russian army. As an educated enlisted man, he was sent to military school in St. Petersburg and ^graduated a Lietutenant. During the war's battles, Jaan received many decorations and was eventually promoted to Captain. . In one of those battles, Jaan was shot in ^the leg and was laid up for six months in "a military hospital. Upon his release from the hospital, the Russian Revolution was just beginning and Czar Nicholas II was sent to Siberia. Jaan thus saw the rise of "*the new Russian Premier, Alexander Kerenski. In 1919, Jaan stepped out of the army to "study Forestry in an Eastern European University. This is where Jaan met Alide, the woman of his dreams. Jaan would eventually marry Alide and spend the next *60 years and two months with her until her Upon graduation from the university, Jaan received a government job as a Deputy State Forester in his own country of Estonia. He remained at this position for 20 years. Jaan remembers that at this time, the Russian Communists occupied his country and one was allowed to speak only Russian in the classromm. In 1941 however, Nazi Germany invaded the country and occupied it until 1944, wherein Russia again took over Estonia. Between 1946 and 1948 Jaan studied for six semesters in the seminary, but then cir-cumstances allowed for him to come to America. Jaan jumped at the opportunity and in 1949 took his wife Alida and son Rein to America to live. The three Esto-nians arrived in Moorhead, sponsored by Concordia College. Speaking absolutely no English, Jaan worked for some time in the C6ncordia Dining service as well as working as a mechanic. He eventually landed other work at the Fargo-Moorhead Telegraph Service. Jaan has the distinction of being the last operator at the telegraph service before it closed down. Even though Jaan speaks only broken English, he is fluent in the languages of Russian, German, Greek, Hebrew and Estonian, his native tongue. Jaan's son Rein, a Concordia graduate, inherited much of Jaan's intelligence. Rein was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Moorhead High and went on to graduate from .Concordia at the top of his class in 1961. Rein then went to study at Oxford University in London where he received his Masters Degree in Physics. Coming back to the United States, Rein attended Princeton University where he received his Doctorate in 1967. He is now the head of the Physics Department at Boston College. Jaan will be moving to Dover, Massachusetts to live with his son Rein, sometime this Spring. When asked if he is happy to be going to live with his son, Jaan replied that although this is the best thing for him to do, he will miss Moorhead very much. Jaan doesn't have one favorite memory of Moorhead but has enjoyed all aspects of the community. After spending 35 years f his life here, Jaan knows he will miss it very much. He has enjoyed stay-ing active and even at age 91, can still be seen enjoying the outdoors. It is truly the end of an era. Concordia has recently purchased Jaan's property on Eighth Street (as Jaan's house also lies on the block) and will be tearing down the houses for some much needed parking spoace across from Bogstad Hall. After 33 years of being a landlord to Con-cordia students, Jaan Uritam will now be able to sit back and reflect on an exciting life indeed. PhiloFossically Speaking LJLJLJU by Chris FOBS Seniors saluted Jaan Urttam This will most assuredly be the shortest column in the brief history of PhiloFossically Speaking. Actually, it's not because the beautiful weather of late has re-arranged priorities; and it's not because spring fever's procrastination and daydreaming have piled up homework to be blown off. The real reason is kind of embarrassing—sunburn. With each sweep of my pen the pain throbs up and down my arm. There was a time I thought I was immune to this "Red Scare," but it seems spending the last two summers inside a warehouse instead of on the beach has worn down my resistance. Anyway, with the smell of barbecues in the air, finals and graduation, summer cannot be far behind. While for most of us thoughts may turn to summer vacation; the Few, the Proud, the Graduating Seniors prepare to leave the sanctuary of Concordia College. Embarking on their mission "to influence the affairs of the world," these brave men and women are about to enter the REAL world of jobs and families (or even more school for a lucky few). Doing my best to avoid being "mushy," this column is dedicated to the Class of 1985. When the rest of us return to the Tundra after summers of sun, softball, and sweat; Concordia will seem almost strange at first. Along with the return of many familiar faces will probably come (for many of us) a feeling that something is missing. Something is not right. Faces you expect to see-never appear. The many laughs and all-around good times you expect to share never arrive. The seniors are gone. Next fall Concordia will be changed. Change is good, it helps avoid stagnancy. But I know I will not help but regret that so many good friends are gone. It won't be unbearably life-threatening (after alf, Al Larson will be back), but I will miss my senior friends. This is starting to get borderline "sappy" so I'll stop. Besides, my arm is hurting. Seniors, the best of luck to you in your future endeavors. P.S. I would like to thank Features editor, Amy Finken, for a great semester. Without her amazing capability to handle this columnist's idiosyncracies, the column could have become a burden rather than a joy to write. Also to the chief, Lynn Flagstad. Thanks gals. What are you doing after graduation? Eric Neshelm "After graduation I am off to my dreamland to begin my life's education—two months of vagabonding in Greece and Egypt. When I return, I plan to put my talents to work finding an exciting job that will involve creativity and working with people." Lee Mielke "I'm a sales representative for Proctor and Gamble's Paper Products Division. Til be spending my first 12-18 months in Omaha, Nebraska (yeah!) un-til I become a "District Field Representative" and move back to Minneapolis. My position is really training for sales management—I just have to keep reminding myself I won't be stocking toilet paper and diapers foreverV -Mike Schafer "After I receive my diploma I plan to go staight to West Acres in search of a frame for my coveted Concordia College Degree in hospital administration. Upon purchasing a suitable frame I will-then turn all my efforts toward finding a wait in which to hang my newly acquired, framed diploma. In other words, I'm unemployed." Cindy A. Carlson "After graduation I plan to pursue a brief career as an under-achiever. The month of May will be devoted to finishing the 1985 Cobber. In June I will be moving to St. Paul where I will be doing something. After about a year I am going to relinquish my posi-tion as' an underachiever to attend graduate school." Cindy Johnson "I'm going to go sack a few peaks, do some biking, backpacking and golfing. I then plan to continue efforts to enter the work force for a year in biology or .chemistry before pur-suing graduate school."
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