Full Name: Kenneth Russell Shoup         Nick Name: Shoupie

Address: 409 Highland Ave, Grove City, PA 16127

Phone: 724‐458‐9548

E-Mail: pshoup@thesafety.net

Pre Military: I was born on March 11, 1938 in St. Petersburg, PA, about 70 miles north of Pittsburgh. I was the fourth of six siblings. Growing up in the 40's and 50's in this small town was dull and uneventful, I suppose, by today's standards. We kids all kept busy helping Mom and there was always something to do. Dad worked for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and was away from Monday until Friday night. I attended St. Petersburg School, graduating in the Class of 1956 with 12 other classmates. (I told you it was a small town!!) I had an opportunity to go to work on the railroad with my Dad, so I worked in Pittsburgh until July of 1957 when I joined the Air Force.

Military: Basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas. From there, I went to Keesler AFB in Mississippi for radar training.  At the time, my older brother Dick was in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. He kept telling me what a good time he was having so I signed up to be sent to Europe. In typical military fashion, I ended up in Labrador for 11 months. This isolated radar site was atop an 1800 foot cliff with 20 feet of snow. I was at this base for 11 months. From there I was sent to Grand Rapids, MN for the entire year of 1959. The rest of my four years was spent in Marquette, MI at K.I. Sawyer AFB.

Family: After my tour of duty ended, I came back home to my job on the railroad. One snowy Friday night in January, 1963, I went to a square dance. The dance was held in an old two‐room schoolhouse that had been converted to the local fire hall. It was only about 15 miles from my home, but I had never been to this little town before. It was on that night that I met my future wife, Peggy, who had walked to the dance by herself. She had never gone to a dance alone before, so she has always told everyone that it truly was fate that brought us together. After a two‐year courtship, we married and will celebrate our 39th. anniversary on October 9. We have two wonderful children, Scott, age 36 and Conni, age 33. Scott and his wife, Monica, have 2 sons ‐ Zachary Scott age 7 and Justin Kenneth age 6. Conni and her husband John are the proud parents of Brian Kenneth, age 18 months.

Career: With the downward turn of the railroad industry, I was laid off from the B&O in early 1965. I went to work at Cooper‐Bessemer in Grove City where I worked in the welding shop doing lay‐out work. I was laid off and later worked for Westinghouse Electric.

Hobbies: My family is first and foremost in this category. With the passing of my parents, the siblings try to get together as often as we can. Before they were married, I helped both of our children fix up their homes.  The best of times is when everyone comes in for a home‐cooked meal and to spend the day with us. We try to get as much time in with the 3 grandsons as possible.   I also enjoy hunting, fishing and camping.  We were introduced to camping by friends in 1996 and started out with a 24' used camper. In 2001 we purchased a new 35' as a retirement gift to each other. We keep it in a private campground near a lake and it stays there year‐round. Whenever we have a chance, Peggy and I love to escape to stay at the camper for a few days, take our boat out on the lake and spend some time fishing.   I enjoy painting and carpentry work and do most all of the maintenance around the house. In the summer, I really like to keep busy outside and keep a well‐manicured lawn.

Other: It was a real surprise to get a call from Pete Sessions in May. Understand they were unable to locate me in time for the reunion last year. Peggy and I had an opportunity to visit Grand Rapids, MN in June of this year. It was the first time I had been back since 1959.