Small Town News

Faces of Mineral County

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Mineral County has vast and rich communities, filled with natural resources, beautiful scenery and some of the most interesting people you will ever find. This column focuses on some new faces of Mineral County -- or a familiar face you may pass each day.

Born in 1937 in Norfolk, Nebraska, and adopted by Fred and Louise Schumann from Omaha, Nebraska, Joe enjoyed a simple life as an only child. Joe's father, Fred, worked in the foundry making supplies for World War II; during the Depression the family raised chickens and sold eggs. Louise, a talented musician, played organ for the many churches in and around her community. Later, Fred retired from the Federal Reserve Bank.

"I enjoyed a good life as a child. I got a few speeding tickets, but all in all, I was a good kid." Joe attended Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska where he was a self-proclaimed good student. "I graduated, "he states with a chuckle! After high school, he went on to higher education, but after 2 1/2 years, he knew the Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska - Omaha) wasn't for him, so he dropped out. Eligible for the draft, this young man enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958 but not before falling in love.

Joe fell head over heels in love with a young college freshman named Sandy. He tells me it was love at first sight for him as he lovingly looks at his bride of almost 53 years. When I ask Sandy the same question, "Was it love at first sight, "she giggles and states, "No, he was a little wild for me, but he began to grow on me." The couple dated for two years and in the bitter cold on December 21, 1957, Joe & Sandy were married at the First Christian Church in Omaha.

The newlyweds tested their marriage as Joe began his career in the Air Force. Joe was stationed at Lackland AFB, Texas, while Sandy remained at home in Omaha. Later Sandy joined Joe at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and upon completing technical training was transferred to Amarillo AFB, Texas for 2 years, then Hastings RBS, Nebraska for 12 years and lastly, Hawthorne RBS, Nevada for 5 years. The Schumann family began growing after a few years of marriage. Their eldest son, Greg, was born on the base in Amarillo, TX in 1959; brother Rick followed in 1961 along with only sister, Kim, in 1965, and Jeff in 1967. The last three children were born in Hastings, Nebraska.

Joe's job in the Air Force wasn't a simple one. He was trained to be a radar technician/operator. His main job was to keep the radars up and functioning and to operate the equipment. His service to our country setting up radar sites took him from the United States to Canada, Vietnam and Thailand. He worked during Vietnam to help with guiding aircraft in over the overgrown jungles, so the pilots would have an accurate drop point for bombs. After retirement from the Air Force Joe worked with Day Zimmerman in the Electronics Shop and then later with Ford Aerospace (later Lockheed Martin) in the desert outside of Hawthorne simulating the drop of nuclear and conventional weapons on simulated targets. During his career in the Air Force each site was different. Some temporary duty (TDY) sites were radar systems installed on trains, such as one that was set up at Thome in the mid 60's; others were smaller mobile sites set up on trucks. Meanwhile, Sandy was home with the children and explained to me, "Military wives are a closely knit group of women. We all understand the loss of a husband at home. Many of us who had children relied on husbands who were not TDY to help with Boy Scout projects or sporting activities." The couple is still close to those that helped them through those trying times.

When Sandy first arrived in our community, she cried. "I was used to living in larger communities with shopping, but over the years, Hawthorne has grown on me. I love it now!" Joe laughs, "It was hard getting used to only two seasons -- summer and winter, but we are adapted now." He retired from the U.S. Air Force here in Hawthorne and found himself going from job to job, but found himself being drawn back to electronics each time. He worked in the electronics shop at the base until taking employment at the Electronic Warfare Range in Fallon where he finally retired for good.

A professed tinkerer, Joe began helping out around Mineral County after retirement. One big project was the windmills at the Park, a dream of Stacy Fisk. Joe and friend, Dave Ferguson, took old bomb fins and began fashioning them into different flower patterns. Their first creation was taken to a Veterans Parade in Reno and the compliments were positive, as were the feelings of Joe & Dave, so they made three to be placed in the Veterans Park in Hawthorne. Joe also likes to tinker with electronics and is an avid amateur radio enthusiast. But he has a heart of gold when it comes to helping others. A member of the Mineral County Disaster Team, he is on call 24/7/365 to help with families devastated by fires, flood or other disasters. He is also the contact person for Red Cross of Esmeralda, Northern Nye and Mineral Counties. In the past 5 years, he has helped over 30 families/individuals during some of the lowest moments of their lives. He also is a member of Mineral County Search & Rescue and he was past member of the Mineral County Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service for 10 years.

When not running the great-grandchildren around, Joe can be found keeping in touch with his fellow servicemen. The last couple of years, Joe and Sandy went to Shreve-port, Louisiana, Branson, Missouri and Hastings, Nebraska for military reunions. He maintains a current sheet of those who served at those bases and like so many veterans, the numbers are beginning to decline as their age and health begin to catch up with them. Joe shared a special story with me about one of his fellow servicemen:

"In 1968, in Laos, a radar site was set up with its main purpose to bomb Hanoi. Within this sight were twelve servicemen. In March of 1968, the site was overrun with Vietnamese forces. Out of the twelve men, only four survived. The senior Non-Commis-sioned Officer in Charge was nominated for the Medal of Honor, but, due to the classified mission in Laos, it was down graded to the Air Force Cross. 40 years later, with the help of a Senator from North Dakota, where Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger was stationed, that hero will finally receive the Medal of Honor - Posthumously." The pride in Joe's face as he tells this story, brings tears to my eyes.

In "Americas Patriotic Home" isn't it great to know that we have so many Veterans living amongst us? Some have seen duty on the front lines; others made sure those on the front lines made it home safely. Clearly, we need to thank each and every one for the freedoms we have today. So to not only Joe, but also each serviceman or woman who has served or is currently defending our country, I thank you!



Copyright 2010 Mineral County Independent-News, Hawthorne, Nevada. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Mineral County Independent-News Hawthorne, Nevada. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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