The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., June 30, 1966, page 1
CAMP COLUMBIA INIIERITS $100,000 FROM ESTATE OF PORTLAND BACHELOR
Camp Columbia, located two miles northwest of Husum,
has inherited $100,000 from the estate of the late Frank S. Richards, Portland
bachelor and real-estate executive who died Oct. 15, 1965.
Richards left the bulk of his $372,583 estate to three
non-Oregon institutions: Boys Town of Missouri at St. James, Mo.; Boys Town
of the Desert at Banning, Calif.; and Camp Columbia. Each will receive
$100,000.
Richards' also bequeathed $20,000 in trust to Oregon
State University for establishment of a loan fund for junior and senior students
in OSU's school of agriculture.
No Bad Boys
Although Richards had helped Camp Columbia by annual
donations of about $200 for several years Major and Mrs. F.H. Blake were
not aware of his rich regard which they attribute to the recommendation,
of Judge Virgil Langtry of Portland.
The $100,000 windfall may have stemmed from Judge Langtry's
placing a chronic delinquent boy in Major Blake's custody and saying: "If
you can solve this one you better get ready to build some more buildings."
The boy turned out well and now is a very successful
executive in a well-known firm.
"This magnificent gift guarantees the continuance of
Camp Columbia it puts our life work on a sound footing -- and comes at the
end of a perfect day, just as it did to Father Flanagan," Major Blake said
last week.
When this reporter objected to his innuendo, Major Blake
answered: "When you get to be my age (77?) you have to be practical and look
for the sunset. Otherwise life is purposeless. It is gratifying to know that
others will carry on."
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer