1.IsabelEileenMalin, born September 16, 1916 in St Louis, MO; died July 02, 1975 in Salisbury, Rhoadesia,Africa (now Zimbabwe). She was the daughter of 2. DavidCaruthMalin and 3. AnnaMayO'Donnell. She married (1) RobertPaulGehrandt February 18, 1939 in Evanston, Cook, IL. He was born April 12, 1916 in Oakpark,Cook, IL, and died June 09, 1995 in Phoenix, Maricopa, AZ. He was the son of Gustav Robert Gehrandt and Olive Roberta Hills.
Notes for Isabel Eileen Malin:
Chavala was quite a woman. At age 14 she was driving her father's Packard and knew every speakeasy in Chicago. She never went anyplace that within minutes she didn't seem to know everyone there.
She was born in St. Louis. The family moved to Chicago, then to Evanston IL, where she spent most of her young years.
Her First Communion was at St. Mary's Church in Evanston in 1927. By June of 1945 she was doing war work as a spot welder for Douglas Aircraft in Chicago while her mother became a "WIN", taking care of Julie and Niki.
She married Bob Gehrandt on February 18, 1939, in Evanston IL. According to a newspaper clipping, "Rich in tradition is the bridal costume which Miss Isabel Ann Malin, daughter of the David Caruth Malins, 316 Main St., is wearing at 4:30 P.M. today for her marriage to Robert Paul Gehrandt. Miss Malin's gown was first worn by her mother in the latter's wedding....The bridal gown is a lace robe, worn over oyster taffeta. The dress is cut with full skirt, short sleeves, and small train. A brief veil attached to the rich lace cap falls over the bride's shoulders, and her flowers are white orchids, gardenias, and sweet peas....The Cape Cod room of St. Mary's parish house is the scene of the ceremony, which is being performed by the Rev. J. Ignatius Bailey of the Dominican House of Study...." Actually Isabel didn't really like her mother's wedding dress but because her older sister, Doll, had just gotten married and the middle daughter, Gin, was soon to be married, Isabel was concerned about the financial drain on the family. So to save on expenses, she declared she had always wanted to get married in her mother's gown. She never told anyone in the family until her daughter, Julie, offered to wear the dress in order to cut down on wedding expenses. She wanted her to have a new dress.
Their first home was an apartment at 709 Monroe St (February. 1938 - 1 May 1941) where they paid $32.50/month rent. They bought a home in Northbrook IL on 1 Jul 1941. Joe and Doll Carney had previously moved out there.
Clipping from unknown newspaper, undated but a reference to upcoming Nov. 30 dance made in article in same clipping: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Gehrendt [sic] and children, Julie and Niki, moved to Phoenix, Ariz., last Friday. Their home at 2132 Oak street has been purchased by the Nelson Busby family, formerly of Wilmette."
An envelope in Isabel's scrapbook from her father, David C. Malin, was addressed to The Misses Julie and Niki Geharandt [sic - not even family could spell the name] Hotel El Portal, Mesa Ariz., dated 17 Nov 1948. There was also a receipt from the hotel for rooms 107 and 108 from 11/13 to 11/20 for $101.43. While they were in Mesa Julie attended school at a Catholic school where only spanish was spoken. Another incident at the hotel occurred when the two Siamese cats managed to get out of the room and onto the roof of the hotel. When the family arrived back to the hotel it was to find the fire department there attempting to capture the two "wild animals" - no one had ever seen a Siamese at that time. Since the cats had been smuggled in, along with the very large shaggy French Briard dog, Mike, the family was requested to find other quarters.
In the early 1940's, after the birth of her second and last child, the family moved to Arizona, living first in Avondale, then moving to Phoenix (702 W. Portland St.). In 1948 her sister, Rosalie (Doll) and her family came to visit. They stayed with the Gehrandts about two years, finally moving several miles away. The two families had a wonderful time together and there was very little friction. Every afternoon they would play Bridge on the porch.
About 1953 the family moved out to 1707 W. Myrtle (at the time way north of Phoenix on a dirt road). Shortly after that Isabel's parents moved out to Phoenix, living nearby.
She and Bob got divorced in the early 1970's. At that time she was diagnosed with a heart problem, probably incurred when she and Bob were vacationing in Columbia and she slipped on a jungle path, incurring a compound fracture of her right arm.
When the doctors gave her only a few weeks to live, she took off on tramp steamers (something she had always wanted to do) and cruised around for about two years, dying in Salisbury, while on safari in Africa. She is buried there, as she requested.
More About Isabel Eileen Malin:
Baptism: October 08, 1916, St. Louis Catheral, St. Louis MO
Notes for Robert Paul Gehrandt:
Bob was born in Oak Park IL and grew up in Evanston IL. They lived at 2657 Stewart Ave., Evanston, IL - and his parents remained there until his father's death.
He had an "sort of" adopted sister, Marion/Marietta, who married Samuel Van Pelt of Washington D.C. Bob's parents were very reserved people, never demonstrating any sort of affection to him. He had a paper route, using a red flyer wagon, when he was very young. He was always very active in sports throughout his life, even riding (and winning) in gymkanna's into his mid-seventies with his legs partly paralyzed from a major illness. He was a very big man, standing 6'2" with very large shoulders, chest and hands. He rarely lost his temper, and when he did he used a very "soft" voice, that quickly got everyone's attention.
Bob attended Evanston High School, as did Isabel, however during that time they were not going together, and didn't particular know each other. On their first date, at a country club formal dance, both were dressed in white formal clothes. While dancing Bob had one of his frequent nose bleeds - all over both of them.
Bob attended Dennison University, from Sept. 1934 and graduating June 1939 - obtaining his degree in Economics. His nickname in college was "Bull". He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He left his fraternity ring (which he had received as a wedding ring and always wore up until the time of his death) to his only Great Grandson, Dixon Ruecker, in hopes that when Dixon attends college he will join the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. During the years of hard wear, the emblem on the ring had to be replaced several times as it had worn down to nothing.
Bob and Isabel Malin were married on 14 February 1939 at St. Mary's Church in Evanston IL.
Bob worked for Armor's Meat Packing Plant (Jun 1938-Sept. 1943) as a Supervisor of the Canned Meat Dept. Because he was necessary to the war effort (they provided C-rations for the troops) the company did not want to release him for service. However, Bob tried to enlist in every branch of the service but was turned down each time for his very poor eyesight. He finally was accepted in the Merchant Marines, but before he could report for duty the war ended.
He also worked for Signode Steel Strapping Co. of Chicago, as a cost accountant (Sept. 1943 - 1945). On 20 May 1944 he received an award: "This certifies that Robert Gehrandt has through loyal efforts and efficiency contributed greatly to the winning of the Army-Navy production award for excellence in War production."
Both Julie and Niki were born at St. Francis hospital in Evanston IL. Niki was christened at St. Norberts, Northbrook IL (10 May 1942). Bob and Isabel bought the Northbrook house on 1 Jul 1941 (2132 Oak St, Northbrook IL). They moved to Phoenix AZ about Nov of 1946, living first at Avondale, then moving to 926 W. Portland St, Phoenix, and then to 1707 W. Myrtle, Phoenix, in about 1953.
Isabel, Bob and the girls were an extremely happy family. However, their lives changed drastically when Bob and Niki were involved in a fatal car accident. A drunk drive came out of a farm road without stopping or looking and rammed into the side of Bob's Ford. Niki was killed almost immediately and Bob suffered severe head injuries and was not expected to live. Later, because they seemed unable to have more children, Bob having been exposed to Mumps several years before, they were urged to adopt a child. Josephine came to live with them but it was quickly evident that the young girl (she was in 8th grade) was more then they could handle. They were then given a young baby, Debbie, who was about six months old at the time. Debbie was a very unhappy child and had a terrible temper. She also hated to be held or touched, very different from the happy-go-lucky Niki. It was a hard time for the family but they finally adjusted. Part of what helped was that the Carney's (Doll was Isabel's sister) came to live with them for awhile. The house again became filled with the laughter of children.
Every afternoon, while the Carney's were living there, Joe would be sent to collect Bob out of his office (which was at home) to play Bridge on the front porch. Bob always replied, "Just give me a couple more minutes Joe, I'm almost done on this tax report." When Bob was given only hours to live his daughter, Julie, came into his room and he asked her, "Where did Joe go?" She looked surprised and answered, "But Dad, Joe died years ago." "I know," Bob replied, "but he was just here telling me it was time to go. I told him I had to finish this tax return and could he give me a little bit more time. He said he would be back shortly." Apparently Joe came back about a month later, when Bob had finished that 'one last tax Return'.
Bob had his own accounting business in Phoenix for over 40 years, and was still doing taxes when the doctors had given him up for dead. He worked out of his home for many years, finally moving into office buildings when he moved into a smaller house. He also was the Controller for Luke Air Force base in the 1950's.
More About Robert Paul Gehrandt:
Social Security Number: Issued IL - 355-10-4240
