Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Thompson, Vinger, Myhrwold
----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 09 May 1963
The "T" in V-K-T stands for "Thompson, Richard," better known as "Dick." His road to Greenwood (Clark Co., Wis.) was long and devious, by way of Davenport, Iowa, to Baltimore, Maryland, via China, Korea and Indianapolis. Dick's father is a chiropractor, and Dick grew up in Baltimore, where his father practice.
Dick served in the Air Force for five years during World War, and one of these years the most memorable in his life. During that time he flew gasoline "over the hump" from Inia to Kunming, China. During the monsoon season they flew over the clouds all the way to Kunming field. So many planes used the airports that it often took two hours to get down. The filth and overcrowded conditions of the city literally smelled "to high heaven." It was actually miserable to breathe the air, even at 20,000 feet!
After his discharge, Dick studied chiropractic methods in Indianapolis. He met Shirley Vinger at a beach one day, and Shirley took the path to his heart through his stomach. She and her two roommates invited Dick and two of his friends up for dinner that evening. "Did it ever taste good!" say Dick. Shirley has been cooking for Dick since November 29, 1947, and later for Patti Jo and Nan Jean, their two daughters.
Dick was recalled for twenty months during the Korean unpleasantness. During this time, his chiropractic practice disintegrated, and he considered the Air Force as a lifetime career. They came to Greenwood for Christmas in 1951; Palmer offered Dick a job after his discharge, and he returned in the spring to take up a career here.
He enjoys one hobby – golf, and one sport – deer hunting (once a year). Actually, it is not the hunting, but time spent with the men, and the enjoyment of nature, which he likes about it. I asked him what he would like most to do. He said the he enjoys working with farmers, and real estate, so much that he would like to do just what he is doing now. Auctions are thrilling to him, in spite of the misery of wintertime clerking. He would like to be an auctioneer, if he had the skill to do so.
Dick does not make a lot of noise about himself. His place in the community seems rather to be that of quiet, unassuming service. A farm needs a man, and a man needs a farm, and Dick helps the two find each other.
