Memorials › S 2 Erwin Gerald "Doc" Briggs
S 2 Erwin Gerald "Doc" Briggs
15 Sep 1912 – 8 Mar 1983
| Birth | 15 Sep 1912 |
| Death | 8 Mar 1983 |
| Cemetery | Fremont Township Cemetery Winthrop , Buchanan County , Iowa , USA |
| Added by | Charlotte Briggs on 02 Oct 2012 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98179270 |
Bio
His middle name is pronounced Garold. On his WW II draft papers he signed with the spelling Garold. However, all other documents he signed with the spelling Gerald. When Erwin was a child, he toted around a little black bag, and earned the nickname "Doc". Erwin's parents parted and both remarried. When his mother needed looking after, Erwin and Bessie took her into their home until Mae became too ill to stay with them. The first time his children saw their father cry was when he'd been to visit his mother, and she didn't recognize him. Erwin went to a country school until the 8th grade. His teacher told Erwin that he'd give him the equivalent of a 10th grade education. Later in life he went to get his GED certificate, found that he knew more than the instructor, got fed up, and didn't finish the course. Since he didn't have more than that 8th grade certificate, he ended up doing manual labor jobs. He was very physically fit, and for that reason survived a terrible industrial accident in 1968 that left his body broken and very weak. After that he'd have to retire, his family thankful that when he wasn't expected to survive, God gave him 15 more years of life. Erwin was an avid reader, and was a walking history book. He relished American history about the old WEST and made certain that the family vacation included those historical locations. Whenever this included touring a museum, he was always the last of the family members to make it out the door. Erwin was also very accomplished in solving math problems, assisting his children with their homework. Most folks who didn't have to share a house with Erwin thought he was easy going. In reality he was quite a nervous person and could be temperamental. Bessie and Erwin mixed like oil and water, but they loved each other dearly. Erwin could talk to anyone, as if he'd known them all his life. If he wasn't gabbing with a neighbor or hitting the road to go visit with a relative, he'd find a gas station attendant, a car repairman, or a Mormon missionary (he didn't talk religion with them, though) among his listeners. Erwin enjoyed listening to music and was so proud when his granddaughter learned to play The Entertainer on the piano. He could carry a tune, but Bessie couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. Just another one of their many opposites attract scenarios. He was strictly a meat and potatoes man, and not too many potatoes. He loved sweets, and it was mysterious as to why he didn't gain weight. He must've worried his calories off. Bessie didn't dare eat what he ate, as she had to go down to 800 calories in order to lose weight. The menu often included what the rest of family liked, and a hamburger for Erwin. Erwin was the typical man of his times, ruling the roost, not realizing that his wife was secretly holding that position. He was very protective of his four daughters and happy that at least one of them was a tomboy while growing up. He was also very happy to have two granddaughters even if that meant being outnumbered by a bunch of females.
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