| Notes |
- From The Harvard graduates' magazine, Volume 29 (Jun 1921), pg 662
Richard Blynn Varnum died at the American Hospital in Paris on March 6. He was a holder of one of the American Field Service Fellowships for French Universities, and was studying International Law at the University of Toulouse when he became ill with malarial fever, which he had first contracted in war service in the Balkans. Then, suffering from supposed bronchitis, he was sent, Dec. 5, to Biskra, in Algeria, where it was hoped the dry atmosphere would help him. But his condition became worse, and although late in February he was able to be moved to Paris, the disease could not be checked. He was born in Belding, Mich., Oct. 25, 1892. His father, a retired Methodist Episcopal minister, Rev. C. A. Varnum, lives in Jerome, Idaho. Varnum had spent two years in Hillsdale College, Mich., before entering Harvard with the Class of 1919, where he made a splendid record. The late Frederick Schenck called him "a brilliant pupil," and a letter from Barrett Wendell said, "He has impressed me as a faithful worker and an honest man." He had already been earning his own living as a stenographer for some years before coming to Harvard, and he was working his way through College when, in February, 1917, he sailed to join the American Ambulance Field Service in France. He served with Section Three in Serbia and Albania, until October, when he returned to France, and enlisted in the United States Air Service. He trained at Tours and Issoudun, and made an enviable record. Upon being commissioned a first lieutenant, in April, 1918, he was retained, much against his wishes, as an instructor at one of the aerial centers until after the Armistice. Then, however, he was assigned to the 166th Aero Squadron and sent with it into Germany. He did not return to America until August, 1919, for discharge, and immediately thereupon reentered Harvard. He was a factor in the flying activities of the University, took part in the intercollegiate aero meet in June, 1920, and was granted an American Field Service Fellowship for his "scholastic record, fine character, and dependability."
From "Bulletin of the American Field Service Ass'n", #4, July 1921
Varnum, Richard Blynn, S. S. U. 3, an American Field Service Fellow, died of tuberculosis in Paris, March 6, 1921.
"DICK" VARNUM
RICHARD BLYNN VARNUM, a holder of one of the American Field Service Fellowships for French Universities, died March 6, 1921, from consumption at the American Hospital in Paris, France. A Harvard man who received a war degree in 1920, VARNUM was studying international law at the University of Toulouse when he became ill with malarial fever, which he had first contracted in war service in the Balkans. Then, suffering from supposed bronchitis he was sent on December 5th to Biskra, in Algeria, where it was hoped the dry atmosphere would help him. But consumption developed rapidly and, although late in February he was able to be moved to Paris, the disease could not be checked. Plans were made to send him to Switzerland, but before they could be carried out, he died. In February, 1917, Richard VARNUM joined the American Field Service and served with Section Three in Serbia and Albania until October, when he returned to France and enlisted in the United States Air Service. In April, 1918, he was commissioned First Lieutenant.
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1892 - 1921 (28 years)
