Correspondence, 1944-1952

The bulk of the series, dating between July and December, 1944, and between October 1950 and November 1951, consists of correspondence between Richard and his fiancée and later wife Dorothy. Richard referred to her as "Dootzer" in the letters before their marriage. Frequent topics in the correspondence include the weather, the movies, television programs watched, financial problems, and their affection for each other. While Richard was in the Korean War, their daughter, Diana, lived with his mother, Lillian Boehm. Lillian's letters describe her daily life and that of her granddaughter. Richard's friends, Mickey and Herman Mattes, also corresponded with him. Mickey wrote most of the letters, describing life in a trailer in Middle River, Maryland, and occasional visits with Dorothy.

Arrangement of the correspondence is alphabetical by recipient and then alphabetical by sender. Under each recipient the arrangement within each sender group is chronological.