Albert H. Rerick was born on June 27, 1895 in South Bend, Indiana to Joseph and Minnie Rerick. Following the tradition of several generations of Rericks in Northern Indiana, Albert grew up on the family farm on South Bend’s North Prairie Avenue. He attended South Bend Central High School before moving to West Lafayette in 1915 to begin studies at Purdue University. While at Purdue, Albert pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a pursuit which was interrupted in late 1917/early 1918 as he left school to fight in World War I. He never returned to Purdue to complete his degree following the war, but instead moved back to South Bend in 1919 and began working for the Studebaker Corporation. Two years later, in 1921, Albert married his long-time sweetheart Samantha “Sammie” A. Sheetz, with whom he had been courting and exchanging correspondence during his time at the University. Albert quickly advanced into executive administration at Studebaker, designing numerous machines for tire assemblies and other production equipment, with several patents developed and assigned to the company. During World War II, Albert worked on the design team assigned to Studebaker’s battle-ready amphibious water-to-land vehicle, the M29 “Weasel,” which was produced in large numbers for the transport of infantry and supplies in snowy conditions. In 1949, the company sent Albert to India to assist in the development of an automobile manufacturing plant for Mr. B. M. Birla, one of the wealthiest men in India. Following this experience abroad, Albert spent time traveling around the world—twice—before retiring from the Studebaker-Packard Corp. after almost 38 years in 1958. Albert and Sammie lived in South Bend together until his death in March of 1985 at the age of 89, and he was laid to rest with five generations of Rerick males at the Sumption Prairie Cemetery. Donald J. Rerick is the grandson of Albert H. Rerick and a Purdue alumnus. Donald was enrolled in the civil engineering program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. During his time at Purdue, Donald lived in McCutcheon Hall (the Royal Highlanders) and was actively engaged in student activities, especially various sporting events. Source: Rerick, Donald J. Letter to Sammie L. Morris. Sep. 4, 2014.

Note written by Stephen Horrocks