By DON WEBB
HEWITT — The Boeing 727 jet took flight, the USSR withdrew thousands of troops from Cuba, the Beatles were introduced to the United States, and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was laid to rest. The year was 1963. It seems a lifetime ago and it was for many. But not for Herman “Bud” and Doris Siemer who were married 50 years ago on Nov, 2, 1963.
Doris was a young widow in 1963, losing her first husband at the age of 30 to Rheumatic Fever. With two small children to take care of, Doris’ sister, who owned M&J’s Restaurant on 9th Ave in New York City, was worried that Doris may be slipping into depression and asked Doris to come work with her at the restaurant. After months of her sister asking, Doris finally said yes and joined her sister at the restaurant.
M&J’s Restaurant was located only three doors down from where Bud worked with his father. On Doris’ first day of work, Bud was her first customer.
“I saw this beautiful, young, Irish red-headed girl and fell in love with her the moment I saw her,” said Bud.
They began to talk and soon were enjoying each other’s company.
“The short order cook, whom I knew there, pulled me aside and told me she is a widow,” said Bud. “On our third date, we knew we were meant for each other and that we were going to marry.”
The Siemers were married shortly after on Nov. 2, 1963. They moved to Awosting in the spring of 1964 and have lived here in West Milford ever since. They have six children and nine grandchildren, so far.
When Bud was asked what the secret of 50 years of marriage is, he had an answer all should abide by.
“People say that marriage is a 50/50 proposition, but it’s not,” said Bud. “You each put in 90 percent and take back 10. Then there’s no line in the sand and all that surplus is used when there are bumps in the road."