Harvey and Irma Schluter from Washington have been married for 75 years. Harvey in July turned 104 years, Irma in November, I’ll be 93.
They remember the major events of the twentieth century: the first aircraft flying over America; the Great depression, world war II, a walk of Neil Armstrong on the moon. In a recent telephone interview with New York Times Mrs. Schluter even remembered what the weather was in their town of Spokane in the day when he killed President John F. Kennedy («cool and cloudy»).
But now the pair sees what he never could have imagined – as the United States is threatened by two hurricanes with their names.
«I don’t know how come such a coincidence,» says Irma.
The explanation is simple. Since 1979, the world meteorological organization alternates male and female names for tropical storms born over the Atlantic.
There are six main lists of names that we use «circle», so the names of minor hurricanes 2017 can again appear in 2023. But the names of the most intense hurricanes remain in history, and they don’t use anymore. So, most likely, storms Harvey and Irma will never appear in tandem.
Unlike married couples, Harvey and Irma.
They met and married in the forties. Both grew up in large families, and soon decided to become guardians and parents of adoptive children, many of whom had physical and mental problems.
For decades they took custody of nearly 120 children.
In Eastern Washington tropical storms do not happen, but in my long life of Irma and Harvey traveled across the country to visit the children and see what a devastating storm. Now they watch as their names are constantly flashed on the news about the deaths and evacuation.
«I’ve never been in such a situation,» says Mrs. Schluter. «You just do what you think is right. If you can help someone, help.»
