Eldon Wingerd was born in Navarre, KS, February of 1913 to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Wingerd. Wingerd attended Chapman High School graduating with the class of 1931. He worked 2 years with his father in Navarre then attended McPherson College for 1 year. In 1935 Wingerd went to Washington D.C. taking a position with the Department of Agriculture. In 1941, he transferred from the Agriculture department to the Federal Public Housing Authority and was employed there until he joined the Navy in the summer of 1943. Wingerd had attained his Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in engineering from night classes during his employment in Washington D.C. After his training, Wingerd was assigned to duty with the Bureau of Ships, Washington D. C. where he served as an officer in the US naval reserve. Courtesy of the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Museum.