To most Texans, the name “Rambo” may mean little, but to Todd Compton it evokes memories from his childhood, when kinfolk spoke of 17th century ancestors who lived in what is now Philadelphia.
Peter Gunnarson Rambo (1611-1698) was most discussed, and Compton, now 52, remembers the accounts he heard in his grandmother’s kitchen. His genealogical interest ignited, he didn’t realize that the discussions would lead to a divine familial appointment in the summer of 2024.
Division Director of Geo-Environmental Services for Colliers Engineering and Design, he veered off course last spring during a tour of the company’s area offices. He stopped at the Gloria Dei Episcopal Church, on whose grounds Rambo was buried…..
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He easily located the brick church, built between 1698-1703—the oldest brick structure in Philadelphia. Previously, it was a log cabin church for 20 years. He wandered around the cemetery, hoping to find a grave marker for Peter Gunnarson Rambo.
Soon, he saw a lady working in a flower bed.
She, along with other Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation volunteers, do what they can to maintain the church and cemetery. The location reeks of history. (Betsy Ross, the flag-maker, had a church wedding there in 1777.)…
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With limited time and resources, they have never-give-up attitudes, having just begun a campaign to fund further grave identification.
She confirmed that Peter—and other Rambos—were buried there, him likely near the front door which now is a side entry.
Todd and his associates––“all in” for the pro bono project—went to work in September. Gloria Dei would benefit, and the initiative could be helpful in training new hires for the 40-year-old company that has 3,200 employees in 78 locations, including one near the cemetery….
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Todd was on fire with interest, connecting facts with legends and hearsay. He learned that his tenth great-grandfather was a respected visionary and resolute colonist. Rambo’s ship—navigating the Atlantic Ocean in 1640—had to return to Sweden twice for repairs, 136 years before there was a USA.
The grave is in a “prominent place,” as had been heard, near the original front door that now is a side entry. Thanks to Colliers’ ground penetrating radar, an emotional moment loomed. Todd stuck his fingers into the soil, perhaps two feet above the casket, saying, “I found you, man…. It’s important for us to know that you are here, that you’re still loved by your descendants, and that we’re proud to have come from you.”
Peter would father eight children who’d give him 37 grandchildren, and his accomplishments in what was called “New Sweden” are staggering. During his 60 years there, he helped William Penn found Philadelphia. He planted apple seeds brought from his homeland, thus explaining today’s “Rambo” apples, and providing seeds for scattering by Johnny Appleseed. Rambo ultimately owned large land tracts that are now part of west and south Philadelphia.
Yes, movie star Sylvester Stallone—who played “Rambo” on the silver screen—was named for the colorful pioneers long before there was a Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Stallone later scaled the front steps triumphantly in the “Rocky” movies….
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Too bad they didn’t have the Rambo facts at hand 55 years ago, when Todd’s father, Mike, played professional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.
With a “Rambo” nickname, he’d have been a crowd favorite. In 1970, the team counted greatly on catchers Mike Ryan and Tim McCarver, who sustained broken hands in the same game. Enter young Compton to catch during most of the remaining games. Once, he literally “ripped his britches,“ quickly donning another pair found in the club house. Turns out, they were Philly star Johnny Callison’s pants, a “fun fact” that didn’t make the stats.
Mike was in professional baseball for 44 years, but injuries–including 14 surgeries—ended his playing career after nine seasons. With the Phillies for 34 years, he filled numerous off-the-field roles before retiring in 2015. A highlight of the Comptons‘ lives has been helping dozens of Latino players learn English as a second language, with many of them earning GEDs….
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I‘ve known Mike and Jeanie—both campus favorites–since their college years. Mike was catcher for the vaunted Lobo baseballers who played at historic Kokernot Field, as did the Detroit Tigers’ Norm Cash, the only other Sul Ross graduate with a career in the majors.
As Sul Ross PR director, I was on the trip when the Lobos toppled nationally-ranked Arizona State University in Tempe in 1964. It was a David and Goliath day!
Unquestionably, this Tampa, FL, couple has “swung for the fences” in life, with many “grand slams.” They look forward to their 60th wedding anniversary come September….
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Dr. Newbury, longtime university president, continues to speak and write. The Idle American, begun in 2003, is one of the longest-running syndicated columns. Contact: 817-447-3872. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.speakerdoc.com. (For more information about Historic Gloria Dei, call 215-645-2755, [email protected])