Making a home in Brazil

After enlisting in the Peace Corps, shortly after John F. Kennedy created the program, a Kasson-Mantorville graduate found his new home. 

John Fryer graduated from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 1955. He spent some time studying at Rochester Community College, then he enlisted in the Air Force. Following his four years of service, Fryer enrolled in the University of Minnesota, using the GI Bill to take free classes. He also got free room and board as a dorm leader. After his first year, his life took a different direction. 

“In his second year, he waited for the University to call him for the free room and board,” Bob Fryer, John’s brother, said. “They didn’t call so he enlisted in the Peace Corps.” 

After he had already enrolled, the University contacted him to serve as a dorm leader again. But it was too late. 

Bob believes that when John couldn’t afford to go back to the University without the free room and board, he had to find something else to do.  

“That was when John F. Kennedy started the peace corps and there was a lot of talk about it,” Bob said. “And he felt an interest in trying.” 

After a six to eight week period of Portuguese classes, John went to Brazil. The classes were necessary to prepare those serving in the Peace Corps for the journey on which they were about to embark. 

“They said right from the beginning, ‘today’s the last day you’re going to speak English,’ Judy Severson, John’s sister, said. “‘You’re gonna learn Portuguese because they’re going to drop you off in the jungles of