The following article was found in the August 22, 1957, Lowell Tribune, page 5:
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Tappan will be the scene of a happy family gathering this week end when their son, Walter Jr., and three children arrive from Africa for a month's vacation. Walter, a graduate of Purdue's School of Forestry, is associated with the Firestone Rubber company. With his wife and children he has spent the past two months touring Europe. This will be their first visit home since 1954 and they will have two new babies to introduce to the family. The Tappans' daughter Ruth Phyllis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shuourek and children, arrived Sunday from Miami, Fla., for a 10-day visit. Completing the family circle are Ted, who resides at home, and their daughter Edith and family, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Halfman and children, who reside nearby.
This November 23, 1967, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 1:
Final Rites Held For Walter Tappan
Walter C. Tappan, Sr., 74, passed away on November 10 at the Great Oaks Nursing home in Cook.
He was a retired Assistant City Engineer of East Chicago and was a resident of this community for 25 years.
He is survived by two sons, Ray of Lowell and Walter, Jr. of Nigeria, Africa; two daughters, Ruth Shourek and Edith Halfman, both of Lowell; one sister, Edith Olsen, of Chicago.
Funeral services were held on November 13 at the Sheets Funeral Home in Lowell with Father Anton Braun officiating.
Burial was in St. Edwards Cemetery.
[NOTE: The married name of Ruth Phyllis Tappan Shourek or Shuourek was spelled differently in the two articles. I believe "Shourek" is the correct spelling.]