Lost U.S. love letter delivered 53 years late

A post-marked letter mailed on February 20, 1958 delivered to the mailroom at the California University of Pennsylvania on July 8, 2011. The letter was being mailed to student Clark C. Moore who lived inside Jonson Hall on campus during his studies in the late 50's.

PITTSBURGH (Reuters ) - A love letter written to a U.S. college student in the state of Pennsylvania and proclaiming "love forever" was finally delivered -- 53 years late.

But the tender note penned in 1958 still waits in the mailroom at the California University of Pennsylvania as officials search for its intended recipient, Clark Moore, who now about 70 years old and living in another state, according to university spokeswoman Christine Kindl.

The letter, sent from Pittsburgh and postmarked February 20, 1958, arrived in the mailroom last week, Kindl said.

"No one here has any idea why it was delayed," she said.

The letter had been addressed to Mr. Clark C. Moore, then a junior at the university, which was known at the time as California State Teachers College, she said.

It included a return address, but little other information about the sender, who signed the letter, "Love Forever, Vonnie."

"It's very much the same type of letter that students today might write to a boyfriend who's away at college," Kindl said. "She ends by saying, 'I still miss you as much as ever and love you a thousand times more. Please write me real soon.'"

The university hopes to deliver the letter to Moore and has received a few tips on his possible whereabouts, she said.

(Reporting by Daniel Lovering. Editing by Barbara Goldberg and Peter Bohan)