Lou Conter is a member of what some call the “Greatest Generation.”

One of 18 remaining survivors aboard the USS Arizona in the Pearl Harbor attack, he is a vestige of a time when simple and quiet courage, divested of boasting and posturing, was the order of the day.

As a young man, Conter saved himself and his compatriots from the inferno of the USS Arizona on Dec. 7, 1941, before going on to pilot numerous dangerous missions over hostile territories in the Pacific Theater and lead his brethren into fierce battles that ultimately decided the destiny of an entire nation.

Conter, 91, had earned the right to rest on his laurels and relay his experiences to younger generations, while making annual pilgrimages to Pearl Harbor in recognition of his exploits, as he did on the 70th anniversary of the attack earlier this month.

However, Conter returned home to western Nevada County, after being one of seven survivors from the USS Arizona to attend the anniversary to face a new battle —  the foreclosure of his home.

Conter stood on the Nevada County Courthouse steps on Dec. 15 as Bank of America completed the foreclosure sale on his Alta Sierra home.

“I'm upset,” Conter told The Union. “I'm 91 years old and I was one step away from getting it all straight.”

Conter said part of his frustration is that he had been talking with Bank of America representatives who were attempting to work with him to manage his payments and come up with a solution amenable for both sides.

Conter said he took out a $150,000 home improvement loan when he purchased the house in 2001, and the loan was added to the title, limiting his options. He said he engaged in numerous conversations with various bank representatives, but could not get anyone to understand the specific nature of his situation.

“I was trying to square away the title, but they don't have anybody local you can sit down with,” Conter said. “I talked to people in Phoenix, Tucson, Arkansas, Dallas and New York and for the life of me I could not find anyone who understood California real estate law.”

In the midst of the 8-month-long quarrel, during which Conter said he was assured the bank would work with him, he received a phone call about the foreclosure sale, he said.

“Then, all of a sudden, they called me (Wednesday) and told me they were going ahead with the sale,” Conter said. “It's hard to figure out what's going on.”

Cindy Cara, general manager of Grass Valley-based Network Real Estate, said Conter's experience is unfortunately not that unusual.

“It's an example of the horrible stuff that goes on these days,” Cara said. “It sometimes seems like one side (of the bank) is not listening to the other. The foreclosure — in this case — it may be legal, but is it moral?”

Conter has moved his possessions to a home at Eskaton Village, an independent senior living community in Grass Valley, and in the stoic manner of his generation he said he is making the best of the situation.

“The house we live in now only has that one step,” Conter said. “We're getting settled there.”

However, Conter stands to lose quite a bit of home equity should the scenario continue on its present track.

“There is equity in Lou's home, so money has been taken from his pocket,” Cara said. “This has happened to many of our people who are deserving of a chance to work things out.”

Bank of America representatives were not available for comment at press time.

To contact Staff Writer Matthew Renda, e-mail mrenda@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4239.