 Those who knew this artist very well, found him to be impenetrable, at times.For example, it was not until after his death that his children discovered in his safe some documentation which stated that he was a commissioned officer—a Captain in the Haitian army before the American Occupation.Philomé Obin always celebrated his birthday with fanfare, saying that on that date—July 20—he almost lost his life during one of the numerous Haitian "revolutions."