More than a memoir

Abstract

This autobiography was written originally as a test of memory, as a means of diminishing piles of stored papers and file folders, and in an effort to record events as they actually happened. It had been my experience as a child, hearing oral histories presented by adult family members, that there was great variance in their perceptions. Perhaps I could set down the "facts" of a life and leave interpretations up to any readers. Each of the chapters was distributed to my four children, Kenneth, Marcia, James and David. Inasmuch as they read the sporadic mailings, I incorporated their corrections and tried to answer any questions they raised. I relied upon friends to check specific chapters against their memories and upon Peggy Phelps to offer penetrating criticism where she discerned opinion masquerading as fact. Diane Orona deciphered my handwriting sufficiently to produce a handsome, typed manuscript, and I thank her for her patience and her aim at perfection. Who will read such a manuscript? Who among the grandchildren or children has the time for it? With the completion of the story, can I hope that others may find it of interest? The very personal nature may decide against that. The diverse nature of the subject matter would guide toward selective readings: organic chemistry with some biochemistry and plant physiology; music, but mainly singing; bi-continental living and romance; family; travel; universities; extraneous material about foundations, research support, national and international organizations, even some talks (in the appendix). However, there is a whole to it -- the story of a sample life in the twentieth century and a bit into the twenty-first. I have found life's journey exciting and rewarding. I have been fantastically lucky. NJL

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