I think life is like an ocean with each of us sitting in a tiny boat and being tossed about, often randomly. I enjoy tremendously struggling with this tossing and this bobbing up and down. I enjoy living hard.
 
 

        Usually I try to get some control over my life. That's tough at times. -- Life can be so slippery. Storms break and the wind howls. But it's a great feeling to have weathered a storm.

        Right now I have been washed ashore at Evergreen. Will it be calm, sunny, comfortable here? Probably not always. I detect an honest determination to survive, to build, to grow. I think we'll make it.   It'll be challenging, out of the ordinary.  No chance to settle into a groove, become stale.  I like it that way.

        My life's journey began in Germany. High school, apprenticeship there. Emmigration to USA at 20. USAF, college (U.W.), Ph. D. in physics (Rochester).  Marriage, two boys.  Teaching and research (stellar evolution) at Virginia and NASA.

        During all those years (37 by now) I have tried to become intellectually and morally free, independent.  I reject dogmas.  I habitually question the conventional and traditional.  But I am also old-fashioned: I believe in responsibility, honesty (especially with myself), hard work, discipline.

        Jogging, biking, climbing, and skiing help me to maintain (regain) my internal balance. Teaching, research, reading stimulate me intellectually. A few good, solid friendships provide me with comfort.

I am confident and hopeful.

I am looking forward to the future.