It is true! I reached the grand old age of 80 on the last day of May this year. The birthday and another event resulted in my being treated to quite a lot of attention, which I'd like to share with you below. However, realizing that I've neglected this blog since the holidays, permit me to begin with a bit of other "catching up."
First of all, my quarterly post-cancer health checkups all continue to be good. So really nothing more to say on that front.
We continue to monitor and enjoy the activities in which our grandchildren are engaged. Anders participated again this past season in competitive cross-country skiing. He qualified for the second year to participate in the Junior Nationals. Almost all the skiing he and his friends did this past year had to be done on man-made snow. He has switched to cycling for the warmer months. Penny and I spent some time together in my shop this spring. She turned a small bowl on my lathe, and then in April, we made some bird houses together. We also enjoyed a couple of her choir and band performances. Eleanor performed in a City High production of Singing in the Rain. Although we were unable to be there in person, we did see broadcasts of Clara's and Frederick's band performances. We kept in touch with Maia's and Leo's soccer and other athletic activities. With Henry now at the University of Iowa, we were able to see him from time to time.
Rob and Carrie bought a different, larger home in Iowa City this spring. He did lots of modifications and improvements before they moved in, and I enjoyed helping him by replacing some worn built-in bookcases, replacing old basement windows, helping Carrie with some wallpaper, and building an entryway table.
Kathie and I spent a month at our Wisconsin home in February and March, mostly giving ourselves permission to read lots of books and take naps! Then in middle April, we flew to Paris and took a train to Normandy for a visit at some of the D-Day sights, including Omaha Beach and the beautiful American Cemetery. Due to a lost passport, we had to return to Paris early so that a replacement could be obtained at the US Embassy. So, we substituted some sight-seeing in Paris for the extra time we had planned to spend in Normandy. Next, we flew to Amsterdam for a Viking river cruise which was originally to have happened in the 2020 Covid year. Except for the fact that each of us contracted a persistent bronchial cough (ended up lasting for almost six weeks each) and that the weather was quite cool and occasionally damp, we did enjoy the cruise. We visited several cities in the Netherlands, Wesel in Germany, and finished in Antwerp, Belgium. Our several prior ocean cruises left us feeling that the river vessels left something to be desired, but the tulips, windmills, history and sights were well worth visiting. We had added a three day extension in Bruges, Belgium, which included a side visit to the WWI American Cemetery in Flanders Field and a chocolate making experience.
Now let me return to the events of May. Permit me to begin my account with a back story first. One year ago, we were traveling in Canada with our Australian friends. During that time, I received a telephone call from the Provost's office at the University of Iowa asking if I could call back at a prearranged time to discuss an award associated with Dr. Alberto Segre. Alberto, who is Chair of the Department of Computer Science, is a good friend and colleague from my years working at Iowa. Of course, I wanted to support a nomination of him for an award, so I agreed to the call and spent a few days collecting my thoughts about his contributions and achievements (of which there are many). When our traveling group stopped one morning for coffee, I called back and learned that things were not as I thought. Alberto had instigated and was sponsoring me for an honorary doctorate! If approved by the Iowa Board of Regents, the degree would be awarded at one of this spring's university commencement exercises. The justification for the honorary degree was based on achievements during my career at Iowa and involvement in national networking programs, primarily when I served at the National Science Foundation for two years. This was all quite a surprise to me and left me overwhelmed but grateful.
The honorary doctorate was awarded during one of the two College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduation exercises. The photo below was taken prior to the ceremony in the "ready room." Pictured are: Dr. Juan Pablo Hourcade (Computer Science), University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson, me, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Sara Sanders, and Dr. Alberto Segre (Computer Science Chair).
One of the most exciting things for me was that my sister, Paula, and brother-in-law, Ron, and all 18 members of my family (Kathie, children and spouses, and grandchildren) were able to be present for the conferral of the doctorate. They had reserved "ring side" seats.
President Wilson and Dean Sanders did ask me to stoop down a bit in order to place the hood.
The graduation exercises were held in Carver Hawkeye Arena. I was permitted to offer a few minutes of thanks. I chose to honor my university as having provided me with an exceptional education and career. I also offered a few words of congratulations to the over 1,000 graduates receiving bachelor's degrees that day, and I closed with this: "Finally, in this setting I cannot help but think of someone you may also know—someone who has played quite a bit of basketball here. This impressive woman athlete has been known, among other things, for her frequent 'triple doubles' consisting of double-digit tallies of assists, rebounds and points in a single game. So today, my wish for you is that like her you will find fulfilling ways to assist others, that you will benefit from rebounds when you need them most, and that your lives will be filled with lots and lots of 'logo threes.'"
A few days later, the Department of Computer Science hosted a reception for me in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol.
So many good friends, family members, and colleagues were there. It was great fun to see them all and to reminisce. One who traveled a good distance to be there was Mrs. Harriet Weeg, wife of Dr. Gerard P. Weeg, who was director of the academic computer center when I began working and Chair of the Department of Computer Science. Dr. Weeg offered me my first job at Iowa. Seeing Mrs. Weeg was a wonderful treat and very unexpected, and I felt so privileged that she made the trip to be there.
There were several friends and former colleagues who shared kind words of congratulations, including one surprise guest who was to speak last. I had been guessing and thinking for some time about who it could be! Of course, it was my sweet sister, who had conspired with Alberto to be present and to say many nice things about me and present me with a unique piece of art--an assemblage of mostly University of Iowa and technology-related items.
After the graduation exercises and conferral of the honorary degree, the whole family shared a meal back at our home. I had arranged for a photographer to be there mid-afternoon for photos. One of them is this picture of all 19 of us. I had arranged for a similar photo to be done when I turned 70 ten years ago, so here we all are a decade later! You can click on the photo if you want to see a larger version.
I asked for a number of extra photos of the individual families to be taken. Here is another of Paula, me, Ron, and Kathie.
Kathie arranged for this special cake to be a part of our meal.
So, all of that happened mid-May, and then about ten days later, Kathie threw a big party for me at one of our favorite local restaurants--Orchard Green. There were 44 people in attendance. Paula and Ron returned to Iowa City a second time for the party, good friends David and Robert came from New Jersey, and many other local friends.
All in all, I was treated to so much attention and affection during May, and I remain very grateful to everyone who chose to be present and to share my good fortune with me.
Finally, there was the cover of this more down-to-earth birthday card greeting or toast from Kathie (or maybe from Maddie?):
