Dear Carolyn,
Jack was a great scientist and , for me , a sincere friend. During the years we met so many times in Boston or elsewhere so that our lives were somehow connected.
His loss is without consolation.
Ninni D'Alessio
Friday, July 18, 2008
Condolences from Jerry Cole, friend and colleague
Carolyn,
It is difficult for me to express my sense of loss upon hearing of Jack's passing. Certainly on an intellectual level I've been expecting this for some months now. But the final announcement still left me with a sense of void, a strange emptiness. It is a symptom of my present age that many loved ones have departed in only the past few months, and that many others are soon to go. But I cannot let Jack's death go without at least a few special words for you and your family.
Meeting Jack for the first time back in 1979 turned out to be one of the most important and pivotal moments in my professional life. Our shared interests and goals made it easy for us to develop a friendship that lasted nearly three decades. Despite often not seeing or hearing from each other for years at a time, each time we got together, usually at a technical conference or some other forum, we never ran out of things to discuss, and always parted with a sense of anticipation for our next meeting.
Although it was easy for me to appreciate the importance of Jack's work from the moment I met him, it took me many years before I recognized something that in retrospect was much more special about him. In the world we shared Jack was the senior gentleman. He set standards for personal conduct and behavior toward others that are quite rare indeed. Jack was rarely coarse or short with people. He sought and found the best in what others had to say or present.
Jack didn't delude people, but he didn't dwell on their shortcomings - when needed he made them clear, while at the same time pointing out their strengths. Jack made an important impression on the world. Over the past couple decades I've had many situations where people have asked me to prepare them for a meeting with Jack. I'd always say that he was one of the nicest persons you'll ever meet. Consistently people made a point of getting back afterward to me to say how amazed they were that I was exactly right!
He will be missed.
-jerry
Jerald ColeChief Technology Officer
Hydrogen Ventures1219 N. Studebaker RoadLong Beach, CA 90815
jcole@hydrogen.la
tel: fax: mobile:
562-430-7994 562-430-7994562-618-8641
Want to always have my latest info?
Want a signature like this?
It is difficult for me to express my sense of loss upon hearing of Jack's passing. Certainly on an intellectual level I've been expecting this for some months now. But the final announcement still left me with a sense of void, a strange emptiness. It is a symptom of my present age that many loved ones have departed in only the past few months, and that many others are soon to go. But I cannot let Jack's death go without at least a few special words for you and your family.
Meeting Jack for the first time back in 1979 turned out to be one of the most important and pivotal moments in my professional life. Our shared interests and goals made it easy for us to develop a friendship that lasted nearly three decades. Despite often not seeing or hearing from each other for years at a time, each time we got together, usually at a technical conference or some other forum, we never ran out of things to discuss, and always parted with a sense of anticipation for our next meeting.
Although it was easy for me to appreciate the importance of Jack's work from the moment I met him, it took me many years before I recognized something that in retrospect was much more special about him. In the world we shared Jack was the senior gentleman. He set standards for personal conduct and behavior toward others that are quite rare indeed. Jack was rarely coarse or short with people. He sought and found the best in what others had to say or present.
Jack didn't delude people, but he didn't dwell on their shortcomings - when needed he made them clear, while at the same time pointing out their strengths. Jack made an important impression on the world. Over the past couple decades I've had many situations where people have asked me to prepare them for a meeting with Jack. I'd always say that he was one of the nicest persons you'll ever meet. Consistently people made a point of getting back afterward to me to say how amazed they were that I was exactly right!
He will be missed.
-jerry
Jerald ColeChief Technology Officer
Hydrogen Ventures1219 N. Studebaker RoadLong Beach, CA 90815
jcole@hydrogen.la
tel: fax: mobile:
562-430-7994 562-430-7994562-618-8641
Want to always have my latest info?
Want a signature like this?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)