My grandfather represented a significant group of self-taught Jewish intellectuals bred in the poverty and virulent anti-Semitism of Eastern Europe.

Grandmother Werlin had to perform all the chores of rural life required to raise a family.

Despite the uphill battle of educating himself, my father ultimately earned a Ph.D. at the university of Chicago at the height of the great depression. Dad was a founding professor at the University of Houston and chairman of their sociology department.

For more on Joseph, consider reading this article by the Texas Jewish Historical Society, entitled “Teaching the World”

My mother was the first woman to head the publicity department of a major city, Galveston, Texas. She was a pioneering journalist. In the course of her career she interviewed Golda Meir, Jack Dempsey, and Al Capone.

For more on Rosella, consider reading this article by the Texas Jewish Historical Society, entitled “Rambling Round with Rosella”

For me friendships are the ultimate scoreboard in evaluating a person’s success.

While not long enough, Eloise and I were married for 40 years. She was indeed a very special person.