Childhood: born St. Joseph, Missouri, working class background, early education in Denver, rural Kansas; University of Kansas: B.S., geophysics, receipt of Summerfield Scholarship, 1956-1960; Columbia University: M.S., geophysics, 1961; association with Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory [LDEO]: Ph.D., marine geology, 1966, collaboration with international geophysicists on oceanographic research, dev elopment of plate tectonics, continental drift theories; voyages at sea: chief scientist aboard Vema 21, 1965, head of geophysical program aboard Eltanin, 1967; development of international programs at LDEO; involvement in global projects for better data synthesis; LDEO administration: role as associate director of LDEO, changes in leadership, independence from Columbia, acquisition of new ocean-going vessels; role in conception, administration of Earth Instititute; Columbia University: geology department chairman, 1989-1994, Executive Committee of Faculty Arts and Sciences, vice-chairman, chairman; reminiscences of colleagues.