Meeting the Major Prof

Tales of the PhD defense over at Unbalanced Reaction reminded me of a bit of ancient history, one that we had been talking about just the other day here at the Pion household: When My Mom First Met My Major Prof.

It happened in the few months between when I first met Mrs. Pion and when we started dating, on a football weekend when my parents visited campus and we went to the Land Grant Tavern ... the same one my niece used to celebrate her graduation. My mom got carded (which really made her day), but that is another story.

This one is even better.

My parents show up in mid morning for an early tailgate brunch at the house we were renting in the heart of gentrified faculty homes. Awesome house (owner was a physics prof on sabbatical) and awesome location. Walking distance to campus, but well past the range that undergrads will walk so no student slum dwellings or cars cluttering up the streets trying for free parking.

During the usual greetings, my Mom mentions this "poor man" she saw walking down the street as they drove to the house. It was a chilly day and he couldn't even afford any socks.

Lights go off in my head.

Was he wearing Top Siders, deck shoes that look like moccasins, and a tan London Fog raincoat? Older, gray hair, walking sort of slowly and aimlessly, etc etc?

Why, yes.

Ah, that was probably my major professor, Dr. Scatter. He lives a few blocks over that way and often walks around the neighborhood when he doesn't have time to go hiking.

She thought I was joking. For good reason, since I am my father's son, and often make fully factual observations in a joking manner and make outrageous statements with a straight face. But I wasn't joking.

So a couple years later they are in town because I was going to be given an award, and they meet Dr. Scatter at the reception. Mom could not believe her eyes.

Yep. That guy she thought was a homeless man without enough money for socks was him. A world famous physicist. And he was wearing those same Top Siders with his suit, and no socks.

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