One of his favorite set pieces highlights his multiple degrees: "If a couple comes to me for advice I have to ask them who they're coming to see: If they're asking me in my capacity as a rabbi they want me to keep them together. If they're asking me as a psychologist they want me to approve the decision they've already made. And, if they're asking me as a lawyer, they're asking me to make the divorce happen." I guess he couldn't work in his rank as a Marine captain.
When I expressed surprise that he wasn't taking most of his plaques and awards he said I could have them. If I didn't come by to pick them up they were going into the trash. My interest, quite frankly, was in the frames, not the awards and certificates.
When I went over to get them just the other day I passed the prof in the parking lot. "I left a knife for you on the frames - I can't take it with me on the plane and I don't think it's worth packing." Oh, cool. I had visions of a Bowie knife. It turned out to be a quality folding knife. In contrast with the fastidiousness of the instructor, there was schmutz on the blades. I thought it odd. It was if he had used the knife to cut an apple and neglected to wipe off the blade. Also, one of the points was broken. Not something I'd expect of someone so neat, fastidious really, and careful in his writing and spoken word.
Outstanding young man? I thought you'd never ask. One of the plaques cited him as an "Outstanding Young Man of America". I presumed it was one of those scams like "Who's Who in Floor Waxing", but no, if Wikipedia can be believe, he was in an exclusive club with some very impressive people. Only 10 people are chosen each year. The award was rename to Outstanding Young American several years after he was chosen. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Outstanding_Young_Americans.
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