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Richard Silver 鈥�62

I came to HMC in 1958 as a member of the second class. I was spoiled: Joe Platt was accessible and friendly, even while wielding the necessary authority of the president of a college. It was then being formed and tested, but would rise to greatness under his leadership. Late in our freshman year, Bob Styerwalt ’62 and I were able to get time in his home with a tape recorder, and recorded a batch of his songs, which I later learned have become very well-known among HMC friends and alumni. I recently digitized the recording and made a music CD from it.

After I had been working a few years as an engineer at Procter & Gamble I was able to recruit among the rising HMC graduates, and also sponsored two Engineering Clinic projects. It has been a privilege to know Joe Platt and to celebrate his life among us. It really “ain’t the money – it is the principle of the thing.”

Emily Gleason

Ann Arbor, MI

Dear Jean,

How saddened I am by the news of Joe鈥檚 passing. What an extraordinary man and, above all, what a very fine person Joe was. I well remember Joe鈥檚 beautiful bird photos, among his many unique accomplishments. Alan and I felt very blessed to have known you and Joe during our Rochester years.

With sympathy and happy memories,

Mack Gilkeson

Emeritus prof of engineering

In earlier memorial remarks that I submitted, I left out some important specifics, which may be useful documentation for Joe as he reaches the Pearly Gates.

Recently, 无忧视频, with a trio of engineering faculty members, has been awarded the prestigious Gordon prize for 2012, honoring the Engineering Clinic and the HMC design program. Joe Platt’s contribution, of course, was significant to the creation of HMC’s Clinic program five decades ago.

During the early 1960s, while working on program development, lowly associate professors Alford and Gilkeson were invited to periodic meetings with Joe Platt and his Dean, Gene Hotchkiss, at which time arguments for and critical questions about a then revolutionary program were fully aired. Then, when it came time for funding Clinic development, Joe and George McKelvey successfully acquired the necessary money for the start of the venture. Another example of Joe Platt’s effective leadership.

John Murray 鈥�61

A FEW PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF JOE

In September 1957 Joe welcomed the first HMC class of forty-eight freshmen. Most of us were moving away from home for the first time and he made us feel comfortable and part of a family.

At the 1957 Christmas party Joe played his guitar and lead us in songs from his unique 鈥渟ongbook.鈥�

The president of the college taught a physics section.

He encouraged me to pursue a career in business and probably helped me secure my first job.

He greeted me as an old friend whenever we saw each other.

Joe had a continuing interest in my career and family including sincere condolences when my wife Barbara died suddenly.

He welcomed my current wife, Margi, and made her feel like she had always belonged to the HMC family.

Joe continued his legendary music by leading a campfire sing along at the 2004 alumni weekend.

He was pleased and excited when we were able to visit him during the Founding Class鈥檚 50th reunion and present him with reunion gifts.

Katie Cervenka

Rice University, Houston, TX

I am heartbroken to learn of Joe鈥檚 passing. I worked with Joe in the late 1990鈥檚. He was involved with CGU鈥檚 School of Education; I worked in development. He was always so generous with his time, and we often had great fun sharing stories. We discovered, after he asked my maiden name, that we were distantly related. I brought him an old scrapbook I had inherited from my Oregonian grandfather – – and sure enough: Platts. He let me borrow an old scrapbook of his – – sure enough: Bashes. Thereafter, he always referred to me as 鈥渃ousin鈥� with that ever-present twinkle in his eye. Chief among my memories of many Platt kindnesses: Jean and Joe, when I was groggy in the early days of motherhood, brought me the lovely gift of a Jean-made silver spoon, which I cherish to this day. I left California 12 years ago, but I鈥檝e thought often of Jean and Joe with great fondness.

Jonathan Beall 鈥�07

Seattle, WA

I have fond memories of the times I saw Dr. Platt, when he would come to our dorm’s “Eastmas” celebration. He’d strum his guitar and lead us in a number of science-based filked versions of various carols (some dating themselves with reference to avoiding the draft), and ending in “It Ain’t the Money.”

Pinky Nelson 鈥�72

Bellingham, WA

Here鈥檚 a story that I told for Joe鈥檚 90th birthday celebration.

My wife, Susie, was pregnant during my senior year. As her due date approached, we started a pool to see who could get closest to guessing Aimee鈥檚 birth date and time. One day Susie got a call at home from President Platt鈥檚 office. When Joe got on the phone it turned out he was looking for inside information before he placed his bet鈥攁s if Susie would know when the baby would be born!

He didn鈥檛 win the contest, but Susie and I both felt鈥攁nd still feel鈥攍ucky to have our lives touched by such a wonderful man. I鈥檒l never forget what he said to me at the graduation ceremony, 鈥淲e will miss you and your whole darned family.鈥�

What a privilege it was to have occasionally occupied the same time and space as Joe Platt.

Don Davidson

UC Riverside, CA

In 2005, I was relatively new at the college as director of public relations when Joe stopped by my office in Thomas-Garrett Hall and introduced himself. Having worked for five years at Claremont Graduate University in the ’90s, I knew about Joe鈥檚 incredible legacy at Mudd and The Claremont Colleges. However, I didn鈥檛 know until that moment what a kind, self-deprecating, warm, and genuine man he was.

At the time, I was taking guitar lessons and kept an old beat-up guitar in my office to practice on during lunch and after hours. Joe鈥檚 eyes lit up when he saw it and said, 鈥淒o you mind?鈥� I told him it was probably out of tune, but that he was welcome to play it. 鈥淣o matter,鈥� he said and started to strum.

He proceeded to regale me with the full, eight-verse (with choruses) version of Art Roberts鈥� physics song, 鈥淚t Ain鈥檛 the Money鈥� (which I notice a lot of people have quoted in their memories of him here). I can鈥檛 express how honored I was to be in his presence and to have him personally share with me the bit of physics history he had been part of. This man who rubbed elbows with the most important physicists of his generation (including a Nobel prize winner) was sharing the experience with me. I was blown away.

The words of the chorus of that song ring true in many ways:

It ain’t the money,
It’s the principle of the thing,
It ain’t the money,
There’s things that money can’t buy.
It ain’t the money
That makes the nucleus go round
It’s the philosophical ethical principle of the thing.

I have spent most of my professional career in higher education advancement and think it applies there as well: If you put the institution鈥檚 mission and your philosophical ethical principles first, money (i.e., success) will find its way to you.

Over the years, I have worked with many people and observed many different styles of leadership. Joe was the rare kind of leader who is able to make big, important things happen and make it look effortless. I can’t think of anyone who accomplished as much as he did while giving the credit to others.

Among the people he credited was his wonderful wife Jean, whose love for him was evident every time I saw them together. I send my best wishes to her and to the Platt family, along with a deep appreciation for how much time with Joe they sacrificed for the benefit of the 无忧视频.

Jon F. Geibel, Ph.D.

Bartlesville, OK

It took my breath away when I read of Dr. Platt鈥檚 passing from this life to the next. I don’t think anyone fully realizes just how much impact one life can have on another until that life is gone. Just as Dr. Platt鈥檚 life had a positive and enduring influence on my life and the lives of his students, sadly, his absence will have an equally profound effect. It saddens me to think about how many students will not have the opportunity to experience the wisdom and encouragement of Dr. Platt.

I first met Dr. Platt in 1968 when I was a freshman embarking on a life-transforming experience of attending 无忧视频. Little did I know that the apparently simple decision to attend 无忧视频 would change my life in a dramatically positive manner. The vision Dr. Platt shaped in the formation of 无忧视频 influenced my professional and personal lives in ways that I could have never predicted and for that I owe him a tremendous 鈥淭hank you, sir!鈥�

On a more personal note, I recall that Dr. Platt routinely enjoyed a noon hour swim in the pool at Harvey Mudd. As a member of the Claremont-Mudd swim team, I shared this aquatic environment with him. We always had a common bond in the pool area. His personal example of a well-rounded athletic academician is inspirational to me to this day. I attribute the health-conscious life styles of Dr. and Mrs. Platt to a remarkable experience at my 35th class reunion in 2007. As I was reminiscing with my classmates I noticed the arrival of Dr. and Mrs. Platt. I really wanted to say hello and as I walked up, I said to Mrs. Platt, 鈥淗i, I鈥檓 Jon 鈥�.鈥� Before I could finish, Mrs. Platt said, 鈥淗i, Jon. Of course, we remember you. How are Betsy and the boys?鈥� Stunned is an understatement for my reaction. Aside from Christmas cards, I suspect it had been 25 years since our last face-to-face meeting. To remember me, my wife and our sons after all these years and the thousands of students was simply incredible. It鈥檚 this personal interest in the people surrounding Dr. and Mrs. Platt that made them so beloved to the Harvey Mudd community.

I am certain that the integrity, warmth and gentleness of Dr. Platt will live on in the hearts of his many grateful students. I am reminded of the Tuscarora proverb: “They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.” Nonetheless, I will miss you tremendously.

Doug Hathaway 鈥�80

Santa Ana, CA

My first year at Mudd was Joe鈥檚 last as president, so my memories of him as president of HMC are limited. Over the next several years, however, I was fortunate enough to be at the same place at the same time with him. I was always impressed with his vigor, genuine interest in any topic,and positive outlook on life. These qualities led to his successful founding and oversight of HMC. My lasting memory, however, was at a late spring alumni function held at Henry T. Mudd’s Malibu house. One of the alumni had brought their young child who had never seen the Pacific Ocean. She wanted to go swimming and nobody really wanted to take her out into the water, so Joe “volunteered”. The water ended up being too cold for the little girl, but Joe decided that since he hadn’t had his swim for the day, he might as well stay in. We all stood on the beach trying to warm her up while wishing any of us had half his energy. That energy propelled HMC in the early years, and continues to shape this unique school.