The Stone-Faced Angel

I worked as a chemist at Clairol in Stamford, Connecticut. It was a low-level job and I fed my boredom by playing practical jokes and trying to synthesize new hair dyes on my own. One day, I was told to go to the President’s office. I was shocked by the number of people there and their level in the company. The last time I saw a meeting like this was when I was called in and ordered m to fire my assistant, who goosed a pretty young woman with a glass test tube, when she bent over to get a drink from the water fountain.

This time, the President announced that the meeting of Clairol and its owners, Bristol-Myers, was called to inform me that they decided that I should leave Clairol, and study for a Ph.D. in chemistry. The President added that the company could not pay my tuition but would guarantee a high paying job when I return. In my immaturity, I responded: “Thanks for the kind thought, but I hate school and have no wish to go back.”

A two weeks later, a post-doc at Clairol, Larry, told me that he was going to the American Chemical Society Meeting in New York. I was suspicious because chemists, at my level, never go anyhere! We went to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in N.Y. and Larry walked to the registration desk and stopped at a column, nearby. A tall man, with frowning face, was leaning on a column. He looked up and said: “Well, it he is have as good as you said he was, I’ll take it from here. Larry disappeared into the crowd and I was alone with this stone face. He introduced himself as Professor Delos DeTar. He waved his finger in my face and said, with an angry tone: “Listen to every word I say! Do not apply to Florida State University! Write me a letter at this address, expressing the desire to go to graduate school. That’s it!” He walked away and I went home.

I told my wife, Mitzi, my odd experience and that I had no intention of going back to school. That night, we had dinner with our parents and I told them what happened and my decision. They all concluded that I should go, in spite of my decision. Mitzi said that she would write the letter to Dr. De Tar. She did and I received a letter from him stating that I had received a teaching fellowship and can apply to the school when arrive in within a month. I apologized to my smiling boss at Clairol, for not giving sufficient notice, and was off on a new adventure.

When I arrived to meet Dr. De Tar, a young man stopped me and said: “You don’t know me. I just got my Ph.D. from Dr. De Tar in under five years. Do you want to stay five or 12 years?” I sputtered: “Five years, of course!” He nodded and said: “Listen to every word I say, even if does not make sense now. Dr. De Tar will give you the subject for your research. Do not agree to do anything on the computer because you will become his slave and never finish your research! Do not agree to make a polymer containing histidine. Take all required exams as soon as possible, write up every day, and make plans to delegate unfinished work to other graduate students!” He wished me good luck and left.

I walked into Dr. De Tar’s office. He was gruff and not smiling, just as when I met him the first time. I refused to do computer work, because I am an organic chemist, and have no interest in computers. I refused to make a polymer with histidine, unless I could pick a second amino acid, as well. He agreed and I was on my way. By learning how to negotiate with him, I was able to leave in five years. He also actually saved me from failure in my final Oral Exam, when another professor asked me a question that I could not answer. He, nastily, said to the other professor that it was a stupid question and, if that is what he wants to know, here is the answer. I sat there, in shock, that De Tar had dug me out of this deep whole.

I called Dr. De Tar, for the first time, two years ago, when I learned he was in his mid-90’s. I asked him if he remembered me and thanked him for his guidance, whenI was in graduate school. Dr. De Tar said that he did remember me and congratulated me on my successful career.