AR Professor

During the early summer of 1939, a man came to call on me while I was sitting in a darkroom, doing micro-dissection of the head muscles of my salamander embryos. He was Dr. Robert Brode, Professor of Physics at the University of California. He wanted to meet me in connection with a faculty vacancy at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Himself a graduate of Whitman College, he informed me that he was one of four sons of Dr. Howard S. Brode who had taught biology at Whitman for over 35 years, and who had also built up extensive museum collections. These collections included a wide range of zoological specimens, some anthropological materials and many historical documents relating to the early pioneers who settled the Walla Walla Valley and were involved in the funding of the school that had grown into Whitman College. Dr. Robert Brode and his wife then invited both Lucile and me to their home in the Berkeley hills for the afternoon of Sunday, the first of July.

When we arrived at the Brode home, we were met not only by our hosts but also a number of people from Walla Walla, associated from Whitman College. They included: (i) Mademoiselle Ravasse, Professor of French, (ii) Mr. Lyman Bothwell, Instructor in Economics and his wife, and (iii) Mr. Irwin Stuart, Professor of Mathematics at Whitman and his wife Mildred. These faculty members of the college were in Berkeley for the summer to advance their professional proficiency. This was a delightful and interesting party. We learned more about Whitman College and how members of the faculty felt about their school. It was obvious also that we were being scrutinized and evaluated as to whether we would qualify as acceptable members of the Whitman College community. Did we pass that examination?

The next few days, including the 4th of July, passed and our  suspense grew. So, it was a wonderful and joyful relief when a message arrived from President Brattain of Whitman College on the 5th of July, 1938, informing us that I had been appointed as Instructor in Biology at a salary of $1800 per year.

Now, of course, the immediate situation and priorities suddenly changed. It was no longer necessary to obtain teaching certification for employment in California junior colleges, so I dropped all my course work in the Department of Education. Now all efforts had to be strained to complete the writing of my dissertation before our departure for Walla Walla. That objective was realized by mid-August. I would, however, be unable to remain in Berkeley for the degree conferring ceremonies. The doctoral diploma would have to be conferred in absentia and forwarded to me by mail. When compared with the grandiose celebration in the Rose Bowl upon receipt of the junior certificate and the solemn commencement exercises in Finney Chapel at Oberlin, the pomp and circumstances for the receipt of the doctorate had for me altogether vanished.

By the summer of 1938, Lucile and I had already disposed of our 1929 Ford and had acquired a nice looking 1936 Chevrolet. We decided to really take time to see the country on our way to Walla Walla. I had already seen the Redwood Highway with its Avenue of the Giants and other famous redwood groves. Now we both wanted to see more of this area. We both had heard about the rugged and spectacular Oregon Coast, and the outstandingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge, with its artfully constructed scenic highway. We wanted to see it all, and scheduled about a week to make our way to our new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Our auto journey north led through the lush verdure of the redwood country. On reaching Oregon, we left the coast for the Medford area and visited the Oregon Caves, with its elaborate limestone formations. Then again turning toward the coast, we came upon a freshly killed porcupine beside the road. This young animal was totally free of mutilating wounds and so we made camp on the bank of the Umpqua River for me to prepare a study skin that still continues in my collection as a tangible trophy and vivid reminder of that trip.

With a brief stop at Tillamook to visit the cheese factory, we followed the Oregon Coast Highway all the way to Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. Then we started up the Columbia that would lead us almost all the way to Walla Walla. The land along the lower Columbia River was impressively lush and green, especially as we came into the Cascade Range east of Portland. At Bonneville we took time to visit the recently completed dam and were impressed not only by this engineering feat, but also by the many lamprey eels, as well as salmon, making their way up the fish ladders. We were inspired by the view of the gorge from Crown Point, and marveled at Multnomah Falls and other waterfalls along the gorge.

As our way continued eastward to The Dalles, we were reaching the eastern side of the Cascades and also traveling into the rain shadow cast by this range. The lush verdure of the west side now gave way to a drier landscape with oaks dotting the eastern foothills. Beyond The Dalles, the country grew progressively more arid and desert-like. We passed Arlington on the Columbia and Boardman still farther east, reaching Umatilla at the end of the day. The land was dry and brown and this day of late August had been one of oppressive heat and little shade. We were within about 55 miles of our destination, and as we settled into our motel room for the night, we naturally wondered what kind of place we were traveling to.

On the morning of August 27, we again got under way. The land was still dry and desert-like. It was not long before the road pressed especially close to the Columbia River, with towering cliffs to our right. Similar tall cliffs towered over the north shore of the broad river. We were passing through the spectacular Wallula Gap, a breach cut through the layers of basalt rock by the Columbia River during the last ice age. We left the Columbia at the town of Wallula and followed the road up the Walla Walla River until we crossed that stream and passed over a rise to re-enter the valley beyond. Reaching the top of this summit we also came into clear view of a new mountain range, the Blue Mountains of eastern Washington and Oregon. The land grew progressively greener. Then we entered Walla Walla, a city of some 16,000 inhabitants, with numerous shade trees overarching residential streets.

We made our way to Boyer Street and followed it for a couple of blocks to reach the Whitman College campus, stopping in front of Memorial Hall, the operational center of this institution.

Parking our car under one of the large elm trees that formed a shady archway over the street, I ascended the steps under the clock tower leading up to the entrance of this imposing building. Upon inquiry, I located President Bratton’s office and met Grace Lazerson, his secretary. Grace Lazerson immediately came to the car to meet Lucile and to welcome us warmly. We had arrived. And Walla Walla has been our home ever since.