Parental Guidance
Lou at the U of R
Lou was taking a course in physics at the University of Rochester (UofR); his instructor was Mr King, whose father was Dr. King, the head of the physics department. Lou was doing quite well, which was not surprising because he had shown a flair for the subject when he was at East High. Young Mr King asked Lou what his other courses were, and what he was planning to major in. At the time Lou had not decided on a major. Mr King thought it might be worthwhile for Lou to talk with Dr King. Lou agreed, and Mr King arranged for Lou to meet with Dr King the following Saturday. We remember it was a Saturday because on that day the whole family customarily had dinner together at noon.
The meeting with Dr. King went much like the earlier meeting with the younger King, and it was apparent that Dr. King was interested in having Lou major in physics and math. And if he did that, Dr, King said, he would make Lou an assistant in the department. And after graduation, Lou would be made an instructor.
Lou floated on air back to Gorham St, where the Saturday dinner was already underway. He told the good news about his meeting with Dr. King. His joy was shared by Mom and the siblings around the table old enough to understand what was being discussed. But Pop didn't see it that way at all. He said: "So what, you'll end up being a teacher?"
There was no blow-up, but Pop sure punctured Lou's balloon. In fact, there was no further discussion of the subject between Pop and his eldest son. But Lou stewed about it for days. He discussed it with friends who shared Lou's inability to understand Pop's reaction. Most Jewish parents would have reacted just the opposite of Pop, because most Jewish people have a high respect for learning. In fact, the word "rabbi" means "teacher".
Whatever his reasons, Lou decided to leave home, and to transfer to Columbia University's School of Business. The school required two years of liberal arts as a condition of admission and Lou was then finishing his second year at the U of R.
Lou told Pop of his decision to transfer to Columbia, and Pop said: "What happened to the teaching proposition at the U of R?" Lou replied: "Oh, that's dead." There was no further discussion or argument. But Lou realized that Pop could accept his son's becoming a teacher if it meant he would be living at home.
Lou was accepted at Columbia and graduated with a BS degree in 1930. Pop had paid for Lou's tuition at the UofR and continued to pay for tuition at Columbia and for the dormitory. Lou earned his board at Columbia by working in the cafeteria and dining room. He also had scholarship assistance.
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