PHASE V
by Robert D. Wells on the occasion of his
"retirement" party held on Friday, April 11, 2008.
I’ll try to give an overview,
of fifty years of fun,
And tell you what is coming next,
Phase Five has just begun.
I want to say how much it means
to me and all my Kin,
To have you here to celebrate,
good feelings from within.
Phase One included early days,
to learn my lessons well,
Ohio and the U. of Pitt,
just cast a magic spell.
The Kid who knew the mines of coal,
from Uniontown was poor,
And ignorant of learned ways,
new concepts to explore.
Khorana was my mentor who,
taught science and the art,
Of living well and giving all,
this lifestyle was so smart.
Phase Two was where I learned the trade,
Wisconsin was so great,
The atmosphere was charged and bright,
fine colleagues to relate.
A year in California,
the Salk was quite a place,
It let me grow and think and plan,
new concepts I could face.
Phase III was at the UAB,
where science did excel,
Administration was ok,
and kept my grants as well.
Two buildings were put on the map,
for Bob and Profs. to thrive,
It worked so well, a small surprise,
I really came alive.
Phase Four occurred when A&M,
came knocking at my door,
The IBT is being built,
with opportunities galore.
Whereas it all seemed fine at first,
new programs were conceived,
But soon the bosses’ names were changed,
commitments were relieved.
So now Phase V does beckon me,
relax and to enjoy,
Will be a change and that’s for sure,
new concepts to deploy.
Research has been so dear to me,
the genome bends and twists,
Disease ensues at double breaks,
which nature can’t resist.
I loved to teach the new, bright docs,
they total 31,
And postdocs helped in many ways,
all 70 were great fun.
Two Chairman posts and Directorship,
were quite enough for sure,
Hired almost 40 faculty,
virtually all did well, and more.
I hired a tech in ’67,
Ms. Larson is her name,
She stuck with me through thick and thin,
thus garnered her fine fame.
Her papers number fifty-one,
in forty years with Bob,
I owe a hearty voice of thanks,
for doing this fine job.
Societies play an important role,
in the national scene for sure,
My role as President of ASBMB,
spurred concepts galore.
New journal called the MCP,
was founded and has thrived,
The magazine that tells the news,
has really come alive.
The FASEB Presidency was a hoot,
to try to get more dough,
To med. researchers for their job,
to cure disease we know.
I met Dick Cheney, the big V.P.,
who was as tough as nails,
No matter moved about a billion,
the NIH prevails.
As Editor of the J.B.C.,
for 13 years plus more,
I learned the pulse of our great field,
and personalities galore.
I worked to found the database,
called Genebank from the start,
In ’79 in New Mexico,
new data to impart.
For then we only knew a few,
sequences of the DNA type,
Today we know a gazillion more,
a sea of data – YIKE!
Awards and honors, metals and chairs,
were brought upon my door,
Far more than I deserve I feel,
I wish I could do more.
Meetings for science are a way to exchange,
new concepts, results and thoughts,
The total I chaired was 13 I think,
as new truth was continually sought.
I do believe that I have seen,
where no man’s been before,
Reactions of biology,
in diseases we abhor.
I am so blessed, this special gift,
my gratitude supreme,
From this wee man from Uniontown,
who ever would have dreamed.
I never thought I could excel,
or even do OK,
But try I did, enjoyed each day,
what fine success, Hooray!
I know for sure the best ideas,
were always from my guys,
My colleagues were the brilliant ones,
where inventive minds reside.
I know beyond a slightest doubt,
our science rests secure,
In younger hands with keen, swift brains,
your successes will endure.
Hence let your gut direct your work,
be chary to follow the crowd,
Establish your goals with courage high,
create with what you’re endowed.
Lorrie is the best of all,
Assistant, what a gal,
Our complex work for 14 years,
her duties done so well.
I’ve been so blessed to aid some folks,
from Poland to this land,
To educate and teach the trade,
extend a helping hand.
The number is ‘bout 40 I’m told,
they offer us so much,
Who benefits the most from this,
a question I won’t touch.
Albino is the finest man,
who worked for 15 years,
His brilliance led our lab down paths,
new concepts without peers.
And now I plan to concentrate
to write and advocate,
To help our younger docs to fund,
research that they will make.
It’s time for younger faculty,
to make their mark, I hope,
Their destiny is in their hands,
excel and go for broke.
I’ll write some books and try to help,
our IBT excel,
While Dot and I will still support,
philanthropy by Wells.
We’ll ride our bikes in foreign lands,
and hike the mountains too,
While seeing sights that’re new to us,
I’m sure we’ll think of you.
I want to say how much I thank,
my University homes,
Wisconsin and the UAB,
I thought I’d never roam.
The freedom that they gave to me,
is precious beyond any words,
To let creative juices flow,
ideas fly like birds.
The most important single soul,
to me is dearest Dot,
She stood with me for 48 years,
which truly means a lot.
She’s been my love, a Mother too,
a keel when seas are rough,
Her grace excels all common thought,
all substance, not a bluff.
I want to thank my family,
wonderful Kevin, terrific Cindy,
And six grandkids who grow so fine,
bring peace and joy sublime.
As well I thank my Kids-in-Law,
named Amy and called Chris,
They’re stalwart souls who bring support
create fine family bliss.
So now, phase V we enter soon,
the best is yet to come.
But Dot and I anticipate,
great joy and even fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
