Jonathan Beall ’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 ’72

Bellingham, WA

Here’s a story that I told for Joe’s 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’s birth date and time. One day Susie got a call at home from President Platt’s office. When Joe got on the phone it turned out he was looking for inside information before he placed his bet—as if Susie would know when the baby would be born!

He didn’t win the contest, but Susie and I both felt—and still feel—lucky to have our lives touched by such a wonderful man. I’ll never forget what he said to me at the graduation ceremony, “We will miss you and your whole darned family.”

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’s incredible legacy at Mudd and The Claremont Colleges. However, I didn’t 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’s eyes lit up when he saw it and said, “Do you mind?” I told him it was probably out of tune, but that he was welcome to play it. “No matter,” he said and started to strum.

He proceeded to regale me with the full, eight-verse (with choruses) version of Art Roberts’ physics song, “It Ain’t the Money” (which I notice a lot of people have quoted in their memories of him here). I can’t 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’s 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 Harvey Mudd College.

Jon F. Geibel, Ph.D.

Bartlesville, OK

It took my breath away when I read of Dr. Platt’s 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’s 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 Harvey Mudd College. Little did I know that the apparently simple decision to attend Harvey Mudd College would change my life in a dramatically positive manner. The vision Dr. Platt shaped in the formation of Harvey Mudd College influenced my professional and personal lives in ways that I could have never predicted and for that I owe him a tremendous “Thank you, sir!”

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, “Hi, I’m Jon ….” Before I could finish, Mrs. Platt said, “Hi, Jon. Of course, we remember you. How are Betsy and the boys?” 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’s 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 ’80

Santa Ana, CA

My first year at Mudd was Joe’s 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.