George McNulty '67
I am saddened to learn of the death of Joe Platt. He was president of the College when I arrived as an 18 year old freshman from San Jose (then known for its plum, apricots, and cherries) in 1963. I treasured seeing him riding his bicycle through the College, stopping in with his guitar at the North Dorm lounge in the evenings to sing physics songs about Isadore Isaac Rabi and his days at the Radiation Laboratory, and ensuring the future of our College through the hiring of a dedicated brilliant faculty who cared enough about us to work our tails off and through his fund raising efforts that in particular ensured that each student who could get into the place could be fully funded (as I was for 3 years–I was able to pay for the last year).
What a guy and what an act to follow!
Larry Hartwick
St. Mary's, MD
I knew Joe as a young staff member involved in the expansion of the campus during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. After my first project, I felt that we had made a mistake in ignoring the original design for the campus. I went back into the files and saw how intimately involved Joe was in the architectural development of the campus. I read the correspondence. I saw Joe’s incredible effort to raise the funds and build a campus that represented the marriage of the humanities and sciences. Some time later, I confided in Joe that I had made a mistake in not knowing more about the history of the campus and not being able to advocate for a better architectural design. He said simply not to worry about mistakes but believe in your ability to see what was right in the future. The advice had nothing to do with the campus. It had everything to do with me growing as a person.
Joe really loved the campus. But he never offered an opinion on how we were developing the campus except asking me when we were going to renovate the pool.
I remember how he loved to go to the dorms and sing for the students.
I don’t think I ever meet an individual with such goodness and wisdom as Joe (unless you count Jean). They are both inspirational to us all.
Steven Spielman '86
Oakland, CA
The singing: ‘It ain’t the money … that makes the nucleus go round, it’s the-philosophical-ethical-principle-of … the thing!’, and other favorites.
Joe Stone '63
It is very sad to hear of Dr. Platt’s passing. I felt additional attachment to Dr. Platt because of the Rochester connection as he went to the U of R and I worked at Kodak—at that time significant Rochester features. But also Dr. Platt attended the U of R with one of my very good friends at Kodak. Dr. Platt made HMC a very special place. I remember passing by the President’s house on the way to a meal at CMC and seeing his young daughters riding their tricycles in the driveway. His spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
Thomas & Joanne (Fisk) Shapard '65 '67
Retired in Escondido California
I first met Joe as I came in as a freshman in 1961. Joanne met him two years later as she too became a student at HMC. We both remember well his warmth then, and over the many years since. We will miss him, and we will always remember him for his grace, wisdom, humor, and all around human good will.