Discusses his youth, family life, and education in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; recollections of his undergraduate years at Dartmouth and Columbia University; his decision to major in geology, his first job at Lamont and his first cruise on the research vessel Vema; working with John and Maurice Ewing; his later work on the ships and becoming chief scientist aboard in 1965; his role as mediator between Heezen and Ewing; comments on the change in Lamont leadership when Ewing left; women computers at Lamont and their work. Also prominently mentioned is Stewart Smith.