A great mind

摘要: I may have met Jorma Rissanen in the flesh for first time Japan on Mount Fuji, Fuji Center Training and Education, a marvelous facility small conferences slope of Fuji-San, where an IEEE Workshop was organized 1993. turned out to be dapper, ramrod straight, wiry muscular, little man with sand-colored hair that stood straight up his head. Talking others, he straighter than ever defiantly looked up, either got bored or said “gosh, well true; look into that.” His size is source worry him, not last place because it prevented dream come true. As told me many times over years, youth intrepid soccer player. But became scientist instead. Spending most career at IBM Almaden Research Center, has been main stay team, practicing almost daily, until retirement age seventy. Lucky Jorma, supported guided by lovely wife Riitta. “Riitta infinitely wise. Sometimes go against her counsel, but she always right live sorry.” gave evidence: “Let tell you story. There meeting Khwarizm, south Aral Sea central Asia, Al-Khwarizmi came from. Riitta stupid there, why should want there anyway? Nonetheless went. The evening had something eat didn’t agree me. remainder spent bathroom, couldn’t talk anyone. again.” about Linkoping University “they offered professorship University. ‘don’t go, what do there?’ went nonetheless, no doubt driven ambition. felt miserable there. After year quit. right.” If quote from memory. Nothing can write will justice inimitable style, lucid, brief, point, disconcertingly honest, both writing spoken word. Thinking fond memories; group them easiest tying various beverages. My present circumstances consumption alcohol hazard, excuses this greediness, much like Evelyn Waugh states Preface ‘Brideshead Revisited:’