Page created by: Stephen Sachs

My father was born in Chicago in 1924. His early life during Chicago's Depression Years was tough, hard. Financial hardship forced my dad, his brother and their two parents to temporarily split up, live separately, simply because they couldn't afford to live together. After high school, Dad moved west. He graduated from Oregon State University, majoring in Journalism. It was there he first laid eyes on Patricia Northrop, Oregon State's lively and beautiful 'Sweetheart of Sigma Chi'. A few years later, they re-met in San Francisco. She became the great love of his life. They were married in San Francisco on April 10th, 1954. The inside of their wedding rings bearing the inscription quoting their favorite poem ("On A Note of Triumph"), the phrase describing their bond: "Not So Wild a Dream." They remained married and devoted partners for the rest of their lives.

Dad had a long and successful career in journalism. He started in radio, then transitioned into television with CBS News in the era of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. He always considered himself a newsman. He had a strong moral compass, a clear conviction of doing what is right, a deep sense of responsibility, a love of books and good writing.

He was also a devoted family man. Perhaps because of childhood, family was immensely important. He adored my mother, was committed to my sister's happiness and well being, and was always deeply proud of me.

My father died in 1995, after a 17-year struggle with Parkinson's disease. Watching him slowly decline, the suffering of his horrific final years, was a painful and heartbreaking nightmare I wish no one to endure. I pray that a cure for Parkinson's is "not so wild a dream."