Old Friends

Posted Sat Jul 31, 2010 in Family

Some people never change and some friends are always there — time and distance do not matter. Such is it with my graduate advisor and his wife.

I started graduate school in 1980, dual-enrolled during the last semester of my undergraduate work. One of my classes was open channel hydraulics, taught by Dr. Westphal. As it turned out, Dr. Westphal would be the advisor for both my Master and Ph.D. programs. He also became a close, trusted friend, and a mentor for the rest of my life. Today, 30-years later, I still turn to Dr. Westphal if I am looking for a view on my career and professional life.

He emailed me yesterday to ask Wife and I to breakfast. They were in Reno visiting and passed through town this morning. Of course we met them for a late breakfast and time spent together.

He’s lighter than he was, but as acute as ever. It was fun sitting with my old friend and talking about things transpired since the last time we were together, which must have been 15-years ago. Time has a way of moving quickly and never seems to slow down.

We spent nearly two hours just talking and catching up on things and people we know. Too soon they had to move on south to their next destination. But, the time was good and I am glad to have it.