Scientific Heroes
But who in Science in general and who in Chemistry in particular is revered with the same passion as these sports or music heroes named above? And where is the shrine to Science or to Chemistry? Who recalls the dates when important things in science were discovered? Who has written down some of the stories and anecdotes surrounding famous scientists and chemists?
There is the Albert Einstein Memorial in central Washington, D.C. which I have visited. There are a few others according to the internet: Alfred Nobel in Karlskoga, Sweden; Joseph Priestly in England; Robert Bunsen, Heidelberg, Germany; Antoine Lavoisier, Paris, France; Nikola Tesla in New York, USA.
In a small way I would like this book to celebrate Professor Glen Russell. Only a tiny portion of his life will show through after my stories and essays are told but at least it’s something. It will be my joy posthumously to do so. My hope is that others will follow suit and do the same. But let’s remember it is often the seemingly minor anecdotes that bring the individual to life. They are not meant to offend. Just to humanize.
Russell Prysazniuk
Russell Prysazniuk was born to a Ukrainian farm family and raised in the Pine River area. All kids were encouraged to get as much education as possible. All graduated with good standing from secondary schools and colleges and universities. Russell and I ended up quite by accident in the same chemistry class at the University of Manitoba. I did not know him before.
Russell was a quiet sort and no amount of gentle nudging on my part to become friends succeeded. We had after all lived only some 50 miles apart as the crow flies in northern Manitoba while I taught at the Nordheim Public School just off the highway between Fork River and Winnipegosis during 1951 to 1955. This fact didn’t interest him in the least. I couldn’t understand why.
More over he was doing very well in the physical chemistry course that I was nearly failing. I asked him for some hints to improve my grades but he offered none, except to say:
“You gotta know that stuff cold.”
Time went on. We worked through our separate ways for 3-4 years. I had to take one year extra to repeat some courses to get into the Masters program while Russell buzzed on.
He graduated one year ahead of me and was ready to move on to his Ph. D.
