A Life of Adventure and Innovation: From refugee to CEO of Technical Publications
For the past three years, I've been writing down my life story - a chronicle of joy, challenges, and success. This is a tale of how I navigated the tumultuous times, always pushing forward and meeting my life's adventures head-on.
From Childhood to Migration
Narrating my journey, I started in 1930, a year before the World War II began. Born in the Free City of Danzig, I experienced the Second World War as a teenager. In 1945, the Soviet forces approached, and I had to flee, seeking refuge in West Germany. My family eventually emigrated to the USA in 1949, settling in California. This experience shaped me in more ways than one; it taught me resilience and adaptability, traits that served me well throughout my life.
Sweatshop to Prestigious Education
My early life was a mix of hard work and ambition. I started working at U.S. Propellers Inc. in Pasadena at the age of 15, earning just 90 cents an hour, which eventually rose to a dollar a week. This sweatshop job was where I first learned the value of hard work and determination. Despite the humble beginnings, I didn't stick to my job. I was determined to improve my education and attended the Pasadena City College. My dedication paid off; I went on to earn a scholarship to Occidental College, where I was particularly praised for my academic achievements.
A Happy and Harmonious Relationship
In 1950, a year after arriving from Europe, I met the woman of my life. She was an assistant to the esteemed Prof. Linus Pauling at Caltech, the same professor who would later receive two Nobel Prizes. Our relationship lasted 60 years, and she played an integral role in shaping my life. Without her, my life wouldn't have been as fulfilling and adventurous. Her warm and caring nature inspired everyone around her.
From Factory to JPL
After graduating from college, I moved to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 1955, where I worked for four years, from 1955 to 1959. Here, my role was to translate Russian scientific papers on titanium and perform materials testing. This experience was shaped by my parents, immigrants from Russia after the 1917 revolution, making me fluent in Russian. My multilingual background became an asset in my professional life.
The Dream Job and Beyond
In 1959, inspired by my wife Adelheid, I embarked on a three-month trip through Europe. Upon returning, I was offered a dream job as Director of Technical Publications and Advertising at United Electrodynamics, Pasadena. This company was later absorbed into Teledyne Inc. My selection out of seven applicants was unusual; the final decision was a protracted process involving a professional interviewer, Mr. Rifkin, who asked a pivotal question about my music preferences. The job was diverse and demanding, encompassing technical proposals, photography, and multi-color brochures. With a team of artists and a secretary, I managed to operate with efficiency and cost-effectiveness, relying on a network of 30 external contractors to complete each project.
From Business to Retirement
In 1967, I decided to quit my job to pursue a business partnership with my wife, Adelheid, in selling large subject collections of antiquarian books on history and political science, covering the Renaissance up to the end of World War II. We catered to universities in the USA, Japan, Europe, and the Near East in six languages. Our unconventional approach to selling books - using self-owned storage facilities rather than a conventional shop - offered us complete independence and freedom. BYU Library of Provo, Utah, was a regular customer for 30 years, during which we acquired an impressive collection of over 250,000 volumes.
My life has been filled with incredible adventures and rewarding experiences, driven by a desire to succeed and contribute to my community. Writing my memoirs has allowed me to share my story with a wider audience, hoping to inspire others.