Vernon Beck grew up in Western Springs, Illinois. He holds a BA, MS, and PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago where his graduate studies were supported by a Hertz fellowship. For fourteen years he worked for IBM, primarily in the Research Division on electron optics. Since then he has devoted his life to non profit activities.  He served as president of the Japan Society of Fairfield County and has been interviewing applicants for Hertz fellowships for many years. His memories of Zella are limited to a few family visits to her in Great Lakes VA hospital or a nursing home. The letters that Professor Walters discovered tell a colorful story Vernon had never heard before. He is pleased to add what little he can as well as create this website for the public's enjoyment and education.

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