Birthday Wishes
We finally have seen your wonderful birthday site. Such a wonderful day for such a wonderful person. We hope you have many more birthdays. We have been so lucky to have gotten to know you and many of your students whom we dearly love.
We hope to see you soon!
Joe and Toni Egan
Dear Gretel and Bernd:
Thank you for your message above and all the news it contains about your lives. Your sons are certainly doing interesting things. You can be very proud of them.
Did you notice the photo of the Conn Family? That had to be around 1940 before I had gone to the University of Colorado at Boulder. I had a good friend who had gone to Boulder one year before me, and he urged me to go there also. He also advised me to study chemistry. The Chemistry Dept. at Boulder had a Chairman, Reuben Gustavson, who played a large role in my academic career. When the war came many of the male students were enrolling as officers in the Army, Navy, etc, but I didn't qualify for thse units as I was too light in weight and couldn't pass the physical exams. So Gustavson's college roomate (also at Chicago) knew about Oak Ridge, and Dr. Gus told me that they had a position for me at Oak Ridge, Tenn.
I worked there for 2 years and then, after the war, everyone was going back to their univuersty to continue on ther research. So, I asked Dr. Gus where I should go to University. (He was now the Vice-Chaceloor at Chicago,) So he said to applly either to Chicago or Harvard. I did both, and when acceptance came from o Chicago I signed up there. (THe next day am acceptance letter came from Harvard),
At Chicaog I was fortunate enogh to work for Birgit Vennesaldn, a plant biochemist, and that started me off in that field. Whwn I received my Ph. D, I stayed on in her lab while she went on sabbatical, and that gave me experience in advising her younger students in their research.
Then when I went to Berkeley, I decided to work on plants, and the rest in history. When an opportunity to go up to Davis, Paul Stumph and I decied that was the plan for us. And the rest is histroy.
Dear Eric!
Thank you so much for sending us the website your sons set up of your 90th birthday! We certainly did enjoy to look at all the photographs and I was happy to discover some familiar faces.
Too bad Davis is that far away from our home! We were very sorry not to be with you in person at your very special day, but we were with you in our thoughts and with our hearts! I am sure the day will come to share a glass of wine with you to your special health!
I suppose you did not get our phone call at January 6th, so I´ll send you our (now belated) greetings and good wishes again. All the best to you - dear Eric - and many happy and healthy years to come! My father´s birthday was at January 27th. He would have been 90 years as well. I never thought of this before that you both were the same age. He unfortunately passed away 45 years ago when I was a little girl.
It is 34 years ago that I met you, came to your lab and spent a great year with you, your wonderful wife Louise and many nice people in Davis and vicinity. This year was a very exciting one for me and looking back it was the best I ever had! It is thanks to you, your generosity, helpfulness and friendship that my year in California turned out to be an indescribable precious experience which I will NEVER forget! I found friends for my whole life and coming back in 2009 with my family after many years I found out that nothing important had changed: the overwhelming friendship we were offered wherever we came made me feel coming home!
Everything is going fine here in Germany. Both boys are studying: Hannes stays in Tübingen and is extremely busy learning for his “Physikum” (preliminary medical examination) right now, which will take place at the beginning of March. Steffen – our “Spanish” guy – stays in Cadiz (Southern Spain) right now. His field is “international production engineering and management” bilingual (in English and Spanish). He got a fellowship from the German Government (like his mum many years ago) and goes to school in Cadiz for one year. He is very happy there and convinced me to take Spanish classes so that I can communicate with his friends. I started in January….
Bernd and myself are doing fine and are busy with daily life. We are grateful to be healthy and in good shape.
Best wishes to you, dear Eric, as well as to Michael and Kevin.
A big hug and lots of love,
Gretel, Bernd and boys
Dear Gretel and Bernd:
I did get the call from Bernd about 9:00 AM on my birthday. I was very surprised to hear his voice, and I hope I didn't seem too confused. Mike starightened me out on the caller. I use hearing aids now and sometimes there is a ringing in my ears when I speak on the phone.
Thank you for letting me know what is going on in your lives and what your sons are doing. They are going to have interesting lives.
We are having our usual cool winter weather. As I get older, I find that I am more sensitve to cold. So we simply turn up the furnace, particluarly in my bed room, and I sleep solidly through the night.
Thank you very much for keeping in touch. This web site has brought back a lot of memoires. Did you see that picture taken when I was in high school around 1940? My parents and three brothers and their childrne were all there. That was before we left Kansas and moved to Fort Morgan Colorado. (We moved to Colorado becasue of the dust bowls in Kansas.) My father was a grain merchant and before the drought, he purchased grain---wwheat and corn--and shipped it to St. Joseph Missouri. Then when the drought came. he purchased grain in Missouri and sold it to farmers to grow their crops and feed their animals. But as time went on and the drought got worse, he decided to leave Kansan and we moved to Fort Morgan Colorado.
This town was like a GArden of Eden. It was surrounded by irrigated farms that brought waater donw from the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Fort Morgan had a fine high school and I had wonderful teachers there. They had an adviser who said that I should go to the University of Colorado in Boulder CO.
At that time, Colorado had a program that gave high performing students a program that paid the tuition at the University of Colorado at Boulder. That really started me on my career as a professor. My Mentor there, Rueben Gustsvson (also in this program) said that I should major in Chemistry. When the war came in 1940, he got me a position at Oak Ridge where I worked for two years on a program enriching plutonium used in the war effort. After the war he the chancellor at the U. of Chicago where I started working on my Ph. D. Eventully I wound up at the U. of California where I was appointed as an instructor. By the time I moved up to Davis, I was a full professor. That went on for 44 years, iuntil I retired.
Well, I've gone on long enough. Thanks for keeping in touch. I obtained your current address and E-mail from Joe and Toni Egan. They had been on a trip to south east Asia, so they too are doing a lot of traveling. Apparently they have both retired.
All for now. Eric
Dear Gretel and Bernd.
Many thanks for your message and your news. All is well over here. I was a little confused when Bernd called the morning of my Birthday. I wear hearing aids now, and sometimes they buzz or make stange sounds when I'm on the phone, but Michael soon sorted that out. So thanks, Bernd, for calling.
I hope you have looked at the pictures where I was with my family. My three brothers are there together with their wives and their children. That picture was taken in Denver Colorado and was just about the time (1940) I started at Boulder.
At Boulder, I had a marvelous Professor who played a big role in my academic career, Rueben Gustavson, whose picture is in the article. In 1944 when the war started, all the young men at Boulder were signing up for officer positions in the Army, Marines and Navy. I didn't qualify for the officer positions becasue I was too light in weight to qualify. So, Dr. Gus knew about Oak Ridge and I went down there for 2 years on a project enriching plutonium from a pile containing uranium.
When the war was over I went back to Chicaog and asked Dr. Gus where I should go to Graduate School and he suggested either Chicago or Harvard. I applied to both and when acceptance came from Chicago, I chose it. (The next day acceptance came from Chicago.) I never regretted my choice and at Chicago I was able to work with Birgit Vennesland, a plant biochemist.
When Dr. V, went on sabbatical, she asked me to stay in her lab and help direct the research of some of her newer students. I did that and it gave me good trainng whe I had my first students at Berkley.
The rest is history.
Eric
Wow, the 90th and going strong. Congratulations Eric. I'm looking forward to your next one, the three digit one. This day, your day, made me think of our sail on Pleasant Bay at Cape Cod, and years later of your visit to our home in Belfast, Maine. And perhaps just as momentous the dinner you treated us to in SF's Chinatown, the best Chinese meal ever. I could go on and on remembering all the way back to the Kachel's when I first got to know and admire you.
Stay well.
With love,
Ann & Hugh
Dear Hugh and Anne:
Thanks for your message. I'm afraid I forgot that meal in China Town. That must have been while we were still living in Berkeley. I met Louise after I moved up to Davis, but we were engaged in Berkeley--I drove down a number of times to "woo" her. When she accepted, we were married in the back gardfen of our first home in Davis.
Did you notice in the Web site for my birthday a middle age blond woman perhaps with her 2 young grandchildren?. That is Kris Wollrich, the duaghter of Harold Reitan, who was sadly very handicapped I suppose from polio or perhaps some birth effects.
Kris live here in DAvis as does one of her sons, Ben Wollrich. Ben has two beautiful bright, children, Tristen and Leah and we see a lot of them.
I do remeber more than one vist with you and Anne on the Cape. You are having a lot of winter back there right now. Makes me shudder to see the pics.
All my best,
Eric
Dear Eric,
looking at all the nice photos from your birthday party, I really regret that I could not attend. However, I see you on some photos active, smiling (as mostly) and as a grandseigneur. I hope my wishes and some flowers reached you on time. I also hope that before you will be 95, we will meet again personally.
With my best personal greetings and wishes,
Adolf Nahrstedt
Dear Adolph:
I hope I've thanked you before this for the lovely bouquet of flowers that you sent for the birthday. It was very thoughtful of you do so. It was a really nice party perhaps the best thing is to have this ability to respond to people who sent best bishes and also thank ones like you who sent specific gifts.
Do you have any plans to be tin the states ths year? If so, please make it to California. We ave a three trips planned at present. One to the Chicago area to attend the wedding of a grand nephew, in late May early June.
Also, we will be going up to Ashland Oregon June 6 thru June 9.for their theater and this will follow pretty quicky the trip to Ohio.
Finally we will be in Santa Fe for about a week start at the end of July. I cccan be more specific if you are going to be in California.
Eric
Hi Eric
We just got your card and caught up with the fact you were 90 2 days ago. Congratulations!
I had never realised we share the same birthday, but I am a few years behind you!
I hope you had a great day.
Mike (& Trish)
Dear Dr. Conn:
Michele and I send our Birthday wishes to you and look forward to sharing in your celebration. It was both an honor and pleasure to be part of your wonderful and productive lab and I thank you for all of your guidance and support during my postdoc years. I am also grateful for the opportunity to have met the other graduate students and postdocs working in your lab at that time.
Our time in Davis was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding times of our lives. We develped so many wonderful friendships while in Davis. Of course our best memory is the fact we were married in Davis!
You are a truly remarkable scholar and gentleman and we will always be grateful for your friendship, and the warmth and hospitality extended to us by your wonderful family.
Gary and Michele
Dear Eric,
What a privilege and pleasure it is to be sharing this day with you. It is clear from the messages here that nice guys finish first, both in life time achievements and in the esteem of their family, friends and colleagues. Corinne and I have benefited so very much from the start I received in your lab and from the very solid personal and professional support we received from you and your family.
Best wishes for a very happy birthday.
Dan and Corinne
Hi Dan and Corinne:
I should have answered your letter before this. I keep looking at this site and there is usually something I've not answered.
Anyhow, thank you both for coming. It was a great party, and there will be additional pictures to add. Kevin took a lot more and so did another photographer. So there will be new ones.
Eric
Dear Dan and Corinne:
I should have answered this message long before this. Every time I look at the site there are new messages.
It was very nice that you and Corinne could come to the party. It was great to see all the old friedns. I was quite surpporised that Michael and Doris Turck came over fromGermany. They did spend about a week in San Francisco before coming to Davis. They enjoyed meeing Ingrid Tober, who lives in Davis now, and there was an opportunity to speak German with her, although I never heard them speaking German.
Any time you can get up to Davis, don't hesitate to do so. You have an open invitation.
Eric
Dear Eric,
Christa and I wish you a very happy 90th birthday with a great party, and we sincerely hope that you are going to stay in such a good shape as you are by now in all the next years coming to you.
We are very sorry that we are not able to come to your birthday party, but we certainly will be there in our thoughts. We will also remember all the good things which Louise and you have done to us, and we are forever grateful for them.
Please give our greetings also to Michael and Kevin, and the people we know at the birthday party.
All the best to you
Christa & Wolfgang
Dear friends: It is great to hear from you. The party was fine; abouut 65 people attended. It was held in the Putah Creek Lodge on campus..Doris and Michael Turck attended..
How are you both? I'm doing fine Ithink. I take quite a few pills, and most importnat I tkae a couple of pills for the arthritis in have in my hands, knees etc.
So I tell people I'm shootingg for the nest 5 years.
Love to both of you.
Eric
kelytVe acc.
Eric,
We celebrate with you your 90th birthday in January! We are sorry we cannot come to the party. i am 85 now and quickly approaching yours! We had fun in the lab at UC Davis and I remember publishing two research papers with you in the summer of 1965. Our careers have carried us far and our friendships farther.
All the best,
George
Dear George:
We haven't been in touch for years. You didn't mrention your wife--Hilda?
My Louise Louise died in 2002, now 13 years ago. Fortunately she went in her sleep with cardiac arrent. I think she didn't know what happend, as she certainly didn't cry out or make a sound.
Doctor Conn:
The Poulton Family wishes you all the very best for your 90th birthday and 2013! We are sorry that we cannot be with you, Michael, Kevin, other family members and friends tomorrow at the party to celebrate that special milestone in your life, but we shall be thinking of you at Putah Creek Lodge. As I have already mentioned in a personal letter to you recently, I have much to thank you for. When I accepted to have dinner with the seminar speaker one night in Freiburg in 1976, I never for one instant imagined what a major role that person would play in my private and academic life......... an opportunity to cross the Pond to work for a world-renowned plant biochemist, to work alongside such fine individuals as Jim Saunders, Mineo Kojima, Sue Thayer, Rowell Potts, Dave Seigler, Wolfgang Hoesel, Alain Boudet, John Dunn, Dennis Clegg, Joe Olechno, and so many others (apologies for any glaring omissions to this list!), an introduction to the fields of coumarin biosynthesis and cyanogenesis, mentoring me on how best to run a research lab, interact with students and faculty colleagues, and deliver informative and exciting lectures, and your willingness to write supporting my application for a faculty position at The University of Iowa, where I undertook the remaining 31 years of my scientific career. Indirectly then, you were also responsible for my meeting my wife Susie, and I'm grateful to you for that!
I have many happy memories of my UC-Davis days. Among them, the way in which you, Louise, Michael, and Kevin made us feel so welcome at your home. We had many get-togethers there, enjoying delicious meals cooked by Louise. Other times, you would challenge the Guiness Book of Records for the number of lab members that could be squeezed (illegally, I suspect) into that
Enjoy your 90th birthday! Have a great day! Please pass my best wishes to any who might remember me including my first graduate student Gary Kuroki, who, like me, had the honor and great pleasure of working for you as a post-doc. I'll let you know when Susie and I are coming your way next so that we have a chance to visit with you.
Best wishes,
Jonathan Poulton
Dear Uncle Eric,
Happy Birthday! Although we live far apart, I have so enjoyed corresponding with you over the years and very much appreciate all that you've shared about our family's history. Dave and I have finally given in to our children and adopted an active puppy, and between the puppy and school schedules we will not be visiting from Boston, but please know that we will be thinking of you on Sunday!
Best wishes for many more years of health and happiness.
Chris, Dave, Isaac & Sarah Margaret
HI Kris and David:
The party was afine party. About 64 people and 2 children attended. They are the grandchildren of Louise's niece who live here in Davis.
About 65 people attended and there is a WWeb sit that has a lot of pictures.
The web site is: http://www.eec.ericeconn/com
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Eric!
I am looking forward to the event on January 6 ... but being an absent minded professor I seemed to have misplaced the invitation....
What time does the event start on the 6th?
Cheers and Best Wishes,
Dennis Clegg (undergrad in Conn Lab, 1976-77)
UC Santa Barbara
Hi Dennis:
i'm very sorry that we couldn't fit you in for the party. One unexpected couple from the bay area came and they accepted that couple but then said very firmly that no more could be taken. I think it had something to do with the number of tables or perhaps no extra food was available. About 66 people were expected.
John Dunn, my long time technician, was there with his wife. I hadnt't seen him for some time, He suffered a stroke some time back but now was able to walk with a cane.
Mark Rosen and his wife came from the Bay area. He has retired now, but previously was Chair of the Anaestheology Department at the Med School in San Francisco. Mark was an undergraduate when he worked in my lab. I mention him becsue you might been there tat the same time.
Any time you are in the Sacramento-Davis area, please let me know and I'll take you out to the Mustard restaurant in Davis. It's is probalby the niceest restaurnat in Davis--and American/European cuisine.
I've ramble on long enough, and I should have answered this long ago.
Eric
Only a week and a half to go to the big DAY! Happy Birthday, Dr. Conn, and many happy returns as well. 1923 to 2013... quite a time span and quite a series of accomplishments found within. Well done, Eric! Birthday card via U.S. Postal Service to follow.
Love, Scott & Joanne
Dear Scott and Joanne:
Many thanks for your birthday wishes. I'm a little suprised that I made it. The last medical thing that I had done was cataract surgery. And that turned out fabulously.
We've been reading about all the storms on the East Coast. Joan said itdidn't bother any of the family.
Again, my thanks.
Eric
Uncle Eric:
Congratulations on your 90th birthday !!!
We, as your family, are very proud of all your accomplishments over the years. You have always demonstrated wonderful patience and kindness to everyone. One memory we have is how you and Aunt Louise raised your two boys with gentle guidance as to what was acceptable and what was not. Our father Cleatis kept us advised to your whereabouts as you received grants to England, etc. It was always enjoyable when you would come and you and Aunt Louise would share all the fun and interesting adventures you had in different countries. And all the photos of your travels you sent to us. (Paula)
What I (Chuck) remember is whenever you came to Denver (at Christmas, I think) we would go to downtown Denver and have Chinese food at the Lotus Room. I loved learning how to use chopsticks there. It came in handy when I was in China for 5 different short-term mission trips. Karen and I are in Colorado spending Christmas with Paula.
We regret we cannot make it to your birthday celebration and not getting to see Michael and Kevin, either, on your very special day.
We send our best wishes and love to you. Have a very Happy Birthday celebration and know we will be thinking of you.
Sandra (Conn) Larrabee, Paula Conn & Chuck Conn
Dear Karen and Chuck:
Many thanks for your greetings. I hope you had a nice Christmas. We had 12 people here last evening for our annual Christmas dinner. I cooked a large ham and everyone else brought other dishes. It was mainly Kris Wollrich's family. Kris is Louise's grand niece, lives in Davis and all of her family was together for some time.
One non-family member was Kentaro Inoue, a relatively young professor on campus. There is a story about Kentaro. He stopped off many years ago when he was still a graduate student in Japan to see me. At that visit he also inquired about doing a post-doc position in my lab (or some other place). I explained that he would probably have problems getting a position in a lab like mine since my research funds from NIH and NSF would not allow me (or others with such grants) to hire non-citizens. We visited and then he continued on home.
Then I happened to think of a friend of mine Rick Dixon, in Ardmore, Oklahoma who was supported by a private foundation. I contacted Rick who said he would be interested in contacting Kentaro. whom he subsequently hired.
Finally to wind this up, when I later learned of an opening on the Davis campus that was appropriate for Kentaro, he was interviewed and got the position. Now he is a full Professor in the Department, has been Chair of the Department, and is very active in other programs on campus such as the Chair of the Graduate Group etc.
Subsequently he has become a good friend, and I see him occasionally at times like this.
(This program need a good spell-checker, but I didn't seem to find one.)
Eric
Dear Dr. Conn,
If life is a journey, it has surely been a fantastic journey for you! We feel so proud to have been a part of your life, in whatever small way. We frequently reminisce about the wonderful times we've had with you and your family over the years; those memories are amongst our most treasured. You are someone who has touched so many lives and changed them for the better and we know this because our lives have been incredibly enriched because of our relationship with you. Thank you for being a part of our life. We wish you the same happiness that you have given us to you on your birthday. Although we're disappointed that we cannot join the festivities with you, the boys and our dear friends please know that we will be thinking of all of you. Have lots of fun and know that we are sending our very best wishes to you, Michael and Kevin!
Many happy returns,
Bijay, Pratibha, Monu, Vasu and Ashu
Happy Birthday Eric! We wish you all the best on this very special occasion! You have led quite a life and we are proud to know you! Send our best to Kevin and Michael and have a wonderful birthday! 
Love, Jen and Bill
Dear Jen and Bill:
Thanks for your message--I should have answered this long ago. I did have a wonderful birthday; 65 people came, including one couple at the last minute-who I'd invited but had not yet replied. It was nice to see everyone--some I'd not heard of for several years. My techniica for 44 years, John Dunn and his wife came and it was especially good to see them, as he had suffered a stroke about 10 years ago. Now he is able to walk with a cane, when he is outside and gets along with out it when indoors. He and his wife live up in the foothill of the Sierra Nevada on Highway 50 near Placerville. Hi Way 50 winds up at the south side of Lake Tahoe.
Dear Eric,
I have so enjoyed viewing your website and reading your amazing biography (WOW!) and viewing the many pictures of family, friends and colleagues. I was particularly reminded of when Bruce and I were with you as you were elected to The National Academy of Sciences in 1988. We were so very proud to be there as part of your family. I am also reminded of the many happy times we were together with you and Louise in Chicago, Colorado, Davis and Washington DC. I wish I could be there to help you celebrate your 90th Birthday but know I will be thinking of you so fondly and wishing you much happiness! Love to Michael and Kevin as well!
Love always,
JOAN
Eric Everytime we meet I learn more biochemistry. It continues to be a really fun association. Your Outlines of Biochemistry got me though my qualifying exam because it was not an encyclopedia. A biochem book one can read for fun is a real treasure.
Ahippitiehappitieburthdaytoya.
bruce
Thanks Bruce for your message. I should have answered some time ago. I had my 90th birthday on 1/6/2013. We had mainly local family members and a few Friends from the local Quaker Meeting, and some local and out of town relatives from Pasadena.
You know---I still. get moeny from Wiley; this year it total about $2,000. mainly for reprinted copies that are being sold over seas. My sonKevin set up a web site that youigh be interested in:
It is: http://www.ericeconn.com
Hi Eric,
Happy 90th Birthday from your family in Virginia. Wish Virginia was not so far from California or we could help you celebrate. What a celebration it will be! Know we will be thinking of you fondly and so proud of your accomplishments. Sending love to you, Kevin and Mike.
With Birthday Blessings,
Juli and Steven
Susan and I are very much looking forward to helping you celebrate your birthday. Best wishes to you, Michael and Kevin.
Hi John and Susan:
I should had answered this long agao. It was really good to see you and Susan at the party doing as well as you are after your stroke. You mentioned that you use your cane when you are outside but not when in the house. Well that's is exactly what I do, and I've not had a stroke.
I was gonig to say have you looked at the website, but of course that is exactly what we are doing.
Eric
Hi John:
I had a phone call from DAvid Seigler this morning and he asked my for your phone number, E-mail address, and perhaps your postal mail address. I have an old postal address from Southern California but I don't your current postal address up here in northern California.
Eric
Hi John:
I had a phone call from David Seigler this morning, and he asked if I had your E-mail address. or phone nember.
I said that I did not have eithr your E-mail or postal address in my address book (I do have an address from somewhere in sothern California but of course that has to be an old one.)
When you ge this E-mail--hohopefully you will be looking aat the site occasionally, either answer here, or better just call me oior use my E-mail address posted aboutve.
