Reflections                                           September, 1999

Tamara Danos
Costa Mesa, California

    At the funeral, Dr. Rafelski delivered a beautiful eulogy, and Joe
Motts, a long-time colleague, spoke a few words as well.  These, as well as
the personal sharing by many other people close to him, have become a
permanent part of my memory of my father.  I am greatful to all who shared
his memory with the group, as well as with me personally, particularly since
distance has made contact with those in his life sparse for many years now.
    Dr. Rafelski spoke thoughtfully about the human being that was my
father, his colleague and friend, and inspired teacher to us and many
others.  I was greatful to hear also from Joe Motts; I was touched as they
talked of their relationships with Mike, (Misha or Mishka as he was know to
some), as well as his view of and relationship to the people and world
around him.
    Dr. R. spoke of being attracted to Mike through his willingness to share
his wisdom and his natural interest in others and their endeavors, and how
his style of engagement was not limited to physics; he used every
opportunity to deepen eclectic interests into professional contribution.
Joe described how one could talk to him about anything, one had only to say
the word, to "turn on the faucet", to elicit his thoughful, often unusual
reflections on the matter at hand. His wife Sheila talked about how he
showed interest and became involved with her students of Russian History.
No doubt he made a difference in their studies and their lives.
    Joe said that Mike had recently talked about the importance of making a
contribution to society a life-long purpose.  We saw that indeed, he lived
this through his life-long thirst to learn, observe, research, and analyze,
not just in science but also human, social and artistic areas; we saw his
eagerness to listen, help, support, and collaborate with others.  One
established a rapport with Mike where, with a certain nod of the head, an
expression of understanding, he could convey deep sympathy and
understanding.  With a grin and a twinkle of the eye, he could convey
delight, appreciation of a statement, or perhaps some sort of mischief.  Dr.
R said he shared good and difficult moments.  He could convey disagreement
as energetically as he expressed agreement, and I'm sure those close to him
experienced some of this.
    Mike did not participate in superficiality.  Around him, I felt grounded
in that which has significance. Having him as my father, he helped me be
able to distinguish the valuable from the insignificant.  To live one's life
by making such distinctions is indeed a way we can, as Dr. Rafelski so
eloquently put it, "keep his extraoardinary presence with us forever."