Bob Blaunstein

What a pleasure it is to hear from all of you, and especially to learn how well each of you is doing. Why am I not surprised?

So here’s my short story:

I left City College with a B.S. in Physics. I went on to Case-Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH, roomed with my buddy Steve Marcus, who always made sure I was home safely at night, and earned an M.S. in Physics. In 1962, while still in Cleveland, I married my childhood sweetheart, Phyllis Lepler. We were pinned at ZBT.

We went on to The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for my Ph.D., and Phyllis earned an M.S. in Speech Pathology. We both became faculty members, and had two boys while in TN. I had a short, but productive time there, conducting research in atomic and molecular radiation physics, before being recruited by the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. to run several research programs. We went to Washington, ostensibly for two years, and remained for 34 years, as so many people do. After leaving DOE, I joined the American International Group and started their environmental consulting practice.

Phyllis has had quite a career as well, including becoming Executive Director of the National Association of State Boards, the first woman to run a major Washington education association, and an author of a book published last year.

My two boys went on to become lawyers and movie company executives. They run Lakeshore Entertainment (producers of award-winning film, Million Dollar Baby) in Los Angeles. Last month Phyllis and I finally got into a movie my son Eric is currently producing. Not much of role, but at least I can say, “I was in the movies,” before I’m too old to walk onto a set. Brooke Shields is in our scene, but she didn’t seem to notice me very much. After I said my line, which consisted of eight words, I asked Phyllis how I did. She said, “Don’t give up your day job.”

After each of my boys had a child, we started going to L.A., a lot, and finally moved to Santa Monica last year. After all those years in D.C., the transition has been very difficult, but slowly improving. I’m involved in nanotechnology--writing papers, lecturing and starting a nanotechnology consulting group-- while consulting with an insurance company.

There’s plenty to fill in, but it’ll take a lot of conversation. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in September.

Our best,

Bob and Phyllis