I first met Frans de Waal as the husband of my dear friend and colleague, Catherine Marin, when we were both faculty members of the School of Modern Languages at Georgia Tech.
Catherine and I shared many interests, also outside of academia. Some would lead us to adventurous explorations in the surroundings of Atlanta and beyond. For example, we would go “pottering” – visiting our favorite pottery artists, returning with newfound treasures that Catherine would place judiciously around the house, not out of sight, but casually intermingling them with the resident plates, cups and bowls. The goal was for Frans not to see right away that we had bought yet more earthenware. Usually, Catherine’s nonchalant attempts were in vain. Frans would come out of his office, take a casual glance around, and immediately comment on the new additions. Of course, I never heard him say a word of criticism about our voracious appetite of new pottery, although our spaces were filled to capacity and some shelves even have been known to collapse under the weight of beautiful, unique vessels.
When it came to taking walks through the woods of nearby Stone Mountain Park, Frans happily came along; in later years, it was the four of us (including Ulli) enjoying the outdoors, observing flora and fauna at any time of the year, and, afterwards, congregating at their Smoke-Rise home for a delicious meal. Throughout our conversations and in the relaxed atmosphere, you would never guess that Frans’ time with friends was time he did not spend on his writings or correspondences that spanned the globe. He never appeared rushed, he was always focused on the people and topics of the given moment. His generosity in giving of his time and knowledge even extended to my German family: a young cousin who was enrolled in High School had a biology project. When I suggested she speak with Frans about it, he immediately and graciously agreed to an impromptu interview and later on, follow-up questions. It made a lasting impact on my 16- year old cousin. In retrospect, I see what an imposition this was on my part; but Frans’ kind and gracious manner did not suggest this at all.
In meeting Frans outside of his professional setting, his modesty and kind, unassuming behavior would never let you guess you are standing in the presence of a world renowned scientist, scholar and genius. His spirit will stay with us.
