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Would you like some more tea, Joe?
by Karen Jackson, daughter-in-law (Dan's wife)

My favorite story to tell about Joe concerns my own father as much as Joe. It's about what my father said before he was to meet Dan's parents for the first time. My dad, who only completed 2 years of college before entering the Marine Corp, knew that Joe was an astrophysist and a physics professor. He felt trepidation in meeting Joe, fearing that conversation with such a brilliant man might be awkward. He said to me: "The only thing I can think of to say to him is: 'Would you like some more tea, Joe?'"
It turned out that my dad had nothing to fear. For as we both found out, Joe was a kind and gentle, as well as intelligent man, who was quite easy to talk to. I don't believe there was every any more awkwardness for my dad after their initial meeting. But I'll never forget that earlier fear/comment for as long as I live! ~Karen