Letter from Wallace Fowlie (1908-1998) at Chapel Hill to Erik France at Powelton Village, Philadelphia, Thanksgiving (November 25), 1993.
Dear Erik,
Never would I think of judging you harshly on what has happened. As you present them, . . . and your . . . make you appear a lucky man. 1992 must have been a hard year for you. You deserve your present happiness which will continue. I congratulate you and send you and . . . my love and blessings.
After all those sections of writing and research skills at Temple, your present T.A. teaching in U.S. history, and grading exams in an American Studies class must be more to your liking.
The Doors Complete was never published. Thanks to that, Frank Lisciandro has helped us get some pictures of J.M. for the book.
Since I did not teach this present semester, I have done a bit more work with my other profession which I may never have mentioned to you. I am a "lay psychiatrist" from Mass. General Hospital in Boston. Worked there 3 years (when I taught at Bennington). Then for two winters in Paris. I worked with Otto Rank. He began giving me a few Catholic patients (Since he makes nothing out of "that stuff"[)]. And here in N.C., it has continued. I work for 3 doctors, 2 in Durham and 1 in Chapel Hill, who send me (when I have time) Catholic patients. I have right now 2 hard cases: a student (boy) from Duke and a girl from UNC . . . (Rank gave me one similar case in Paris) . . .
Your letter was dated a few days after my 85th birthday (Nov. 8)-- a big day in my life. Brenda Brodie had me for lunch with 3 good friends of hers and mine. The evening was a meeting (banquet) of the Duke Catholic Community: 250 students, faculty, and administrators. Coach K was to be the after-dinner speaker. I had always wanted to meet him and tell him the good work two of his players did in my classes (Mark Crow and Mark Alarie.) I saw him at the entrance of the dining room. I shook hands with him, as he said, "Wallace, I know all about you from my players." We had a good chat. At dessert time,a waiter carried to my table a huge cake: "To Wallace on his 85th" -- and they all sang "Happy Birthday." I had to cut 150 small pieces of cake for the other tables. Mike K's speech was the best I have heard at Duke: witty, highly spirited -- at the end he spoke of a few professors who were present, and then, pointing at me, said "And that man publishes a new book every year!" (not accurate!) Erik, excuse this egoism. Let's keep in better touch.
love,
Wallace
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