Feynman

The late Richard Feynman of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) co-winner of the 1965 Nobel Prize in physics was much more than a great scientist and a superlative teacher. Caltech graduate Marcus Chown recalls:

"The BBC once screened a profile of Feynman in its 'Horizon' series. My mother, who had never shown interest in any science program, watched it from beginning to end. I had an idea. I would go to Feynman, explain that my mother had watched him on TV, and ask him to drop her a note. Then when I tried to explain why the earth is round or the sky is blue, she might be receptive ! "

Feynman did write to my mother:
"Dear Mrs Chown-Ignore your son's attempts to teach you physics. Physics isn't the most important thing. LOVE IS.
Best Wishes,
Richard Feynman"