NOTABLES, whom we have encountered personally. (Many were in connection with AMREF) –
Attwood, Bill, PhD Bill Atwood was a Democrat appointee as US Ambassador to Kenya. He was very laid-back and popular with young Kenyans. Prior to Kenya he had been Ambassador to Guinea. From that experience he had written a book “The Reds and the Blacks”, about US-Soviet tensions in Africa. The book came out during his appointment to Kenya. One paragraph in the book intimated, very gently, that Jomo Kenyatta had been a bit naive on some political issue. For that reason the book was banned in Kenya. We liked the Atwoods and I once paid a house call on one of their kids. When his term was up a number of us gathered to see them off at the air-port. For that occasion I made a jocular sign which read “DON’T go home Yankee”.
Bennet, Prof John one of a small group of CH pioneers in apartheid era in SA. Later Nrb U. He was my boss at Nrb. U. Med., Dept. of Community Health. A keen intellect and very very kind and gentle man. An admirable leader. His wife Grace was very much his match.
Bird, Dr. Forrest inventor of the Bird Respirator machine. Met at Loliondo. He was a donor to AMREF and Mike brought him for a brief visit to the Mobile Unit in the field.
Blankhart Prof David Nutritionist, Royal Dutch Tropical Medicine Institute of the Netherlands. A most genial man who loved his work and the African people. We took him for a visit to Maasailand be-yond Kajiado where an old friend David Mukinyu treated him to Maasai buttermilk from a gourd. We were also NBC church friends with the Blankharts.
Block, Jack owner of New Stanley Hotel. I met him briefly through Philip Morris. Also, we attended his memorial service at his farm on the shores of Lake Naivasha I understand that his father (or grandfather?) had arrived in Kenya virtually penniless.
Burkitt, Dr. Dennis co-discoverer of Burkitt's lymphoma. Several personal contacts. First met him on rounds at Makerere. Later talked with him about Maa diet vis a vis varicose veins. A relative of his was a prominent surgeon in Nairobi and keen evangelical.
Cooley, Denton and DeBakey, Michael. Drs pioneers in USA of open heart surgery. Met at their surgery in Houston. This was through med. school friend Dr Laszlo Makk, ex Hungary Freedom Fighter. I watched DeBakey doing a heart procedure and talked a bit with Coo-ley about old African coins.
Crawford Dr. Michael El Molo researcher, Royal Acad. of Medicine laureate and LSHTM Head I joined an expedition of his to study the ElMolo on Lake Turkana. I was along mainly for linguistic (Maa) and logistic support. Danieli Lomoni and I were in a SWB Rover. The research Rover broke a rear half shaft on a lakeside scree. It could not get traction up the scree by front wheel drive alone. So I “buried” the SWB cross-wise in the scree up the slope. Then we hooked a cable between the two vehicles. There was no winch, but by manually pulling on the mid-point of the cable we were able to inch the bigger vehicle up the slope.
Eddy, Bill a conservationist/educator connected with N.Y. Zool, Peace Corps, State Dept. etc. Promoted wildlife conservation in TZ. schools. Launched Ole MoiYoi’s career. Later a Prof. at Middlebury College, Vt. and author.
Elizabeth II., Queen We only saw her from a Nairobi sidewalk in a motor parade in Nairobi before her return to UK for her coronation in June ‘53.
Elliot, Jim and Betty (Howard) Jim was fellow Wheaton ‘49er., fellow wrestler and later martyr in Ecuador. Betty Howard Elliot was Betty’s (ELS) classmate (48). Betty Elliot wrote “Through Gates of Splendor” recounting the martyrdom.
Gellhorn, Martha noted journalist and Ernest Hemingway's 3d wife. Met along with Prof Mackintosh at Monduli.
Hale, Drs Tom and Cynthia Fellow med-students at Albany Med., missionaries. Tom was Author of “Don’t let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees “
Hennig, Reuben inventor of the Ambu bag for anesthesia. I once at-tended him on an AMREF airlift rescue from Samburu National park where he had fractured his ankle.
Henry, Prof. Carl Wheaton faculty ’46-7 He taught Ethics and The-ism and was popular. While I was still in the Academy I sat in on a course of his once or twice
Godfrey, Arthur the famous Chicago radio talk show host. He had donated a Piper Aztec airplane to AMREF. We met at Talek near Narok when he flew out to visit the Mobile Unit. Later in US he interviewed me on his radio show. Dan and David were in attendance.
Good, Charles Professor and author. Charles had been in Uganda as a scholar with a Columbia University teaching program (TEA). He later came back to do research on traditional healers. We met at Nairobi Med. Dept. of Community Health where I facilitated his work. Our families enjoyed a few camping outings to the bush together.
Graham, Billy During the 40s a frequent guest at the Lane home was a young Southerner named Billy Graham. I think Betty’s oldest sister Carol had had a part in introducing Billy to another missionary kid from China named Ruth Bell. Carol’s classmate and beau, John Streater ran a campus trucking service and had employed Billy as a loader. John earlier had been one of the early fruits of Dawson Trot-man’s Navigator ministry. Betty and I were ushers in the “Tab” (Tabernacle), a congregation which Billy pastored while still a student. During this time Billy baptized Betty. In 1947 John and Carol went as missionaries to Chengdu, China. But by the early ‘50s the rise of Maoism and the US involvement in the Korean war made their presence in China untenable.
Harjula, Dr. Jukka a missionary doctor at Kapeddo Hospital. He became an enthusiast for CBHC thus we collaborated on many rural TOT exercises. He sponsored my later liaison with Kunming Medical School in China and also in Cambodia.
Irvine, Drs. Geoff and Dorothy Geoff was Director of Chogoria mission hospital, founded by his father Clive Irvine. Both Irvines were multi-talented. Chogoria was a model for not only clinical care but also for hydroelectric power, education, coffee, development re-search and nursing training. The Irvine’s dining table tended to be a site for lively, friendly seminars on all sorts of “development” issues.
Keller, Phillip Author Fellow-RVA-ite in the ‘30s. Phil did ranching in Canada then came back as a range management consultant to Kenya Govt. In 1954 he joined our RVA “Senior Safari” to Kimana swamp etc. He has written numerous books on the environment. Per-haps his most published book was “A Shepherd looks at the 23d Psalm” after Billy Graham popularized it.
Kenyatta. President Jomo We met him (slightly) in a walk-around reception at State House. We had watched his inauguration on TV in Nairobi. During Mau Mau times he had been identified as their inspi-ration. His trial at Kapenguria seemed rather “cooked”. But he was convicted and sentenced to banishment to Lodwar. His “jailor” there was Leland Whitehouse who had been the Govt. agent at Loitokitok in the ‘30s when we were at Lasit.
Kiano, Gikonyo July 8th (19??) I heard Dr. Kiano speak in Schenectady, NY. Kiano was among the earliest Kenyans to earn a PhD in the US. I noticed in the paper that he was speaking in nearby Schenectady so attended. his lecture. At one point he was talking of food and for a moment he could not recall the Swahili word “posho”. I called it out and that came as a bit of surprise to him and the audience, coming from a mzungu.
Koop, Dr “Chick” Surgeon General of US and Chairman of MAP. I only knew him personally in meetings at MAP in Georgia. As Surgeon General of US he had much publicity.
Lane, Arthur Bliss (Betty's uncle) Ambassador to Poland. He re-signed his post over what he considered to be US passivity to Russian aggression into Eastern Europe. He wrote a book “I Saw Poland Be-trayed”. He made headlines in a speech to the Polish community in Chicago. He was gentle and gracious like his brother Mortimer.
Latham, Dr Michael nutrition researcher and challenger of infant formula milk hucksters. I knew him incidental to his nutrition re-search. I think he had as a child been evacuated to US to get away from the London Blitz.
Leakey, Louis and Mary Anthropologists whom. I first met the father Louis when he was helping a tourist out of the mud on the road to Olduvai in Tanzania. I later sat in on a conversation between him and Prof. George Mann in Nairobi. I met his wife at their famous site in Olduvai. I have a photo of Betsy sitting on the cement pedestal which marks the site where they found remains of what they named “homo-habilis”.
Lloyd-Jones, Dr (MD) Martyn pastor of Westminster Chapel. We attended there in ’49-50. We met him socially at the home of friends Jimmy and Sheila Sloan. I think Jimmy had been a close associate of J. Arthur Rank in the early days of cinema-making. Lloyd-Jones was very genial and could poke fun at himself.
Maathai, Prof Wangare Nobel Laureate. Betty had her boys in her NBC Kindergarten. I had known her husband when he was a teacher trainee at Kijabe in the ‘50s.
Macintosh, Prof. Robert. The co-inventor of the EMO Machine for anesthesia. We met at Monduli when he came with a delegation from AMREF. Makintosh was very, very relaxed. While the others toured the hospital, he laid down on the lawn for a nap. One of the delegation was a former wife of Ernest Hemingway.
Mahieu, Dr John Colleague and good friend in Department of Community Health at Nairobi. University. We enjoyed working together in tutoring med. students in their field work exercises in various rural areas of Kenya.
Mann, Prof George one of the originators of the Framingham Study. He was Prof. at Vanderbilt. He did studies among the Maasai, which I facilitated.
May, Gerald Professor President of University of New Mexico, former RVA student. We taught him ’50-55. He was unusually bright and disciplined. His German missionary father had been interned as an “enemy alien” during the war. This caused great hardship to the family. Gerald was born at Kaimosi Hospital where my sister Esther had been born. After retirement we enjoyed good fellowship with him and wife Mary Joyce in Albuquerque.
Mboya, Tom I had written a letter to Tom Mboya in Kenya questioning the public behavior of his “Youth Wing”. He replied with a thoughtful, polite defense of their actions. He also invited me to a reception in New York City. I attended (April 11) and found a very sophisticated bunch of people in a very wealthy apartment. I cannot remember who were the hosts or where the location. But I remain struck that Tom would bother to be so civil to a critical mzungu (American at that) who meant absolutely nothing to him.
Moi, President Daniel I met him at the opening of a new Kijabe Hospital. Also at opening of a new Nairobi Baptist Church building. He had lifelong close connections with AIM.
Moi Yoi, Dr. Onesimo ole and Linda. Researcher at ILRAD then Head of ICIPE. Ole was one of a contingent of bright Maasai boys in northern Tanzania. We first met him in US in Boston. Later our families were socially connected when their kids and our grandkids were schoolmates at International School Kenya. Linda gave birth to their daughter at the same time/hospital as our Carolyn was giving birth to Sandra (1981).
Moseley, Prof. Henry of Johns Hopkins. I met Henry when he was in Nairobi doing research. When he left to go to Java we bought his washing machine and dryer. We stayed with them once in Baltimore when he was on the faculty of Johns Hopkins.
Museveni, Yoweri President of Uganda. I met him at the home of the Bishop of Bushenyi when I, and David Cowling were guests there. This was when he was still in opposition status to Presidents Obote and Amin. We had a very spirited discussion. He spoke proud-ly of his exploits smuggling guns from Kenya into Uganda to help the anti-Amin forces.
Naikuni, Titus Head of Kenya Airways. His father was one of Mom’s “Matonyok” (Christian Endeavor) class at Lasit church. Un-der Titus’ leadership Kenya Airways has earned the title “Pride of Africa”
Obama, Barack Senior, father of President of US. I had a five minute chat with him at AMREF in the ‘70s. He noted “I have a son named Roy”. My notion is that he was at AMREF as an economic consultant.
Odembo, Elkanah Absalom Kenya’s Ambassador to France then to USA. My deputy at AMREF. On the day of Dan’s wedding in Albuquerque I interviewed him regarding joining AMREF. I had been put on to him by Paul Robinson, who knew of him through one of his St Lawrence students. He is currently head of Africa affairs for the World Council of Credit Unions.
Peterson, Roger Tory We attended his bird lecture in Albany in the late ‘50s and had a brief chat about mutual friends the Hopcrafts who had started the Nakuru flamingo sanctuary.
Picker, Harvey Inventor of the Picker Polaroid x-ray. He donated a machine to AMREF. We met at Loliondo when he was on a visit there with Mike Wood.
Povey, Dr. George OBGYN Prof. at UBC Med. We met in Dar. He was floating in frustration over failing to find an appointment with the “socialist” Tz. medical services. I made some suggestions which resulted in him serving at Beresford Hospital in Meru in “capitalist” Kenya. A man of great integrity and humanity. Our family enjoyed his guitar and ballads.
Root, Alan wildlife cine documentarian (Castles of Clay etc.) We met in Serengeti when he cautioned about flooding. From his small plane he noted our getting ready to cross a flooded ford. He threw down a signal pouch advising to cross further upstream. This may have averted a disaster as that ford had claimed lives in the past.
Rosling, Prof Hans I gave a lecture to his Dept at Upsalla Univ. (’91) and spent a few hours privately with him. He became famous as a statistician at Karolinska Inst. and on TV as a TED talk presenter. He made demography friendly to non-scientists. For a hobby he was a sword-swallower. He died in 2017.
Sendeyo, Oloiboni “spiritual leader” of Maa people. Brother of more famous Lenana. When I was a pre-schooler we camped near his kraal in the Loita. I don’t recall meeting him in person.
Sokoine, Edward. Prime Minister of Tz. under Nyerere. He was a colleague in the administration of Monduli District in 1962. Very humble and dedicated. He went on an USAID-sponsored trip to Texas to observe cattle/range management. Each of the delegation were given the astronomical sum of $20 per diem. His colleagues bought cowboy hats and boots. Edward bought books on economics.
Silverstein, Dr. David Consultant in Nairobi; Moi’s physician. I met him by chance on the street when he first came to Kenya. He gave wonderful care to numerous of our American friends who had serious medical problems. Close friend Arnie Newman paid for his cardiac care by teaching David how to fly a plane.
Stott, John. Theologian, Inter-Varsity leader, friend of Sales. I knew him only slightly through John Sale. He visited Nairobi almost every year and spoke at NBC occasionally.
Tarnouer, Dr. Herman Author of “Scarsdale Diet”. I met him through clinical connections long before his sad death at the hands of his mistress. On a visit to Nairobi he hosted us at Bobby’s Bistro.
Thesiger, Wilfred author and explorer. Encountered him briefly at the hut on Kibo on Kili. He was very brusque, and we were all affected by the altitude. He recounted having seen wild dogs near the summit of Kibo (nearly 19,000’). His climbing partner/escort was the DC Moshi at that time.
Tomsett Dr. Mike The main individual inventor of digital camera technology whilst at Bell Labs. Married to Margaret Hatfield who had been an “au-pair” with us in Tz. in ’61-2. Hearsay has it that Mike merited the “Nobel” for his discoveries, but his supervisor purloined that honor. Mike has subsequently won the “National Medal of Technology and Innovation”. the “QE prize for engineering” and other awards.
Trotman, Dawson founder of Navigators. He was periodically a house guest of the Lanes in Wheaton when he came to promote the NAV ministry among college students.
Turekian, Prof. Karl of Geochemistry, Geology and Geophysics at Yale. Fellow-49er at Wheaton. We were good friends, but he was on another planet intellectually. He became a prolific and highly honored professor at Yale.
Were, Prof Miriam colleague in Dept. Community. Health at Nairobi U. Med. Early AIDS fighter. Chairman of AMREF(2006). Author of several novels which explored the place of females in African society. She came from a “Quaker/Friends” background
Western, David. PhD. Wildlife Researcher and author (In the Dust of Kilimanjaro). I met him in Amboseli when he was doing his re-search on that habitat. He later was involved in the upper echelons of wildlife management in Kenya. He and Richard Leaky had divergent views.
Whitehouse, Leland Colonial Govt. agent at Loitokitok in ‘30s. De-spite cultural differences, “Brit”, upper class vs American missionaries, he was gracious to our family. He gave us kids each a book of classic literature. Mine was “The Bishop of Wakefield”.
Wood, Sir Michael founder and my boss at AMREF. We met when I was in Albany med school and he was visiting plastic surgeon Bran-don Macomber. I served under him ’61-65 and 78-86. Brilliant thinker and visionary. Very adept at attracting rich high-society donors. I think his ancestors may have been in the evangelical “Bloomsbury Sect”. He had a farm on the slopes of Kilimanjaro near the Kenya border.
Woods, Stacey one of the founders of IVCF USA. Another of the numerous influential guests hosted by the Lanes in Wheaton. I think Woods was influential in convening the first ever “Urbana” conference of college students. This was at U. of Toronto in 1946. Betty and I attended with the Wheaton delegation including Jim Elliot.