This is a tribute the life of Dr. Jack Whitehead.
His laugh will live forever in my mind because it was sooverpowering. When Jack laughed it was so genuine, we all laughed-- even if we didn't know the joke.
Jack Whitehead was a man of great humanity, and a very Humanhuman being. I met Dr. Whitehead in the fall quarter of 1978 as agraduate student in his primatology course and his graduateassistant at Ball State. We were enamored with his knowledge ofprimate (including human) biology and behavior.
He taught us everything from primate vocal calls to theirmolecular biology. I asked for and was granted permission to writemy thesis -- phylogenetic trends in reproduction in the OrderPrimates. Jack was my thesis chairman and gave me the greatest ofsupport, down to paying for pages with errors to be re-typed in itsfinal version -- not ever telling of this.
Jack also taught us proper Latin classification according toLinnaean nomenclature. For classes, Jack, an incredible primatebiologist, would vocalize everything from a spider monkeyannouncing a threat to a chimpanzee having an orgasm.
In 1978, I had a paper accepted to a professional meeting fororal presentation. I did not have the money to attend or to payregistration fees, food, lodging and driving expenses. Jack offeredto pay the expenses for travel, and I was able to present my firstpaper at a national level meeting.
Outside the classroom, Jack was a man ahead of his time. When agroup of three or four was invited to his house, we were treated toa trip into the future. Jack was a classical music aficionado.Today we all listen to CDs and take it for granted. But Jack waslistening to "digital" music in 1978 because the "quality wassuperior" were palm sized speakers.
To me he was a friend and more. He frequently took me to theYMCA and tried to teach me handball -- the sport of which he was amaster. I was a horrible failure, but Jack kept trying, although hewas a competition-level sportsman.
After Ball State, I was traveling to Detroit for the physicalanthropology meetings and we (a group of University of Texasgraduate students and I) stayed with Jack two days up and one dayback. We "partied" at the Carriage House both times, and heinsisted on paying.
When the physical anthropology meetings were in Indianapolis, Iflew up early, Jack picked me up at the airport, and we went "home"to the Muncie. We went to the old haunts as usual, such as theTavern and the Carriage House. Jack had bought a new Camaro with aracing clutch and the "big block engine." He passed it on to me todrive around Muncie and Indy.
In the chapter I wrote on physical anthropology, medicalgenetics and research, in "A Guide to Careers in PhysicalAnthropology," I wrote about Jack's contributions to my career. Itis gratifying that Dr. Swartz tells me Jack read it.
I am heartened to know that he was aware of how much his lifewas a part of and influenced my life and those of others.
Rest well Jack, and know that your humanity was appreciated, andthat we cared and still do.
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