My Life
in Review: Have I been Lucky or What?
My Life
in Review: Have I been Lucky or What?
The dust jacket describes these memoirs as "The priceless precepts and persuasive perspectives of a prodigious professor". That comment captures cleverly the quality of Crandall's recollections and alludes to the author's alliterative aspirations and accomplishments. Anyone who knew "Happy Jack Crandall" during his long residency in Brockport and his stellar service as professor and administrator at the college can renew that acquaintance in an enjoyably bittersweet way by reading this book. It will also provide many readers with an opportunity to relive events of those years through the eyes of a perceptive participant and observer.
The author lived in Brockport and served the college in many capacities from 1948 until he retired to Lake Chautauqua in 1985 and died ten years later. His wife, Jill, was a popular and highly-respected teacher at Brockport High School for more than twenty years and both of their daughters Candy and Molly, graduated there. So the family has deep roots in the community and left behind many, many friends.
Jack wrote these memoirs during his long, final illness. They were edited for publication by Hugh Pickens, a product of his Peace Corps/College Degree Program of the late l960s.
Beyond renewing friendships and basking in nostalgia, readers of My Life in Review, who am history buffs with an interest in World War II will find a special treat. Jack's account of his command of a Landing Craft Infantry in the South Pacific provides marvelous insight into that aspect of our involvement in that conflict. in writing that section, he had amazing recall of minute detail. The result is a vivid portrait of the lives of our sailor's daring that war.
Other major topics covered include his family and educational background arid his retirement years. Jack was especially noted in the community for his ability as a public speaker and master of ceremonies. That side of him is partly reflected in an appendix to his memoirs. Nine speeches, articles, letters, etc., have been included. Another appendix publishes "Memories of Dr. Crandall" by five of his friends.
This book also evokes many memories of Jack Crandall's fine qualities. His deep devotion to his wife of 55 years and to his two gifted daughters permeates his prose. Candy and Molly have emulated their father with distinguished teaching careers and his pride in their accomplishments and their families is very evident.
His absolute honesty shines forth.with equal brilliance. He is one of the few people I have known on whose word I would have staked my life. Every word in these memoirs rings equally true. Some of the anecdotes he recounts must have been embarrassing to him, yet he tells them unflinchingly. That rigorous integrity, however was tolerable over the long haul - because Jack tempered it with relentless optimism and cheerfulness. This comes through clearly, both in the content and in the spritely style of its presentation.
We also get new insight into his teaching and administrative talents. Jack was my immediate supervisor. Yet his account of that period sheds new light for me on that part of the history of SUNY Brockport, especially with respect to his role as Director of the Peace Corps and as an academic vice president.
All who knew Jack will enjoy, once again, spending time with him, reminiscing and learning much. I certainly did.
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