Albert Baez, R.I.P.
I was moved to learn that Albert Baez has died. Although a distinguished scientist in his own right, he is probably best known as the father of singers Joan Baez and Mimi Farina. I was particularly impressed to see that, many years ago, he had changed his occupation because his work as an experimental physicist conflicted with his Quaker beliefs.
Several years ago while volunteering in a children's library, I discovered and read A YEAR IN BAGHDAD, a thoughtful memoir written by Albert Baez and published in 1988. Yes, his life was "something beautiful."
Posted by: am | March 28, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Thirty-some years ago, while on vacation in San Francisco with a good college friend, he asked me to join him at an old family friends' house for lunch. To my surprise, that friend was "Abo" Baez, and we spent a delightful afternoon at his home in the hills above Carmel Valley. The whole family has been an inspiration and a comfort all my adult life, never more than now, with this monstrous atrocity in Iraq. I hope it didn't break his heart.
Posted by: JMO | March 30, 2007 at 05:26 PM