Memory, Marc Robin and Mr. Bonney
I’ve written about memory before. As I age it’s more interesting how certain memories persist while I can’t find the remote I put down an hour ago.
This came to mind several days ago when I received a message that my high school friend Marc Robin was in hospice. His wife wrote that he was struggling to retell a story about a report he had written for our high school science teacher Mr. Bonney but had forgotten the details.
Marc was not the smartest kid in our class, far from it. However, he was among the cleverest. He was heavy and not the best athlete but was a good basketball player, far better than I.
Mr. Bonney was an unusual teacher. He repeatedly used the phases “That is the Crux” and “That is the Key.”
Sometime in what must have been 1965 Mr. Bonney assigned our class the job of researching and writing a report on a scientific discovery of our choice. We had three or four weeks to do it. Marc waited until the last minute. When pressed for time he made up a story about a fictitious scientist, whose name escapes me, who invented contact lenses for dogs.
I think I got a B+ on my report the subject of which I can’t remember. But Mr. Bonney was so impressed with Marc’s that he got an A.
I recently signed up for Chat GPT and asked it to write a similar report which follows. I’m sure Marc’s, although lost, was better,
Dr. Rebecca Evans was a veterinarian who had a passion for improving the lives of animals. She had always been fascinated by the eyes of dogs. As a scientist, she knew there had to be a way to help improve the vision of dogs who were suffering from eye-related diseases like cataracts.
One day, while she was researching the latest advances in eye surgery, Dr. Evans had an epiphany. What if she could develop contact lenses for dogs? These lenses could help dogs with weak eyesight and bring back their lost vision.
Dr. Evans quickly got to work. She researched several types of lenses and groundbreaking technologies. She worked long hours and tirelessly for months on end, and she finally made a breakthrough.
She created contact lenses for dogs that were specially designed to fit the shape of their eyes and offer clear vision. By using biocompatible materials, she allowed dogs to wear these contact lenses for extended periods without any irritation.
Dr. Evans’ invention was a game-changer for all dog owners. Dogs suffering from cataracts or eye injuries were finally able to regain their vision. It improved their mobility, increased their social interaction, and overall made them happier. Suddenly, dogs that were once shy, disoriented, and frustrated were running around happily outdoors, playing with toys, and chasing balls with renewed enthusiasm.
Thanks to her patent, hundreds of pet owners across the United States started asking to buy her contact lenses for their beloved dogs. They were grateful for Dr. Evans’ innovative and groundbreaking invention. They praised her for giving their dogs a new lease on life.
Now, many years later, Dr. Evans looks back on her journey and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to change the lives of so many animals with her invention. She hopes her innovative work inspires others to pursue their passions and find ways to make a positive difference in the world.
Marc passed away on June the first . He is survived by his wife and daughters.