N. Rott

(Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University)

In the year 1951, I was fortunate to be accepted as a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Aeronautical Engineering, at Cornell University. I left Switzerland with my wife and two small children and arrived in Ithaca, N.Y., looking forward to meet the director, Professor W. R. Sears, and his colleagues with whom he had started this School that became famous in an incredibly short time. It was then that I met Y. H. Kuo personally; I already knew of his work. We became colleagues, and we became friends.

We came from very different parts of the world; but we had in common that we both came from places that are called the “old country”. Actually the Kuo’s were far ahead of us in knowing the new country, but their memories were fresh enough for an under­standing and forgiving attitude towards newcomers. First I didn’t even know to drive a car. Kuo helped me out and patiently picked me up in the morning and took me to work. This is naturally part of generally practiced new world courtesy. But we got to know each other well by discussing and commenting current events, expressing opinions, and even some small talk, all in the course of our short ride.

I learned to respect the extraordinary traits in Kuo’s character. He believed in setting the highest standards for everything and anybody, but first of all for himself. In his scientific work, he only attacked problems that were known as the most difficult questions of highest actuality. He made significant contributions in these fields that will always be remembered and highly respected.

It is only natural that a certain severity accompanies a char­acter with such high ideals. But with the help of the beautiful friendship that has developed between Mrs. Kuo and my wife, we found contact also on the more lighthearted sides of our lives, and had good times together, with colleagues, and with students.

The second and most important trait in Kuo’s character that one recognized was his love of his country. I was not at all surprised when he decided to leave the comfort of his existence and exchange it with the challenges of his native land. What he did after his return is immortalized in the grateful recognition of his countrymen.