Floyd Taylor and Marianne Taylor
Recorded
January 30, 2011
Archived
February 4, 2011
01:16:32
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
SCK002435
Description
Subject Log / Time Code
in 1935, 7 years after FT's mother died, his father remarried
FT describes his grandmother's farm, which he grew up on
FT recalls things from growing up during Great Depression; area near him subjected to floods (1936)
FT didn't have power for a week after one of larger floods
FT recalls in going to school, lunches wrapped in newspaper and if lucky piece of fruit. Time at beginning of lunch period where teacher asked for contributions for kids w/out lunches
FT describes his "primitive" school--5 rooms
FT always had barn yard animals b/c father traded them
FT often had clothes handed down from uncles or as gifts for xmas
FT's xmas involved few gifts; once got wristwatches--biggest gift
worked in the summer cutting grass; earned money to buy books
FT's uncle had a greenhouse and would help him fix graveyard arrangements
some arrangements were works of art when they were done
FT talks about breadlines during Depression & peddlers who would come selling wares
FT talks about times he got into trouble on the farm, chased up a tree by a turkey
best thing FT remembers about childhood was going to grandparents home for a wk in the summer
FT always had fun meeting different ppl when working trading foods with dad
FT's aunt & uncle lived nearby; would work in their garden
FT's brother didn't like the "vacation" b/c aunt was strict
FT met 1st wife at wedding of college roommate--she sang at the wedding and he was won over; married 27 years
FT recounts story of his wife being upset about unflattering picture of her blowing out bday candles
FT says his 1st wife would want to be remembered for her involvment in the community and with her family
FT talks about daughters as kids; older sister wasn't always kind to younger sister
one of FT's daughters used to give her sister dirt to eat
as parent FT worried about kids in h.s.--difficulty keeping communication open
"wisdom comes after some period of time"
FT's second wife was a Dr. he met at the university he worked for
FT went to Spain with 2nd wife--saw castles, cathedrals. Great time
FT talks about an impromtu dinner party he had with his 2nd wife--more fun than planned ones
2nd wife would want to be remembered for philanthropic activities, dedication to family
FT says happiest moments in life were his two marriages and children & grandchildren
FT regrets only saw one of his grandchildren b/c lost eyesight in 1990; never been able to see grandaughter
FT most proud of his work as a scientist-describes how criteria for trials he worked on set a standard going forward. Trials went on for 15 yrs.
FT got involved in statistics after a failed start in chemistry
Doctorate thesis on mortality of workers due to lung cancer
FT discovered can trace ancestry thru line that goes back to France & Germany to 14th Century; visited graves of great grandparents & made records of family history
FT met family members didn't know he had through his research
FT words of wisdom for grandchildren--to have open minds for everything & find their own path
Participants
- Floyd Taylor
- Marianne Taylor