Dr. Carl D. Duncan (1895-1966), former SJSU professor and chairman of the Natural Science Department, began his career at San Jose State College in 1922. During his tenure he mentored many students, and between the years 1964-1966, he mentored Patricia Carpio (Whiting), a student in the Humanities & Arts. Whiting worked for Dr. Duncan, who served as the secretary of the Field Studies program at that time. Whiting went on to become the first Filipino woman elected to the Oregon State Legislature, serving three terms from 1972-1978, and a community activist and beloved leader. Duncan and Whiting maintained a long-term friendship that lasted until in his death in 1966. Patricia Whiting died at age 69 on July 1, 2010 of cancer. She is survived by her husband Vincent Whiting.
September 18, 1964 Darling rainbow in the sky For whom my heart leaps up Whenever you or I pass by: It hasn’t been very long since last I saw you, yet already it seems quite a while, so much brighter is my world when you are in it But I have you always with me in spirit and I can almost bring you into material reality with a little picture that I carry and look at many times each day. This will let you know - and you can pass the word to Sylvia that places (and cards #1 and #2) are reserved for you in my Ent. 50 class. Should Sylvia decide to take another course her card can be referred to someone else. However, both of you undoubtedly will get more from the course if you both take it and study somewhat together. Two most useful resources that you may want to obtain immediately are the following, 1. “Insects as Enemies & Benefactors of man” by Carl D. Duncan (obtainable at the Biology Storeroom, though I may be able to get you a copy to keep for your own.) This is a bulletin - one of the series of Science Guides for the Elementary Schools. The Biology Storeroom has almost enough of these to go round to the class. The bulletin gives a brief treatment of most of the content areas in the course so I will want everyone to read it during the first 3 weeks - to get a comprehensive overview. 2. “The World of Insects” by Duncan and Gayle Pickwell, (McGraw-Hill Co - out of print and crying for revision). This book has been said by one reviewer to be “the best book” for the beginner in insect study that is in print. It will be used to establish a basic knowledge of the place of insects in the animal kingdom how they grow, develop, and change (metamorphosis) how they feed, breathe, locomote, adapt & habitat differences, etc. If I can find an extra copy (I have only a couple left) I’ll lend it to you. It’s almost priceless since nearly everyone anywhere who owns a copy keeps it so it doesn’t appear on the used book market. The Biology Storeroom has several copies as does the library. A shorter volume that preceded it is just titled “Insects.” This also is available in the storeroom and the library. However, one way or another, [page 2] I’ll see that you have a copy of the larger book to use. Incidentally, I envy you “kids” who are going to go to the Jazz Festival at Monterey! If I didn’t have so many jobs to do this weekend I’d be going too - but I just don’t dare. I’ll have to depend on the reports you bring back for my impressions. Your enthusiasm and your shining eyes and faces will speak worlds. Then of course, there are records, but I don’t need to tell you how much better a three-dimensional sharing experience is than the best of records. Twice this week you’ve lifted my spirits to the skies and I must tell you why. First, at the lunch at Original Joe’s when I told you, you looked “Cute as a bug’s ear” in the little blouse and hat you wore (a factual statement), you countered by telling me I looked handsome in my suit, & revealed you sharpness of observation in noting that that suit was one of my more recent ones (actually I’ve bought only one since, though I need another.) Until I was well along in College I thought of myself as an ugly duckling. - partly because of the judgments on a couple of occasions of my older brother, who later developed quite an appreciation. However, I wasn’t prepossessing & had to learn by intent, study, & imitation whatever of social graces I have acquired. Then too I had a younger brother - Bryan - (The electrical engineer who was on the Stanford faculty for several years before he lost out to heart trouble that started with rheumatic fever) who was born with an inner grace & clothes sense that I could never hope to match. The comparison didn’t build my ego though it helped develop compassion. One of our Stanford friends once remarked to me, “That brother of yours could be dressed in a hobo’s rags and he’d wear them with aplomb & look like a gentleman.” My strength in compassion with Bryan was that my interests were broader, I learned more easily & was much more articulate. We enjoyed (for different reasons) a mutual admiration of society. My upward progress began when I read Longfellow’s (?) “The Great Stone Face.” I resolved to strive to live, as did the hero of that story so that eventually my countenance would produce in others the calmness & assurance that would make me look like the “Great [page 3] Stone Face.” And it worked though it took years. From my mother I acquired the steadfastness of purpose & the general guidance needed. The legend is a beautiful one. Have you ever read it? It takes only a few minutes. Many persons lump it in with the Horatio Alger stories & tend to disparage it, but believe me, when such stories capture the hearts of boys & girls they become powerful influences for good. Of this, you are a shining example! From somewhere you have acquired an independence that few women ever attain in a lifetime & from your mother - in spite of all the heartaches & tribulations you have been through, you have acquired an essential goodness & honesty, a beauty of appreciation compassion, and consideration for others that is priceless! I salute you, my “daughter” the while I swell with pride and simultaneously choke down lumps in my throat. I still find the miracle of you almost incomprehensible - but I ask not to comprehend. I am only thankful that I have to know you and that I am privileged to be encompassed within your inner circle. Don’t ever let the brightness of your beams be dimmed. 2. The other big uplift that you gave me came after I’d seen Dr. Clark & you said with spontaneous enthusiasm that you’d like to see me in the President’s position. Actually, I have been told this by a number of persons on the College faculty - but I’ve not aspired to the administrative headship of a college. It consists of too many headaches & forced compromises. I’ve loved teaching far, far more. All my life I’ve been associated with & worked closely with younger people and I’d not be able to stand it if they were taken away from me in any higher administrative job in the State College System. For instance, also, I’d not be able to spare the time to grow beyond my sphere of affection for you to include your delightful family. Though my ideas on discipline & child rearing are much closer to yours than to your mother’s. I find myself getting more & more fond of all of them each time I see them. They’re now firmly established in my affections. By the early part of next week - or as soon as you are ready to take on extra jobs, I’ll have several outlined for you beyond what I can charge to student assistant funds. I know of no better use of my money than to combine helping you and utilization of you help to me in getting done some jobs that I’d [page 4] never be able to complete by myself. Incidentally, when I go out to your Mom’s later today (Friday - as you set out for Monterey) I’ll be taking out some 8 or 1 additional dresses that I think your mother may be able to use. Some may fall to Connie - one that Neva had the chance to wear only a couple of times. Also I have a heavy read topcoat - a beauty - could be dyed black if this were preferred to red - and a red raincoat that Neva had before she dropped so much weight & bought the little beauty that you have. Could be you’d like to see some of these things before they go out & if I’m lucky enough to find you still at home when I deliver this letter - you’ll get the chance. Of course by the time you’ve read this far or long before - you’ll know anyway and so will I. Incidentally, also give my warmest greetings to all of the Jazz Festival party. I hope you all have the best time ever & that you will come back stirred by new inspiration to get back in the performing field & more ahead. I’m happier than I can tell you over being able to help around the corner. And drive carefully. And now, darling, as it’s nearly half past three - my breathing interfered with sleep & gave me time to write this letter, I think I’ll have to close. With a heart full of gratefulness for all that you’ve made possible for me - There’s never time to say it all - and with much love, as always. Carl
