Interview with Thomas A. Tombrello - Caltech Oral Histories

Tombrello–43
ASPATURIAN: No.
TOMBRELLO: Oh, they’re quite marvelous. There’s a part in one where Merlin has put Arthur
out in the countryside as a very small child under the protection of Sir Ector and his family.
Arthur doesn’t know he’s the son of a king. The people who have got him know, but their only
dealings are with Merlin. Merlin can see a lot of this stuff by looking into the fire, but
occasionally he actually goes back and checks on the kid. He goes back and as he comes up to
the castle grounds, he sees him playing with Ector’s sons, and he says, “I know which one is
Arthur. Like a young dragon among lizards.” And I say to myself, “I have found a young
dragon among the very attractive lizards, and his name is Andrew Lange [Goldberger Professor
of Physics, d. 2010].”
ASPATURIAN: What did you see in him, exactly?
TOMBRELLO: I’m not quite sure. But I copy the file—this is the special file. It had an effect
almost immediately, because I took it to the staffing committee. I said, “This is the standard.”
They looked at it and said, “It’s certainly some standard. Not many people are going to be up to
this standard.” I decide I’ve got to look at him, but he’s not answering the phone. He didn’t
want to talk to me. He’s happy at Berkeley. But Tom [B. Thomas] Soifer [professor of physics]
says to me, “Have you ever heard of Andrew Lange?” I said, “Yes, I’ve been chasing him and
haven’t gotten him.” He says, “I can get him down here for a seminar.” I said, “And I can pay
for it.” And so I’m sitting in the back of 201 East Bridge for his talk. Neugebauer comes in:
“What are you doing here?” “Staffing committee stuff.” “Him?” “Yeah.” He said, “Does he
know?” “No.” He said, “Damned impressive.” I said, “I’m going to get him.”
I guess a year or two passes. I get a phone call. “I’m Andrew Lange. How are you,
Thomas?” I said, “Who are you, Andrew Lange?” He said, “You know perfectly well. You still
interested?” I said, “You know, I’ve been carrying around a dossier on you. It is turning brown
on the edge. You know, pieces are falling off. You can at least send me a new CV.” Which he
does. I said, “What’s different for you, Andrew?” He says, “You know damn well what’s
different for me.” He has gone off to a Packard Fellows retreat and met Frances [Frances
Arnold, Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, and Biochemistry] and
fallen in love. And he wants to come to Caltech. Or they’re both going to go to Princeton.
http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Tombrello_T