Paul, Gordon L.

My parents lived on an Iowa farm at the time of my birth, September 2, 1935. I was born in nearby Marshalltown, where I grew up following our loss of the farm in 1939. I was the only surviving child of Leon D. Paul and Ione Hickman (Perry), but a large extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, and maternal grandparents were major influences as well. Nonacademic life, choices based on irrelevant factors, and chance events have all contributed to my intellectual approach, accomplishments, and ultimate status as a research scientist, teacher, and clinician.

Nobody had much money during my formative years. I was the first to graduate college. My father ended schooling in the sixth grade. He toiled as a factory worker until his death in 1954 at age 40. He was an “anti-snob,” for whom friendships were more important than career. My mother taught for years in one-room schools on an associate's certificate, earning her BA in 1961. Advanced study and acclaim in both special and sex education later followed. She retired in 1991 after 54 years in the classroom. Now in her 92nd year, she continues to teach piano and tutor students at home.

Parents, extended family, and close family friends modeled a strong work ethic that prized excellence, personal responsibility, and compassion for others. I also gained firsthand experience with many of life's tribulations, including alcoholism, child abuse, failed marriages, suicide, and severe emotional problems. Extremes of values and behavior on many dimensions were part of growing up. Family reunions were enjoyable events demonstrating tolerance, conflict resolution, and selective avoidance of problem topics based on respect for one another, all useful lessons. Developmental experiences with family and friends instilled a firm belief in the importance of friendships and of the positive role of social supports. They also resulted in a desire to understand the distressing actions, thoughts, and emotions of troubled and troubling people.

Education through high school was in the Marshalltown public schools. Although always employed in outside jobs, I was elected to several class offices and regularly received high grades. Music and drama became major interests after football injuries precluded further participation in sports. I gained my adult height (6' 4″) by age 13. This allowed me to work in traveling dance bands, which provided many maturing experiences. Committed to a career as a musician, I ran several combos and dance bands during my last years of high school and first year of college. I graduated high school with honors in 1953. After a year at Marshalltown Community College, I was accepted into the U.S. Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C., as a contract musician.

En route from basic training to the Navy music school, I renewed contact with Joan M. Wyatt in Marshalltown. We were married on Christmas Eve, 1954, following a whirlwind courtship. Jo Paul has been my lover, partner, and best friend ever since, participating in those decisions that most influenced my personal and professional development. Our sons, Dennis and Dana, were born in Navy hospitals. Our daughter, Joni, was born just after we left the Navy to resume college.

...