John McKniff ’72

CMC Class of 72, Tuscon, AZ

I spent the Summer of 69 as the lifeguard at the HMC pool. I got the assignment because I was low man on the totem pole, and no one else wanted to be exiled to that distant lonely place. My first afternoon on the job, I opened the gate, took my seat on the tower and awaited the flood of happy swimmers that never really materialized. A couple of hours into the shift, Joe, Jean, and Beth Platt came through the gates and walked over to introduce themselves. As a 19 year old, I was appropriately impressed with the family’s appearance and bearing but was most impressed by Joe’s low key introduction which included his description of his position as “I’m the guy they asked to run the place”.

Over the course of the Summer I was privileged to enjoy the Platt’s company 5 to 6 days a week. The family were all serious swimmers and rarely missed their afternoon swim. Most every visit I would have the opportunity to interact with all of the family members, and quickly developed a respect for the strong bonds, intellect, and humor that characterized the Platt family. Later I would grow to appreciate the contribution that Joe and Jean jointly made to the development of HMC, but truthfully I could not be surprised based on the impression they made on me during that Summer. The picture of Joe and Jean together in the pool struck me as highly appropriate.

David Goodsell ’62

Founding class member (but graduate of the class of '62). Admissions officer for HMC 1964 - 1968

Would that our nation’s leaders, of all parties, had Joe Platt’s intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and love for all mankind. Gentle yet firm, calm yet filled with the enthusiasm of discovery and adventure, kind and caring – I have never met another person more worthy of emulation. That may be the most profound realization I carried away from HMC.

George Wickes

HMC faculty, 1957-69; Professor of English Emeritus, University of Oregon

Joe Platt was the heart and soul of HMC from the very beginning, and his legacy continues to this day. His wisdom and judgment in planning the college and his thoughtful consideration for one and all created a college with a very special spirit. Then there was Joe himself with his fund of stories, his unfailing sense of humor, and his inexhaustible repertory of songs to enliven every social occasion. How wonderful that he was able to go on teaching into his 90s. I cherish the picture of Joe on his 90th birthday, about to strum his guitar and smiling uproariously at Jean.

Bill Haddon ’64

On a Friday noon my Sr.year (1963/4) while returning to my East dorm room from an 11:00 class a very concerned group of undergrads shouted to me “the president’s been shot”…My first and immediate thought: Impossible! No one would ever shoot Joe Platt. To us he was the one and only President. The date was Friday Nov. 23, 1963

Don Gross ’61

“It ain’t the money,
It’s the principle of the thing,
It ain’t the money,
There’s things that money can’t buy.
It ain’t the money
That makes the nucleus go round
It’s the philosophical ethical principle of the thing.”

Gregory Milman

Joe was a great inspiration and friend to those of us in the Class of 1962. Couldn’t beat his guitar playing either.

Liz Baughman

Sen dir of advancement services, HMC (soon to proudly start my 35th year with the college)

In referencing the HMC Mission Statement Joe Platt created, it is an amazing thought to realize the Impact on Society he brought forward. Just think about the number of students, faculty, trustees, and staff who walked through HMC and how their lives have been touched by Joe and Jean Platt having the courage to embrace and grow a new and then unknown institution. It really is AMAZING! As we now cross over into a new era for Harvey Mudd College, all it is and all it will be started under the guidance of Joe Platt.

Dr. Platt is the true definition of a gentleman – always kind, gentle, and understanding. One-of-a-Kind! He will be missed, but never never forgotten.

Jim Dewar ’66

Los Angeles, CA

We all knew this day would come, yet there was a part of me – the non-rational part that HMC works so hard and well to cultivate – that believed that it certainly wouldn’t be today. How could it be today? Today isn’t special – certainly not special enough for it to be the day that Joe Platt died. From there it had been easy for the heart to conclude that Joe would never die.

In the event, as before, the mind smoothly recounts Joe’s manifest contributions to HMC, to the Claremont Colleges, to higher education in the United States, to institutions outside higher education, etc. The mind marvels that a man who walked so softly through the world could leave such indelible footprints.

But what is the heart to do in a world without Joe Platt? For those of us whose formative years were spent with Joe – or rather, JoeandJean – how does the heart deal with his absence at HMC functions or his unavailability for the occasional dinner together. There was a comfort in knowing that he was still watching over HMC. What’s to be done about that?

If the power of the mind, in the final analysis, is the power of one, the power of the heart is the power of many. My heart joins the thousands of hearts who send their love to Jean, Ann, Beth, and to all those whose hearts are hurting because the world has lost Joe Platt. The mind still celebrates Joe’s magnificent legacy, but the heart now aches.

Hubie Clark

Former chairman of the board at Harvey Mudd College

When I was first offered a board seat at HMC, I said to myself “I need a new fund raising chore like I need a hole in the head” – and then I met Joe. Within a nanosecond, I knew I was with a special person with whom I wanted to work and learn. His recognition that engineers were introverts who needed help in communicating and mixing with others, and his belief in “learning while doing” was so in line with my personal experience. My fears dissolved and were replaced with the idea of learning from this man. So, I jumped at the chance. But I couldn’t shake my desire to avoid another fund raising job, so I said to Henry and Joe that I would love it – provided they would give me a five year moratorium on fund raising and allow me to be on committees to promote the ideas Joe had enunciated. Joe immediately chimed in “OK and we’ll put you on the education committee.” Henry backed Joe, and so began a more the 30 year’s journey on the board. Within a year, I was out fund raising of my own volition because I was so caught up in the direction Joe was taking the college. I wouldn’t change a moment of it all!

Sue Archer

Former steno pool

My mom – Betty Clutters worked in the clerical end of Harvey Mudd under William Radley. She was a technical typist and worked on all typing of the freshman “books” during her tenure. I worked in the steno pool as well before moving down to Pendleton with Ralph Kemmerer to be the Purchasing department. Dr. Platt was always friendly to us and it was a pleasure to work under his leadership. Mom has since passed on but I know she would be saddened by the loss. Those were good times and she often spoke fondly of the Harvey Mudd people.