Marty Jennings Smith
Sending my love to the Rom family at this tender time...
On Veterans Day 2020, I sent a letter to Dr. Rom, my treasured former college advisor and professor at the University of Arkansas, with the following message:
Dear Dr. Rom,
As today is Veteran’s Day, it seems appropriate to mention
a memory I hold of a talk you gave to our class on this occasion
in 1976. As I recall, you brought a German soldier’s helmet (I believe
from WWI) to class and gave a very poignant discussion of Veteran’s Day.
No science, no hours of sunlight or temperatures required, nothing of the
quality of the soil or any use of root grafts, no horticulture updates. What I
remember more than your exact words is the fact that you wanted to pause
and reflect with a group of college kids for such a day and share with us.
It is a standout college memory for me. I thank you for such a special gift.
With warmest regards always from your former student,
Marty Jennings Smith
I feel so blessed to know this special "giant" of a man. Bless you, Rom family.
