This book is about the life and accomplishments of Maurice Sevik (1923-2011). A Sephardic Jew born in Istanbul who migrated to United States in 1943 and became "a leader in the US Navy's Combatant ship and submarine acoustic silencing." The book comprises his memoirs, unpublished essays and his niece Claire Sagues' memoirs. The book also includes a genealogy chart and a richly illustrated family album.
"I wonder what my father would think if he knew that his memoirs would one day become a book. He was a genuinely humble person, so he would probably be wryly amused. Yet I believe he would also feel a quiet sense of satisfaction knowing that his family's history would be preserved for future generations. My father's memoirs demonstrate — through vivid and moving descriptions of real human lives — how events unfolding in one part of the world change the lives of people everywhere. This truth feels even more critical today than in my father's time. Our lives are never entirely our own. Each of us shapes and influences countless others. When we are reminded of this, we do our best to live in a way that is mutually beneficial. This is exactly what my father demonstrated in his personal life as well as his professional life as a dedicated and innovative engineer. I hope others will find his story as interesting and inspiring as I do."
Michele Sevik
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PART I - BIOGRAPHY
PART II - CONDOLENCES AND MEMORIALS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY Michele Sevik, “Love”, December 24, 2012 Gerald Lauchle, Professor Emeritus of Acoustics – Penn State University February 22, 2012 Jerry Smith, “A Boss, A Mentor, A Friend” December 20, 2011 Martine Sevik Bill Morgan, “Memories of Maurice Sevik” Elfi Gleusteen Jean & Liz Sagues Michele Sevik, “The Last Memory”
PART III - MAURICE SEVIK – AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND MEMOIRS My Father’s Family My Sisters’ and Brother’s School Years How About Me? Back to Me The Hitler Years Lucie Constance Renée My Brother Kino Some Remarks on Istanbul/(Constantinople) Back to Me Again And Now, What to do? Some Highlights of My Trip First Impressions South Wales Wartime London Again My Studies at the Imperial College of Science and Technology My First Job at the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) My Social Life My Mother’s Sickness Back to Aircraft What Happened to Us in State College, Pennsylvania A Few Special Reminiscences The End
PART IV - MAURICE SEVIK’S LETTER TO HIS DAUGHTER, MICHELE
PART V - ESTHER BARZILAY’S LETTER TO HER SON, MAURICE SEVIK
PART VI - UNPUBLISHED ESSAYS 1) The Sephardic Jews: 2) What I did for the US Navy and Why A Building at the Navy Lab is Named After Me? 3) The Age of Enlightment: Its Influence on Civilization
PART VII - CLAIRE SAGUES’ MEMOIR - Original French version CLAIRE SAGUES’ MEMOIR - English Translation
