Saturday, September 15, 2012

For What It's Worth

Ted Dedowitz was a quirky retired college professor who moved to Ocracoke about 50 years ago. He published a number of booklets of philosophical musings. He didn't have a computer, of course...and he didn't even use a typewriter. Each small booklet was a copy of his free-hand writing, a calligraphy of sorts.

Here is an example of Ted's thoughts:

"A University Vice President of Finance retired recently. A tribute to him, which I heard, mentioned:
1. He arrived at work at 6:30 am,
2. He lasted 37 years,
3. He left an hour after others,
4. He never took a vacation,
5 He will be replaced by four young V.P.s

"My [Ted's] conclusions regarding him =
a. He worked very slowly,
b. He had no friends,
c. He could not, would not, delegate,
d. He disliked his wife,
e. He had no hobbies,
f. He was under paid,
g. He concentrated on one activity,
h. He was sick -- a workaholic."

I suppose Ted moved to Ocracoke because it suited his philosophy, a tribute to "thinking sitting down": "When you place your brain, your lower brain ["the human butt"], onto a chair seat and start the rocker in motion you are 'revving' your own motor." 

Just a few thoughts from the late Ted Dedowitz, onetime resident of Ocracoke.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of midwifery on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news082112.htm


5 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:43 AM

    Four people = job creation-- had he retired 10 years ago the economic recovery could have started that much sooner

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  2. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Is Ted still alive?

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  3. I believe Ted died some years ago, but I could be wrong.

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  4. Anonymous8:31 PM

    That was my grandpa (Paba), he died in 1989 of a broken heart after my grandma Mary Anna passed. Both were professors with a rich history. She was the one with the ties to N. Carolina.They taught me and others about the magic of Ocracoke, fishing,painting, woodcarving,cooking,beach combing,listening, storytelling,being neighborly & belonging & "Thinking" thanks for remembering :) Julia

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  5. Anonymous3:53 PM

    We met Ted years ago when we first began vacationing on Ocracoke. I have a beautiful duck decoy carved by Ted that I bought at a local gift shop.
    Carol S - Ohio

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