Submitted by Robert Taubman, Jan 10, 2008 02:00

Ed, as you know, my father, A. Alfred Taubman is also an architect. He in fact is the aesthete and "economist" who helped create the building you teach in and the Center you direct. He, like your father, has inspired his children in so many ways - his passions for learning and teaching, and his character have guided us throughout our lives.

He, like your father has fought the conflicts between architect and economist, in his case as a builder, always seeking the best solutions and respects history as the true wisdom your father suggested.

But most importantly, he is a person that respects and admires the great freedoms and opportunties this country has brought to so many - especially to his family. His gift to the Kennedy School embodies this belief.

As you say we all owe enormous debt to our fathers. Your story is wonderful, and familiar to me in so personal a way.

Robert S. Taubman

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