Simon Says
Winter 2011
Simon Fraser University
Retirees Association
President’s Report
Tom O’Shea
Thomas O’Shea, President
oshea@sfu.ca
Marilyn Bowman, Past President
bowman@sfu.ca
Marilyn Pankratz, Treasurer and
Membership, mpankratz@shaw.ca
Percilla Groves, Secretary
Mike Roberts, Seminar Series
mroberts@sfu.ca
Tom Poiker, Newsletter
poiker@sfu.ca
Chris Hildred, Digital Archives
childred@sfu.ca
Hiromi Matsui, Fall + Spring Dinners,
matsui@sfu.ca
Margaret Jones, Treasurer and
Membership, jonesa@sfu.ca
Penny Spagnolo, Forum
pspagnol@sfu.ca
Telephones:
SFURA 778-782-2297
Marg Jones: 778-782-3360
Rather than reporting on the ongoing business of the SFURA for this
newsletter, I thought I would report instead on a telephone conversation I engaged in
last month.
Some days prior to this conversation I had heard a radio report on the ten
most common scams in Vancouver this fall. One of these concerned a telephone
scam in which the caller claimed he/she represented Microsoft and that they had
detected a virus on the callee’s computer that interfered with the operation of his/her
Windows operating system. The callee was then directed to his/her computer and
asked to go to a particular website for consultation. At this point the caller would
download a virus that would show up on the callee’s computer. The caller then
would offer to remove the virus at a cost of, I think, $135. Quite a sophisticated
scam.
A few days later I received exactly such a call. The caller, with a strong East
Indian accent, told me about my problem. I asked him to provide some verification
of his identity and he carefully described the company that he worked for, how it
related to Microsoft, and gave me telephone numbers I could call in Texas for
verification. All this took about ten minutes or so. Then I commented on his Indian
accent. He bristled and said that one could be a qualified computer technician
regardless of race or religion, and I agreed. We chatted a bit, and each time he asked
me to go to my computer I stalled by asking more questions. I thought at least by
taking up his time he wouldn’t be scamming others. Our final conversation went
something like this:
Me: Oh, by the way, are you Tamil?
Him: No, no, I am not Tamil.
Me: Are you Sikh?
Him: No, I am not Sikh.
Me: Are you Gujarati?
Him: (with some impatience). No, no…have you heard of Kolkata?
Me: Yes, of course.
Him: Well, I am Bengali. Kolkata is a very beautiful city. Have you been to
Kolkata?
Me: No, I travelled all around India some time ago, but not to Kolkata
Him: Ahh…what did you think of India?
Me: Wonderful. I had such a wonderful time. I never had a bad experience. And
you know all the people I met were so friendly, so open and trustworthy, and honest.
Him: (long silence) Well…I really enjoyed talking to you. Bye, bye. (ends call)
I put down the phone, had a good laugh, and congratulated myself on
scamming the scammer. Then I thought, even con artists can have a heart, or at least
a guilty conscience.
Fall Financial Planning Seminar
Marvin Wideen, Tom O’Shea and Philip Mah
November Seminar: This seminar focused on how a group of retirees had planned their finances during retirement.
The members of the group had responded to a request in last SFURA newsletter. During a short introduction, Marvin
Wideen provided a context for the session by commenting on the investment spectrum shown in a visual illustrating
the range of investment opportunities open to us. Tom O’Shea described his investment history since joining SFU,
including reasons for shifts in types of funds and in investment advisors. Phil Mah described how he had recently
shifted his resources to gain improved results. Jay Burr related his experience with choosing a financial advisor and
then having to change to another. Of the several types of financial advisor (See portfoliomanagement.org/), he
recommended retirees select a Portfolio Manager, who would have the highest training (CFA + 5 years articling
experience), and have a fiduciary responsibility for your financial welfare. This can be less expensive than the
alternatives. Tom Poiker presented the advantages that joining an investment firm has, especially when the
investment advisor or portfolio manager has to deal with special circumstances, like having to retain cash for paying
half salaries, etc. Despite several hindrances, Tom's advisor improved his portfolio by 140% in 12 years.
December Seminar: The seminar focuses on active trading as a means sustaining wealth. Jovin Shen, the general
manager of the Online Trading Academy that offers courses in stock trading, opened the session by stressing the
need for a pro-active approach to investing for purposes of wealth generation. He offered this approach as an
alternative to typical buy and hold approaches. He then described several strategies on how to best select, buy, and
profit from trading stocks and options. Within this framework, Bill Gruver, a professor emeritus of Engineering
Science at SFU, then described his experience in stock trading supported by courses taken at the Trading Academy.
He described how he uses technical analysis, including charts and Bollinger bands, to select the most profitable
entry points when buying stocks. Both presenters emphasized the need for careful planning and execution, and for
keeping one’s emotions on the sidelines. Their presentations illustrated strategies on the left side on the investment
spectrum described in the introduction. Both presenters worked from power point presentations which are posted on
the SFURA website.
Kenji Okuda, 1922 - 2011
Richard Schwindt
Kenji Okuda, a longtime faculty member of the Economics department, died on November 15 at the age of 89. His
obituary in the Vancouver Sun notes that he "loved to reminisce about all his travels and about the internment camp
his family was 'removed' to in 1941." Indeed, he had a lot to reminisce about.
Kenji was born in Seattle in 1922 to Heiji
from Japan). His father was a successful
"we were pretty well sheltered from the
to Japan several times, once with his
graduating from high-school.
and Rei Okuda, who were Issei (emigrants
businessman and Kenji was later to say
depression." As a youth, Kenji travelled
family and once on his own after
His world changed dramatically with the
attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. At the
time he was studying at the University of
Washington, having switched his major
from engineering to economics. As was
the case up and down the Canadian and
U.S. Pacific Coast, citizens of Japanese
descent were "removed" to inland
internment camps. The family was
interned and eventually sent to a camp in
Colorado where Kenji remained until his
release in 1943. During internment he
was recognized as a capable spokesperson
for the internees. Subsequently there was
pressure from a number of sources,
including the Quakers and, in Kenji's case,
the U of W administration, to get Nisei
(children of the Issei) students out of
internment and back into schools, albeit schools well inland from the Pacific Coast. Kenji went to Oberlin where he
was active in student politics. He left Oberlin in 1945, returned to Seattle for a period and then went on to Harvard
where he undertook his graduate work. He left Harvard without finishing his thesis, took up teaching posts both in
the U.S. and abroad, and then finished the doctorate with a study of development programs in Puerto Rico.
Interestingly, in 2008, Kenji along with other evacuees, were belatedly granted degrees by the U of W. Clearly,
Kenji's wartime experiences did not scar him.
"While the evacuation had difficult ramifications emotionally, I don't particularly feel any regrets. For those
of Japanese descent, the evacuation opened our eyes and our horizons. We were able to leave the West
Coast and the cocoon-like existence we had been in" (from Interrupted Lives: Japanese American Students
at the University of Washington).
Kenji came to SFU on December 1, 1966, joining what was then the Department of Economics and Commerce
where he specialized in the economics of development. In short order he was called upon to assist in dealing with
the turmoil that characterized the campus in the late 1960s. He served as president of the SFU Faculty Association
in 1967-68, at the height of the tensions and performed as "a solid and sensible moderate" as Hugh Johnston writes
in Radical Campus. He served on the SFUFA executive in 1968-69, and again in the early 1970s.
Besides his teaching and research duties, Kenji played an important role in the administration of his Department. He
was the Economics chairman from 1979-1985, a stressful period when Commerce and Economics separated. He
also served on Senate at various times in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
This short tribute doesn't do justice to a truly remarkable life. To remedy this I've included several links to
interviews, articles and books that deal with Kenji's experiences. I guarantee you will find them interesting.
Excerpt from Interrupted Lives [www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/harmony/interrupted_lives/privilege.shtm]
Interview for Interrupted Lives [www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/harmony/interrupted_lives/five/OKUDA1.html]
Kenji Okuda Letters [www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/harmony/interrupted_lives/five/letters/]
Japanese-American UW students graduate, 6 decades later [www.komonews.com/news/local/19059159.html]
"Okuda, Kojima and Company", Time Magazine, June 21, 1943, V41 N25 (available online through SFU Library)
Radical Campus, Hugh Johnston (available online as an e-book through SFU Library)
Interview with David Ingram [http://david-ingram.com/article.php/KenkiOkudaInternmentWorldWar2Japanese]
The Coming Talks
by Michael Roberts
January 17th, 2012. George Suart, Klaus Rieckhoff & Jerry Zaslove: "Times of Turbulence at SFU (1968 -70):
Three Views"
February 21st, 2012. Lynn Copeland: TBA
March 20th, 2012. Rob Gordon: Crime and Punishment in Conservative Canada
All talks in the Halpern Centre at twelve noon.
In Memoriam
Margaret Jones
EILEEN LENNOX (1936-2011) passed away November 16. Predeceased by husband Ronald, survived by two
children Moira and Grahame, grandchildren Megean and Brett, and great grandchildren Marcos, Sierra and Keenan.
Eileen worked at Simon Fraser University with Bill Stewart, Director of Student Services and the Centre for
Students with Disabilities for 23 years and was a member of SFURA for 9 years. A Service will be held at 11 a.m.
Wednesday November 30 at the First Memorial Burkeview Chapel, 1340 Dominion Avenue in Port Coquitlam. No
flowers by request, donations may be sent to the SPCA.
A Note on Cruises
Malcolm Page
We had supposed cruising was not for us, but for those older. Then my partner found a very, very cheap Royal
Caribbean 2-week 're-positioning' cruise from Barcelona to New Orleans at about the dates we wanted to return
from Europe. The Voyager of the Seas has over 3,000 passengers, mainly Americans, a crew of 1,000, and 14
decks.
We soon found that a cruise was a way of life we could easily become accustomed to: three good and varied meals a
day, an over-attentive steward to look after us, an assortment of movies, lectures (mostly about O J Simpson, in fact)
and entertainments - magicians, dancers, singers. We were surprised at the number of people who had taken many
cruises, a dozen or more. The cheapest cabin (all are called state rooms) was satisfactory, with tiny bathroom.
The gym, the small swimming pool, table tennis and paddle tennis (played with a strange short-handled wooden bat)
provided exercise. The coffee was bad and the tiny 'library' appalling. The cruise looks for ways to take your
money: the casino (easily ignored); many bars with attentive barmen, one opening at 6 a.m.; expensive spa
treatments; constant taking of photos and selling them at $20; internet access at 65 cents a minute; high-priced
shore excursions.
We had only three stops: Cartagena, which has a fine Roman theatre recently excavated; Cadiz, which was shut
down because we were there on All Souls Day; and Tenerife (the stop was supposed to be in the Azores, and I had
efficiently photocopied useful pages, then a storm prevented us docking there). In Tenerife we cleverly took a local
tram to LaLaguna, its streets laid out in 1500 and many buildings, 1500-1750, labelled in English too.
Would we cruise again, when there are many less controlled ways to travel? Yes, for stops, the Baltic or the Black
Sea, perhaps.
SFURA and SFU Courses for Seniors
Tom O’Shea
Over 38 years ago, SFU established the Seniors Program (+55 years) to offer intellectual stimulation for adults
beyond the traditional university years. Members of the SFURA continue to enrol in and teach such courses. All
courses consist of six 2-hour weekly daytime-sessions ($104) in either January-February or February-March. The
Spring schedule shows the activity our SFURA members in teaching:
Ted Cohn:
Mason Harris:
Hugh Johnston:
Malcolm Page:
Tom Poiker:
Foreign Debt and Financial Crises
Charles Dickens
History of the Sikhs of Punjab: From the First
Guru to the Present
A Palpable Hit! A Detailed Study of Hamlet
Geography Through the Ages: From Eratosthenes
to Waldo Tobler
In Spring 2012, SFU will offer a total of 38 courses for seniors. We are pleased that our members continue to
contribute to the intellectual life of the SFU community and of the general public. For more information on courses
and schedules, you can check it out online at www.sfu.ca/seniors .
Heart of Gold
Hiromi Matsui
In recognition of her years of active volunteerism, Evelyn T. Palmer was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award
by the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) on November 4, 2011. She received the
award at the SCWIST gala (which she helped to organize) celebrating 30 years of work to promote women in
science and technology. She volunteered as a member of the Board of Directors of SCWIST, College Chemistry
Canada, the Canadian Institute of Chemistry, the Planetarium Association, and was an active participant in many
Science Fairs.
Evelyn is an alumna of SFU and taught for over thirty years in the Chemistry Department. She retired as a Senior
Lecturer in 2001 but she has continued her work by helping SCWIST set up their archives at SFU with the
assistance of archivist Frances Fournier. She has been a member of the SFURA Executive for over 5 years and has
graciously hosted many social events in her home.
Through her distinguished career, Evelyn has been the recipient of a number of awards, including the Faculty of
Science Excellence in Teaching Award, the Science Education Award from the British Columbia Science Teachers’
Association, the SFU Outstanding Alumni Award for Service to the University and C.D. Nelson Memorial Prize for
Service to Simon Fraser University.
Her service to the University also includes serving on the Executive of the SFU Retirees Association and she was a
key member of the team that produced 4 DVD’s that describe the history of the University. Recently, she led a
project for SCWIST celebrating their 30th anniversary by coordinating a DVD project with past SCWIST presidents,
the School of Communication and the student producer. Throughout all these activities, Evelyn has demonstrated
that she is committed, modest and selfless. She truly has a “Heart of Gold” and we are fortunate she is an advisor
the SFURA Executive.
.
Quilted SFU History
Percilla Groves
Back in the early 70s an intrepid group began signing up members in a brand new feminist union called AUCE. Fast
forward to the thirty-year anniversary. Though AUCE had long since become a local of CUPE (Canadian Union of
Public Employees) union members former and current and their friends decided to commemorate the event by
stitching a quilt. From quilters in various departments across campus came squares representing in fabric the work
of the university. Each square has a blue component depicting the skies above Burnaby Mountain.
Though the quilt was originally conceived as a fund-raiser for a labour studies scholarship changes to the conditions
for the operation of lotteries derailed that part of the project. Christine Manzer, the project manager for the quilt,
sought various venues for secure display of the quilt, and this summer she succeeded in finding an appropriate
space.
The quilt now hangs in the staff room of the WAC Bennett Library at SFU Burnaby. SFURA members who recall
the library as a hotbed of union activity at the time of the founding of the union will consider this a highly
appropriate setting! A keypad guards access to the staff room but the quilt is available for viewing. Just come to
the Library Management Office, west end of the seventh floor of the library, between 9 and 4:30 on a week day, and
ask to see the CUPE quilt.