As noted elsewhere, my 5 years in the Army Air Corps -- before, during, and after World War II -- earned me the maximum of the "G. I. Bill" allowance for education. Originally, it was predicted that it would carry me through 9 years of university education.

But tuition increased so rapidly, at Columbia University, my undergraduate school, and at New York University, my graduate school, that I barely squeaked through 5 years on the "Bill". There I worked by day and went to school at night. There were no "Student Loans" then. I could get a dollar loan from NYU unless I took a full program of 12 hours each smester, which I couldn't, being married with a working wife.

I completed 30 OF THE 36 hours in mathematics for an M.S. I could avoid paying for the remaining 6 hours by doing a Thesis.

When my Thesis advisor assigned me the topic of "A Two-Stage Sampling Plan" (first stage analogic, second stage digital), I didn't know that the professionals of the "Columbia Statistical Group" had rejected this as too difficult. I hacked out finite-integral method which I later discovered to be related to "an incomplete Beta function". After urging me to pursue it, my advisor left NYU, leaving me "orphaned".

No one in The school of Science would pick me up. Some one suggested that I try Deming, in the NYU School of Bussiness.

Deming answered right away. (A Col. Potter says, in M*A*S*H, "I like a man who answers his own phone!") I explained my problem. Deming said, "I'd like to help you, Mr. Hays. But I don't know if they will let me because you're in the School of Science and I'm in the School of Business. If you can get permission, I'd be happy to become your advisor and help you through your Thesis." This great man was willing to give of his time to help a total stranger.

Deming wa correct. The authorities wouldn't allow it. I had to start a new Thesis under a new advisor. But I'v never forgot the kindness of this statistical genius.