“Do you really think we can count on you to defend our country ?”

I was at UBC studying geology from 1961 to 1965, and had two math classes from Dean Gage, in 1st and 2nd year. There was a young chap, I think from Haney, named Peter Mussallem generally sitting in the first row of class. He was always dressed in his ROTC uniform. Dean Gage always talked and kibitzed with the front row sitters before class started. When Peter was late one day he snuck in, but Dean Gage caught him. Well young fellow he said: “Do you really think we can count on you to defend our country ?” Another time he asked a student -“And where did you come from today? When the poor chap admitted coming from North Vancouver, Dean gage said “All by Yourself ? ”

I had to visit the Dean later, concerning a bursary, and he had a phenomenal memory, addressing me by name, which impressed me. I think he knew the names of many of the students he encountered later in life.

Barry James Price
BASc (Hon) Geology 1965
MSc Geology  1972