ROHA has recently added the following interviews to its website. Follow the links to read more, including their full-text interview transcript.
Fred Vereen, Jr., born in 1933, recounts his early life in Trenton and Lawrence Township, New Jersey, where his parents, originally from South Carolina, faced racial discrimination that limited their job opportunities to agricultural work. He describes his family's housing, daily chores, and the impact of racism on his community and education. After high school, he worked at a National Guard Armory before being drafted into the US Army and deployed to Japan. He later became the Director of the Lawrence Township Community Center, managed the Eggerts Crossing Village housing project, and contributed to various community initiatives, including affordable housing and after-school programs. Throughout his life, Fred actively worked to combat racism and improve his community.
Joseph Trasatti, born in Philadelphia in 1927, moved with his family to Magnolia, New Jersey, in 1940. During World War II, he joined the US Navy as a naval corpsman, serving on the USS Westmoreland and in mobile hospital units in the Philippines and China. After his discharge in 1946, he used the GI Bill to study at the Gibson Institute of Accounting and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Trasatti had a successful career as a corporate accountant and later as a comptroller for a law firm.
Andrew J. Beck, ENG '50, born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1926, to Polish Foreign Minister Józef Beck, was raised by his mother after his parents' divorce. Fleeing the German invasion in 1939, he and his mother traveled through Europe before reaching the United States in 1940. Beck attended the Loomis School in Connecticut on a YMCA scholarship, then joined the Polish Army in Exile, training in Scotland. After World War II, he studied engineering at Rutgers and worked as a mechanical engineer, eventually becoming a chief engineer. He later managed Textron's Eastern European business and started his own export-import business. Beck maintained strong ties with Poland, preserving his father's legacy, and married a fellow Polish émigré, with whom he had two daughters.
Dr. Michael J. Blecker, RC '67, born in Bayonne, New Jersey, in 1945, shares his family's immigration history and his childhood experiences in Bayonne. He pursued a career in medicine, studying biological sciences at Rutgers University and later attending Jefferson Medical College. During the Vietnam War era, he served in the US Army under the Berry Plan, working as an allergist at Fort Dix. After his military service, he completed a pulmonary fellowship and transitioned to emergency medicine, working through significant events like the AIDS epidemic, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, 9/11, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Blecker highlights the importance of his Rutgers education and his ongoing involvement with the university.
Edward "Ed" Belding, RC '65, born in 1942, in North Adams, Massachusetts, reflects on his early years in Williamstown, his family's complex history, and the challenges of moving frequently during his childhood. He attended Ridgewood High School, where he was active in sports and early work experiences. At Rutgers University, Belding's views shifted from conservative to liberal as he became involved in civil rights and antiwar movements. His career in education began at Drake College of Business and continued in the New Brunswick School System during a period of social unrest. Belding employed innovative teaching methods, built community trust, and advocated for effective teaching practices. He also shares his passion for genealogy, writing, and art.
Phillip Thau, born in the Bronx, New York, in 1929, grew up during World War II, participating in wartime activities like blackouts and scrap metal collection. His brother served in the Army's postal service in the China-Burma-India Theater. Phillip attended City College, majoring in education, and was drafted into the Army in 1954, serving in Japan as a safety inspector. He experienced antisemitism and observed the occupation's effects on Japanese civilians. After his military service, Phillip became a teacher and eventually a principal.
Dr. Suresh Kumar, born in 1962 in Kochi, Kerala, traveled across India during his childhood due to his father's naval career. After completing his schooling in Kochi, he earned an undergraduate degree from Kochi University of Science and Technology in 1984 and an MBA in 1987. Suresh began his career with ANZ Grindlays Bank, eventually moving to the United States in 1991 for an international assignment. He later became an investment advisor and founded several businesses, including NexAge Technologies. After selling one of his ventures, he pursued a PhD, which he completed in 2011. Currently, he teaches at NJIT and serves on various company boards.
Charles Redner, RU-C '72, born in Philadelphia in 1939, had a childhood split between urban Philadelphia and rural southern New Jersey, with his family dynamics affected by his father's PTSD from WWII. He attended various high schools and worked in advertising before enrolling at Rutgers University-Camden for a psychology degree. Deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement and political activism, Redner participated in the Robert Kennedy Presidential campaign and the antiwar movement, resigning his National Guard commission to avoid a conflict of interest. As class president, he recruited Black and Puerto Rican students to Rutgers-Camden. Redner's advertising career flourished, and he became an executive vice president while also writing several books, including a biography and a novel. (This interview was produced by our colleagues at Rutgers-Camden, Dr. Kendra Boyd and Dr. Jesse Bayker.)