Great article in the RPI alumni magazine. Good detective work and an interesting story.

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Dear Tom,

I, too, am enamored with its memory.

Allow me to introduce myself: Jon Pollick, ’83.

I haven’t been very interested in any alumni activities since I left RPI in May of ’83, but I do glance through the Rensselaer alumni rag when it arrives in the mail. I quickly turn to my class notes to see who’s doing what (if I remember who they were), and then to the back for One Last Thing. Much to my surprise and joy, I read your article and just couldn’t stop smiling.

The Chrinitoid is a cherished memory of my days in Troy. Without going into too much detail, my first couple of months there were very challenging – not from an academic standpoint (much to my parents’ chagrin) – but, from a love-obsessed teenager standpoint – yup, the unrequited love scenario. Sometimes I wonder how I got through that first semester without flunking out – she did.

Through it all, the Chrin was a dear companion. I spent many an evening lying on the grass underneath it staring up into the sky – it was my refuge in uncertain times. My friends thought I was nuts – though, once in a while, one of them would show up and join me for a good mental cleansing – and a beer or two (it was ‘18’ back then).

Turns out, on one particularly blustery night, I felt compelled to write down my thoughts while sitting under the Chrin – part of my self-imposed therapy to get that woman out of my head. Well, what turned out got published (my fifteen minutes of fame) - I don’t know if you remember The Gorgon, the literary/poetry magazine published by the students. Just for fun, I rifled through a box of old stuff and found my copy of the magazine (heck, I was published!). I have attached a copy of my masterpiece for your amusement – it’s not too deep, so no doubt you’ll pick up on some of the imagery – the rest is just babble from a love-sick puppy.

The wife’s calling for dinner, so I’ll wrap it up here – Thank You. Thank You for bringing back good memories of a truly creative piece of sculpture, and an inanimate companion of one very immature young man. It still stands out as one of my fondest memories of those lost years.

Yours truly,

Jon



P.S. Another piece of Rickey’s work was in a town about 45 minutes from me – not the same (nothing’s like the original), but a tribute to the man nonetheless. If I get up there and it’s still there, I’ll email a photo of it to you. Take care.

JP

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Tom:

Just read your article in the Winter 2004 Rensselaer.

When I moved to Pleasanton (east bay area of San Francisco) I thought I found the Chrinitoid at a local business park. When RPI folks visit I take them over for a quick look. I am not sure if there are multiple copies/installations of this sculpture but I will take a picture of our copy next time I am in the park and will forward it to you.

I will ask the real estate folks that manage the place where our version came from.

I wish I knew it was missing.... I would have sent a note sooner ;)

Best regards,

Ed Toy, BSEE 1984 MEng 1987

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Tom -

I too was at RPI when the Chrinitoid was there. I was a member of the Class of 1978; and my husband was in the Class of 1980.

I enjoyed your story about the Chrinitoid in Rensselaer magazine. It was so much of a presence on campus. I don't think I'll ever see RPI in my mind without picturing it there. If I ever get to Zurich someday, I hope to see it. Thanks for the write-up on it and the memories!

Kindest regards,

Karen

Karen Lee Baouche, M.S., M.B.A.
Senior Project Manager, Analgesia and Rheumatology
SCIREX Corporation

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Hi to all RPI alums: The story of the Rickey's Chrinitoid was particularly interesting to me because I have had many occasions to watch one work at the Peoria Illinois Airport during my career at Caterpillar's Engine Division. I never did get to see a signature plack on it but I'm sure that it is one of his fasinating works. It is located in a secure area so that I can't get to check it out, but it is only 30 feet or so from the windows of the non secure airport waiting room and is easily viewed by those of you that might have the occasion to be flying in and out of our airport. Cheers John O. Henderson, Class of 1953

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