Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2946

Typed letter to Heath from Spencer MacCallum, Department of Anthropology, University of Chicago, Chicago 37, Illinois

October 10, 1962

Dear Popdaddy,

You certainly don’t have to get well, if you and I can only know as a secret between us that you are still a little bit interested in the wonderful things of the Spirit you have created so much of during your life — that you do love life, for all it brings, and that there can still be some bursts of spring in your life to warm and gladden your heart occasionally. They can be secret times.

 Like all your 16 descendents around the country (21 in the tribe when you count affinal relatives), I’m busy here in Chicago. It’s the most rigorous intellectual climate I’ve met, and it’s a challenge whether I can swim in these waters. I’m taking five courses instead of the normal load of three. And I’m enjoying knowing the Monroe family. They’ve a very gracious kind of a home life. You picked your friends well when you picked them.

 A nice letter came from Ivan Firth, wishing you well and replying to my letter to him about keeping in touch with the Riegel papers until they can properly be made available to those who will use them.

 Monday evening, I visited with Dr. Davis, who was in town for a couple of days. You surely influenced that man’s life in a positive way, Popdaddy. Last night he stayed up late reading your six talks and discussions that you gave at Chapman, and this morning he telephoned to say he had made an appointment today with the editors of Christian Century (the same Church affiliation as Chapman College — Disciples of Christ), whom he hopes to interest in publishing your talks and perhaps serializing them first.

 Best wishes, Popdaddy, to keep by you and use sometime when you want them.

Love,

 (Signed) Spencer