Remembering Dr. William Livingston

A screenshot from our interview late last month

I found out earlier (via a comment on this blog, actually) that Dr. Livingston passed away early today.  I interviewed him on July 27 and had the fortune of spending almost three hours with him speaking about his experiences in the Battle of the Bulge and as an aide-de-camp in Germany.

Edit:  The most memorable part of his interview was at the end.  Mike asks me to request something special from the veterans, considering most of them are older:  he requests life lessons and words of wisdom be shared as part of this documentation.  I asked this of Dr. Livingston and, to paraphrase, he said that he prefers his experiences speak for themselves as life lessons.  That's the first time anyone has declined, and I have to admit I agree with him - he was a great storyteller and wrapped up all his experiences into neat packets.

Dr. Livingston was a wonderful orator, a delight to interview and one of the kindest souls I have had the pleasure of talking to for this project.  I am sorry to see him go, but am glad that his memory is preserved with the Veterans History Project.  I'd like to thank the Red Cross for their quick turnaround of his interview, and to thank him for letting me have the pleasure of interviewing him.  Rest in peace.