H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.: The Man Behind the Scholar

Abstract

Throughout the years I had the privilege to work for Tris as his assistant, I had the opportunity to learn about Tris the man as opposed to Tris the scholar and educator. One thing that I always wanted to know is the reason he kept his old blue Volvo, which in many ways was falling apart, but like an old friend he could not let it go. I don’t very often mention it but I am a car enthusiast, so when I see people who have a special relationship with their car it always intrigues me. Tris and his blue Volvo, a model of the late 1960s or early 1970s if I am not mistaken, was always a subject of conversation and laughs – the smell and interior of the car had their own characteristics!