Dear Daniel,

Sad news, but thank you for sharing this with us, and your good words. I remember that big smile and handshake so well.

Bill was head of the Watson when I began my career with a position at the Met's Robert Goldwater Library in what was then called the Dept. of Primitive Art. I had the good fortune to enter the profession with Ross Day as my supervisor at the Goldwater. And owe Ross considerably for his guidance and most importantly, his patience.

Bill was more than Chief Librarian. He was also something of a role model for relative youngsters such as myself, especially those of us in New York. Always the gentleman. One of my fondest memories of Bill was a lunch he gave me at the Met. A position had opened at the Watson for which (I assumed) I was an ideal candidate. I was nowhere near ready, but in my enthusiasm and, well, arrogance, I thought I was the cat's pajamas. Through the course of the lunch, and with much of the conversation not actually focused on the open position, it slowly dawned on me that Bill was most graciously letting me know that while he valued me as a younger colleague, I was not to be the anointed. By the time lunch was over, and still without having actually stated the obvious, I had come to full agreement with Bill. I have never been unburdened of my aspirations so gently. As my career progressed I moved on to other organizations, I always looked forward to greeting Bill at conference for my annual dose of that big, warm smile and welcoming handshake.

Peter Blank