Bean Sprouts In Beaumont...

Occasionally I write columns dealing with “Smarties I have known.” I wrote one about Dr. Dale Priest, Professor of English at Lamar University. Later, I wrote about Dr. William (Bill) Martin, Professor of Sociology at Rice University.

Here (pictured) is another “Smartie” I met when he was only 5 years of age. I was 4. Today, he is better known as Dr. Wendell C. Bean, Professor of Electrical and Nuclear Engineering at Lamar University, Beaumont. Wendell is one of the most humble individuals I have known. Later in this essay I’ll mention a few of his accomplishments, each one amazing in its own right.

When Wendell was 13, I was 12. We always sat together in church. You may know that churches of Christ sing a cappella meaning that they do not use musical instruments in their worship services. As a result many members develop fine singing skills. Most of our Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs are in four-part harmony. One Sunday morning while we were singing, I detected that Wendell was singing bass. I sang soprano because I could not hit those low bass notes. I recall thinking how wonderful Wendell was because he could sing bass.

Another time during the 1940s, Wendell and I were playing on the rear campus of Giles Elementary School. We decided to run a race from Avenue A to the school building. I prided myself as being one of the fastest runners in school. We started our race and to my shock and horror, Wendell outran me. I recall thinking how wonderful Wendell was because he could run so fast.

I learned early on that Wendell had an extra-ordinary sense of humor. He still does. One night back in the 1940s, Wendell and I attended some sort of Operatic Review at the City Auditorium (now Julie Rogers Theater) in downtown Beaumont. We were sitting in the center of the very first row. One of the presentations consisted of a pianist at the Steinway accompanying a lady soprano who was to sing an aria. The pianist began playing quite a long introduction. I leaned over to Wendell and whispered, “She is going to start screaming any second.” Immediately she burst forth with what I am certain was beautiful music for adults. But for two kids? Not quite. The lady would scream for a while then just stand there while the pianist played every piece of music he ever knew. Then the lady would scream some more then get quiet again. After several times of this back and forth, Wendell leaned over and whispered, “She keeps forgetting the words.” I went into silent convulsive laughter with one hand over my mouth and the other holding my stomach. Said stomach was sore for several days. I recall thinking how wonderful Wendell was because of his sharp sense of humor.

Yes, Wendell was a good friend and still is even though our paths through the years have taken us separate directions.

Allow me to tell you of some of Wendell’s accomplishments since our adolescent years.

I suppose you noticed at the first of this condensed essay that Wendell’s official title at Lamar University is Professor of Electrical and Nuclear Engineering. His areas of expertise include Control Systems, Biomedical Modeling and Analysis, and Nuclear Reactor Dynamics and Control. Now honestly I do not know what all of that means. If you want to know, ask Dr. Bean. He is a down-to-earth genius and will talk with you like a Southeast Texas brother.

A scholarship has been established in Wendell’s honor for his, “dedication for higher education and passion for learning.” For additional information on Dr. Bean, see www.ee.lamar.edu/profiles/bean.html and/or Google Dr. Wendell C. Bean for even more information.

I still think Wendell is wonderful for all he has accomplished and contributed.

Winston Hamby
WinHamby@Gmail.com