Hi Don,

If anyone could find it, I knew it would be you. You've come through so many times. But there is one that still hasn't been confirmed. Do you remember which one? It was our very first search, more than a year ago. Its the story about a Japanese Professor of Seismology and his student. I'll tell the one I know, but its not exact, as the exact has not been unearthed yet.

The student had noticed certain natural events and told the Professor that he thought an earthquake of some magnitude was going to arrive within ten days. As the student had never forecast an earthquake previously the Professor had no confidence in him and forbid him to issue a warning.

The Professor went to a convention and during the convention, the earthquake struck, exactly in the location the student said it would be and the magnitude was correct.

It is said that the Professor retired or was removed after such a great loss of life from the earthquake, but that is unconfirmed as of yet. The above is a little loose as I'm going back aways and I know Don will recall the details even better. Their story was the first of many Don researched for me and the only one he had problems confirming. It happened a long time ago so the records are not what one could rely upon.

In the two years since I started writing about earthquake prediction, I found the story encompasses so much, its going to a bit more than I thought at the onset. The best thing I can say is that I have met some really fine people. My favorite was Alan Lindh. He's very thoughtful. As time goes along I see that some travel to foreign countries is going to be necessary, so I can capture this topic in the global sense. I think when I get going, I'll really enjoy it.

Thanks Don for finding that information and for the thousands of others you ferreted out for me. You are an extraordinary man. Not only are you greatly intelligent, you have this natural gift in looking at issues from many sides. When you dig for research, you always verify its correct before using it. Up close and personal, anyone who's met him will tell you he's a bundle of laughter and its totally contagious. In the best friends department, no one could possibly ask for more. He goes well above and beyond anything I've ever heard of in my life.

When I think of the aftermath of Loma Prieta and I can still see the people in that neighborhood doing everything they could to reach the victims trapped in the Cypress Freeway Structure. I know if Don had been there, he'd be just like the others, only more knowledgeable, very organized, clear in mind and would develop a strategy long before he first ladder ever went up.

Like I always say to him, "how can I ever say thank you enough?" He usually says, "its just part of my training." and thinks no more about it. While research may be part of his lifes work, being a good friend, surely isn't.

Theres a set of wings in heaven waiting for you to wear when you're done here. But I've got more work than you'll ever be able to do, so I hope you won't be wearing those wings for a good long while.

Greatfully Your Friend...Petra