At the beginning of the interview, I asked Art to speak into the microphone so I could set the recording level. He said, “what if a much of a which of a wind gives the truth to summer’s lie...?” Being distracted by my task, I didn’t say anything, although I recognized the e.e. cummings poem. He made no more of it, nor did I. What thoughts prompted him to begin the interview by quoting a powerful poem about life and death I don’t know, but I am impressed, these days, when anyone can recite almost anything from memory.

He retired in 2001 from his job as a senior mathematical statistician (with Top Secret clearance) at the US General Accountability office, which is the oversight and evaluation agency of the Congress. He served as mentor to Social Scientists and methods specialists on over 1000 studies for the Congress. However, he continues his work as a social and political psychologist. He has been President of Social Research Consultants since he started it in 1972. This group provides short-term consultation to university faculty, dissertation advisors, doctoral students and non-profit organizations. He is in a partnership with other senior social scientists in a small business, the Social Science Research Group (SSRG). SSRG provides contractual methodological and statistical oversight and mentoring to agencies and non-profit agencies, largely on educational topics.

He told me that he hasn’t worked a single 80-hour week since retiring from his government job—and insists this isn’t a joke. Now he’s looking for opportunities to travel, see things and meet people in other places. He intends to do this by using his broad experience and background to help other researchers, particularly those in important areas like population, conflict resolution and peace research.