April 2005

In late 2003 Ken consulted with me. A physicist by education, Ken believes that people have lost our innate connection to each other, and need to get back to basics.  He lives very modestly in a studio condo at one of his properties, owns two pairs of shoes, and abhors fragrances. A wealthy man, his fortune remains in trust to a private university. Logically, I felt concerned whether I could match this self-confessed eccentric. But intuitively, I got the green light.

During the next year, I introduced Ken to a number of candidates. We also enjoyed occasional walks around Lake Merit while we visited and talked matchmaking. On one of our walks I learned of Ken’s desire to bring together investors in an owner-occupied residential hotel in a downtown area. Ken says, “Spartan living models how all people can choose to co-exist in peace while conserving resources.”

It was in late 2004 that Will consulted with me. Will’s prior partner, a physicist, had died early from a heart attack. Nearly always smiling, and easily brought to tears by genuine sentiment, Will has an angelic disposition. Before he left my office on that first day, he rolled out onto my coffee table a scroll, “You probably come across people who have the ability to make things like this happen. These are my blueprints for a residential hotel, a community housing alternative.”

It was not easy to get Ken to meet Will due to certain perceived “incompatibilities.” Will, for example, enjoys eating out at nice restaurants, and owns lots of pairs of shoes. But because—at heart—each is an altruist, Ken’s defenses began to relax, and we scheduled an introduction dinner at a German restaurant that makes goulash the way Ken likes it. Will and I arrived early, and sipped wine. I knew that Will felt excited because his upper lip shined of perspiration.

When these two men met, they hugged. And they were drawn to tears. Smiles beamed from our faces as we ate. After dinner, I watched Ken and Will walk arm-in-arm into the foggy night. They talked for hours. More recently, Ken, Will and I caused a small traffic jamb at an Embarcadero intersection. When the couple spoke of their commitment to each other, we automatically paused for a group hug in the middle of a busy crosswalk. The signal changed, and horns started honking. We took it as a sign that spring has sprung.

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