Document ypdv4GR1K6mJDmvd2K72arvOD

February 1, 1965 Mr. John J. Bloomfield Casilla 3979 Santiago, Chile Bear Jack; . While my schedule here is fairly well defined, I think I should know jupt what you wish as to the time of my going to Chile. My formal ter mination as Director of the Kettering Laboratory will come as of June 30. I have agreed, however, to give every possible aid to Dr. Radford, and, at present, at least, he believes that I should continue on in an advisory capacity to some extent, and,specifically, to retain the responsibility for our work on lead. Tgis may or may not be feasible or wise, but it is certain that our industrial sponsors will wish this work to be pursued vigorously, and I shall have to help out in this matter for a time because of the "irons that are on the fire" with Ethyl Corporation, duPont, Lead Industries Association and the U.S. Public Health Service, all of which organizations are actively supporting apd conferring with us in this work. It is a large enterprise which the Laboratory must continue vigorously anti With understanding. Members of, the staff can do this under satis factory leadership, but the latter will hot be available for some time. Despite these problems, which will neither be neglectednor solved in; a few months of time, I expect to have a vacation in the Rocky Mountains first, and thai get to Santiago without further delay. This will be possible, easily, early in September, but if I am to get there sooner than that, I shall have to take my-vacation early. (I would not be insistent upon thp vacation if I were young and invulnerable. However, this has been, and is continuing to be a difficult year, and I'me tired and in need of a rest of the type I can be sure of in one of my favorite haunts in the mountains.) It would be well, therefore, if I were to be sure of your wishes aisd of the urgency of my joining you. Incidentally, while I think of it, Mrs. Kehoe believes that it would be a fine thing if we were to have a house or apartment in which she could pre pare our meals when she wishes to do so, and do such modest entertaining as might be desirable. You will know, I am sure, whether this is as good a prpspect as she believes it to be. The point is that she would like to take as much advantage as possible of being part of the life of the country, which mejans to her, the exchanges in marketing (if this is possible), some acquaintance with the people and the like. I had thought to spare her from any unnecessary work or effort, but she is a gregarious person, who, within the limits of her strength (and sometimes beyond ttesese limits), likes to be a part of the life of whatever community we live in. Now as to your needs in toxicology, I should know, at this point, whether yop want someone who will remain on the job there, or whether you need a con sultant to help get things underway. If it is the latter, it might be well Mr. John J. Bloomfield - (2) - February 1, 1965 to let me act in that capacity for the time I am there, during which I could find out what problems are pressing, and discuss with you how best to meet them. I make this suggestion, which may be highly impractical and not to your liking for any other reason or reasons, only because the problems of agriculture are one thing, and those of animal husbandry are something else. A bird's eye view of the situation might suggest the urgent need for a veterinarian trained in toxicology. There are a few of this breed. One of our difficulties has been that we have had to find persons who could work with the people most concerned, talk their language, and develop pertinent information on a background of understanding of need.. (By "our" and "we," I mean those responsible for doing things in the U.S.A.) If you need highly trained investigators in field and laboratory or in both, it is another matter. If you need a combination of talents, including those of a teacher, it is still something else. I believe you will have a clear idea of what you want and need, for you have always made it your business to understand the problem which you are facing. If, therefore, you will give me some specifications, 1*11 be better enabled to make some suggestion. Otherwise, you may choose to let me look at the situations on the spot and give you both help and advice. Much depends upon the urgency of the situation, which only you are in position to determine. Incidentally, I am not expecting this trip to be a vacation, J hav more fun in learning about a country, and its people and its life, when I am busy. I am retiring from a, difficult job, without much reluctance, because it takes more at times than I have to give, but I am not retirir. from life. Thanks for your good wishes, both as to our Christmas holidays and the New Year. Lucile and I had a most- comfortable and agreeable visit to Curacao. It is certainly a community in which one can - and indeed must relax. We came home full of sun tan and good spirits. Unfortunately, she was overtaken promptly by a viral respiratory illness that was epidemic in Cincinnati and has been hospital and housebound since. This is the type of thing from which we must escape, by abandoning Cincinnati as a home base. The winters are sometimes severe and always disagreeable. For example, we are now in the clutches of a severe cold wave with plenty of snow. Sincerely yours, RAK:vr Robert A. Kehoe, M.B.