Strawberries for Andrei Mirzabekov

[Rita Cleary]

A prominent Russian scientist, Dr. Andrei Mirzabekov, came to the Cleary's house in the early '80's for dinner after the Dorcas Cummings lecture. He was a robust, tall and handsome man and I was surprised when told not long ago that he died young. But the dinner was before perestroika and many foods, especially fresh fruit, were not readily available in Russia. The month was June and strawberries were in season. I served a huge bowl of fresh strawberries with whipped cream for dessert. Dr. Mirzabekov found them irresistible and went back for thirds, sure proof to neighbors and friends that scientists are real people and love a little indulgence now and then.