July 22, 1893, Topeka. Karl A. Menninger, M.D., son of Dr. Charles F. and Flora Knisely Menninger, was born. He once described himself as a child, as “serious” and “eccentric.” Others described him variously as brilliant, highly unpredictable, charming, an extraordinary teacher, and scary to many people. But his underlying characteristic was profound compassion for those suffering from physical or mental affliction, cultural neglect, or political repression. With his father, Dr. C. F., and brother, Will, he established the Menninger Clinic, which eventually achieved national and international recognition for clinical excellence in the treatment of mental illness and for related research. He wrote 15 books, including the widely read The Vital Balance, as well as hundreds of articles. He died July 18, 1990. —Source:The Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 54(4), pp. 435-442, 1990. Contributed by Eleanor Bell, Topeka. Photo used courtesy of George Paris, District 1.