Retirement. What retirement?

Today, at age 86, Emanuel Epstein is doing what comes naturally to him–studying plants. Since his so-called retirement in 1987, Epstein, a plant physiologist and professor emeritus, is still learning and researching. He’s deep into the life of the mind – for the long haul.

"It’s more than a nine-to-five job," Epstein said, "It’s a passion, a commitment to take yet another step to advance science and understand nature’s secrets."

Epstein is not alone. The campus currently has 707 emeriti, 180 of whom belong to the UC Davis Emeriti Association. Many of them still contribute scholarship to their fields of study and benefit their communities in diverse ways.

In the past year, atmospheric scientist and emeritus professor Thomas Cahill made international headlines with his air quality research at Ground Zero in New York. Edmond Costantini, an emeritus professor in political science, continues his role as program adviser to the Political Campaign Management Institute offered each July through UC Davis Extension.

Emmy Werner retired as a human and community development professor in 1994, and has published books on children of the westward migration, the Civil War and World War II since then.

And that’s just a few.

Epstein is considered a "historical treasure" in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources. He is a highly respected, internationally recognized scientist who, as an emeritus professor, reopened the field of essential elements with his work on the role of silicon in plant systems.

Born and raised in Germany, Epstein fled to present-day Israel, at age 16 with his family and lived in a Jewish agricultural community.

He came to UC Davis to study agriculture in 1938 when he was 22 years old, "because Davis was known worldwide as the best agricultural school."

A dedication to lifelong learning

Decades later, Epstein is still proving highly productive. He’s published 34 research papers since "being retired," as he puts it. Turns out that Epstein never wanted to retire, but under the law at the time he was shifted into retirement at age 70. Under today’s laws, that would not be the case.

"Higher education needs to be more progressive in letting elderly scholars continue their full-time status," said Epstein. "Many of us can still make an impact."

You’ll see Epstein making impact Monday through Friday in his new office in the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building. He gets in about 9 a.m. – sometimes earlier – and works straight through until 4 p.m.

"I don’t go out for lunch," he said, winking, "there’s too much work to do. I eat my lunch right here."

Epstein says his scholarly pursuits keep him in touch with young people, both students and colleagues, and allow him to contribute meaningful research to his chosen field of study.

"I want to contribute to society. That makes me feel good, instead of being laid back," he chuckled, "sitting on the couch watching TV."

Young people, Epstein says, have it tougher today in some ways.

"It seems like the educational process is longer and more difficult, and it’s especially difficult with all the distractions young people face.

"I know we had to cope with much less in the way of distractions," he said.

Keeping the past alive and well

Helping emeriti cope with retirement is one of the purposes of the UC Davis Emeriti Association.

Founded in 1988, the association has focused on the legacy of both the campus and its members. Last year, the association helped underwrite Abundant Harvest: The History of the University of California, Davis, a book by Ann F. Scheuring on the history of the UC Davis campus.

The emeriti association monitors retirement benefits, health insurance, recall procedures and salaries, and department rights and privileges. If there’s a problem with retirement transitions, then the association can step in and help.

The group also holds meetings on issues of interest. On Feb. 27, Celeste Rose, associate vice chancellor for university relations, will speak to the emeriti association on the upcoming UC Davis Capital Campaign from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Rec Pool Lodge.

With the help of a few emeriti with video skills, retired scholars can now record information about their careers for posterity.

So far, the association has videotaped 211 emeriti, according to John Goss, emeritus professor in biological and agricultural engineering and one of the video tapers.

Video copies are stored in Shields Library in the Blanchard Room. Some recordings are broadcast on Channel 5 on Davis Cable TV.

For more information, contact the UC Davis Alumni Association at the Academic Senate Office, One Shields Avenue, http://emeritiassociation.ucdavis.edu.