As I have written before for Ayala’s formal (but not in practice) retirement from the Technion in 2008, there are many levels of my and my family’s relationships with Aya. Looking back over the 43 years since joining the Technion, a large part of my life has involved Aya.
Among the small group of statisticians in the Faculty in 1976, including Ben Epstein and Ben Reiser and some Operations Research colleagues working in related areas, Aya and I were the closest. We did research together and as time moved on we shared the desire to make our statistics knowledge and skills relevant to others – be they scientists, doctors or industrial partners. This led us to establish the Technion Statistics Laboratory – a resource that continues to provide high quality statistical consulting to several kinds of clients.
In the early years we managed the Laboratory together. While both of us discussed and supplied the statistical competencies, Aya played a leading role in the writing of reports while I made sure the financial aspects were in good shape. We studied, applied and even developed new methodologies. Neither of us was motivated by financial gain but by the desire to be able to provide the best human and infrastructure resources to our clients. We did not agree on everything – I thought the Laboratory should expand its scope, while Aya preferred a small tightly knit group of professionals with a limited number of concurrent projects. As I moved onto academic administration, Aya took over the Laboratory management and maintained it the way she preferred. There is no doubt that the service provided was of the highest quality, with impact on both the methodology and the practice in various application disciplines.
Meanwhile, Aya and my wife Naomi became very good friends. Birthdays were always recognized (including those of our children). Aya served as a mother figure for Naomi, sharing both their joys and sorrows. At one point Aya suggested that our eldest daughter, Dana, come to do a doctorate in the Faculty – something that I would not have even considered. It was a defining moment in Dana’s life, and as well as her consequent successful doctorate in Industrial Psychology, she continued to work with Aya on various statistical teaching projects, both in and outside the Technion.
Although I was aware of my choices, I still regret the fact that for the last 11 years I was not able to continue being Aya’s professional partner. Discussions with Aya concerning statistical methodology for new consulting problems were among my most stimulating professional experiences. I will miss them and her.
Paul Feigin
