In June, 2022 I was privileged to visit Charlie Munger at his home in Pasadena, California, one of ten people who joined him for dinner on his patio.
Charlie hosted many such dinners and those assembled were, as I was, honored and grateful to bask in his presence and gather pearls of wisdom on life, history, family, business and investment.
We enjoyed a cool breeze as the sun set, seated, gratefully, unmasked.
As the evening drew to a close each of us was granted a photo op with Charlie and gifted a signed copy of “Poor Charlie’s Almanack.”
I will treasure both always.
For this man taught me, at long last, how to think clearly, utilizing the “uncommon sense” he brought to the world.
A Modest House
Charlie’s house was strikingly modest, for a man of his wealth.
He said he made improvements in the seventy years he resided there.
Two struck me.
For a simple house, the driveway was broad with abundant parking and the patio large and luxurious, doubtless to accommodate his many long evenings with thankful guests.
As Charlie deeply loved books I brought a rare, hundred-year- old textbook of heredity, full of antique but often lasting wisdom, which I hope found a place in the library where he first received us.
From the library we were led to the same lovely patio where Charlie held his final interview with Becky Quick in November, 2023:
Queen of the Arts
As wise and careful as Charlie was, in thought and word, so he was in architecture, which he termed, “Queen of the Arts.”
For architecture can achieve both beauty and utility.
And I think of Charlie’s famous pronouncement:
“The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more.” - Charlie Munger
Just how Charlie spent such evenings, helping others know more.
And what befits a human being who wants to help others know more than an architecture fit to receive them.
RIP Great Teacher