"Dr. Fry is a psychiatrist and professor emeritus of Stanford University School of Medicine. He is also a recognized humor researcher and perhaps the most influential person to effect the growth and development of therapeutic humor over the last 50 years. Let me tell you a bit of history, which brings Dr. Fry to the platform tonight.

"He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with his MD degree in 1949. Before and after medical school, he served for six years in the military, almost four of those years during WW II. Dr. Fry completed his psychiatric residency at the VA Hospital in Menlo Park, California. He actually worked on the same ward that was later immortalized in the book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". And yes, he really did work along side the REAL Nurse Ratchet. After that experience, there was never a nurse he couldn't manage.

"In 1962, at Stanford University, Dr. Fry began his work with Gregory Bateson, exploring the logical paradox inherent in communication. It was at this time that his interest in humor research began to develop. Because so much of humor involves paradox, Dr Fry began to study the cognitive elements of humor. A short while later, as a family therapist, he noted that humor played a strong role in communication patterns within families, and he became more interested in the psychological elements, surrounding the emotional needs and responses to the use of humor. In 1964 he obtained an NIH grant to study paralinguistics - the non verbal methods of communicating such as laughing or crying. Together with anthropologist Edith Trager, they studied the gesture communication and social signaling patterns of gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. He worked for some of that time with the famous gorilla, KoKo.

"During the late 60's Dr. Fry started to examine the physiological changes occurring during the experience we call laughter. However, grant money was difficult to obtain, because of the Vietnam war. Luckily for Dr. Fry, though, Stanford University is located in the middle of Silicon Valley and during the 60's the technology of instrumentation was growing rapidly. Companies were eager to have researchers test their new instruments and they offered him with very sophisticated and expensive monitoring equipment in exchange for feedback on design protocols. Many years later he continued his physiological research working together with Lee Berk and Stanley Tan to measure the impact of laughter on immune system function.

"For many years, Dr Fry was an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University Medical School. During this time he authored two books Sweet Madness in 1963, and Make 'em Laugh in 1978. He also edited the Handbook of Humor and Psychotherapy, featuring a chapter by our own Dr. Ed. Dunkleblau. In addition, Dr. Fry has also published over 100 articles in both professional journals and the popular magazines, including an article in the prestigious Encyclopedia Britannica.

"Over the last 25 years, Dr. Fry has been very active in many humor organizations, some of which were academic and research focused and others that were clinical and application focused. Dr. Fry is always eager to share his knowledge with his colleagues. In 1976 he spoke for the very first conference of the International Society for Humor Studies which convened in Cardiff, Wales. For the next 24 years, he presented papers at almost every ISHS conference held around the world. In 1989 he traveled to the Sorbonne, in Paris, and presented a paper for the Charlie Chaplain Centennial celebration. In 1993 Dr. Fry began to collaborate with researchers from the University Sek in Segovia, Spain and he continues to make annual visits. For the last three years he has presented a keynote address in Basal, Switzerland for the European counterpart to our own AATH.

"And yet, even though his professional commitments and international travel have kept him extremely busy, Bill has always had time for the beginning humor enthusiast. Many of us here in this room have contacted him at one time or another and asked for assistance, which he most graciously provides. He has supported AATH since its inception when Allison Crane converted the almost defunct "Nurses for Laughter" group into the national association that you see surrounding you tonight. Bill has been a speaker for the Humor Project, and has been interviewed several times for the Humor and Health Journal. He was very supportive of Doug Fletcher and the Journal of Nursing Jocularity, by speaking at conferences, contributing articles for the journal and helping to maintain and build the humor network.

"I will never forget one of the first times I met Bill Fry. It was 1988. We had gathered together in Hollywood with Norman Cousins, Allen Funt, Lee Berk, and Allen Klein and Vera Robinson. The next day, we were to make a video program about the therapeutic values of humor. I was awe struck to be among some of the world's most famous humor experts. As we entered the prestigious recording studio you could almost palpate the stiffness and formality. However, within a few minutes, Bill had the entire office laughing and joking and soon we all joined in the fun. I saw the very humane and funny Bill Fry. Year's later, I asked Bill why he'd not set up an email account. He responded: "Now Patty, if I do that I could get hundreds of letters every day. You know me, I'd feel compelled to answer them all. — it's quite possible that I'd never be able to leave my computer and enjoy my retirement." I saw the very kind and helpful Bill Fry.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight it is my honor and my pleasure to present to you the very first recipient of the AATH Lifetime Achievement Award, my friend, the kind, the funny, the fabulous Dr. William F. Fry Jr."