Gene was my undergraduate advisor at UCSD, and my first astronomical advisor. He also took me on my first observing run (to Lick in October 1995), taught me IRAF and IDL, convinced me to go to Caltech for graduate school, and even got me into the infrared group there with Tom Soifer and Gary Neugebauer. He basically started me on my entire research career, so I have a lot to thank him for. He was also very patient and generous with his time for a young student who would much rather be out surfing that sitting at CASS reducing optical spectra. And he was kindly encouraging. Prior to one of my first research talks as a student, he sent me this quick note: "Congratulations, Adam on giving a great talk. Well, I don't know that you've given a great talk yet, but I have every confidence." In the end, I believe my passion for astronomical research has its roots in the year or so I worked with Gene at UCSD. He had a significant, positive impact on my life.