The life and loves of Scripps icon Walter Munk  Oceanographer
Walter Munk Oceanographer Walter Munk — Mike Lee  Walter Munk
got into marine science more than 70 years ago through a side
door.  He was smitten by a girl whose grandparents lived in La
Jolla so he moved from Cal Tech in Pasadena and talked his way
into a summer job at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in
1939. One thing led to another and a young Austrian man destined
for a career in banking ended up becoming one of the 20th
century’s top scientists.  “Our romance ended, but my romance
with Scripps has gone on,” said Munk, 92.  He recently returned
from Sweden, where he accepted a major international science
award called the Crafoord Prize. In addition, the San Diego City
Council is expected to declare Tuesday “Walter Munk Day” to
honor “the world’s greatest living oceanographer.”  If Munk
stays true to form, he will accept it with dry wit.  When asked
whether he’s been at Scripps his whole life, Munk’s favorite
answer is “Not quite yet.”