Saturday half days were mandatory. Len made a deal with his supervisor that if he could process the backlog on his desk he would not have to work on Saturday. He did so in a week.  After 6 months, aware of his 1A draft status, with America at peace, he was reluctant to spend 2 years on active duty if drafted. So, Len returned to New York and joined a National Guard unit, requiring only 6 months active duty, at nearby Fort Dix, N.J. He found an opening in “The Fighting 69^th”, the Irish Regiment of St. Patrick’s Day Parade fame. His Phys. Ed. training qualified him as an “acting’ sergeant, but his E-3 pay was $72/month.

Two weeks after discharge, Len was hired by one of Madison Avenue’s largest advertising agencies, becoming a “Mad Man” at the very beginning of that era. He worked on powerhouse accounts like P&G, General Foods, and eventually Revlon at Grey Advertising. The Revlon job, though prestigious and glamorous, was ulcer-inducing. In a moment of clarity, Len walked into the chairman’s office and resigned. “TAKE ME WITH YOU!” was the chairman’s reply. He then graciously offered to maintain Len’s health insurance, and asked Len to pack a suit and tie, and visit Grey and Revlon offices wherever he went.

Len ordered BMW’s largest motorcycle to be delivered in Paris, (he had never been on a motorcycle, but he fancied the idea). Rolled one of his Saville Row suits into a backpack and mounted the 750cc. Miraculously, he survived being thrown off at throttle wide open crossing into Spain. The insurance company shipped the bike to Munich for repairs, and a tamer Len hitched and trained to Munich. Repairs completed, and a girlfriend from New York on board, Len headed south to Venice, then down the Adriatic coast of Yugoslavia, alternating nights on the ground in their sleeping bags with low-cost hostels. Len’s friend returned to New York from Athens, while Len boarded a boat to Haifa. Three weeks in Israel, Len began the return trip via Italy back to Paris, funds depleted and wanderlust somewhat sated.

Grey’s Paris office welcomed him with a few weeks work, which eased his financial situation. He was then offered an assignment in the Brussels office. Six months later and missing America he returned to the U.S., settling into a log cabin he owned in Warren, Vermont with the intention of living a more “mellow” life. Grey’s Montréal office called. Len struck a deal to work four days a week, with summer months to travel, for proportionally less pay.

McGill University’s Business School was across the street from Grey’s office. Len thought he might put the two-hour lunch break to better use, so he contacted the Dean and proposed a “practical’ marketing course for graduating seniors. The dean agreed to a trial. 21 students signed up. At term’s end 20 rated the course a top grade of 5.0, one gave it a 4.9. The Dean was ecstatic. The course was expanded the following term to a full year and re-located to a lecture hall to accommodate the increased enrollment.

Delighted and encouraged, Len offered the course as well to the U. of Vermont and resigned from Grey. He now was an “Adjunct Professor” Tuesday and Thursday at UVM and Wednesday at McGill. The pay minimal, but it fit Len’s new lifestyle.