January 25, 2023

Dear Jim,

I still have vivid memories of our first meeting at the cafeteria on the fifth floor of Lowder Hall. At our first meeting, you asked me whether I knew ridge regression and lasso regression. I said I knew the techniques very well, and you were very excited about this. You wanted me to teach you the techniques and gave me about three hours to prepare.

Now, I can confess that I was not familiar with either ridge or lasso regression. I couldn’t say I didn’t know the techniques in front of you because I was a junior faculty member at that time. It was my first week at Auburn University, and you introduced yourself as an eminent scholar in finance.

I had no option but to use all my power to teach myself first and then write a short, tutorial-type manuscript. Of course, I skipped my lunch that day. While I explained the techniques, you looked like you loved every single word I said. When the lesson was over, we became best friends and have remained so ever since—like meatballs and spaghetti: You talk, and I work. You are my mentor and father figure.

Your absence today has me asking myself what the meaning of life is. Jim, I don’t know. I hope you will give me more than three hours to prepare my answer this time. However, I can promise that, when we meet again, you will be excited about it. I hope you will love every single word I say, just like the first time.

Sincerely,

Kang-Bok Lee.

January 30, 2023.