<p class="ql-block">The next time you visit the Livingston Library, take a stroll over to the World Languages area, and spend a few minutes looking at the newest addition in the Chinese language section. No, it’s not a new book, or a recent periodical, rather, it is a simple plaque honoring the memory of Dr. Spencer Scott, an educator and professional trainer from Omaha, Nebraska. The plaque included a charitable donation to the library given by two generous benefactors, Bo Wang and Cathy Chen, natives from the Henan Province of China, who have been residents of Livingston since 2020.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">How fate had brought their lives together is a story unto itself but suffice to say that while traveling through China nearly 40 years ago, Dr. Scott had met Bo, who was assigned to be his translator. Dr. Scott was more than impressed with his young translator, and when it was time for him to return to the United States, Dr. Scott had a proposition for Bo. </p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Simply stated, he invited Bo to come to the United States, continue his education at an American university, and receive his master’s degree. While the offer was tempting, Bo wasn’t quite ready to make such a commitment. Several years later, after a stint in Hong Kong, Bo reconnected with Dr. Scott, and as the saying goes “the rest is history.”</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">With assistance from Dr. Scott, Bo emigrated to the United States, and attended both the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the New School in New York City. Upon graduation, he worked for JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo as a financial advisor. Cathy Chen, his wife, joined him in 1991, and they made their home in the great state of New Jersey, raising a son and daughter. </p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">By 2016, armed with the knowledge he gained working for the big financial institutions, Bo founded his own company – Wealthhouse Advisors, Inc., a firm specializing in structured investments issued by well-known banks as well as alternative investments, such as apartments, hotels, office buildings, oil, and gas.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">However, throughout the years of building their business and achieving financial milestones, Bo and Cathy never forgot Dr. Scott, to whom Bo credits so much of his success for bringing him to the United States. Though Dr. Scott never had children of his own, he shared so much time with Bo and Cathy, he quickly became a beloved grandfather to the Wang children. In fact, the bond with Dr. Scott was so strong that Bo and Cathy named their son, Scott, and their daughter, Marjorie, Dr. Scott’s wife. Dr. Scott passed away in 2010, at the age of 97.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Reflecting upon this long friendship, Bo stated, “There’s a parable that states if you are thirsty and a person gives you a cup of water, you need to remember that kindness, and honor it. How? Not by just giving another cup of water, but by providing an entire fountain.”</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">And as Dr. Spencer Scott offered Bo that cup of water so many years ago, both Bo and Cathy have been building that fountain of thanks and gratitude in his memory. </p><p class="ql-block"> </p>