Leah Vallely and George Marchelos

This StoryCorps interview features an engaging dialogue between Leah Vallely and her friend and colleague, history professor George Marchelos, whose extraordinarily adventurous life spans nearly nine decades. Recorded in the StoryCorps mobile Airstream, the conversation explores George’s rich Greek heritage, childhood memories, and expansive journeys to more than 150 countries, including travels along the historic Silk Road and the Amazon River. In addition to recounting global explorations and his impressive collection of artifacts, George shares moving memories of traveling by ship with his late wife, Beverly, discusses his professional passion for teaching, and reflects on a harrowing, first-hand account of escaping a mortar attack in Beirut, Lebanon.