Joseph P. Bachman by Margaret

Joseph P. Bachman by Margaret - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Many men and woman have played extremely crucial and inspiring roles throughout the realm of history. While the average person is aware of the most recognized participants in history, many extraordinary people have lived their lives relatively unnoticed by the world. Perhaps their accomplishments were insignificant in comparison to the highly venerated works of others... but perhaps not. I had thought of writing about great doctors, great philosophers, or possibly even great politicians. But I thought in all honesty that I should choose the person that I truly wanted, not because of their fame and recognition, but simply because of an inner desire, to have dinner with most.
My Great-Great Grandfather is the historical person that I would take most pleasure in having dinner, and hopefully a long conversation, with. He was one of those unobserved yet wonderfully exceptional people. His name was Joseph Paul Bachman, and he was born on August 6, 1876. While I am unaware of a large portion of his life, I have discovered (from my parents, grandparents, and some documents), a few facts concerning him that make me proud to be a direct descendant of his.
With immense talent and love for being in the kitchen, my Great-Great Grandfather made a crucial decision in his life. He resolved to spend the rest of his days... in a kitchen. During his life-long career as both a chef and a baker, he had many experiences and accomplishments.
In 1911, combined with the efforts of the late Julius Fleischmann (president of the famous yeast company), he began the first baking school/laboratory in the United States. He served as the director of Fleischmann’s “Bachman School of Baking”, that has now been in business for many decades, and has been responsible for the instruction of numerous bakers from all over the world. Which includes, cooking crews from the US Navy.
During his early years at the “Bachman School of Baking”, my Great-Great Grandpa patented the Bachman Yeast-Test Cylinder, which was put to use at his school. As the name makes somewhat apparent, this product was used to test yeast in the mass production of bread that the school both produced and sold.
My Great-Great Grandfather also worked (I am not sure in what year or for how long) as the head chef at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Even with all these undertakings, Joseph Bachman was a humble man. My Great-Great Grandfather is documented to have had literally thousands of friends who deeply admired and respected him. He is also said to have been an acquaintance of the well-known, Chef Boyardee (Yes... there really is a man behind that name.)
With all this said, I have yet to tell you why I desire to have dinner with Joseph P. Bachman above all others. It is not because he worked at the Plaza Hotel, or because he was the director of the first baking school in the United States. It is not even because of his famous yeast patent. As peculiar as this may sound, the real reason that I want to see him is because he is my Great-Great Grandpa. His past accomplishments are not what matters to me. I want to see him simply because I respect and love him. He was certainly very talented, and I believe he accomplished more in his life-time than anyone else I know. I am honored to call Joseph P. Bachman my Great-Great Grandpa.