Ivan Kochan

My father and I wrote his memoirs before he died in 2017 at the age of 93. A Generation of Leaves; A Ukrainian Journey 1923-1948 is his story of growing up in Western Ukraine. He dictated these stories to me over a period of almost twenty years. Ivan felt it was important for people to know how life was in this corner of the world where he grew up. The historical significance is obvious during the World Wars but also applies to today's world of a struggling country in defense of its independence.

My father's life after Ukraine is a very successful one as a university professor, an immunologist and cancer researcher. He was well-published in many scientific journals and received numerous grants for his research. He never forgot where he came from and stayed interested and active in supporting Ukrainians and their culture.

As Ivan's daughter I had a very typical "avoid conflict" type relationship with my father until my mother died. Then Ivan and I began to spend more time together forging a new relationship which evolved around the writing of these memoirs. These times are reflected in the Daughter's Tale, Part One and Part Two of the book.

I was fortunate to have the time to spend with my father writing this book. He was fortunate to survive and able to share his experience while thousands did not and could not. Ultimately the book tells the story of a significant time in world history and how ordinary humans adapted and lived in those extraordinary times.