In his own way, though, he is an engaging, polite man, hip to contemporary cultural icons, and even given to singing at public occasions with wry lyrics and verses.

Cartoonist Jim Toomey created the comic strip Sherman's Lagoon, a wry look at underwater life starring Sherman the talking shark. As he sketches some of his favorite sea creatures live onstage, Toomey shares his love of the ocean and the stories it can tell.

The next one got kind of a wry smile on his face and said, Well while you were, you know, doing your research, notice the condescending tone While you were off doing your research, I was off doing more surgeries than anyone else in the department of surgery at this institution.