Dick and Liz Askey's visit to U.S.S.R. in 1987, and how the discrete Askey scheme also originated in Russia

Abstract

This paper describes how the discrete Askey scheme independently arose in Russia and how Askey learned about this. In particular, Askey met main characters in this story, namely Gel'fand and Suslov as well as Nikiforov and Uvarov, during his trip to U.S.S.R, in September 1987. The paper describes this trip in some detail, in particular based on the diary of Askey's wife Liz, who accompanied him. Dick and Liz Askey continued their trip by visits to Japan, Australia and India. Schedules of these three visits are also given.