Mentzer was, if not a genius a very smart man. His popularity allowed so many people to have a life outside the gym and still be fit, well built and strong.
Bill Pearl is definitely a great man. He lives near Medford, Oregon and the next time I visit my brother up there I will see if I can look him up. My brother sees him in town once in awhile. I have trained at Stern's Gym in San Diego where Pearl and so many other genuine greats worked out. It is a great place full of history.