Whew, a PhD in P-Chem...impressive! Based on its reputation among Chem majors I knew, I (successfully) avoided P-Chem like the plague en route to a BS in Zoology (w/a minor in chemistry).
Physical chemistry was one of the toughest courses I ever took. I managed to avoid it until grad school. My dad took it in the ‘40s on his way to an M.D., and told me once that it was the first time in his life he got a grade below an A (yep, 4.0 through grade school, high school, and most of pre-med), and he was happy to get the B.
I have great respect for anyone who got a Ph.D. in that subject.