Because of financial straits, he often went hungry, and it was during the difficult war years that he cultivated his resolute spirit.
東大時期，他師事著名的建築大師岸田日出刀及吉武泰水助；開始時，因為經濟拮据及戰爭的緣故，郭茂林經常餓肚子；空襲時，還常幫老師料理研究室書籍及各項瑣事，如此也養成他堅毅的個性。