One of my favorite college professors died yesterday...

[pap64]

I learned today that one of my favorite education professors died yesterday due to heart complications.

Even though I only took one class as part of my summer course with him I will remember him for being a great teacher. He had an amazing sense of humor that never overpowered his duties as a college professor. In other words, he would have a laugh with you but call you out if you said something dumb.

Truth to be told, however, he was already in bad shape. He came to class with a walking cane and he always needed to be seated because he lost his balance every time he walked. He was from out of town so he had to carpool with another professor (which was his best friend).

What really strikes me the most about this is that before the course was over he said "You guys are my last class because I am retiring". So I along with my other classmates we were his last students.

I think what strikes me the most about this is that you never expect good-bye to be forever. Has anyone experienced this? Have you ever said good-bye to someone, then it truly was the last good-bye? Its one of those life moments that can be both fascinating and very depressing.

I hope to see him tomorrow before his burial. He was a great guy and I am grateful to God that he gave me the opportunity of being his student for a short while.

[Jack Skellington]

I'm sorry to hear it.

One of my favorite teachers died two years ago, he was one of the nicest teachers that I ever met. When he left our school, nobody knew he was leaving, but I noticed that he was smiling at me that morning, I wish I said goodbye but I didn't know. One year later my friend told me that Mr. John had died, and it depressed me a lot.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm also sorry to hear that. A few months ago, my dad emailed me saying that my 5th grade teacher died, and he was one of my absolute favorite teachers ever. I hadn't seen him since my high school graduation, so it's not like I've seen him recently, but it was still sad. At least he's in a better place.

[UmbrellaFish]

I'm so sorry to hear that, pap. Teachers make such impact on our lives, so his legacy will continue on with each of his students.

I think what strikes me the most about this is that you never expect good-bye to be forever. Has anyone experienced this? Have you ever said good-bye to someone, then it truly was the last good-bye? Its one of those life moments that can be both fascinating and very depressing.

This did happen to me, actually. It was Christmas Day, 2005, and I was leaving my grandparents' place, and I said "good-bye", and I kissed my great-grandmother, and the next day, she was taken to the hospital. She died the day before New Year's Eve. I did take a lot of comfort in knowing I got to say good bye one last time, I hope you can, too.

[Beast_enchantment]

I'm so sorry to hear that, pap. Teachers make such impact on our lives, so his legacy will continue on with each of his students.

I think what strikes me the most about this is that you never expect good-bye to be forever. Has anyone experienced this? Have you ever said good-bye to someone, then it truly was the last good-bye? Its one of those life moments that can be both fascinating and very depressing.

This did happen to me, actually. It was Christmas Day, 2005, and I was leaving my grandparents' place, and I said "good-bye", and I kissed my great-grandmother, and the next day, she was taken to the hospital. She died the day before New Year's Eve. I did take a lot of comfort in knowing I got to say good bye one last time, I hope you can, too.

This is all really sad

It just reminds me again of my neighbour who commited suicide almost 2 weeks ago now. he was quite close to me (really long story) and I didn't see him that much leading up to it. I did see him on the street and I did give him a hug and said goodbye and i'll see you later. But obviously I never did. I just wish I was there for him. I had no idea of his feelings. he kept them pretty well covered.

So yes, it's happened to me as well.

Sorry for your loss pap64, and UmbrellaFish.

[Brer Brandon]

My sympathies.

I've experienced situations like this before where you grow close to someone during a short period of time, but then you never see them again and eventually may hear that they've died. It's a little disconcerting for me because I feel very sad but at the same time I didn't really know know the person anymore if that makes sense.

My favorite high school teacher (really she was my favorite teacher ever) died a little over a year ago from breast cancer. I had her for English junior and senior year. She was first diagnosed shortly after I graduated and had fought this battle off and on for about six years. I was living on the other side of the country at the time and had not seen her in over four years, but at the same time I was over come with grief.

But the moment that most clearly comes to mind regarding a good-bye being forever happened in the summer of 2005. I was going to spend the summer in Colorado and the night before I left I went next door to see my grandparents. Since they lived next door, I am very close to them. I talked for a while and then told them good-bye. My Papa was not a touchy-feely guy at all and definitely not usually one to say "I love you" (he showed it instead). But that night he hugged me and we said "I love you" to each other. I don't know why I had this sense of finality to it, but a month later he was put in the hospital. I wanted to come home from Colorado but he was getting better and the doctors said they were sending him home the next day. However, early that morning he died. I cherish that last night I saw him though.

[disneyboy20022]

my sympathies for everyone....

I had a teacher who passed away....she was my special education teacher in 4th grade - 6th grade....and she was also a distant relative due to her husband who is a distantat cousin of me.....I saw her a lot even when I got out of elementary.....she was like a second mother to me.....and she died due to cancer that she had been fighting the previous year and lost last summer in July......at first I wasn't going to go to the visitation.....because I didn't want to face the reality she died...she was only 60 years old....but at the last minute I decided to and my dad took me.....when I got there....I lost it...in tears....I gave her husband a hug who we know very well since he was a distant cousin of ours....I didn't attend the burial because it was too hot however I knew that if I didn't attend the visitation.....it would be one thing I would regret most in life...so I am glad I did..


there are 3 sayings she always said

When I was trying to say can't I take a 10 minute break between homework: she told me....Michael....this is not Let's Make A Deal....

the other two she told me was


Don't borrow trouble and when times were tough for me she always told me This Too Shall Pass

[UmbrellaFish]

This has gotten really sad... Sorry for your neighbor Beast_enchantment, and your teachers Brer Brandon and disneyboy20022.

[blackcauldron85]

This has gotten pretty sad, but it's amazing how certain teachers make an impact on us forever. I laughed at the Let's Make a Deal saying, disneyboy- I need to remember that for when I have kids!

I, too, am sorry for everyone's losses, but at least we learned good things from these people.

[Prudence]

I am so, so, so sorry.

[pap64]

Hey guys, sorry for not responding as soon as possible. Thanks for all the kind words.

I went to his funeral service before he was buried, and one of the things his wife said that truly touched me was "I hope those students that are doing their thesis receive help from him from heaven and to never quit what you started".

My thesis is likely going to be an arduous process so the idea of receiving some sort of divine help well...moves me .