...or maybe not.

[mrissa]

And not at all in the good news department: one of my favorite teachers from high school wrote to tell me another of my favorite teachers died yesterday. Ron Gabriel. He was 56, though his MS made him seem older, physically.

The Gabe was...I don't even know how to say how the Gabe was. By the time I met him, he was in a wheelchair. He's gotten progressively weaker over the years, but his mind was still extremely sharp. He was the best teacher of literature and writing I ever had. He was funny, sharp but not mean, not afraid of being a little earthy with high school seniors but never crude, he was...

Just so damned alive. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

When he got weak enough, the school got him a microphone so the students in the back could hear. And when scottjames and I went back to visit, he told us stories about the prank he'd pulled on Mr. Emsick, the math teacher next door, with it ("Emsick!" "Uh...yes, Lord?" "I want you to build me an ark!"), and how he'd accidentally embarrassed a roomful of sophomores by forgetting the microphone when he went to the bathroom. How a red-faced 15-year-old boy had dashed into the bathroom going, "Um...Mr. Gabriel? Mr. Gabriel?" He never stopped laughing, sometimes at himself.

Honest Gabe initiated the Honors English freshmen and taught the Honors seniors to write and write well. Those of us who stuck around for senior Honors English were his kids, with rotating treats on Fridays and e-mails from college and all sorts of things. He was the only member of our old Honors Triumvirate still around at RHS, the last of an older bunch of teachers who wouldn't knuckle under to pressure from the administration to lower his standards and treat the kids like idiots who couldn't learn. I hear that some of the younger teachers have tried to pick up the banner. I hope so. Some members of the administration pulled some pretty low maneuvers on him.

The Gabe was my preparation for my physics profs: he would not hesitate to tell you when you'd gotten entirely the wrong end of the stick, but he was just as quick to tell you when you'd done something really good. He wrote to me about 18 months ago to tell me how proud he was of my writing and how special he thought it was. Just an e-mail out of the blue to let me know. He was that kind of guy.

I keep hearing his voice in my head reading poetry. He did not read poetry well, but I loved hearing it anyway, sing-songed iambs in such familiar tones.

What a roller coaster morning.

Comments

[wilfulcait.livejournal.com]

What a shame. Really good teachers are so far between, and their loss hits so many people.

[valancy.livejournal.com]

Oy. :( So sorry - but a beautiful few paragraphs for him.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

This is how I deal with grief. I stick words on it. I try to remember clearly. I try to make sure I know what I have lost.

Also I make lasagna or banana bread or whatever, but that won't do his family down in Omaha much good in this specific case.

[going-not-gone.livejournal.com]

You should send a version of this post to his family in Omaha--I'm sure your words will mean a lot to them.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I do write extensively in sympathy cards, and I intend to in this one.

[scottjames.livejournal.com]

Please send me the address when you get a chance.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Should be in your inbox.

[going-not-gone.livejournal.com]

Although he didn't live as long as he should have, it sounds like he lived well, like he made the most of every moment. Within the limits of serious illness, he gave an enormous amount of strength and wisdom to the people he came into contact with, and his influence will not be forgotten.

*hugs to you and the many others who remember him*

May you find joy in the memories.

[mkille.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[sienamystic.livejournal.com]

It's always so hard to lose a beloved teacher. My senior year English teacher had a huge impact on me. It was harder for me to cope with her death, because I found out about it unexpectedly, when I was checking the website where she posted the icons she painted.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I'm sorry about the loss of your mentor and friend.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a loss! But what good memories his students can take with them--and I hope his standards will be carried on.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Yikes, roller-coaster indeed.

You've always made Gabe sound like a *wonderful* person.

Sympathy, hugs.

[karenmkk-610.livejournal.com]

I don't remember now what I had him for lol, but I remember he was a great guy and a great teacher. Thanks for sharing the pranks he pulled, I can totally see him doing that. I believe now that I think about it, I had him for english my freshman year. How sad that he's gone, and so early, but at least he is in a better place now, not that that really helps, especially not his family. If you don't mind, could I have their address too? I'd like to send a card. Also, since you were much closer to him than I was, sorry for your loss.

Thanks!

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

The address I have should show up in your inbox soon.

[zalena.livejournal.com]

What a marvelous teacher to be allowed to have in your life. I lost one of my greatest mentors this year. It just goes to show that one life, however obscure, does make a difference.

[kythiaranos.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. You were fortunate to have such a terrific teacher--when you share your wisdom with the rest of us, remember that you're honoring him, too. I'll be thinking you warm thoughts today.

[keightyb.livejournal.com]

Wow... he was a really cool guy. :(