It’s always a shock when one discovers a familiar name on the list of those killed in a notorious tragedy. My wife learned only this morning that among the 26 killed in last Friday’s terrible Metrolink train crash was Ron Grace, her junior-high counselor and P.E. teacher. His obituary is here.
Mr. Grace, as she knew him, was a key figure in my wife’s early adolescent years. It was Mr. Grace, she told me today, who encouraged her to compete in the eighth-grade spelling bee; she won that bee. She has often remarked that that victory (which stunned her, but not Mr. Grace), gave her a shot of intellectual confidence that made a huge difference in the years that followed. Ron Grace was at the very beginning of his career as a mentor when he coached my wife on the athletic field and pushed her into the spelling contest. He died on Friday afternoon, on his way home, just 55 years old.
If you’ve got mentors, father figures, mother figures, old school counselors or beloved teachers who made a difference, let this be your encouragement to drop them a line. Now. No one, after all, knows the time or the hour when we are to be summoned home.
Hugo,
My heart goes out to those who have ever lost a mentor. Now I’d like to take your advice and give you a Thanks.
Thank You, Hugo, for being so inspirational to me in my final semesters at Pasadena. I was fortunate enough to take your courses and gained a tremendous amount of respect for European History. You introduced me to Mary Wollstonecraft and to understand Napoleon. I’ll always remember those lectures and your pencil-in-hand lecture style.
I remember the advice you gave me as I left for CAL (Go Bears): steer clear (most of the time) from Blondies and avoid buying things from people on Telegraph Ave. You’ve inspired me to keep up with my running and to pursue a PhD. Thank You.
For five years, I’ve been a fan and made occasional comments to your blog. Your intelligence, kindness, hipness, and lectures were a true blessing which will not be forgotten.
Thank You!
AAN
That’s immensely kind, Anthony; I really wasn’t “fishing”, but I am so grateful you wrote. My wife is still sad she didn’t contact Ron Grace in recent years…