Passings

Bob Vandervaart passed away this past week after years of illness. Bob taught me French in high school in '75 & '77. He always had a smile and interesting, engaging conversation... and he made learning fun. I remember one year that he had a map of France on the wall and would bring in cheese from a different region of the country on Fridays for us to experience. I also remember once making too much noise while building a set for the school play just outside his classroom. To this day I try to hammer one nail in only 3 strikes, as he challenged me to do. My kids have both been taught in the French system, partly motivated by who Bob was. I wish for my children the kind of happiness, worldliness and fulfillment that Bob exhibited. I had the chance to introduce them to him on a bicycle outing a few years ago. I was happy to run into him occasionally over the past couple of years at the Windsor Folk Society. The sadness of his passing is offset by the positive memories and impact he leaves behind.