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BlueKota

(1,783 posts)
Tue Nov 29, 2022, 08:01 PM Nov 2022

My U.S History Professor in 1982-1984 has recently passed.

She was 97 years old. She was a life long Democrat who loved talking history and politics. She was chairwoman of the history department at Nazareth College of Rochester, New York. She was also my advisor and Dean of Students while I was there. She rose even higher in the ranks through the years.

One of my strongest memories of her was one day when I was late to class. Usually we all dressed fairly well, but I had been up writing a paper for my European history professor until 2:00 a.m. I over slept and when I saw it was late, I just threw on a college logo sweatshirt and jeans, and ran to class. She had already started teaching, and gave me an angry glare when I walked in.

She didn't even give me time to get off my backpack and sit down, before she asked me a question on the reading assignment from the previous day. I answered correctly. She looked at the rest of the class, and said, "well at least someone read the assignment, even if she was late in getting here."

I remember when class was done some of my classmates said, "there is no way you had time to read that stuff last night." I said, "I didn't." I just got lucky because the paper I was writing for the other professor was on the exact same topic about Word War II, and had come across what she was asking about in my research.

Great Lady. She will be missed!

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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My U.S History Professor in 1982-1984 has recently passed. (Original Post) BlueKota Nov 2022 OP
I found out my favorite US history teacher at a community college ColinC Nov 2022 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author BlueKota Nov 2022 #5
Teachers really do make a difference BlueKota Nov 2022 #6
I found out that my favorite HS history teacher passed no_hypocrisy Nov 2022 #2
That was a wonderful last gift to his loved ones. BlueKota Nov 2022 #7
Does she have a name? enough Nov 2022 #3
Dr. Mary Bush BlueKota Nov 2022 #4

ColinC

(8,330 posts)
1. I found out my favorite US history teacher at a community college
Tue Nov 29, 2022, 08:05 PM
Nov 2022

Died in 2015. His name was Dr Ron Yoshino. I found this out this year through a tweet from congressman Jimmy Gomez who coincidentally also had him as a professor. Gomez was still an assemblyman at the time and honored him in the state legislature through a moment of silence.


Sometimes we take our teachers for granted until we realize how much of an impact they really had on us…


May they Rest In Peace and in our hearts forever.


Response to ColinC (Reply #1)

BlueKota

(1,783 posts)
6. Teachers really do make a difference
Tue Nov 29, 2022, 08:24 PM
Nov 2022

I went to a very strict Catholic School for grade school, and while I had a few nice ones, most of my teachers were down right mean and highly critical.

That all changed in the public high-school, and then at college. My teachers became my biggest cheerleaders, and helped me rebuild a sense of self worth and confidence. I don't know what I would have done without them.

I agree with you may those that have passed all rest in peace.

no_hypocrisy

(46,191 posts)
2. I found out that my favorite HS history teacher passed
Tue Nov 29, 2022, 08:10 PM
Nov 2022

b/c he was on the front page of our newspaper.

He knew he was dying and threw a Celebration of Life party and invited everyone he liked and loved to the party.

After the guests left, he mused what a great party it had been. And then immediately, he died, happy.

He changed my life with his making history relevant.

BlueKota, please accept my condolences.

BlueKota

(1,783 posts)
7. That was a wonderful last gift to his loved ones.
Tue Nov 29, 2022, 08:27 PM
Nov 2022

I am sorry for your loss too. My cousin called me because they went to the same church for years, and a mutual friend told him.

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