It’s been a bit since I’ve gotten a chance to reflect. With the pressure of the beginning of a new semester in January and all that precedes the arrival of our little one, I have had little time to complete my tasks, let alone think about what I have been doing.
One thing that slowed me down was the sad news of the death of one of my former colleagues, Paul Wolfe. I found myself telling many of my present colleagues about Paul because he was one of those people who although not a close friend, made you feel important when you were around him.
I met Paul after getting my first “real” job at Lower Dauphin Middle School. At that point in Paul’s life, he had been a middle school math teacher for about 25 years and I was a 21 year old, recent college grad. Although I had another official mentor, I watched how Paul handled himself and patterned myself after him. Paul was a fun-loving teacher who always had a bad joke ready to pull on his students. I found him to be extremely humble man who was never above asking the “new guy” questions about math. We had come from such different backgrounds educationally. During his time in college, he ended with learning Calculus while the curriculum that I had take started with Calculus.
Teaching middle school math involves working with people. Paul had honed this craft, and I learned so much from his example. Paul was at all of the dances and always advised the student council. Paul helped finish out a season as a wrestling coach when necessary. In short, Paul picked up any slack with a great attitude. He was a real team player.
Paul was a talented man with his hands. He had so many skills as a carpenter that he built his own house from the ground up. He also loved cars and had rebuilt several cars.
Paul was generous with his talents. One friend who spoke at Paul’s Memorial Service, mentioned that Paul may have been the last American who would still stop to help a broken-down motorist. Dozens of his colleagues benefited from his skills with additions to houses and decks.
I’m so glad to know Paul and hope leave even part of the legacy that this man has.