Bluestem's editor is saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Harvey, her high school freshman English teacher who taught her the Greek myths and a love of poetry.
There's a wonderful tribute to this man--much of it in the words of other former students--by Mark Fischenich in the Mankato Free Press. Take some time to read St. Peter mourns death of ear-tugging, poetry loving, respect-commanding English teacher, a long profile of the "an Iowa farm boy who never married" who started teaching after serving in World War II and the Korean War.
I remember him well, especially the day when he had brought a bow to class when we were studying the Odyssey. He'd asked a number of the boys to string "brave Odysseus's bow" and none had been able to do so.
Being a pretty sassy girl who also bow hunted, I volunteered to try, and while some of the other students were not amused, Mr. Harvey knew more about the world than they, and let me try. Of course I strung the bow, and he helped me lift it in triumph. Or least that's the way I remember it.
Posting will be light over the weekend, as I'm at the Minnesota Farmers Union convention.
Photo: Mr. Harvey, via the Mankato Free Press.
If you appreciate Bluestem's posts, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen P.O. Box 108, Maynard MN 56260) or use the paypal button below:
Email subscribers can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.
Comments