After my first class today I learned a close colleague died last night. We both earned our Ph.D's from the University of Denver two years apart. His was in Sociology and we have taught together in the same department for 12 years. He had hepatitis C and was on the liver transplant list. He had taken this semester off and when I talked to him last week he was confident his operation would go well and he'd be back at work soon.
He was the kind of teacher everyone wants. When his students showed up in my classes I could tell right away. Their minds had been transformed when Dave opened the window of intellectual curiousity and turned on the spigot of social analysis.
I could only compose myself enough to tell my second class that I couldn't teach today.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Condolances....always hard to lose a friend, family member or someone you have worked with for years. I've been through each of those myself.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

My condolonces as well, Kerry. It's always difficult to lose a friend that is close and respected.

Kerry, As I began to type some words of condolence, I realized there really aren't any. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

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"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggie' until you can find a rock."

It's always hard to lose a good friend.

I feel for you, man.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

kerry,

I'm sorry to learn of the loss of your colleague. My condolences to his family and friends.

What can I type?
My condolonces Kerry, it is very hard to lose a friend and respected colleague.

I hope his family is pulling through.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Thanks for the emotional support. I attended the memorial service today. As I got out of my car I noticed a young man awkwardly approaching the church in a tentative manner. He was obviously nervous, uncomfortable in a suit, and asked me if it was the right place for the memorial. I directed him in. When the minister asked for people to come to the podium and tell stories about Dave he was one of the first to respond. It was a fairly large crowd and it took a lot of courage for him to walk from the back, up to the podium. Struggling to maintain his composure and stopping periodically to stiffen his voice, he told of signing up for a Sociology class with Dave and having his life transformed. He talked of Dave opening his office to him and engaging in dialogue. You could see precisely what excellence in teaching can acheive. A true measure of the man.

The service was at an American Baptist church. One odd part was that the preacher gave a come-to-Jesus gospel sermon. Since more than half the attendees were colleagues of unknown and suspect religious persuasions, I thought it was kind of tasteless. Dave would have been uncomfortable. I think even my fire and brimstone Pentecostal preacher relatives restrain themselves from using funerals for evangelism.

Dave's daughter gave the eulogy. It was hard. Since we both have (had?) one daughter, I felt her grief deeply.

I've been hugging my male colleagues a lot recently. My wife's afraid we're going to head to the woods, build a campfire, beat on drums naked and read poetry.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Kerry,
Let me also, extend my sympathies.

Just yesterday, on a local talkshow, the topic was "teaching", and the discussion was over whether teaching was an art, or a science. It seems that many who desire to go into teaching may learn the technical skills, but lack the ability to really teach.

Your friend seems to have been an artist.

I hope you pull through okay. I've never lost a friend and have no idea how it feels; the pain is unimaginable. Support his family members.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi