Ward Weldon was beloved, one of the longest serving professors at our university. He had said he hoped, when his time came, to be doing what he loved most which was teaching. Delaying retirement for over a decade, he had planned to retire this August. A few weeks ago, just before he was about to leave his office for class, he suffered a fatal stroke. Today was one of the most life-affirming memorials I could ever imagine, with tributes from family, colleagues, administrators, staff, friends, former and current students. He was a remarkable man. Over the past week, people have been leaving tributes on his door and, when it was filled, expanded onto the hallway walls. Then, someone posted a sign at the building's entrance with an arrow to "Ward's Wall" and tributes continued to be posted. After the event, I decided to take a photo of his door, just down the hall from my office. I caught one of his former students (who had come in from Florida) as she poured over the various messages. Ward's was a life well-lived and he will be greatly missed. He had an infectious smile, called everyone by name, was a committed mentor, a wonderful story-teller, a noted consultant on school finance, and I learned today, an excellent musician, beloved grandfather, and minister. When I'd see him in the hall, he always had a smile, always said, "Hi Taffy!" and asked "How's Nutmeg doing?" I didn't know him that well, and didn't realize until today how much I will miss him.
That is the greatest tribute a teacher could ever hope to have- to have impacted so many people that way. My sympathies to you and everyone who know him.
@ness50@pflaume@olivetreeann@breigh
Thank you for your kind thoughts. He was such a lovely man and I feel it was my loss that in the past 10 years, I didn't get to know him that well.
What a great man Ward Weldon sounds to have been. He surely will live long in the memory of those who knew him. A fitting tribute on the door and walls and in your photo Taffy, you should print a copy and post it with your tribute above and some of the comments from around the world.
And so he did die doing what he loved. Makes you think about what you're doing. Beautiful way to preserve his memory with this shot. I agree with Sean :) @seanoneill
It sounds like he died doing what he loved, which seems like a better way to go than many. It's inspiring to hear how he loved his job so much he didn't retire. I like how you have a mixture of "artistic" and "memory/doc" pics in your project.
@jyokota@bonniebouman
Thanks Junko and Bonnie. Junko - they already did a book for him and I missed the deadline :(. I felt badly about it so posted this on his door. I think the dean is going to send my photos of his wall to them, or use them in the newsletter about the memorial.
Bonnie -- I am trying to combine the artistic and memory -- though I started thinking it would be a journal of the year before I retired. I've gotten into the artistic with all the wonderful models on the site!
March 12th, 2013
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Thank you for your kind thoughts. He was such a lovely man and I feel it was my loss that in the past 10 years, I didn't get to know him that well.
Thanks Junko and Bonnie. Junko - they already did a book for him and I missed the deadline :(. I felt badly about it so posted this on his door. I think the dean is going to send my photos of his wall to them, or use them in the newsletter about the memorial.
Bonnie -- I am trying to combine the artistic and memory -- though I started thinking it would be a journal of the year before I retired. I've gotten into the artistic with all the wonderful models on the site!