Our Teacher Heroes

Today I found out that the most influential teacher in my life passed away at the age of 92.  Herschel Abbott was a mentor, teacher, advisor and friend.  Herschel taught many forestry courses at UMass.  While great in the classroom, he was even better in the woods.  I totally absorbed his techniques for learning about the environment.  There was nobody that knew the woods better than him. I have used his techniques in my own classroom.  I will remember him for the rest of my life.

Herschel not only taught me in the classroom, he gave me life lessons that I have followed throughout my life.  None of those lessons were political, they were lessons of the woods.

After Herschel's retirement, he was run over by a hit-and-run driver that broke over 90 bones in his body.  Hospitalized for almost a year, Herschel survived.  I think he was around 72 years of age when the accident happened.  Herschel was tough, caring and committed to the forests of New England.  He mentored hundreds of students and cared deeply for them.

It has been a long time since I have posted on line.  I can't pass this day without expressing my love for this great man.

tomtoak