"Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears"

My Sophomore English instructor died yesterday. He began his teaching career the same year I started high school, 1957. This picture is from my senior year book. You can't make it out, but the writing says "Best Wishes, Neal N. Brown". I learned from his obituary today the N. stands for Nathan.
Mr. Brown was 27 when he began teaching after a stint in the USMC. He maintained his Marine bearing throughout his life. Small town life in Corning must have agreed with him. He taught at CHS thirty-four years. I don't think there is anyone who does not remember him fondly as a teacher and a friend.

Neal was a guest at our 50th class reunion last year. He had us laughing with his remarks before launching into the "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" speech he made us memorize and recite when we were in his class. He spoke the entire speech from memory. We applauded him heartily.
The words from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar play would have to be rearranged for Mr. Brown: "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him." Strike 'not' - Mr. Brown will be highly praised. He is already being so on Facebook pages and online condolences. "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." The good Mr. Brown did over his lifetime will most definitely live after him. (I doubt he ever did anything very evil.)

There are good teachers, bad teachers, mediocre teachers and excellent teachers. Teachers can play many roles in a student's life. Neal was an excellent teacher and role model.

Teachers can be and are heroes. We learned that once again last Friday.