[Previous entry: "THOSE MOREL SLEUTHS"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "The Milagro Bean Field Road War"]

05/07/2003 Archived Entry: "Jerry Marsh"

JERRY MARSH

There are no words that I can find that will be adequate to describe Jerry Marsh or the enormous impact he has had on education in our school district. I just assumed he would always be here for all our students who sought him out for his ability to teach.

We each have our own image, our own idea of Jerry and his many contributions to our educational system and our town. I’m certain he will still be a major player in our community. We’ve seen the lives he’s touched and where he has made a difference.

He now chooses to retire and although he seems much too young for that, he deserves to cut out early to follow other pursuits. He’s put in his time, and then some, and has concentrated all his effort in teaching students, working to improve performances and molding character. His standard has been set so high that few others can match what he has accomplished.

One student I know, only one of many, enrolled in every course he was going to teach next fall. Her disappointment is great. I have two grandsons who will not benefit from his efforts. That is our loss. He has been one tough, demanding teacher that students and peers alike have good reason to respect.

I don’t know what he is going to do now, and maybe he doesn’t either. It’s a choice he can freely make. We’ll support him in any endeavor he chooses. I do know he and I will continue exchanging letters and ideas. He is usually on my blog before sun up every morning and I don’t expect that to change.

And, when Mark Roehrman has his coffee machines humming, we’ll meet there for a cup of one of his new exotic blends.

And it will be nice to see him more frequently on the streets of Ellsworth.

Thank you, Jerry. You have positively touched many lives.