Thursday, November 3, 2011

Every minute matters

I colleague of mine died in an accident yesterday at work. I. am. stunned.

Teaching can be a dangerous job, but this man had an especially dangerous job teaching students how to maintain wind turbines on a two-story cell-tower-ish looking thing.

Wasn't the weather... cause of the accident is still under investigation, but the student he was up there with is okay--- physically. I have a feeling he saved that student's life. He was just that kind of guy.

Weird thing was, I was leaving a noontime faculty meeting and walked past the tower/class-area heading out to my car when I saw the cop cars and ambulance as it drove away. Offhandedly I thought: I need to email him to ask what happened and if he's okay.

An email informed me a couple hours later that he had died as a result of his injuries from the two-story fall.

Shocked and stunned.

He was 36, had an adopted greyhound, loved the outdoors, loved his job, was a teacher and a kind soul who thought our stupid world was important enough to respect with green-energy jobs and infrastructure. He will be missed.

5 comments:

Dr. Jay SW November 4, 2011 at 11:24 PM  

Sorry to hear about your colleague. Guess none of us know when our time will be up...

poietes November 5, 2011 at 3:07 PM  

What a tragedy. We never know what is awaiting around the bend, and the loss of someone who contributed, who strove to make a difference--that's a loss.

skyewriter November 6, 2011 at 8:10 PM  

Thank you, all, for your kind words and your presence here. The college has established a scholarship fund in his name and one student a year (starting next fall) will get partial funding for the two year degree my friend chaired. Even vice-chancellors are having a hard time with this loss... he was a great guy and an awesome example of how one person really can make a difference.

Hope you all have great weeks and thanks again.

Will C. April 10, 2012 at 12:21 PM  

Wow. That is really tough man. I'm sorry to hear that.

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