Teacher

[akivory]

I recently got word that my high school teacher Stan Harbor has passed away.He taught three dimensional art and crafts. I have made my living as a sculptor for the last 30 years an I do not think I would have been in this career if I had not had him as a teacher. He taught me the craft of jewelery making and sculpture and helped me get a job in a in a art bronze foundry. I was not a conventional student. My passion was for art and adventure .In the summers between my junior and senior years I hitch-hiked to Alaska twice and through 47 states and most of Canada. He was always interested in my life and adventures.
I called him a few years ago to thank him. He thanked me for calling him and told me that he rarely heard from his students.
I am not a teacher but because of the influence of Stan and others I have had a good life . You were a good man Mr. Harbor.

 

[stevewest]

My ceramics professor from my college days passed away a couple of years ago. Ray Kahmeyer - taught at Bethany College in Lindsborg Kansas. He was a very special person and a teacher in every sense of the word. I was going to go into education and make pots on the side until I found out how little control I had over a classroom. I have been trying to get back into it for quite some time, but with 4 kids and the attendent costs and time requirements, its been tough. They are all out of the house now and I am making headway. I often think about Ray and what an inspiration he was in my life - not just art, but how to do the right things in life, and what was and is important. We have many of his pots here in the house and everytime I pick one up, or use one in my day to day activities, I think of him, sitting at the wheel popping out those pots along with the lessons in life that we all get from those inspirational persons we were lucky enough to find in our lives.