Robert White

 "It's a hard, cold world."

"Be sure your sin will find you out."

"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

 That's what Robert White taught in geometry class. "If you learn nothing more this year, I want you to remember these things." He offered the same maxims to each year's physics class, and in chemistry and advanced algebra.

 Robert White was Columbia Academy's mathematics and physical science teacher in the 1950's and 60's. He built the school's first science laboratory, a wonderful place full of chemicals, Bunsen burners and science toys. Hearing that he might even offer a class in electronics, I could hardly wait for high school to begin.

 Each of his students was individually important, and Mr. White knew us well. Not merely the instructor, he spent hours each week being our friend and counsellor. For him, science, theology and history were one. Each topic would lead to another, to an illustration from life, to an anecdote that underlined a point.

 He taught basic concepts, then offered applications. He could summarize most of high school algebra in just three principles, teach them in an hour, and apply them for the rest of the course. These have not only served me, but allowed my daughter to survive algebra as well.

 Mr. White trusted us, I hope with reason. He allowed two or three of us to spend hours in his laboratory, whether he was there or not. It was fun, and we learned a lot. I won't disclose all we did, but I suspect that the Department of Homeland Security would not approve.

 Why do we teach geometry to high school students, when we know that 90% of them will use less than 10% of what they learned? Mr. White was plain about it: Geometry teaches us how to think, how to know when a point is logically proven, and when it is not.

 Toward duly constituted authority he showed respectful appreciation, but not abject submission. To some, the rules were strict and very clear: A full-time denominational employee must not have a sideline. But Mr. White owned some good land, with a lot of green grass. Accused of a sheep-farming sideline, he simply replied, "I don't own any sheep; those are my wife's."

 During my four years at Columbia Academy, I took every class that Mr. White offered. He stimulated my lifelong interest in electronics, physical science, and theology. The word "doctor" means "teacher," and he inspired me to be that, too.

 Perhaps apart from Robert White's personal concern, his principles are too terse for popular taste. But as part of his warm memory, they have blessed me all the days of my life:

 "It's a hard, cold world."

"Be sure your sin will find you out."

"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

 ©2005, Robert R. Wresch, M.D.