The MIHS Islander staff are deeply saddened by the passing of beloved history and economics teacher John Stafford. Our thoughts are with his family during the difficult time. Below, you can find the reflections and memories from MIHS community members.

Gallery • 11 Photos

Photos by Lauren Balousek and Maddie Gaspers

I loved playing jazz with him and having political and historical conversations with him. Although he was an intimidating figure in the classroom, with music he was very humble and would play anything we wanted. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.

-Jascha Silberstein, Senior

Stafford is one of the few teachers who genuinely changed my life. He transformed the way I thought about history and its ties to the present. He also demonstrated unique, genuine interest in his students’ humanity.

Whenever I would email Stafford inviting him to one of my productions, he would reply with a percentage representing the likelihood of him actually attending. Despite his frequent complaints about musical theater, he came to see multiple shows, at the school and even over the summer. And I know I am one of many examples of him going out of his way to support students.

I can’t stop thinking about how he’ll never get his twin daughters with embroidered jeans.

-Kyle Gerstel, Senior

I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to be a part of your class and learn from you. I will never forget all the funny moments and valuable lessons I learned in your class and I will be sure to keep grappling with the material in the future.

-Ryder Davis, Senior

When I was presenting a research journal I read for a project, he asked me to send him the name of the article. I was appreciative of the interest he showed in my work and efforts.

-Sebastian Pong, Senior

Dear Mr Stafford , you were my favorite teacher. I hope you know how much of an impact you had on every single student you had. In every class period I had with you you never failed to both teach me something and also make me laugh. I would come home from school almost everyday excited to tell my parents about a funny story from 6th period Macro class, it truly was my favorite time of the day. I am so grateful for the months I had with you as my teacher, and for the fact I got to study under “Stafford Inc.” (I will be putting that on my resume) Thank you for everything. You will be missed by so so many. 

-Hadley Holtzclaw, Senior

Thank you for being the best, most humorous, and knowledgeable teacher I’ve ever had. Time flies by when I’m in your classroom. It is just so entertaining listening to your lessons. I love how you brought us so much joy and challenges into this class. Hope you have a nice, long vacation. Thank you once again, Mr Stafford.

-Judy Zeng

I remember him constantly critiquing Joel Embiid for not playing two games in a row, and calling him “soft”

-Massimo Maggiani, Junior

I’ve never seen someone with a passion for understanding how the world works like the one Mr. Stafford possessed. He was a precise, caring, morally firm man and I’ll never forget his impacts on me in my few short months with him.

-Liam M, Junior

Although I only had you as my teacher for four months, I learned more in those four months than I have ever learned in a class before. Thank you for being the best teacher I’ve come to know.

-Ava Williamson, Junior

I once had a gig that my drummer couldn’t make and some of the other members in the group had the idea to ask Mr. Stafford to fill in for him. I didn’t really know him then and i thought that there would be no way that a teacher would join us but he said yes. When the time came to play he showed up on time and just played drums super relaxed and having a good time with us. At the end of it we tried to give him a share of the money we made or even a gift for filling in but he wouldn’t accept anything. I will forever remember and cherish the kindness that he showed to me.

-Lukas FW

Bryce and I had opposing viewpoints during an in-class discussion, so Stafford made us arm wrestle in the middle of the class.

-Benjamin Engelman, Senior

I had Mr. Stafford as a teacher both my junior and senior year at MIHS. He is one of the only teachers I’ve ever had who encouraged students to come to class in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, rather than in pursuit of a grade. He truly cared about his students becoming better thinkers and more educated members of society, outside of just the scope of his class. Mr. Stafford was truly one of a kind and MIHS was blessed to have him for as long as we did.

-Callum Neher, 2023 Alum

Mr. Stafford always said that the content he taught us should be internalized and grappled with. “Get it into your bloodstream,” he would say. I never realized that a part of him was streaming in as well. Over the year and a half I spent walking into that classroom, I always felt I would leave just a little smarter with whatever knowledge Mr. Stafford would drop on us that day—unless, of course, he tried to tell me that Bill Russell was the best basketball player of all time.

Through all the frameworks and models he delicately taught us, the one thing he didn’t prepare us for was what it would be like without him there. Although, I’m sure he would’ve told us to “student B” our way through it.

It’s difficult to sum up Mr. Stafford in a short text, as he wasn’t exactly one for brevity. I learned that through his many points and even more subpoints, which often kept us a few minutes past class time almost every day. But as Mr. Stafford would say, “Don’t pack up early; you should be thanking me for letting you take out more notes. Your best notes are taken at the end of class.”

And man, he was right. Those “best notes” became even clearer when I realized I would never get to take any more of them.

-Max Laban, Senior

I would always leave his class feeling stupid, yet at the same time so much smarter because of him.

-Ian Carmichael, Junior

He was the first teacher that pushed me. Will never forget him. I hope somewhere he knows his effort was not unnoticed.

-Teague Conder, 2019 Alum 

He made a really funny joke in Islander Hour about going on his dream trip. Hopefully he will have that trip up there. 

-Jeremey Steinhart, Sophomore

The past two years I had Mr. Stafford for economic courses and am grateful to have been a part of his community, both in the classroom and outside of it. My favorite memory of him is when he grilled me for not understanding economies of scale (simple econ concept) and made me feel embarrassed. Initially, I was pretty upset at him, but then I realized that he had pushed me to a limit that no other teacher had before. He had done this not to be disrespectful, but rather because he believed in the potential that I and other students have to excel past their self-perceived limitations.

-Sebastian Gonzalez, Senior

I was a TA last year and I was delivering a note. Every time I went into his classroom, I could tell that he was a beloved teacher. Getting back to the story, every time I walked in his class he would say “is that for me I want to go home.” It still makes me laugh today. He was so nice. He had such a positive impact on your school and your city. We will miss him. I hope that he is having fun in the afterlife and cracking jokes with Abraham Lincoln.  

-Anonymous Community Member

Mr. Stafford pushed our class to think deeply and to be informed, interested, and engaged in the world around us. He taught us to be better citizens of our country. I will always be grateful for my time in his classroom.

-Hannah Whobrey, 2019 Alum

John Stafford made me excited to come to his class and learn everyday. He never failed to make me laugh while also helping me see the deeper meaning in things. I have never met someone who was as positive and inspiring as Mr. Stafford. I will forever be in Student B mode, grappling with the lizards and snakes because of the lessons Stafford taught my colleagues and me inside the classroom. Thank you John Stafford for everything.

-Chase Warnick, Senior

You got me excited to come into first period APUSH every day with your humor and amazing teaching that really made me think about the implications of the material. You were an amazing teacher, and an amazing person who inspired so much in your students. Whether it be to stay highly informed of the world’s current events, or to think about problems from many different points of view, you encouraged me to strive to form my own opinions and really think about the world I live in. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to learn from you and you will be greatly missed Mr. Stafford.

-Henrik Varnes

It was the first day of my junior year in Mr. Stafford’s 7th period Microeconomics class. We were saying interesting facts about ourselves as part of an icebreaker, and I mentioned that I played baseball. Mr. Stafford said that he used to be an umpire, and, without hesitation, took 5 minutes out of our 20 minute class period to set up a mock pitching mound. He made me throw a pitch, and showed the whole class his “strike 3” call. That was my first impression of him as a teacher. Since then, I’d see Mr. Stafford walking through the halls quite frequently, and we’d get chances to connect about baseball outside of the classroom. He never missed a chance to make fun of me, or crack a joke. He was a great teacher who genuinely cared about his students. We all love you Mr. Stafford, you will be greatly missed. 

-Kellan Wu, 2024 Alum

I will go to the coffee shop to get all the econ concepts into my blood. Thank you Mr. Stafford.

-Yuki Ye, 2024 Alum

I remember seeing him at a football game during the start of the year and I said hi to him and he had the most genuine smile and it made me feel very welcome and close to him.

-Ben Park, Senior

My memories of MIHS will forever be unequivocally tied to my memories of John Stafford.  Classes and semesters have come and gone, but I will never forget sitting in class on the first day and being taught the 14 global challenges; nor will I forget the unmatched elation amongst his former students as he recited all 14 of them on the Benaroya Hall stage at graduation, just as he had in class.  I will never forget the words “hegemony,” “zeitgeist,” or “economies of scale,” his declarative yelling of the words “girlboss power,” nor will I forget his love for piña coladas at 13 Coins and “coffee shop” mochas with which he would urge us to contemplate the far-reaching implications of his class lectures and rants. I will never forget the surprise birthday party we threw him in class, bringing him Mountain Dew and a card, and for Christmas a pink dinosaur pillow to accompany his plastic toy one, Frank.  I will never forget the spring Washington DC trip he led my senior year, nor will I forget visiting him this past summer with friends, hearing his opinions on the state of the world, as if he were my teacher once again. Mr. Stafford’s legacy remains imprinted into the minds of each and every student who passed through his classroom, including myself, and my older brother before me.  His legacy remains in the live photo from my graduation party that lives in my camera roll, in which you can hear him call 0.5 photos the “decline of America,” after which he cracks a rare smile.  I offer my deepest condolences to Mr. Stafford’s family, colleagues, his students, and all those who had the privilege of calling him a teacher, mentor or friend.  Rest in peace Mr. Stafford, and thank you for everything.

-Eliot Geer, 2023 Alum

Thank you Mr. Stafford for opening my eyes to what learning truly means. You have to “get in the gutter” as you would say and always ask questions and draw connections to other topics until you completely understood the topic at hand. That viewpoint of learning has changed my life. I will never forget that and the impact you have had on my life. Rest In Peace.

-Damon Marcou, 2023 Alum

Thank you for everything, Mr. Stafford. From traveling with you to Washington DC for Closeup to AP Macroeconomics, I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other teacher. Your passion and enthusiasm electrified the classroom. Even as a college sophomore, I still think back to the rigorous education and discipline you developed in me. I try every day to be a student A, putting time in at the coffee shop. 

You believed in us. You always trusted that we had the capacity to change the world, if we were willing to do the work. We knew that we could do anything. 

I miss talking to you in the hallway after class about policy. I wish you could have come out to DC one more time. I think about how well you taught me when I see some of the same models in 400 level economics classes that we covered in your class. Your advice to me about college is still front and center in my mind. Along with many of my fellow Macro and Closeup students, you live on in the enduring joy and enlightenment you instilled in our souls. Thank you.

-Jake Glasser, 2023 Alum

I brought Mr. Kinsey and Mr. Goldhammer caramel macchiatos but Goldhammer did not want it. So I asked Kinsey which teacher would want it and without hesitation he said that Stafford would love it. I was able to catch Mr. Stafford before his 2nd period class and gave him the drink. He didn’t know me but I told him I’m Kinsey’s student. Stafford accepted it and thanked me greatly for giving this to him because he hadn’t had breakfast that day and needed a pick me up. He never rejected anything you gave to him and always returned favors with gratitude. He really made my morning that day. 

-Raissa Stefan, Senior

I have had the luxury to spend the last two years in Mr. Staffords class. It’s funny that when asked to reflect on all my time spent with him I can only seem to remember all the things we couldn’t do. Mr. Stafford has promised me two things for the year, ones that will now only last in my memory. 

I have had an ongoing promise with Stafford since last year that he would bring a picture of him in high school. Last assembly when I saw him, I brought up the fact that he didn’t hold his end of the bargain. He told me to email him again to remind him to bring a picture of him young, I never emailed him. His other promise to me was that when the year ended, he would give me his green brachiosaurus jellycat sitting on his desk because I stole it every class period and I insisted he give it to me. I will never get the green stuffed animal, he will never yell at me for being late to class, I will never see him trotting to his car between fourth and fifth,  I will never talk to him again.

Those were just the things I’ve talked about with him, but he will never know he would’ve been invited to my graduation party. He will never know what college I will go to. He will never know that ever since last year I had planned on writing him one of those alumni emails (that he received a surprising amount of) praising his teaching abilities, which he would read to his whole Econ class with pride masked by his sarcastic arrogance.

I’m shameful to admit that the root of me and Stafford’s relationship blossomed by the fact that I had dodgy attendance last year but now I understand that if it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have been able to have so many meaningful conversations with him one on one after school. Meetings and conversations where he wasn’t as nearly as mean or disappointed as others assumed to be. 

Finally, I just wish that he didn’t have to be working up until his death, I wish he could’ve spent his last weeks drowning in bridge tournaments, baileys on the rock, and in 13 Coins with a full live jazz band playing for him, personally. Lastly, I just wish I wished for those things sooner. 

-Jena Yuri Lee, Senior

It’s been lovely to read the students’ memories. On request, I am making good on John’s promise to bring in a picture of himself from high school. This is John’s senior year. For his 18th birthday, his friend made him a stained glass portrait of John’s favorite player at the time, Julius Irving.

– Jane Stafford, English teacher

Interacting with Mr. Stafford was always a joy, even after I was done with the classes he taught- he’d smile and say hi in the halls, and he’d make sure to check in on me, it was fun to visit him when he wasn’t teaching, just to catch up. He’s a friendly face, and my high school experience would be so different without him as a teacher. I enjoyed his Mountain Dew addiction (and helped to fuel it), and he’s a diehard for Ezell’s mac n cheese. He always brought a smile to my face, cracking stupid jokes, while being an incredibly effective teacher. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else for APUSH, and I regret not taking more classes with him. You’ll be deeply missed. 

-Brandon Wolfe, 2024 Alum

Mr. Stafford was a teacher that nobody will ever compare too. He was truly so unique and that’s what everyone loved about him. He was so funny, and always made class so entertaining. His funny noises, alcoves, LaCroix’s, and just the way he talked to students is something that I’m never going to experience again. He was always so joyful and even on mad days, he made sure to keep the class entertained. The way he taught was honestly so nice and it made learning so much better. He loved his students, and had such good relationships with everyone. Although I only had him for 3 months, he truly made my first couple months in high school so great, and he’ll always be one of my favorite parts of it. I’ll always be student B from now on, and I loved having him as a teacher. Fly high Mr. Stafford 🙂

-Alana Precht, Freshman

He was mad that I wore a Nirvana shirt because I am not a Nirvana fan. I appreciated his passion as a Rock fan. 

-Leyna Kitahama, Senior

Forever grateful that I was able to learn from Mr Stafford and be able to experience his knowledge and love. I remember him arguing with the class for half a period about why Lebron was not top 5 all time and why this new generation is soft.

-Charlie Park, Junior

It feels like without Mr. Stafford here with us, the world now shines a little less bright.

-Calvin Kavalok, Senior

Mr. Stafford was absolutely devoted to helping us learn as much as he could possibly teach. On top of that, he was entertaining in a way few teachers could rival. Among the many things he taught us that have remained — as he would put it — in my bones, he demonstrated the value of going above and beyond. Whether he was recounting a night spent playing drums at the Royal Room, gleefully warning us that an upcoming test would be “bone-crushing,” or delivering a comprehensive lecture on the political economy of Washington, it was evident he cared not only about helping us understand the world, but about inspiring us to engage with it with determination and commitment — traits he also modeled outside the classroom in his civic engagement.

Because of this, I remember his lessons in part as calls to action. When he taught us about political and economic injustices, it often felt like he was issuing us a challenge to take action and help address them. Will we accept it?

-Grady Yuthok Short, 2019 Alum

It’s hard to put into words how impactful John Stafford was on the MIHS community. I find it difficult to believe that his time on earth has ended, especially when he seemed so full of energy and a love for learning and life. 

I have cherished my last two years with him and know he’s probably enjoying a game of bridge right now. Still, I would give anything to hear him talk about his golf handicap (before his rotator cuff injury, of course) or to sit through another one of his lectures to me about how wrong I am about bridge.

I always believed he would be there to help me choose what college to attend, read my countless emails about my new classes in college, and even celebrate with me at my college grad party. It feels profoundly unfair that his time was cut short, that he never got to visit Bretton Woods, or take that all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii. 

During the last week of classes, my class asked him who he would have dinner with if he could choose anyone, alive or dead. He struggled to pick just one person. I hope he’s having dinner with  someone new every night, accompanied by endless mochas and Dragonfruit Refreshers.

If I were ever given the choice, I know I would always choose him.

-Catherine Chen, Senior

Mr. Stafford was truly one of the most brilliant people I have ever met in my life. No teacher has ever made me think so critically and question my belief. No matter if you were talking about economics or the NBA, he had such passion and knowledge about it. He always highlighted how he and I had differing political and economic beliefs, but always managed to connect to a common ground and find shared values and experiences, and expressed his concern to me how this is something we need more of. I loved talking with him after class about the free press, and his newfound disdain for Niall Ferguson. Whenever I face something that requires critical thinking, I will forever think of you Mr. Stafford. I know you are sipping pina coladas and listening to Jimi Hendrix in heaven right now. 

-Alexander Dickstein, Senior

I will miss John’s dry humor, his outspoken words of wisdom at faculty meetings, his commitment to meaningful, rigorous learning for our students, and I will always cherish my discussions with him about films. We had recommendations for each other almost daily, and I loved how John just launched into an intellectual conversation at the drop of a hat. He was a bonafide scholar in every sense of the word. 

May his legacy live on through the thousands of students he impacted. He told me once, “I don’t care if my students like me, I just want them to care about history” (students, in fact, did like him and it was clear he had a cult following at MI). But I can’t think of a more authentic and important mission in life than to help kids care about history. Rest in peace, Mr. Stafford. 

-Dani King, Staff Member

Mr. Stafford always pushed his students to think beyond the surface level and try to understand the bigger picture behind the topics we studied in microeconomics. He always dedicated a portion of class to step back and engage us in analyzing how these topics we covered interconnect with the system as a whole; how they influence the overall economy, globalization, politics, and so many more factors that can easily be overlooked when studying the more rigorous supply & demand concepts.

Mr. Stafford was the kind of teacher to take extra time out of his day, beyond the time he was paid to teach, to discuss these global implications with his students. He cared so much about our learning and understanding of what was going on in the world around us because he truly believed in our ability to take his teachings and wisdom and make change with it. He will be so missed.

-Marissa Magnussen, 2022 Alum

Three years ago my class got Mr. Stafford a gift: a pink stuffed animal that would have little significance from a random bystander looking in. Despite having moved classrooms multiple times, I saw the very same stuffed animal still sitting on his desk three years later. He gave meaning to that stuffed animal because he cared about his students. He carried it around because it genuinely meant something to him. What’s more, he gave meaning to economics and history. He made you sit a little straighter out of fear of being cold called. He softened dry topics with witty (or sometimes off topic) jokes. But perhaps most influentially he gave meaning to learning. Learning for the sake of knowledge rather than a grade. Each time I walked into class I was scared he would chew me apart because I didn’t “get in the gutter.” Yet day after day, I got familiar with the content and showed up to class anyway. I wanted to show him I got it. I wanted to hear his stories. I wanted to hear his jokes.

Even with the whole English dictionary, no words can overstate the impact he had. You will be dearly missed Mr. Stafford, but I am confident that your legacy will live on in the hearts of your students.

-Cedric Claessens, 2023 Alum

Back when he was working in the library, Mr. Stafford guest spoke to my classes about MLA. A subject that can be mundane, but he made it fun and engaging. I will miss his humor.
-Lori Emery, Staff Member

I taught with Mr. Stafford for many years. I learned so much by working with him. His passion for his subject and his earnest belief that all students were capable of doing exceptional things was inspiring to me. He wanted our students to be precise, exact, and enthusiastic about the learning — and I think he did a fantastic job getting our students to that place.
-Kati McConn, Staff Member

John always stopped and genuinely engaged in conversation, and really cared about learning more about who I was, and my thoughts on any topic that came up. He was one of the best conversationalists I’ve ever known… curious and intelligent and kind. One of my favorite memories of John, when I got to see his “teaching style” was when he delivered the graduation speech to the Class of 2023.
-Anne Filmore, Staff Member

I always looked forward to our chats about the state of the world, politics, our travels and music. He was such a wonderful person/friend and I cherished the time we had.
-Susie Brown, Staff Member

On the day of the Career Fair, I saw Mr. Stafford taking time to talk with each presenter. As he was returning to his classroom, we passed each other, his hands filled with swag from all of the tables. I asked him how his day had been and he responded that he had enjoyed learning more about what is out there for students to consider. I so appreciated his curiosity and how he encouraged it in others.
-Christine Kenyon, Staff Member

John was interested in what his colleagues were doing outside of teaching. John was a basketball player at Bellevue HS in the early 80’s. He always asked about our MI boys basketball team and wanted to talk sports with me. He also came to games each season to support his students. I will miss my conversations with John about basketball and how he despised James Harden and loved the “Bad Boys” era Detroit Pistons.
-Gavin Cree, Staff Member

I didn’t have much opportunity to work with John, but he was obviously a teacher who touched his students’ lives in ways words can hardly capture. His passion for teaching went far beyond the classroom. He had a unique gift for making even the most difficult subjects seem interesting and accessible. Though he may no longer be with us, his memory will live on in every lesson learned, every challenge faced, and every success achieved. You will always be remembered, and your students will forever carry your lessons with them.
-Michael Ketchum, Staff Member

“Soft!” I fondly remember John’s false curmudgeonly attitude. He liked to accuse me or anyone younger than him of being “soft,” of not having the grit and ruggedness that he helped to shape his character. He was, of course, endlessly compassionate and a truly gentle soul. But he loved to call me “soft.”
-Creighton Laughary, Staff Member

There are so many fond memories. His mischievous grin when I “re-allocated” some of Mr. Kinsey’s chocolates, his unwavering convictions, his top five and top ten lists, and all of his idiosyncrasies in his classroom. And his counsel and positivity; so many times — he reminded me of all the great things about teaching and being at Mercer Island when I was in a saturnine mood. Lastly, when I read something interesting about politics, current events, international incidents, or economic developments — he was the first person or sometimes the only person to whom I forwarded the article. He read almost every one; they were frequently the rich basis for our discussions and debates.
-Jamie Robertson, Staff Member

John and I talked about golf regularly. As I was head golf coach, he wanted to hear about how the team was doing, or how certain players performed. He loves golf and was really interested in how the MIHS team was doing. He also always wanted to discuss the results of the most recent PGA tour events. Or, he would ask questions like: “Do you think Tiger Woods will ever win again?” or “Is Scotty Schaefler the next Tiger” or “Is LIV golf going to ruin the PGA?”
I miss having a work colleague to chat about golf or other sports with! John knew so much, but also asked many great questions.
-Tyson Peters, Staff Member

It was rare that John ever missed a Drama production. He always made a concerted effort to see the shows in order to support his students and show his appreciation for theatre.
-Daniela Melgar, Staff Member

I don’t have a specific moment in time about John. What I remember are our series of chats we’ve had throughout our time together. He legitimately cared about who I was, how I was doing, and how my life is going. We were both drummers so we talked about sticks, which equipment brand we preferred, the songs we played, etc. He kept trying to get me to join him, but I never could find the time. Whenever we have a staff lunch he’d have the most amazing stories to tell. He was also quite humble. He’d listen, ask clarifying questions, and proceed to bestow any knowledge he would have. He made me feel welcomed here. Truly an individual who is paramount to MIHS and the students.
-Alex Perry, Staff Member

John was the most patient colleague I have ever had — listened to every word that you said before formulating an always-brilliant and thoughtful response. He treated every colleague as though you were just as brilliant as he was . . . and it just wasn’t so.
-Dino Annest, Staff Member

John had high expectations of his students, our staff, and himself. For the past 3 years he invited me to join his class so we could reflect together on ways to improve his student’s learning experience. I appreciated his honesty, bluntness, and passion for learning. He was one of my favorite staff members to work with. He would cut the chase, be open to new ideas, and his students were always the priority. We will always remember and be inspired by you John. I miss you.
-Jamie Cooke, Staff Member

John was such a witty, wicked smart and kind human. I loved chatting with him about what was going on in our world and hear his insights. He always made me think about things in such a different way. I will miss that and him!
-Lopa Jacob, Staff Member

I had many conversations with Mr. Stafford, both at school and in social settings. It was impossible to have a casual conversation with Mr. Stafford — he had not the slightest interest in discussing the weather or simply exchanging niceties. He was happy to talk about nearly any topic — from sports to music to world economics — but he expected you to have an opinion and to be able to defend it. He was clearly disappointed with me one time when I refused to take the bait after he asserted that the best music/musicians were in the 1970s and that everyone/everything since then paled in comparison to the virtuosity and songwriting skill of Bob Dylan and other artists of that period. I believe he described the music of today as “vapid.” When I said that, as a non-musician, I didn’t have the knowledge to really judge whether today’s artists had the skill of those earlier generations, he told me, “Oh — you’re just being nice because you don’t agree with me!” He would rather lose an argument than not have one! There didn’t seem to be any topics he had not read about and considered; I will miss his candor and the depth and breadth of his thought.
-Larry Bencivengo, Staff Member

This story will be updated as more reflections are sent in.