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Lee Witty Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Lee Witty
steve nagel
October 21, 2010
About two years ago, I ran into MR Witty at the Beaverton Post Office, he asked me for a ride home, which I obliged. We discussed memories of the old days at Wilson, it was great. I admired him very much for his sharpness and inspiring students to learn and do better, he will be remembered and missed!.
RIP Tom
Steve Nagel Wilson Class 1976
steve nagel
October 21, 2010
I remember Mr Witty at Wilson High School, and recently, about 2 years ago ran into him at the Beaverton Post office, where he asked me for a ride home, which I obliged. He was living close by at the time in Beaverton, I took him home, he talked of the old days at Wilson, it was great!. He was a colorful great personality and good at inspiring students to learn and do better. He will not be forgotten and always remembered in positive vain.
RIP Tom.
Steve Nagel
Wilson High class of 76.
Susan Shepherd
October 2, 2010
Mr. Witty was the consummate biology teacher! He made smelly refrigerators exciting--something you really wanted to jump into and figure out what was taking on new life and why! I'll never forget the look on the face when he somberly entered class the morning of November 22, 1963, and with his voice breaking up, said the rumors we'd heard were true. I'd not heard anything, and didn't know what he was talking about. And then he completed his sentence-- that President Kennedy had been assassinated. He gave us a few minutes to begin to absorb the insanity of the moment, and then said the best way to honor our fallen leader was to do the very best we could in class that day. It's great taking a trip down memory lane and reading from so many other students--and Mr. Fenwick!--who also revered this rich, magical inspiration. My great empathy to you both, Sharan and Nancy. --Susie Shepherd, Wilson '67
October 1, 2010
Hi there, Sorry to hear of the loss of Tom, he was great to my family. Jacques, Jori and Roger Osborne. We spent the first year of our son's life subletting his house while he was in Baja, Mexico. He was a great man full of laughs and full of humor. He will be missed.
Thank you, The Osbornes ( Parkdale, Oregon)
Tom White
October 1, 2010
My sincere condolences to the family at the loss of Tom. He was a huge influance in my high school life and beond. I was his student at Wilson for three years (71-73) and remember him fondly. His commitment to his students, his grin, his struggle to quit smoking (sucsessful). I will remember and miss him.
Leslie Sorensen-Jolink
October 1, 2010
I was in Mr. Witty's Wilson HS biology class in 1961-62. He was using new texts that well-suited his excitement about biology, and he inspired and nurtured in me curiosity, and a love of learning and of science, that became cornerstones of my life. I'll never forget his teaching us about DNA and RNA: he was vibrant, demanding and witty (pun intended), and he made the subject riveting. He was the best science teacher, and one of the very best teachers, I've ever had. Thank you, Mr. Witty, and Godspeed.
Bill Oliver
October 1, 2010
I had the great privilege to be in Tom
Witty's biology class for 3 years, 1971 - 1974, as a student and lab assistant. He was one of the very best teachers ever, and made learning exciting, fun, and relevant. His spark still burns in family, friends, and former students. It helped light my way through 33 years of teaching. Thank you, Mr. Witty!
October 1, 2010
Dear Sharon, Nancy and family,
We were so saddened to hear of the loss of Tom. Over the years, Dad has told us of the many wonderful memories of Cousin Tom and Jerry with Grandma and Grandpa in Ashland during the summer months. We are unable to attend the services, but are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Gary and I also have been blessed to know both Tom and Clarice over the years and treasured their friendships. Continue to remember the good times and all that has been enriched by Tom's life. Would love to talk to you. With deepest condolences,
Dale O'Harra, Gary and Shannon Pearce
George Held
September 29, 2010
Mr. Witty was my Biology teacher at Wilson High School in 1958 and I loved going to his class. I learned so much from him and he inspired me to continue with Biology and Science at Lewis & Clark College. After graduation I taught Biology at Centennial High School for many years and I saw Mr. Witty at a Wilson High School football game several years ago. I told him how he has inspired me to continue with Biology and Science and that I taught at Biology at Centennial High School. We hugged each other and he said, “Thank you for telling me that George, you made my day�. My sympathy goes to his family. George Held
Gary Pendergrass
September 29, 2010
Sharan and Nancy...Sad to hear of Tom's passing. A surprising number of his group have made it into their late eighties/early 90's...all that good living I suppose. Best of luck to both of you...
September 29, 2010
My husband and I were real BLESSED to have him as our teacher in Cascade Locks. He was a very understand man. We will miss him.
Ginger and Carroll Conkey
Shirley Mills
September 29, 2010
Dear Sharan and Nancy,
So sorry about your dad.
(I'm from the neighborhood and St. Andrew's.)
steve ditewig
September 29, 2010
I was at Wilson from 1958 to 1962 and Tom was my advisor and biology teacher and he was a great guy. Very approachable and full of good advice. When I think back to those years he stands out as one of the best teachers there.
Louise Labby Carroll
September 29, 2010
Nancy,
I recognize that photo of him from our yearbook! He was a teacher who loved teaching: he captured the students' interest, encouraged curiosity and modeled compassion. We need more educators like him. I honor his devotion.
September 29, 2010
MR Witty Was our Biology teacher at Wilson HS...He made Biology fun and interesting. Our condolences to the family at this time of sorrow...
Wendy Strohecker '79, Sandra Strohecker '81
Michele Mason-Tetley
September 29, 2010
Mr. Witty was one of my teachers at Wilson High during the late 50's. He was a super teacher with lots of enthusiasm and a great sense of humor. I went on to major in Biology in college, thanks in part, to his making the subject so very interesting. He was a great person and a wonderful teacher.
September 29, 2010
I attended Cascade Locks High School in Cascade Locks, Oregon, during the 1950's where Mr. Witty taught and later was Principal. We were very fortunate to have him there. I respected him greatly.
Clarine Sherrill Vogler
September 29, 2010
He was my biology teacher at Wilson in the '70s. He was one of the best: he loved his field which helped us love it too. It's teachers like him who helped make me want to become a teacher too. We're all saddened. Mark Trowbridge, Wilson '78 (Arlington VA)
Georgeanne Barlow Porter
September 28, 2010
Oh, what a difference a great teacher can make in a young person's life!
Sonja Haugen
September 28, 2010
Dear Family,
My condolences to you.
Tom Witty was my biology teacher at Wilson High School in 1957-58. He made biology most interesting and even disecting those little frogs exciting. A fine, fine teacher.
Karl Wustrack
September 28, 2010
Jim and Sharon,
I'm sorry to hear about Tom' passing. I'm just remembering the times when he tried to get me to do the right thing-like keep taking math when I thought I didn't need any more after soph year! Good guy.
Take care,
James Fenwick
September 28, 2010
Dear Family,
My sincere condolences go out to you at this time of grief. Tom and I worked together for many years at Wilson High School. He was a dedicated professional deeply committed to his biology students and to his colleagues. I remember him with deep affection and great respect. You can be very proud of his significant contributions to the well-being of countless students. May God bless and keep you!
James Fenwick, Former principal, Wilson High School and Superintendent, Portland Public Schools, Retired
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