Dr. Raymond J. Duquette

I just today came upon the beautifully written Obituary of Dr. Duquette. It so eloquently and perfectly described the enthusiasm of this wonderful man. I first met him at Cal State, as I was preparing for my teaching career. With my first class, we were blessed to have met and heard the presentation of "Where the Red Fern Grows." I can still remember crying in that audience, along with the other staff, the students...and Dr. Duquette. His infectious personality and twinkle in his eye touched...

In 1973, I took a Summer class with him at Cal State. He introduced me to "Where the Red Fern Grows". I immediately checked the book out of the Taft Library....couldn't put it down till I finished it. I bought the book the next day in Bakersfield, and read it to my class each year till I retired in 2000. Wilson Rawls visited our school in the late 70's....my former students still mention that book. That's how Ray Duquette touched the my life and my students.....I never forgot that hot Summer...