PHILIP HOLMES

I am late to this group, but I had to write here. I am indebted to Phil Holmes. I just found out THat Phil Holmes passed! He mentored me for two years while I was helping get Oaks Christian School a strong academic footing (I was founding academic dean) when we were starting out, 1999-2001. His wisdom I still pass along to others and I credit him with any academic strength and success the school has had. I honestly believe that and have freely said it often. His influence is far...

I'm another former Harvard student of Mr. Holmes who feels fortunate and privileged to have learned from him. He cared deeply about us and conveyed real passion for the material. He recognized our potential and demanded much of us, but he also knew we were goofy and sleep-deprived adolescents; I still remember his stern admonition at the end of one class (during which I'd been nodding off): "Get some sleep, Hur." Thanks in large part to Mr. Holmes and Dr. Robert Archer, another of the...

I just today learned that Mr. Holmes passed a few years ago. I was one of his students his very first year at Harvard School. Mr. Holmes's principles for effective writing were simple & enduring; and if I've been a competent writer all these years, it was markedly due to adhering to many of those principles. Also, he taught the section of Sacred Studies I was in during my senior year. Mr. Holmes conducted our class meetings more like a college-level seminar in philosophy or theology. It was...

I am another fond student of Mr. Holmes. My appreciation for him only grows. A really GREAT teacher must be a wonderful person. This kind of teacher does not so much convey as transmit, almost by osmosis. Mr. Holmes shows what it looks like for a very serious person to love language, adore clarity, and care about the sound and texture of words. I cannot meet his standards, but it is so good to learn a person can have them. Much, much gratitude.

I am fortunate to have been a student of Phil Holmes' at Harvard School. He was an excellent and supportive teacher and a thoughtful and kind man. Before his class, I had considered myself a strong student and writer, but, through his teaching and guidance, I learned what it meant to be a careful reader, an effective writer, and a good teacher. At the end of the semester, after he returned an essay exam on which I was surprised to find I had scored poorly, for example, I sought his help, and...

Phil was like an older brother to me who shared his thoughts on just about anything .He was generous in spirit and always spoke well of everyone .Walking into his lovely home ,you just knew that Phil would take good care of you .God blessed us all to put him in our lives. Save me a seat up there in the bleachers buddy.