Robert Burress Holmes

Mr. Holmes was my 6th grade teacher Sept 1963-June 1964 at Ben Franklin Elementary. As much as any teacher in my long education career as a professor of English for 38 years, Mr. Holmes was hugely important to me via his taking me to task to improve my reading. He inspired me to such a high degree that I became an avid reader in middle and high school, a habit of mind that changed me completely and ended up being the crucial impetus for my multiple degrees in business, philosophy, English,...

Oh how we loved Mr. Holmes at Franklin Elementary School! One of the best teachers ever and a truly kind and gentle man. I know he knew how many lives he touched in his 34 years! Will be missed by so many!

I loved Mr.Holmes. He was my absolute favorite teacher ever! He was the only reason that I got into physical fitness. He encouraged all of us to get the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. I was very proud of myself and so was he. He made 5th grade great. We had Fernando´s hideaway, etc. I was just talking about him the other day. I´m 61 and never forgot him. I am glad he lived such a long and happy life.

Oh my, I'm so sad to realize my 6th grade (c/o 1983) teacher has passed away. I remember that I promised to visit him after I graduated from Hoover in 1989. It was a few years after that I attempted to make contact through Franklin Elementary but they said he had retired. He made such an impact in my life. The day we were promoted, I went to the classroom to get my stuff and he was there. He spoke with my mother for a few minutes and he came over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. I...