William N. Vardyan

This was a kind, sensitive man and a wonderful teacher. We had him for English and Homeroom at the tiny Quantico Post High School in the mid-fifties. I have often wondered what happened to him, although his friends among the young officers had told me he had moved on. I am delighted to hear he had such a great career! May God bless him and hold him close--he was a good human being.
Wendyn Aline Condon Anson

I never had him as a teacher while at Van Horn, but it never mattered to him....the times he talked to me he was extremely selfless and helpful...even though he had an uncanny knack for making us "strain our brains"...We will never forget the impact he had on our lives.

Mr. Vardyan was my high school English teacher in 1968, so long ago! It's just happenstance that I found out about his passing today. He was an impeccable dresser and a perfectionist when it came to the use of the English language. What sticks in my mind is Mr. Vardyan donning his "Chaucer glasses" and introducing the class to Old English by reading passages from Chaucer. Occasionally, he would get a little impatient with us, his face would get flush red, accentuated by the white dress...

Our deepest sympathies for our cousin's family. We were surprised at the news and feel Bill is in good hands.

I was lucky to have Mr. Vardyan as my Senior English teacher in 1978. I looked forward to his class each day. What an amazing personality! I still have clear memories from his class. To this day, I am thankful he laughed when I got in the room next to his and made sounds like I was the ghost of Banquo when his next class started. I hope his family can be comforted with the knowledge that he touched so many lives in a positive way.

I want to extend my sympathy to Mr. Vardyan's family. What an awesome man he was! I graduated from Van Horn in 1965 and although I did not have Mr. Vardyan as a teacher, I remember his wonderful, beautiful, handsome smile and his grace and sincerity. We were blessed to have him as a member of our faculty, for he left a lasting, positive impression on many, many young people. God bless him!

Of all of the teachers I've had over the years, high school and college, Mr Vardyan was the best. The man was able to make English interesting which was a feat in itself. Some of my favorite high school memories are of him. I'm sad to hear of his passing.

Mr. Vardyan was indeed a memorable figure: who could ever forget the ever-present smile, the crisp white shirt - red tie - snappy sport coat, and the razor wit?! The lessons he taught made an enduring impression that easily placed him in my personal top-three educators. Only one of those three are left - a college professor.

Mr. Vardyan's final lesson to me? Call that professor who also made a difference, and let her know how much her efforts were appreciated.

In his next...

I am shocked by the sudden death of Mr. Vardyan. I moved out of the area of Kansas City, his home, and have lived in Estes Park, CO since October 1999.

I was just getting ready to call him and wish him well and my friend wrote to me of his passing.

He was my Spanish and English teacher at Van Horn High School in 1976 and 1977. Every year after that he used to take myself and a few friends out to dinner and we had such a great time!

His laughter was contagious and I am...