Walter Ressmeyer:  

Fellow Vikings, I can only assume you came to this website to reminisce (so reminisce we shall! ) While finishing my daily cycling, varying my route, I cut through Parkview High School. Rounding the corner, heading into the courtyard, I happened upon none other than Beecher Sheeley. How does one go about describing Sheeley? l will attempt this for the uninitiated . Mr.Sheeley is an unusual combination of physical characteristics, mannerisms, personality quirks, and other eccentricities. To an alchemist he would consist of: part academician, part social misfit, part permanently preoccupied daydreamer, a smidgen of naivete, and a very large portion of simple beneficence. I always imagined him the subject of a Rockwell painting come to life, a sort of Mr. Smith goes to Washington (except played by Don Knotts), a holy innocent if you will. This odd combination of traits, if such a category exists would place him under the phlegm of species, perhaps next to the Duckbill Platypus. A creature that should not occur or even survive, but is nevertheless somewhat lovable. A high school student might first be impressed with his choice of attire. It was as if Mr.Sheeley donned himself in the garb of his chosen time destination and stepped into a time machine that failed to work. Throughout his life Mr. Shelley wore the same style trousers, white dress shirts, bow tie, oxfords, horn-rim glasses and crew cut right out of the post war 40's and Eisenhower 50's, a true relic of a bygone era. I recognized him right away. Introducing myself with mild trepidation. I was relieved he did not come at me barking "It's You, it's you. You've come back. You little monster" arms outstretched ready to strangle me. No, apparently Mr. Sheeley had not recalled my mischievous ways. He had forgotten my relentless efforts and ability to get him off topic. It was a unique talent I was called upon to use on numerous occasions, sparring myself having to take an exam or give an oral report. My one ace in the hole was to get Beecher to sing a song entitled "Wah Hoo". Then he would begin to reminisce on his childhood, his school days, his courtship with his wife. Yes, my job was to substitute world history with Sheeley's personal history. Beecher would spend the time strolling down memory lane, and I would be spared of work, the class-bell signaling our dismissal. Beecher, upon recognizing my ploy, would become flustered and aggravated with me, yet he was so good natured it was all soon forgotten. This was to be our familiar pattern, I the matador, leading Mr. Sheeley with questions and prompts, and Beecher the bull, charging the red cape. He couldn't resist telling his stories. Ole! Ole! Upon greeting Mr. Sheeley again (after some thirty plus years), I learned that he was now 81 years old, and of course, retired. We noted some of the new changes to the campus, and he added that more construction would soon eliminate his old home-room. Then Mr Sheeley's voice softened and he told me his wife had passed away and he walks each day as it helps him sleep at night. I was profoundly stuck by this, my earlier cartoon characterizations of Beecher were immediately fleshed out. If I had learned anything during class ...Expand for more