Don't mean to do it - do it.

Dr. David Hoch was the greatest teacher I have ever known. Where other professors were condescending, he was always gracious. When he'd heard your theories 100 times before, in a hundred classes before, he always gave them the kind of attention you give a brand new idea.

My favorite memory of him is from when we were studying Moby Dick. He invited the entire class - all 14 of us, to his home for dinner and a "Moby Dick experience." Only 6 of us went. After dinner, he took us out back where he had an actual whaling harpoon. He had set up a wading pool with a big watermelon in it. The first to hit the watermelon won a prize. I didn't hit it, and I don't remember the prize, but I will always remember that day.

When we would talk in his office, it was rarely about class. He would tell me things like how I should go to Europe while I was young (I MEANT to , but never did), how I should always speak my mind (well, I learned THAT lesson well enough), and how the people in my life were so much more important than the things (I like to think I follow this one, but sometimes I forget).

He taught more than English. He taught more than teaching skills. He taught life, and how to suck the marrow out of it.

I didn't go to a small school. The University of Toledo generally had big classes and also a number of professors who enjoyed demonstrating their superiority. Dr. Hoch was a shining exception. For almost 15 years now, when people ask me where I developed my teaching skills, I've told them I just think what Dr. Hoch would do, then I try to do it half as well.

When I graduated, I told Dr. Hoch I would stay in touch. And I did, for about a year. Then life happened and, well, I MEANT to stay in touch, but I didn't.

As I'm sure you've realized by now, Dr. Hoch died. I found out by reading my Alumni magazine. He died in March. Six months ago. I never knew. They had a celebration of his life's acheivements in 2005, so the Alumni Magazine said. While he still alive. Standing room only. I didn't know about it because I didn't stay in touch.

For any of you who read this, do what I did today. Make a list of all the things you "mean" to do, and set up goals and ways to do them. Many of the things you mean to do may pass you by. And, you'll never have a second chance at them. That is the very hard lesson I learned today. Taught, once again, by the greatest teacher I have ever known. Perhaps, the greatest man I have ever known.