During Cindy’s last visit with Uncle Elbert, he insisted that she deliver something to me. It arrived without explanation, but none was needed.

 

A personality feature that made his teaching and companionship so compelling is that he seamlessly fused science with his personal life, which generated much enthusiasm.  I particularly remember two stories he told us in General Science.  He understood the subject matter of that class inside out, of course, and he could explain it a crystal clear manner in not many words.  So not infrequently he was able to finish a day’s lesson early, and with no loss in student understanding.  Sometimes he would then launch into personal stories from his past.

 

One concerned a so-called 20-mile “run-walk” he had to complete in his army basic training.  This event took place during a hot, humid summer day while he had to wear his full uniform and carry his full complement of battle gear, rifle included.  So some 12 or 13 miles in, he became exhausted and decided to stop for a rest. The next thing he knew an hour had passed, and a conversation between two passing drill instructor types brought him back to consciousness.  Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to continue to “sleep”.  One drill instructor said to the other, “This guy stinks.  Do you think he’s dead?”  The other replied, “Maybe.  That would be good for the army because then they wouldn’t have to feed his carcass tonight!”  When they had passed far enough away, Elbert thought he’d better get it done pronto, and he arrived for dinner just fine!

 

Another wonderful story concerned his wedding.  I don’t remember all the details now, but what follows preserves its essence.  Elbert was in Missouri, I think with farming responsibilities or something, and Joyce was in Canada where the wedding was to take place.  So Elbert kept working until he had only just enough time to drive up there before the wedding.  He was moving along just fine on regular two-lane highways (before even the idea of freeways with their safety-inspired landscaping had seriously taken hold).  Meanwhile, it turned out that two young people, a boyfriend and girlfriend in separate cars, had had a painful argument not long before, and the girlfriend had fled the scene.  The distraught boyfriend later thought he’d better find her and apologize.  Well, he did find her, and just over the crest of a hill, they stopped, leaving their two cars on the road and stepped to the roadside to conduct their happy reunion.  Just then, Elbert arrived at the crest of the hill doing some 50 or 60 mph and of course couldn’t stop immediately and plowed into those two cars, fortunately with no injuries.  Elbert, of course, was happy that the couple had resolved their problems, but by the time the smoke had cleared, the cops had taken all necessary photos and separate testimonials from all three people, and the cars had been towed and his car rendered drivable again, much time had passed.  Nobody had cell phones then, of course, and calling Joyce from way out in the country somewhere was just not possible.  So the upshot was that Elbert showed up many (10 or 20?) hours after the whole wedding party and guests had left the church.  This story had us students all on the edge of our seats, but unfortunately right then the school bell announced the end of the class period, and we never did hear the rest of the story.  But evidently Joyce accepted his explanation and apology, the wedding took place a little later than planned, and as they say, the rest is history.

 

All of Elbert Heath’s students loved him for his very human way of teaching what could have been a bone dry subject for many of them.  He exerted a big influence on many students, and I think that I am probably just one of many for whom Elbert’s teaching and companionship were seriously life-altering, and indeed greatly life-enriching.  I feel blessed to have fallen into his sphere of influence, and I will take my many fond memories of him to my own grave.

 

Rick Vance

Altadena, California