We walked the halls together, so many years ago.

Living, loving, learning; so much we didn't know.

 

Dear TAC members,

 

We lost 142 Tiger Alumni Center (TAC) alumni this past year, 2020.  Our sympathy to family, friends, and other schoolmates.  Below are links to the 2020 deaths as well as those of 2019, 2018, and 2017.  After you click on the link to the year, use your computer’s slider (or the up/down arrows) to move up and down to see the pictures of the alumni. 

 

Click on the name of the deceased to visit his/her obituary.  There, you may leave a note.  For some, you can click on a link at the bottom of the page to visit the person's profile.  (Return tip: if you wish to return to the year page, like 2020, click on the computer’s left arrow near the left, top edge of the screen; then slide down to continue.)

Click on the year or the image below.

 

For 2020    

 

For 2019    

 

For 2018    

 

For 2017    

 

Again, our sympathy to all the loved ones: the family, friends, and other schoolmates.  I offer condolences to all who have lost a loved one.  I do understand; I do feel.  Someone very wise once offered sympathy to me about the loss of my mother, Bettie Jane Hurley Williams (Class of 1939) who died suddenly at the age of 68.  I forget who said to me “Let her live in your heart.  As long as she does, she remains dear to you and alive in your memories.”

 

I offer that expression of sympathy to each of you! 

 

Kind People; Impressive lives

 

I am very pleased to be a fellow schoolmate of these wonderful people.  Don't you agree?  Our schoolmates lived impressive lives! 

Many had few advantages, but did their best with what life offered, finding sources of happiness.  On the other hand, some suceeded not just well but amazingly so!  I'm 79-years old and I understand that we all face limitations, and, when we have a challenge, we must call on our strengths to advance  -- or just to continue. 

Family and friends offer support; but key decisions are alone.  One short example: I decided to teach at my college over the choice of one amazing high school and two colleges, one being Illinois State University.  The line "Take a chance on me!" comes to mind.  Over and over, I smile as I read of the productive lives of so many kind people.  

 

 

Graduation Pictures: Celebration and Documentation: Our Loss

 

What's your first reaction as you look at these pictures?  A close friend or loved one?  Funny glasses or strange hair dos?  As art, photography converts the real into another form depending on the elements of style used by the photographer and the purpose of the occasion.  That form, be it very informal or the reverse, captures (registers) the now/the real and takes it away: making it 'like life' but not.  That's duality or twinning.  It's like putting a frame on the picture -- or placing the graduate in a frozen time.    

Given enough passing time, the 'twin' aspect of the image dominates.  We get the feeling first; we think about it (All the connections) later.  The person in the picture becomes (What word here?) "history," maybe "the way we were."  If, like today's pictures, we are viewing the deceased, then the feelings are much stronger; the separation registers a loss.

 

 

As is true to nature, we all -- in the end -- pass into history.  A history that is shared in our community as long as we care.  As John Donne wrote, "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee."  Eventually, that is.

As a related note, I thank Nancy Rumsey for her devotion to her position as “In Memory” administrator for TAC.  Without her, few of the obituaries would be available to us all.  Her service is beyond value; she’s a treasure.

 

Sincerely,

Richard