[JohnPlace]

Mr. Bush -- My high school physics and chemistry teacher. Here's what made him such a special guy:

1) He knew how to engage a class. To demonstrate the consistent effect of gravity on objects of differing mass, he would climb onto his desk and drop things. One time, he dropped a heavy paperweight and chipped the tile on the floor! To demonstrate momentum, he would run across the room like an insane gazelle, releasing objects in mid-sprint. Oh, and there was always some strange chemical smell coming from his room.
2) He was generous. One time, he caught me cheating on a test (the first and last time I ever cheated) and he said, "John, I'm going to let you come by after school and re-take this test." I did -- and I aced it. I think the only reason I ever cheated in the first place was to feel like I was "getting away" with something.
3) He cared about his students. I remember vividly the time he drove me home from school when my father couldn't make it.

I saw Mr. Bush at a class reunion recently. He was quite old (and ill) and did not remember me. Mr. Bush was so important to me, but he had so many students that I'm sure I was just a face in the crowd to him.

It was sad to see him like that. But I will always remember him the way he was -- an inspiration.