Well, my former friend, mentor and, oh yeah, college professor at UMD has died: Roger Fischer.
Going through life, I've tried to please everyone, like most people do. But I've really only tried to impress three men: first my father, who passed away in 1993; then Terry Egerdahl, my high school football and baseball coach until he died unexpectedly in 1981; and Roger Fischer.
I was a history student at the University of Minnesota Duluth for two years before I had Roger for a class. He started with a heavy, gravelly, growly smoker's voice that led into genius. It was like he lived in the 19th century and was just recounting his experiences.
So, in 1985, a bunch of my like-minded friends and I reconstituted a long-lost History Club. Our meetings were from 2-3 p.m. Tuesdays, usually at Sir Ben's. Roger often would come, as would a young new prof named Bill Cherf. We would wave to those driving by, knowing full well we'd be in the work force soon.
Time moved forward, and the History Club became archrivals with the Poli-Sci Club (I double majored in both, but my heart was always with history).
ADVERTISEMENT
Then came the legendary "McClear Cup" softball game. We named it after legendary history prof James McClear, who, as you might guess, was Scottish. Well, it was a foggy morning; we had Roger umping at the plate and James on the field. He was not sure why. Out of the mist, a bagpipe player we hired started the game. McClear was crying. But one of Roger's sons was so scared he ran off into the woods.
Nothing ever works out as planned.
Roger was fearless. He and I walked into a prominent watering hole in Duluth one day. He looked around and then said in his booming voice, "Godfrey, there's nobody in here but disbarred judges and attorneys." I tried to hide under the table. Well, not really. But I was going to need a job one day!
I tell these humorous stories, but where Roger was really fearless was where it counted: with the students. They were who he fought for. No other professor I knew ever fought harder for the students than Roger did.
I could never have asked for a better friend -- so I never did.
Long live the king!
I could say I'm expressing my final thoughts about Roger Fischer; but no, I will never have final thoughts of him.
Robert Godfrey lives in St. Louis Park, Minn.
